Union County, IA

County

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2021 Population

12,193

0.894% 1-year decline

US Senator

Chuck Grassley

Republican Party

US Senator

Joni Ernst

Republican Party

2021 Median Age

39.7

2.22% 1-year decrease

2021 Poverty Rate

12.4%

4.38% 1-year increase

2021 Median Household Income

$52,321

3.86% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$109,200

0.365% 1-year decline

2021 Employed Population

5,669

3.03% 1-year decline

About

In 2021, Union County, IA had a population of 12.2k people with a median age of 39.7 and a median household income of $52,321. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Union County, IA declined from 12,303 to 12,193, a −0.894% decrease and its median household income grew from $50,375 to $52,321, a 3.86% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Union County, IA are White (Non-Hispanic) (93.6%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (2.11%), White (Hispanic) (1.94%), Other (Hispanic) (1.12%), and Asian (Non-Hispanic) (0.697%).

None of the households in Union County, IA reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

98.5% of the residents in Union County, IA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Union County, IA are Southwestern Community College (404 degrees awarded in 2021).

In 2021, the median property value in Union County, IA was $109,200, and the homeownership rate was 74.3%.

Most people in Union County, IA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 15.5 minutes. The average car ownership in Union County, IA was 2 cars per household.

Union County, IA borders Adair County, IA, Adams County, IA, Clarke County, IA, Decatur County, IA, Madison County, IA, Ringgold County, IA, and Taylor County, IA.

United States Iowa

Population & Diversity

Union County, IA is home to a population of 12.2k people, from which 98.5% are citizens. As of 2021, 1.94% of Union County, IA residents were born outside of the country (237 people).

In 2021, there were 44.4 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (11.4k people) in Union County, IA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 257 Two+ (Non-Hispanic) and 237 White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

98.5%

2021 Citizenship

99.2%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 98.5% of Union County, IA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Union County, IA was 99.2%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Union County, IA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Union County, IA

White (Non-Hispanic)
11.4k ± 15
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
257 ± 60.9
White (Hispanic)
237 ± 55

3.11%

Hispanic Population

379 people

3.11% of the people in Union County, IA are hispanic (379 people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Union County, IA as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Iowa.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
41,634 ± 4,977 people
India
10,950 ± 2,565 people
Vietnam
8,674 ± 2,283 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Iowa was Mexico, the natal country of 41,634 Iowa residents, followed by India with 10,950 and Vietnam with 8,674.

Foreign-Born Population

1.94%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

237 people

1.7%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

209 people

As of 2021, 1.94% of Union County, IA residents (237 people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Union County, IA was 1.7%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Union County, IA compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
377 ± 123
Gulf War (2001-)
117 ± 57
Gulf War (1990s)
104 ± 58

Union County, IA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 3.22 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Union County, IA employs 5.67k people. The largest industries in Union County, IA are Manufacturing (1,186 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (716 people), and Retail Trade (636 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($100,792), Wholesale Trade ($55,729), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($54,418).

Males in Iowa have an average income that is 1.35 times higher than the average income of females, which is $50,335. The income inequality in Iowa (measured using the Gini index) is 0.439, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

5.67k

2021 Value

± 426

−3.03%

1 Year decline

± 10.8%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Union County, IA declined at a rate of −3.03%, from 5.85k employees to 5.67k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Union County, IA, are Production Occupations (784 people), Management Occupations (603 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (577 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Union County, IA.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Iowa (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

5.67k

2021 Value

± 426

−3.03%

1 Year decline

± 10.8%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Union County, IA declined at a rate of −3.03%, from 5.85k employees to 5.67k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Union County, IA, are Manufacturing (1,186 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (716 people), and Retail Trade (636 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Union County, IA, though some of these residents may live in Union County, IA and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$45,552

Median earning men ± $3,282

$26,242

Median earning women ± $2,939

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($123,021), Wholesale Trade ($55,781), and Public Administration ($55,764).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Public Administration ($45,958), Manufacturing ($36,691), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($32,895).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Iowa. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Iowa.

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

133
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
104
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing
60
Retail Trade

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$186k
Manufacturing
$34.7k
Wholesale Trade
$33.1k
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Iowa to other states, or from other states to Iowa.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

Meat/seafood
$20.6B
Mixed freight
$19.9B
Machinery
$19.1B

In 2020, the top outbound Iowa product (by dollars) was Meat/seafood with $20.6B, followed by Mixed freight ($19.9B) and Machinery ($19.1B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Iowa products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Iowa.

$252B

2020 Value in Iowa

$518B

Projected 2050 Value in Iowa

105% growth

In 2020, total outbound Iowa trade was $252B. This is expected to increase 105% to $518B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Iowa trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Iowa to other states, or from other states to Iowa.

Most Common Trade Partners

Illinois
$21.2B
Minnesota
$16.2B
Texas
$10.8B

In 2020, the top outbound Iowa domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Illinois with $21.2B, followed by Minnesota with $16.2B and Texas and $10.8B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Iowa shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Union County, IA went to Donald J. Trump with 65.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (33.3%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (0.986%).

Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst are the senators currently representing the state of Iowa. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Iowa is currently represented by 4 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (65.1%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (33.3%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (0.986%)
Libertarian Party

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Union County, IA for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Iowa

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Iowa.

Chuck Grassley

Senator from Iowa

Assumed office on January 3, 1981

Joni Ernst

Senator from Iowa

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst are the senators currently representing Iowa.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Iowa over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Iowa

Iowa is currently represented by 4 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Iowa have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Union County, IA awarded 404 degrees. The student population of Union County, IA in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 646 male students and 896 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Union County, IA are White (347 and 89.2%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (17 and 4.37%), Black or African American (9 and 2.31%), and Unknown (7 and 1.8%).

The largest universities in Union County, IA by number of degrees awarded are Southwestern Community College (404 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Union County, IA are Liberal Arts & Sciences (137 and 33.9%), Licensed Practical & Vocational Nurse Training (48 and 11.9%), and Registered Nursing (40 and 9.9%).

Admissions & Enrollments

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2021 there were 1,542 students enrolled in Union County, IA, 41.9% men and 58.1% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 1,316 records, of which 59.7% were women and 40.3% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Liberal Arts & Sciences
137 degrees awarded
Registered Nursing
40 degrees awarded
General Business Administration & Management
9 degrees awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Union County, IA was Liberal Arts & Sciences with 137 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Associates Degree from schools in Union County, IA according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Southwestern Community College

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

404 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Southwestern Community College with 404 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

In 2021, 190 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Union County, IA, which is 0.888 times less than the 214 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 347 degrees mean that there were 20.4 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 17 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Public, 2-year ($5,670) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($390) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($1,337) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Iowa.

Measure

In 2021, 0.63% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.621% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Iowa.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (742k), Some college (567k), and Bachelors Degree (459k).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Union County, IA was $109,200 in 2021, which is 0.446 times smaller than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $109,600 to $109,200, a 0.365% decrease. The homeownership rate in Union County, IA is 74.3%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Union County, IA have an average commute time of 15.5 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Union County, IA is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Union County, IA is $52,321. In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Union County, IA was Census Tract 1903 with a value of $70,602, followed by Census Tract 1901 and Census Tract 1904, with respective values of $61,016 and $51,750.

In 2022, 10.6% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Union County, IA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 4.21%.

Housing

Property

$109,200

Median Property Value 2021

±$7,459

$3,669

Median Property Taxes

±$327

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Union County, IA the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Union County, IA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

74.3%

Homeownership

2021

58.7%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 74.3% of the housing units in Union County, IA were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 72.3%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Union County, IA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 1903
Census Tract 1901
Census Tract 1904

In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Union County, IA was Census Tract 1903 with a value of $70,602, followed by Census Tract 1901 and Census Tract 1904, with respective values of $61,016 and $51,750.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Union County, IA colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$52,321

Median Household Income

± $3,915

4.94k

Number of Households

± 403

In 2021, the median household income of the 4.94k households in Union County, IA grew to $52,321 from the previous year's value of $50,375.

The following chart displays the households in Union County, IA distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Union County, IA is from Iowa.

0.439

2021 Wage GINI in Iowa

0.438

2020 Wage GINI in Iowa

In 2021, the income inequality in Iowa was 0.439 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.221% growth from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for Iowa was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Iowa in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Iowa across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (78.1%)
Carpooled (9.55%)
Walked (7.3%)

In 2021, 78.1% of workers in Union County, IA drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (9.55%) and those who walked to work (7.3%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

15.5 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Union County, IA have a shorter commute time (15.5 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 1.59% of the workforce in Union County, IA have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Union County, IA compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Union County, IA distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Union County, IA have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2022, 10.6% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Union County, IA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 4.21%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

12.4% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Union County, IA (1.48k out of 11.9k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Males 18 - 24, followed by Females 55 - 64 and then Females 18 - 24.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Union County, IA is White, followed by Hispanic and Other.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2022, 16.2% of the children was living in poverty in Union County, IA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 4.7%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 219 in Union County, IA. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 24.1 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

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Health

91.8% of the population of Union County, IA has health coverage, with 41.2% on employee plans, 17.6% on Medicaid, 15% on Medicare, 16.4% on non-group plans, and 1.62% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Union County, IA see 1224 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.971% decrease from the previous year (1236 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 2026 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 419 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.7% were men and 51.3% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,224 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Union County, IA

Primary care physicians in Union County, IA see an average of 1,224 patients per year. This represents a 0.971% decrease from the previous year (1,236 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Union County, IA in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 24.5% under 18 years, 19.6% between 18 and 34 years, 36.3% between 35 and 64 years, and 19.6% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.7% were men and 51.3% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

8.21%

Uninsured

41.2%

Employer Coverage

17.6%

Medicaid

15%

Medicare

16.4%

Non-Group

1.62%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Union County, IA grew by 24.2% from 6.61% to 8.21%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Union County, IA changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2022, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was N/A in Union County, IA.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Union County, IA.

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Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2022, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 35.1% in Union County, IA.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Union County, IA.

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