Union County, IA

County

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2019 Population

12,358

0.763% 1-year decline

US Senator

Chuck Grassley

Republican Party

US Senator

Joni Ernst

Republican Party

2019 Median Age

40.3

1% 1-year increase

2019 Poverty Rate

14.2%

0.2% 1-year decrease

2019 Median Household Income

$49,900

5.01% 1-year growth

2019 Median Property Value

$104,000

4.21% 1-year growth

2019 Employed Population

6,143

1.19% 1-year growth

About

In 2019, Union County, IA had a population of 12.4k people with a median age of 40.3 and a median household income of $49,900. Between 2018 and 2019 the population of Union County, IA declined from 12,453 to 12,358, a −0.763% decrease and its median household income grew from $47,518 to $49,900, a 5.01% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Union County, IA are White (Non-Hispanic) (94%), White (Hispanic) (2.69%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (1.46%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (0.987%), and Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (0.502%). 0% of the households in Union County, IA speak a non-English language at home as their primary language.

98.9% of the residents in Union County, IA are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Union County, IA are Southwestern Community College (407 degrees awarded in 2020).

In 2019, the median property value in Union County, IA was $104,000, and the homeownership rate was 70.4%. Most people in Union County, IA drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 16.7 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

Diversity

Union County, IA is home to a population of 12.4k people, from which 98.9% are citizens. As of 2019, 2.31% of Union County, IA residents were born outside of the country (285 people).

In 2019, there were 35 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (11.6k people) in Union County, IA than any other race or ethnicity. There were 332 White (Hispanic) and 180 Asian (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Union County, IA

White (Non-Hispanic)
11.6k ± 16
White (Hispanic)
332 ± 38
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
180 ± 90

2.99%

Hispanic Population

369 people

2.99% of the people in Union County, IA are hispanic (369 people).

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

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

2.31%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

285 people

2.4%

2018 Foreign-Born Population

299 people

As of 2019, 2.31% of Union County, IA residents (285 people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2018, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Union County, IA was 2.4%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

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

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.9

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 7.6

In 2019, the median age of all people in Union County, IA was 40.3. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 41, were generally older than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 34. But people in Union County, IA are getting getting older. In 2018, the average age of all Union County, IA residents was 40.

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

Mexico
42,002 ± 4,998 people
India
10,599 ± 2,523 people
China
9,583 ± 2,400 people

In 2019, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Iowa was Mexico, the natal country of 42,002 Iowa residents, followed by India with 10,599 and China with 9,583.

Citizenship

98.9%

2019 Citizenship

98.9%

2018 Citizenship

As of 2019, 98.9% of Union County, IA residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2018, the percentage of US citizens in Union County, IA was 98.9%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
326 ± 92
Gulf War (2001-)
141 ± 69
Gulf War (1990s)
85 ± 47

Union County, IA has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 2.31 times greater than any other conflict.

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for Iowa. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

Y-Axis

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in Iowa, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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Unemployment Insurance Claims

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

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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Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

8.45%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between May 2020 and May 2021

As of May 2021, there are 145M people employed in Iowa. This represents a 8.45% increase in employment when compared to May 2020.

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

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Community Mobility

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

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of Iowa across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Economy

Median household income in Union County, IA is $49,900. In 2019, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Union County, IA was Census Tract 1903 with a value of $69,450, followed by Census Tract 1901 and Census Tract 1904, with respective values of $62,688 and $51,265.

Males in Iowa have an average income that is 1.35 times higher than the average income of females, which is $46,610. The income inequality in Iowa (measured using the Gini index) is 0.442, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of Union County, IA employs 6.14k people. The largest industries in Union County, IA are Manufacturing (1,565 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (915 people), and Retail Trade (751 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($85,625), Finance & Insurance ($74,375), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($68,438).

Wages

Median Household Income

$49,900

2019 value

± $3,595

5.01%

1 Year Growth

± 9.12%

Households in Union County, IA have a median annual income of $49,900, which is less than the median annual income of $65,712 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $47,518 in 2018, which represents a 5.01% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Union County, IA compares to that of its neighboring and parent geographies.

Wage by Sex in Common Jobs

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

$62,795

Average Male Salary in Iowa

± $1,739

$46,610

Average Female Salary in Iowa

± $1,263

In 2019, full-time male employees in Iowa made 1.35 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the sex-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Iowa by number of full-time employees.

Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

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

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in Iowa

Asian
$49,650 ± $7,144
White
$48,053 ± $1,042
American Indian and Alaska Native tribes specified; or American Indian or Alaska Native, not specified and no other races
$41,188 ± $22,357

In 2019 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Iowa workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.03 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in Iowa.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in Iowa by number of full-time employees.

Wage Distribution

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

0.442

2019 Wage GINI in Iowa

0.443

2018 Wage GINI in Iowa

In 2019, the income inequality in Iowa was 0.442 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.107% decline from 2018 to 2019, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more 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.

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 2019, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Union County, IA was Census Tract 1903 with a value of $69,450, followed by Census Tract 1901 and Census Tract 1904, with respective values of $62,688 and $51,265.

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

Poverty by Age and Sex

Females 18 - 24

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

14.2% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Union County, IA (1.72k out of 12.1k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.3%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Males 18 - 24 and then Females 55 - 64.

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.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

White
1,645 ± 223
Hispanic
60 ± 93
Black
49 ± 96

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

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

6.14k

2019 Value

± 419

1.19%

1 Year growth

± 9.34%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Union County, IA grew at a rate of 1.19%, from 6.07k employees to 6.14k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Union County, IA, are Production Occupations (1,000 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (730 people), and Management Occupations (605 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Union County, IA.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Union County, IA, by number of employees, are Production Occupations (1,000 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (730 people), and Management Occupations (605 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Union County, IA has an unusually high number of residents working as Production Occupations (2.87 times higher than expected), Material Moving Occupations (1.64 times), and Farming, Fishing, & Forestry Occupations (1.45 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Union County, IA, by median earnings, are Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($68,036), Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($61,587), and Health Diagnosing & Treating Practitioners & Other Technical Occupations ($61,250).

Industries

Employment by Industries

6.14k

2019 Value

± 419

1.19%

1 Year growth

± 9.34%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Union County, IA grew at a rate of 1.19%, from 6.07k employees to 6.14k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Union County, IA, are Manufacturing (1,565 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (915 people), and Retail Trade (751 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.

Most Common

The most common industries in Union County, IA, by number of employees, are Manufacturing (1,565 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (915 people), and Retail Trade (751 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Union County, IA has an unusually high number of Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (3.96 times higher than expected), Manufacturing (2.55 times), and Utilities (1.64 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Union County, IA, by median earnings, are Utilities ($85,625), Finance & Insurance ($74,375), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($68,438).

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

Machinery
$20.9B
Mixed freight
$19.9B
Meat/seafood
$18.8B

In 2020, the top outbound Iowa product (by dollars) was Machinery with $20.9B, followed by Mixed freight ($19.9B) and Meat/seafood ($18.8B).

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

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Iowa.

$262B

2020 Value in Iowa

$518B

Projected 2050 Value in Iowa

97.9% growth

In 2020, total outbound Iowa trade was $262B. This is expected to increase 97.9% 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
$23.7B
Minnesota
$16.5B
Texas
$11.4B

In 2020, the top outbound Iowa domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Illinois with $23.7B, followed by Minnesota with $16.5B and Texas and $11.4B.

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%). The most partisan county was Lyon County, IA with 83.3% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

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 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.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

Presidential voting results are only available at the county level. Showing data for the counties inside of Iowa.

Donald J. Trump

Popular Vote for Union County, IA

65.1% for the Republican Party

Most Partisan Counties in Iowa

Lyon County, IA
83.3% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Sioux County, IA
82.8% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Osceola County, IA
81% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)

In the 2020 presidential election, the most partisan county in Iowa was Lyon County, IA with 83.3% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

The following map shows the counties in Iowa colored by their party leaning.

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 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 2020, universities in Union County, IA awarded 407 degrees. The student population of Union County, IA is skewed towards women, with 582 male students and 921 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Union County, IA are White (355 and 87.9%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (19 and 4.7%), Black or African American (16 and 3.96%), and Unknown (6 and 1.49%).

The largest universities in Union County, IA by number of degrees awarded are Southwestern Community College (407 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Union County, IA are Liberal Arts & Sciences (120 and 29.5%), Licensed Practical & Vocational Nurse Training (45 and 11.1%), and Registered Nursing (38 and 9.34%).

Concentrations

Most Common

Liberal Arts & Sciences
120 degree-majorss awarded
Registered Nursing
38 degree-majorss awarded
General Business Administration & Management
19 degree-majorss awarded

In 2020, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Union County, IA was Liberal Arts & Sciences with 120 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

Southwestern Community College

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

407 degrees awarded

In 2020, the Union County, IA institution with the largest number of graduating students was Southwestern Community College with 407 degrees awarded.

Student Sex for Common Institutions

186

Degrees Awarded to Men

221

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2020, 186 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Union County, IA, which is 0.842 times less than the 221 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the sex disparity between the institutions in Union County, IA by degrees awarded.

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
355 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
19 degrees awarded
Black or African American
16 degrees awarded

In 2020 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions in Union County, IA was White students. These 355 degrees mean that there were 18.7 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 19 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Union County, IA was $104,000 in 2019, which is 0.432 times smaller than the national average of $240,500. Between 2018 and 2019 the median property value increased from $99,800 to $104,000, a 4.21% increase. The homeownership rate in Union County, IA is 70.4%, which is higher than the national average of 64.1%. People in Union County, IA have an average commute time of 16.7 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.

Housing

Property Value

$104,000

2019 Median

± $8,117

$99,800

2018 Median

± $5,976

In 2019, the median property value in Union County, IA grew to to $104,000 from the previous year's value of $99,800.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Union County, IA compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Union County, IA the largest share of households have a property value in the $100k - $125k range.

Household Income

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

$49,900

Median Household Income

± $3,595

5.18k

Number of Households

± 356

In 2019, the median household income of the 5.18k households in Union County, IA grew to $49,900 from the previous year's value of $47,518.

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.

Property Taxes

$800 - $1,499

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Union County, IA 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.

Rent vs Own

70.4%

2019 Homeownership

70.8%

2018 Homeownership

In 2019, 70.4% of the housing units in Union County, IA were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 70.8%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 64.1%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Union County, IA compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

16.7 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Union County, IA have a shorter commute time (16.7 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.5 minutes). Additionally, 2.5% 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.

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2019

Drove Alone (79.1%)
Carpooled (9.39%)
Walked (6.78%)

In 2019, 79.1% of workers in Union County, IA drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (9.39%) and those who walked to work (6.78%).

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.

Transportation

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, followed by false.

Health

93.8% of the population of Union County, IA has health coverage, with 44% on employee plans, 16.7% on Medicaid, 14.6% on Medicare, 17.1% on non-group plans, and 1.47% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in Iowa was $8,200 in 2014. This is a 5.05% increase from the previous year ($7,806).

Primary care physicians in Union County, IA see 1236 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.723% decrease from the previous year (1245 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 2448 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 453 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Wayne County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (20.3%). Additionally, Wayne County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (48.6%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,236 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Union County, IA

Primary care physicians in Union County, IA see an average of 1,236 patients per year. This represents a 0.723% decrease from the previous year (1,245 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.

Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

West Virginia
8.26% of the population affected
Arkansas
8.13% of the population affected
New Hampshire
7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

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.

Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

Mississippi
19.2% of adults
Texas
17.9% of adults
Louisiana
17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

Health Care Spending

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

$8,200

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in Iowa

$4,076

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$6,702

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$9,317

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in Iowa (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 5.05%, from $7,806 to $8,200.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

Health Care Coverage

6.18%

Uninsured

44%

Employer Coverage

16.7%

Medicaid

14.6%

Medicare

17.1%

Non-Group

1.47%

Military or VA

Between 2018 and 2019, the percent of uninsured citizens in Union County, IA declined by 8.05% from 6.72% to 6.18%.

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.