Population 37,900 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Union County
Household size in Union County
| Period | Union County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.50 | 2.54 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.43 | 2.57 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.48 | 2.55 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.56 | 2.53 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.07 | −0.00 | −0.03 |
The average household in Union County has 2.56 people, a bit under the U.S. average of 2.65. Since 2006–10, household size has crept up from 2.50, even as the national average fell. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the southwest.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Union County
| Period | Union County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 39.4 | 37.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 41.5 | 38.7 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 40.1 | 39.5 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 41.5 | 39.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.1 | +1.7 | +2.3 |
Half of the people in Union County are younger than 41.5 and half are older, close to the national median of 40.1. The population here is older than in Arkansas as a whole, where the median age is 39.6. The median age has climbed from 39.4 in 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Union County
| Period | Union County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.9% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 15.5% | 12.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 14.3% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 11.6% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −4.3 pts | −0.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are just as common in Union County as they are nationally: 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has fallen 4.3 points, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Union County
Renters in Union County
| Period | Union County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 28.8% | 32.3% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 30.5% | 33.5% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 24.6% | 34.4% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 27.3% | 33.6% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.5 pts | +1.3 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Union County own their homes; 27.3% rent, below the national share of 34.8%. Nearly six in ten owners (55.9%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. Rentals cluster in the center; owners are most common in the southeast. The renter share is down 1.5 points from 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Union County
| Period | Union County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.7% | 13.4% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 15.0% | 13.9% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 20.5% | 14.4% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 17.4% | 13.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | +1.7 pts | −0.3 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 17.4% of the housing in Union County, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Since 2006–10, vacancy has risen 1.7 points, even as the national rate fell.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Union County
| Period | Union County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1972 | 1981 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1975 | 1983 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1976 | 1985 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1981 | 1988 | 1980 |
| Change | +10 | +6 | +6 |
The typical home in Union County was built around 1981, about the same vintage as the country's housing overall (1980). Homes here are older than in Arkansas as a whole, where the median home dates to 1988. The median year built has moved up from 1972 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the southwest, while the center has the oldest housing.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Union County
| Period | Union County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $603 | $660 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $674 | $718 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $718 | $785 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $850 | $1,007 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$247 | +$346 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Union County costs $850 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $247 a month since 2006–10, up 41%, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 27.6% of household income on rent, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the northeast; the highest are in the center.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Union County
Bachelor's degrees in Union County
| Period | Union County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.8% | 20.6% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 17.1% | 21.8% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 22.0% | 23.8% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 19.3% | 26.2% | 35.6% |
| Change | +2.5 pts | +5.6 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Union County have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 19.3%, against 35.6% nationally. The share with a degree has risen 2.5 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the west and least in the northeast.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Union County
| Period | Union County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 81.8% | 82.6% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 82.8% | 84.6% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 84.7% | 86.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 88.0% | 88.7% | 89.3% |
| Change | +6.2 pts | +6.1 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Union County is close to the national rate: 88.0% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 6.2 points, mirroring the country.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Union County
| Period | Union County | Arkansas | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.0% | 7.7% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 10.5% | 8.4% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.2% | 5.2% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.9% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.1 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Union County is close to the national rate: 5.9% of the labor force, against 5.4%. The rate is higher than in Arkansas overall (5.1%). Unemployment has fallen 3.1 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Union County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Union County | 2.56 | 41.5 | 11.6% | 27.3% | 17.4% | 1981 | $850 | 19.3% | 88.0% | 5.9% |
| Columbia County | 2.49 | 36.7 | 13.6% | 29.3% | 22.9% | 1981 | $755 | 24.7% | 90.1% | 3.0% |
| Ashley County | 2.54 | 42.4 | 8.0% | 29.2% | 21.7% | 1978 | $676 | 12.8% | 88.0% | 5.5% |
| Lafayette County | 2.34 | 48.9 | 9.4% | 20.7% | 32.3% | 1977 | $644 | 8.3% | 82.1% | 4.9% |
| Chicot County | 2.36 | 43.3 | 16.5% | 30.8% | 22.3% | 1980 | $719 | 18.8% | 83.6% | 8.0% |
| Washington County | 2.57 | 38.3 | 21.4% | 39.8% | 16.0% | 1974 | $898 | 21.8% | 81.1% | 6.0% |
| Humphreys County | 2.58 | 40.6 | 23.1% | 38.3% | 17.5% | 1980 | $671 | 19.2% | 81.7% | 11.4% |
| Titus County | 2.86 | 36.0 | 16.1% | 29.4% | 9.2% | 1983 | $923 | 16.8% | 77.9% | 3.3% |
| Franklin County | 2.72 | 44.0 | 7.1% | 18.0% | 21.3% | 1986 | $909 | 26.8% | 90.2% | 3.6% |
| Hopkins County | 2.67 | 40.9 | 8.3% | 28.9% | 12.0% | 1986 | $1,086 | 22.3% | 85.5% | 3.9% |
| Delta County | 2.55 | 39.7 | 10.1% | 17.2% | 11.3% | 1977 | $1,074 | 14.7% | 89.2% | 4.5% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Lee County, IL · Lyon County, KS · Lumpkin County, GA · Louisa County, VA · Logan County, WV · Livingston County, IL · Lincoln County, TN · Lincoln County, OK · Lincoln County, NE · Lincoln County, MS
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Union County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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