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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Union County

Tennessee · 19,802 residents · 223.583 sq mi
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The short version

Union County has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $45,143. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 11% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $131,800.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 42.9
US median: 38.8
Less educated
11% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 34%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
19,802
+11%since 2000
from 17,808 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
89 / sq mi
+11%since 2000
from 80 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
42.9
+20%since 2000
from 35.8 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
13K15K17K19K21K1990201020202024Union County
202420K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$45,143
+10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $27,335 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$24,268
+81%since 2000
from $13,375 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
25.9%
+12.7 ptssince 2009
from 13.1% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
18.8%
−0.8 ptssince 2000
from 19.6% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Wholesale trade14.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade13.7%
US avg: 10%
Information10.5%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance7.6%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical5.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services4.6%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration2.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.4%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services1.7%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.7%
US avg: 1.7%
Manufacturing1.3%
US avg: 0.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.1%
US avg: 2%
Construction0.4%
US avg: 1.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$131,800
+34%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $65,600 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$707
+21%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $388 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
77.6%
−3.4 ptssince 2000
from 81.0% in 2000
22.4% rent
Afford Score
2.9
+22%since 2000
from 2.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Union County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.9%(17,426)
Black0.1%(18)
Hispanic / Latino0.8%(140)
Asian0.1%(25)
Other0%
Diversity Score2.6%(459)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic94.1%(18,642)
Black0.3%(53)
Hispanic / Latino2%(404)
Asian0.2%(36)
Other1.6%(310)
Diversity Score10%(1,985)
Segregation Score29.4%(5,830)
Diversity Score
10
+289%since 2000
from 3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
29
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
11.1%
+5.3 ptssince 2000
from 5.8% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
78.3%
+22.0 ptssince 2000
from 56.3% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
5.2%
+3.1 ptssince 2000
from 2.1% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
31.4 min
+29%since 2000
from 24.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
80.9%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 82.7% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
4.6%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 4.2% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
6.7%
−2.0 ptssince 2011
from 8.6% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
52.4%
+0.1 ptssince 2011
from 52.3% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
23.1%
−29.3 ptssince 2009
from 52.5% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.0%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 49.3% in 2009
Female
51.0%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 50.7% in 2009
Foreign born
0.5%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 1.1% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
7.8%
−78.1 ptssince 2013
from 85.9% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Union County

Gilchrist County
Pop 20,488
Gem County
Pop 21,773
Fayette County
Pop 20,790
Pierce County
Pop 20,764
Places similar to Union County
Head to head

Compare Union County to nearby counties

UNION COUNTY VS
Claiborne County
Income$49,379+9%
Home value$159,900+21%
Population33,229+55%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
UNION COUNTY VS
Grainger County
Income$50,538+12%
Home value$189,200+44%
Population25,739+20%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
UNION COUNTY VS
Campbell County
Income$51,557+14%
Home value$186,500+42%
Population40,290+88%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
UNION COUNTY VS
Knox County
Income$74,222+64%
Home value$320,900+143%
Population511,453+2284%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Union County, Tennessee?

Union County, Tennessee has about 19,802 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Union County, Tennessee?

The typical household in Union County, Tennessee earns about $45,143 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Union County, Tennessee expensive?

In Union County, Tennessee, the median home is worth about $131,800, and the typical rent is about $707 a month.

How educated are people in Union County, Tennessee?

About 11.1% of adults age 25 and over in Union County, Tennessee hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Union County, Tennessee?

About 18.8% of people in Union County, Tennessee live below the federal poverty line.

Has Union County, Tennessee grown since 1990?

Yes, Union County, Tennessee has grown since 1990. The population has added about 6,108 residents, a change of about 45 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

5 census tracts
Census Tract 402.02Census Tract 402.01Census Tract 401.01Census Tract 401.02Census Tract 403
3 ZIP codes
ZIP 37807ZIP 37779ZIP 37866
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →