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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Union County

South Dakota · 16,811 residents · 460.757 sq mi
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The short version

Union County is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $74,006. Population has grown 34% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $206,300.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 41.0
US median: 38.8
Average education
30% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 61%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
16,811
+34%since 2000
from 12,584 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
36 / sq mi
+34%since 2000
from 27 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
41.0
+11%since 2000
from 36.9 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
9K12K14K16K18K1990201020202024Union County
202417K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$74,006
+10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $44,790 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$44,279
+82%since 2000
from $24,355 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
49.5%
+16.2 ptssince 2009
from 33.3% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
8.3%
+2.8 ptssince 2000
from 5.5% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade17.2%
US avg: 10%
Wholesale trade9.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services9.2%
US avg: 6.6%
Information9.2%
US avg: 11.1%
Public administration7.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Finance & insurance6.6%
US avg: 5.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing5.9%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction5.2%
US avg: 1.2%
Professional, scientific, technical5.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing4.2%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.6%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services1.5%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0.7%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$206,300
+61%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $85,200 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$854
+13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $505 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
72.9%
−1.4 ptssince 2000
from 74.4% in 2000
27.1% rent
Afford Score
2.8
+47%since 2000
from 1.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Union County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic96%(12,081)
Black0.3%(40)
Hispanic / Latino1.3%(158)
Asian1.3%(167)
Other0%
Diversity Score7.2%(904)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic89.2%(14,994)
Black1%(169)
Hispanic / Latino3.9%(661)
Asian1.5%(247)
Other3.5%(595)
Diversity Score23.4%(3,938)
Segregation Score19.9%(3,343)
Diversity Score
23
+226%since 2000
from 7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
20
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
30.3%
+4.1 ptssince 2000
from 26.3% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
93.8%
+6.6 ptssince 2000
from 87.2% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
11.5%
+2.7 ptssince 2000
from 8.8% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.0 min
+52%since 2000
from 12.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
85.6%
+1.3 ptssince 2009
from 84.3% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
2.3%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 3.1% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.3%
−1.2 ptssince 2011
from 3.5% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
68.8%
−1.1 ptssince 2011
from 69.9% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
39.1%
−23.1 ptssince 2009
from 62.2% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.7%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 51.0% in 2009
Female
49.3%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 49.0% in 2009
Foreign born
2.8%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 2.6% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
6.2%
−87.9 ptssince 2013
from 94.1% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Union County

Grand County
Pop 16,496
Gunnison County
Pop 17,439
Pike County
Pop 20,932
Greene County
Pop 21,367
Places similar to Union County
Head to head

Compare Union County to nearby counties

UNION COUNTY VS
Clay County
Income$56,850−23%
Home value$232,300+13%
Population15,031−14%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
UNION COUNTY VS
Plymouth County
Income$83,251+12%
Home value$228,900+11%
Population25,697+48%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
UNION COUNTY VS
Dixon County
Income$72,454−2%
Home value$155,900−24%
Population5,602−68%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
UNION COUNTY VS
Sioux County
Income$86,098+16%
Home value$250,100+21%
Population36,774+111%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Union County, South Dakota?

Union County, South Dakota has about 16,811 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Union County, South Dakota?

The typical household in Union County, South Dakota earns about $74,006 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Union County, South Dakota expensive?

In Union County, South Dakota, the median home is worth about $206,300, and the typical rent is about $854 a month.

How educated are people in Union County, South Dakota?

About 30.3% of adults age 25 and over in Union County, South Dakota hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Union County, South Dakota?

About 8.3% of people in Union County, South Dakota live below the federal poverty line.

Has Union County, South Dakota grown since 1990?

Yes, Union County, South Dakota has grown since 1990. The population has added about 6,622 residents, a change of about 65 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

4 census tracts
Census Tract 203.01Census Tract 203.02Census Tract 201Census Tract 202
4 ZIP codes
ZIP 57049ZIP 57025ZIP 57038ZIP 57001
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →