Population 11,993 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Union County
Household size in Union County
| Period | Union County | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.27 | 2.44 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.32 | 2.45 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.34 | 2.43 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.35 | 2.43 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.08 | −0.01 | −0.03 |
Union County is a place of small households, averaging 2.35 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Since 2006–10, household size has crept up from 2.27, even as the national average fell. Households are largest in the northeast and smallest in the center.
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 | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 42.4 | 38.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 42.5 | 39.3 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 42.5 | 39.7 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 41.9 | 39.8 | 40.1 |
| Change | −0.5 | +1.0 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Union County is 41.9 years old, a bit older than the national median of 40.1. The median age has edged down from 42.4 in 2006–10, even as the national median rose. Residents skew youngest in the northwest and oldest in the southeast.
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 | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.2% | 9.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.1% | 9.9% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 9.8% | 10.0% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 9.0% | 10.0% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.2 pts | +0.6 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are less common in Union County than nationally: 9.0%, against 11.6%. The single-parent share has edged down 1.2 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 28.1% | 26.8% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 26.5% | 28.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 29.6% | 28.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 27.9% | 28.3% | 34.8% |
| Change | −0.2 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Union County own their homes; 27.9% rent, below the national share of 34.8%. Among homeowners, 49.8% have no mortgage at all, above the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the center and least common in the southeast.
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 | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.7% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 11.0% | 8.6% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 13.4% | 9.4% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 10.9% | 8.8% | 9.6% |
| Change | +0.2 pts | +0.1 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy in Union County is close to the national rate: 10.9% of homes are empty, against 9.6%. The rate is higher than in Iowa as a whole (8.8%).
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 | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1955 | 1965 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1955 | 1967 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1959 | 1969 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1960 | 1971 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +6 | +6 |
Union County is a place of older homes: half were built before 1960, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. The median year built has moved up from 1955 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the northwest, the oldest in the center.
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 | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $556 | $669 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $651 | $732 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $686 | $821 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $794 | $1,020 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$238 | +$351 | +$606 |
Rent in Union County runs $794 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $238 a month since 2006–10, up 43%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 25.9% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Rents run highest in the northwest and lowest in the east.
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 | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.8% | 26.5% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 17.2% | 27.9% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 18.7% | 29.3% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 23.2% | 32.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +7.4 pts | +5.8 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Union County have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 23.2%, against 35.6% nationally. The share with a degree has risen 7.4 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. College graduates are most concentrated in the northwest and least in the east.
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 | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 89.1% | 90.4% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 91.3% | 91.4% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 90.3% | 92.1% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 91.8% | 93.0% | 89.3% |
| Change | +2.7 pts | +2.7 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Union County is a bit above the national rate: 91.8% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. Iowa as a whole looks much the same. The share with a diploma has risen 2.7 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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 | Iowa | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.4% | 5.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 6.7% | 5.4% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.2% | 3.7% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.0% | 3.7% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.4 pts | −1.5 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Union County runs below the national rate: 4.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Unemployment is down 1.4 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's job market.
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 | 2.35 | 41.9 | 9.0% | 27.9% | 10.9% | 1960 | $794 | 23.2% | 91.8% | 4.0% |
| Adams County | 2.30 | 48.0 | 7.5% | 22.9% | 18.1% | 1956 | $863 | 26.9% | 93.9% | 3.8% |
| Clarke County | 2.44 | 40.7 | 11.7% | 27.7% | 9.4% | 1978 | $823 | 16.2% | 88.9% | 4.6% |
| Montgomery County | 2.24 | 44.0 | 11.5% | 30.9% | 8.5% | 1960 | $844 | 20.7% | 91.4% | 2.5% |
| Lucas County | 2.38 | 42.1 | 10.8% | 21.2% | 9.5% | 1961 | $1,054 | 16.2% | 91.6% | 5.0% |
| Mills County | 2.67 | 42.2 | 9.2% | 16.5% | 11.2% | 1969 | $937 | 30.9% | 96.8% | 1.9% |
| Monroe County | 2.39 | 42.8 | 9.1% | 18.7% | 13.5% | 1968 | $822 | 22.8% | 95.0% | 2.3% |
| Sarpy County | 2.71 | 37.0 | 9.5% | 29.6% | 4.6% | 1994 | $1,451 | 43.2% | 95.6% | 2.5% |
| Cass County | 2.51 | 42.0 | 8.0% | 14.6% | 8.4% | 1977 | $1,124 | 32.3% | 96.0% | 1.9% |
| Wapello County | 2.51 | 40.0 | 17.5% | 31.6% | 10.5% | 1957 | $950 | 18.6% | 87.3% | 4.7% |
| Saunders County | 2.62 | 40.4 | 7.8% | 17.9% | 12.0% | 1970 | $989 | 33.3% | 97.0% | 3.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Prince Edward County, VA · Johnson County, WY · Johnston County, OK · Jones County, IA · Jones County, NC · Jones County, TX · Juab County, UT · Kalkaska County, MI · Kanabec County, MN · Kane County, UT
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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