Population 26,304 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Union County
Household size in Union County
| Period | Union County | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.17 | 2.70 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.55 | 2.77 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.34 | 2.75 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.27 | 2.73 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.10 | +0.03 | −0.03 |
Union County is a place of small households, averaging 2.27 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Household size has climbed from 2.17 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell. Of Georgia's 159 counties, only ten have smaller households.
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 | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 49.6 | 36.0 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 52.9 | 36.9 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 54.0 | 38.1 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 54.9 | 38.6 | 40.1 |
| Change | +5.3 | +2.6 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 54.9, Union County is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. The median age has climbed from 49.6 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Only one other Georgia county is older.
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 | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.9% | 13.8% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 6.8% | 13.8% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 7.8% | 13.0% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.4% | 13.4% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.5 pts | −0.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Union County: 5.4% of households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share is down 0.5 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. No other Georgia county has a lower share of single-parent households.
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 | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.9% | 32.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 19.6% | 35.8% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 22.8% | 36.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 15.6% | 34.3% | 34.8% |
| Change | −6.3 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 15.6% of households in Union County rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Among homeowners, 53.1% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has fallen 6.3 points, even as the national share rose. Few Georgia counties have a lower share of renters: only five of 159.
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 | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 29.3% | 13.1% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 39.3% | 13.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 31.7% | 11.6% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 21.8% | 10.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | −7.5 pts | −2.8 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 21.8% 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. Vacancy has fallen 7.5 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1990 | 1985 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1992 | 1987 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1995 | 1987 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1995 | 1991 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +6 | +6 |
Union County has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 1995, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1990 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the northwest, while the northeast 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 | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $670 | $910 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $626 | $977 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $816 | $1,112 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $945 | $1,520 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$274 | +$609 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Union County costs $945 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $274 a month from 2006–10, a 41% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 24.3% of household income on rent, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. Rents run highest in the northeast and lowest in the south.
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 | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 20.7% | 28.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 20.8% | 28.9% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 22.9% | 31.4% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 26.6% | 35.1% | 35.6% |
| Change | +5.8 pts | +7.0 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are less common in Union County than nationally: 26.6% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 5.8 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Compared with other Georgia counties, though, Union County has a higher share of college graduates than most.
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 | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 82.9% | 84.1% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 85.8% | 85.4% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 89.3% | 87.2% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 87.8% | 89.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +4.9 pts | +5.0 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Union County is close to the national rate: 87.8% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 4.9 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 | Georgia | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.2% | 8.8% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 12.7% | 10.7% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.2% | 5.8% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.4% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Change | −6.8 pts | −3.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in Union County has been strong: just 2.4% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Only nine of Georgia's 159 counties have lower unemployment. Unemployment is down 6.8 points from 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 | 2.27 | 54.9 | 5.4% | 15.6% | 21.8% | 1995 | $945 | 26.6% | 87.8% | 2.4% |
| Towns County | 2.05 | 54.7 | 8.0% | 17.7% | 30.4% | 1996 | $883 | 32.6% | 92.5% | 4.9% |
| Fannin County | 2.21 | 51.1 | 12.2% | 21.4% | 34.5% | 1993 | $989 | 23.8% | 88.1% | 3.6% |
| Rabun County | 2.24 | 48.6 | 8.5% | 22.9% | 33.4% | 1988 | $1,039 | 30.6% | 89.7% | 1.9% |
| Murray County | 2.73 | 39.2 | 15.0% | 26.2% | 7.5% | 1993 | $892 | 15.8% | 78.6% | 4.3% |
| Whitfield County | 2.88 | 36.9 | 14.4% | 33.0% | 8.4% | 1985 | $1,025 | 20.5% | 74.5% | 4.7% |
| Oconee County | 2.34 | 45.9 | 9.7% | 23.8% | 18.0% | 1988 | $913 | 28.4% | 87.2% | 5.5% |
| Catoosa County | 2.60 | 41.6 | 13.3% | 25.8% | 8.3% | 1991 | $1,004 | 25.0% | 89.6% | 4.4% |
| Walker County | 2.59 | 42.3 | 10.7% | 22.8% | 11.7% | 1980 | $944 | 21.0% | 87.0% | 3.8% |
| Pickens County | 2.48 | 38.8 | 8.8% | 29.1% | 12.1% | 1986 | $1,017 | 33.9% | 89.0% | 4.0% |
| Dade County | 2.51 | 43.4 | 8.1% | 20.0% | 17.1% | 1987 | $877 | 18.0% | 88.2% | 3.9% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Polk County, MO · Klickitat County, WA · Knox County, KY · Lafayette County, MO · Lake County, MT · Lares Municipio, PR · Lassen County, CA · Lawrence County, AL · Lee County, GA · Lee County, IA
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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