Population 42,456 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Union County
Household size in Union County
| Period | Union County | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.35 | 2.51 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.24 | 2.53 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.60 | 2.50 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.46 | 2.46 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.11 | −0.05 | −0.03 |
Households in Union County run small, averaging 2.46 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. That is in line with the rest of Pennsylvania. Since 2006–10, household size has climbed from 2.35, even as the national average fell.
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 | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 39.4 | 40.3 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 40.1 | 41.0 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 42.2 | 41.8 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 43.6 | 42.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +4.3 | +1.7 | +2.3 |
The median resident of Union County is 43.6 years old, older than the national median of 40.1. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 39.4, as it has nationally. Residents skew youngest in the south and oldest in the northeast.
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 | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.1% | 10.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 12.0% | 10.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 7.2% | 10.5% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 13.9% | 10.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | +4.8 pts | +0.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are more common in Union County than nationally: 13.9%, against 11.6%. The single-parent share has risen 4.8 points since 2006–10, even as the national share fell. Only one other Pennsylvania county has a higher 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 | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 26.3% | 29.0% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 27.8% | 30.5% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 27.6% | 31.1% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 27.7% | 30.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | +1.3 pts | +1.7 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Union County own their homes; 27.7% rent, below the national share of 34.8%. Among homeowners, 47.4% have no mortgage at all, above the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the east and least common in the north. The renter share has edged up 1.3 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.2% | 10.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 13.5% | 10.5% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 18.1% | 10.7% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 11.1% | 9.1% | 9.6% |
| Change | +1.0 pts | −1.2 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy runs a little high in Union County: 11.1% of homes are empty, against 9.6% nationally. The count includes vacation homes and homes between owners or tenants, not just abandoned ones. Vacancy is up 1.0 points from 2006–10, 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 | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1970 | 1963 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1971 | 1964 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1973 | 1965 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1970 | 1967 | 1980 |
| Change | +0 | +4 | +6 |
Union County is a place of older homes: half were built before 1970, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. Newer construction is concentrated in the center, while the east 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 | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $610 | $829 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $711 | $923 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $838 | $1,039 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,058 | $1,323 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$448 | +$494 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Union County costs $1,058 a month with utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $448 a month from 2006–10, a 73% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 30.5% of the typical renter's income, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. The priciest rents are in the center; the most affordable are in the north.
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 | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 29.2% | 27.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 23.0% | 28.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 26.8% | 31.8% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 32.5% | 35.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +3.3 pts | +8.3 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are a little less common in Union County than nationally: 32.5% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 3.3 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. College graduates are most concentrated in the east and least in the north.
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 | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 85.3% | 87.3% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 87.0% | 88.8% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 88.4% | 90.3% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 88.1% | 91.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +2.9 pts | +4.5 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Union County is close to the national rate: 88.1% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. The rate is lower than in Pennsylvania overall (91.8%). Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 2.9 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 | Pennsylvania | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.4% | 7.5% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 6.0% | 8.8% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.2% | 5.5% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.0% | 5.4% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.4 pts | −2.1 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in Union County has been strong: just 2.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. No other Pennsylvania county has lower unemployment. Unemployment has fallen 3.4 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 | 2.46 | 43.6 | 13.9% | 27.7% | 11.1% | 1970 | $1,058 | 32.5% | 88.1% | 2.0% |
| Northumberland County | 2.36 | 45.1 | 10.8% | 24.5% | 12.3% | 1959 | $893 | 19.3% | 90.2% | 3.8% |
| Montour County | 2.26 | 42.7 | 9.8% | 31.5% | 4.0% | 1974 | $1,114 | 38.6% | 93.8% | 3.0% |
| Columbia County | 2.36 | 42.5 | 7.4% | 30.5% | 11.7% | 1968 | $966 | 27.1% | 92.7% | 5.8% |
| Centre County | 2.34 | 37.8 | 5.5% | 38.2% | 11.5% | 1979 | $1,210 | 52.3% | 94.9% | 4.9% |
| Carbon County | 2.40 | 45.9 | 12.8% | 23.6% | 16.9% | 1965 | $1,079 | 19.0% | 90.7% | 7.7% |
| Clearfield County | 2.30 | 46.4 | 8.4% | 21.5% | 14.7% | 1968 | $821 | 21.6% | 91.1% | 5.4% |
| Monroe County | 2.75 | 44.1 | 10.4% | 19.8% | 19.8% | 1982 | $1,505 | 27.8% | 90.3% | 6.7% |
| Jefferson County | 2.38 | 44.4 | 9.5% | 25.1% | 14.7% | 1961 | $804 | 18.2% | 91.9% | 4.2% |
| Sussex County | 2.55 | 44.4 | 8.6% | 16.3% | 8.7% | 1972 | $1,719 | 40.7% | 95.4% | 5.2% |
| Morris County | 2.71 | 43.4 | 6.0% | 25.7% | 4.3% | 1971 | $2,157 | 58.3% | 95.0% | 5.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Knox County, ME · Perry County, PA · Osage County, OK · Manassas City, VA · Madison County, OH · Macoupin County, IL · Levy County, FL · Lawrence County, MO · Latah County, ID · Lamar County, TX
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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