Union County, NC

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Population

222,095

2.06% growth

Median Age

38


Median Household Income

$70,858

5.45% growth

Poverty Rate

9.4%


Number of Employees

106,916

3.69% growth

Median Property Value

$215,200

4.47% growth

About

Economy

Health

Diversity

Education

Housing & Living

About

In 2017, Union County, NC had a population of 222k people with a median age of 38 and a median household income of $70,858. Between 2016 and 2017 the population of Union County, NC grew from 217,614 to 222,095, a 2.06% increase and its median household income grew from $67,194 to $70,858, a 5.45% increase.

The population of Union County, NC is 73% White Alone, 11.4% Black or African American Alone, and 10.9% Hispanic or Latino. 13.1% of the people in Union County, NC speak a non-English language, and 95.1% are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Union County, NC are Wingate University (730 degrees awarded in 2016).

The median property value in Union County, NC is $215,200, and the homeownership rate is 80.5%. Most people in Union County, NC commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 27.4 minutes. The average car ownership in Union County, NC is 2 cars per household.

About the photo: View of Charlotte from the Central Ave. bridge over Independence Blvd.

Photo by James Willamor

United StatesNorth CarolinaCharlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC

Economy

The economy of Union County, NC employs 107k people. The largest industries in Union County, NC are Retail Trade (13,642 people), Manufacturing (13,531 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (12,371 people), and the highest paying industries are Management of Companies & Enterprises ($98,036), Utilities ($81,438), and Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($80,202).

Median household income in Union County, NC is $70,858. Males in Union County, NC have an average income that is 1.34 times higher than the average income of females, which is $44,729. The income inequality in Union County, NC (measured using the Gini index) is 0.473, which is lower than than the national average.

Wages

Median Household Income

$70,858

2017 value

± $1,509

5.45%

1 Year Growth

± 2.92%

Households in Union County, NC have a median annual income of $70,858, which is more than the median annual income of $60,336 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $67,194 in 2016, which represents a 5.45% annual growth.

Look at the chart to see how the median household income in Union County, NC compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

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

$59,982

Average Male Salary

± $1,136

$44,729

Average Female Salary

± $812

In 2017, full-time male employees in Union County, NC made 1.34 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Union County, NC by number of full-time employees.

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Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

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

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity

  1. Asian

    $59,267 ± $4,472

  2. White

    $49,962 ± $811

  3. Two or More Races

    $36,539 ± $3,942

In 2017 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Union County, NC workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.19 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity.

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

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Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Union County, NC is from North Carolina.

0.473

2017 Wage GINI

0.471

2016 Wage GINI

In 2017, the income inequality in North Carolina was 0.473 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.39% growth from 2016 to 2017, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even.

The 2017 the GINI for North Carolina was lower than than the national average of 0.479. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in North Carolina in comparison to the national average.

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

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Income by Location

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Highest Median Household Income (Total)

  1. Census Tract 210.07

  2. Census Tract 210.09

  3. Census Tract 210.11

In 2017, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Union County, NC was Census Tract 210.07 with a value of $170,921, followed by Census Tract 210.09 and Census Tract 210.11, with respective values of $152,045 and $143,608.

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

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Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 25 - 34

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

9.4% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Union County, NC (20.6k out of 219k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 13.4%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 35 - 44 and then Males 6 - 11.

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.

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Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

  1. White

    14,304 ± 916

  2. Hispanic

    5,987 ± 637

  3. Black

    4,087 ± 468

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

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.

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Occupations

Employment by Occupations

107k

2017 Value

± 2,205

3.69%

1 Year growth

± 2.8%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Union County, NC grew at a rate of 3.69%, from 103k employees to 107k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Union County, NC, are Management Occupations (13,816 people), Sales & Related Occupations (13,448 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (12,266 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Union County, NC.

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Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Union County, NC, by number of employees, are Management Occupations (13,816 people), Sales & Related Occupations (13,448 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (12,266 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Union County, NC has an unusually high number of residents working as Installation, Maintenance, & Repair Occupations (1.27 times higher than expected), Management Occupations (1.27 times), and Sales & Related Occupations (1.19 times).

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Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Union County, NC, by median earnings, are Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($84,242), Management Occupations ($79,097), and Computer, Engineering, & Science Occupations ($76,901).

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Industries

Employment by Industries

107k

2017 Value

± 2,205

3.69%

1 Year growth

± 2.8%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Union County, NC grew at a rate of 3.69%, from 103k employees to 107k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Union County, NC, are Retail Trade (13,642 people), Manufacturing (13,531 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (12,371 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Union County, NC, though some of these residents may live in Union County, NC and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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Most Common

The most common industries in Union County, NC, by number of employees, are Retail Trade (13,642 people), Manufacturing (13,531 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (12,371 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Union County, NC has an unusually high number of Finance & Insurance (1.63 times higher than expected), Manufacturing (1.25 times), and Wholesale Trade (1.21 times) industries.

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Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Union County, NC, by median earnings, are Management of Companies & Enterprises ($98,036), Utilities ($81,438), and Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($80,202).

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Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

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

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

  1. Mixed freight

    $50.4B

  2. Pharmaceuticals

    $35.3B

  3. Machinery

    $34.5B

In 2015, the top outbound North Carolina product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $50.4B, followed by Pharmaceuticals with $35.3B and Machinery and $34.5B.

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

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Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for North Carolina state.

$407B

2015 Value

$632B

Projected 2045 Value

55.4% growth

In 2015, total outbound North Carolina trade was $407B. This is expected to increase 55.4% to $632B by 2045.

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

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Interstate Trade

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

Most Common Trade Partners

  1. South Carolina

    $25.6B

  2. Georgia

    $25.4B

  3. Virginia

    $25.2B

In 2015, the top outbound North Carolina domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was South Carolina with $25.6B, followed by Georgia with $25.4B and Virginia and $25.2B.

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

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Health

90.1% of the population of Union County, NC has health coverage, with 56.6% on employee plans, 10% on Medicaid, 9.04% on Medicare, 13.1% on non-group plans, and 1.36% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in the county of Union County, NC was $7,264 in 2014. This is a 3.37% increase from the previous year ($7,027).

Primary care physicians in Union County, NC see 1650 patients per year on average, which represents a 1.84% decrease from the previous year (1681 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 3841 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 896 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Edgecombe County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (16.2%). Additionally, Hertford County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (40.5%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,650 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio

Primary care physicians in Union County, NC see an average of 1,650 patients per year. This represents a 1.84% decrease from the previous year (1,681 patients).

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

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Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

  1. West Virginia

    8.26% of the population affected

  2. Arkansas

    8.13% of the population affected

  3. 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.

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Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

  1. Mississippi

    19.2% of adults

  2. Texas

    17.9% of adults

  3. 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.

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Health Care Spending

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

$7,264

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care 

$3,859

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$7,225

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$10,260

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in North Carolina (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 3.37%, from $7,027 to $7,264.

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

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Health Care Coverage

9.89%

Uninsured

56.6%

Employer Coverage

10%

Medicaid

9.04%

Medicare

13.1%

Non-Group

1.36%

Military or VA

Between 2016 and 2017, the percent of uninsured citizens in Union County, NC declined by 10.9% from 11.1% to 9.89%.

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

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Health Risks

Data available at the county level.

Most at risk counties

  1. Edgecombe County

    16.2% prevalence

  2. Robeson County

    16.1% prevalence

  3. Hertford County

    16% prevalence

Edgecombe County has the highest prevalence of diabetes in North Carolina, at 16.2%.

The following map shows the prevalence of diabetes in North Carolina by county over multiple years.

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Diversity

Union County, NC is home to a population of 222k people, from which 95.1% are citizens. As of 2017, 8.78% of Union County, NC residents were born outside of the country.

The ethnic composition of the population of Union County, NC is composed of 162k White Alone residents (73%), 25.2k Black or African American Alone residents (11.4%), 24.3k Hispanic or Latino residents (10.9%), 5.31k Asian Alone residents (2.39%), 4.01k Two or More Races residents (1.81%), 661 American Indian & Alaska Native Alone residents (0.298%), 381 Some Other Race Alone residents (0.172%), and 105 Native Hawaiian & Other Pacific Islander Alone residents (0.0473%).

The most common foreign languages spoken in Union County, NC are Spanish or Spanish Creole (18,401 speakers), Russian (1,710 speakers), and French (Incl. Patois, Cajun) (675 speakers).

Age

Age by Nativity

37

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.3

41

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 0.7

In 2017, the median age of all people in Union County, NC was 38. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 37, were generally younger than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 41. But people in Union County, NC are getting getting older. In 2016, the average age of all Union County, NC residents was 38.

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Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

8.78%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

9.08%

2016 Foreign-Born Population

As of 2017, 8.78% of Union County, NC residents were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2016, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Union County, NC was 9.08%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

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

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Global Diversity

Most Common Origin

  1. Mexico

    242,756 ± 11,950 people

  2. India

    60,392 ± 6,015 people

  3. Honduras

    34,513 ± 4,553 people

In 2017, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Union County, NC was Mexico, the natal country of 242,756 Union County, NC residents, followed by India with 60,392 and Honduras with 34,513.

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Citizenship

95.1%

2017 Citizenship

94.7%

2016 Citizenship

As of 2017, 95.1% of Union County, NC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.1%. In 2016, the percentage of US citizens in Union County, NC was 94.7%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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

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Race and Ethnicity

Most Common

  1. White Alone

    162k ± 157

  2. Black or African American Alone

    25.2k ± 540

  3. Hispanic or Latino

    24.3k ± 1.32k

In 2017, there were 6.43 times more White Alone residents (162k people) in Union County, NC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 25.2k Black or African American Alone and 24.3k Hispanic or Latino residents, the second and third most common racial or ethnic groups.

The following bar chart shows the 8 races and ethnicities represented in Union County, NC as a share of the total population.

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Non-English Speakers

Most Common Languages

  1. Spanish or Spanish Creole

    18,401 speakers (9.19%)

  2. Russian

    1,710 speakers (0.854%)

  3. French (Incl. Patois, Cajun)

    675 speakers (0.337%)

13.1% of Union County, NC citizens are speakers of a non-English language, which is lower than the national average of 21.5%. In 2015, the most common non-English language spoken in Union County, NC was Spanish or Spanish Creole. 9.19% of the overall population of Union County, NC are native Spanish or Spanish Creole speakers. 0.854% speak Russian and 0.337% speak Spanish or Spanish Creole, the next two most common languages.

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

  1. Vietnam

    3,886 ± 287

  2. Gulf War (1990s)

    2,119 ± 313

  3. Gulf War (2001-)

    1,815 ± 287

Union County, NC has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.83 times greater than any other conflict.

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Education

In 2016, universities in Union County, NC awarded 730 degrees. The student population of Union County, NC is skewed towards women, with 1,270 male students and 1,923 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Union County, NC are White (485 and 68.7%), followed by Black or African American (96 and 13.6%), Unknown (63 and 8.92%), and Asian (23 and 3.26%).

The largest universities in Union County, NC by number of degrees awarded are Wingate University (730 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Union County, NC are Pharmacy (103 and 14.1%), General Educational Leadership & Administration (80 and 11%), and General Business Administration & Management (52 and 7.12%).

The median tuition costs in Union County, NC are $29,170 for private four year colleges, and $N/A and $N/A respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

  1. General Human Services

    44 degrees awarded

  2. General Biological Sciences

    36 degrees awarded

  3. General Psychology

    35 degrees awarded

In 2015, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Union County, NC was General Human Services with 44 degrees awarded.

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

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Universities

Wingate University

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

730 degrees awarded

$N/A

Median In-State Public

$29,170

Median Private

In 2016, the Union County, NC institution with the largest number of graduating students was Wingate University with 730 degrees awarded.

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Student Gender for Common Institutions

271

Degrees Awarded to Men

459

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2016, 271 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Union County, NC, which is 0.59 times less than the 459 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the gender disparity between the institutions in Union County, NC by degrees awarded.

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Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

  1. White

    485 degrees awarded

  2. Black or African American

    96 degrees awarded

  3. Unknown

    63 degrees awarded

In 2016 the majority of degrees awarded at institutions in Union County, NC were to White students. These 485 degrees mean that there were 5.05 times more White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 96 degrees awarded.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Union County, NC was $215,200 in 2017, which is 0.989 times smaller than the national average of $217,600. Between 2016 and 2017 the median property value increased from $206,000 to $215,200, a 4.47% increase. The homeownership rate in Union County, NC is 80.5%, which is higher than the national average of 63.9%. People in Union County, NC have an average commute time of 27.4 minutes, and they commute by Drove Alone. Car ownership in Union County, NC is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Income

Household Income

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

$70,858

Median Household Income

± $1,509

73.7k

Number of Households

± 1,627

In 2017, the median household income of the 73.7k households in Union County, NC grew to $70,858 from the previous year's value of $67,194.

The following chart displays the households in Union County, NC 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.

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Housing

Property Value

$215,200

2017 Median

± $4,010

$206,000

2016 Median

± $4,960

In 2017, the median property value in Union County, NC grew to to $215,200 from the previous year's value of $206,000.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Union County, NC 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, NC the largest share of households have a property value in the $300k - $400k range.

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Property Taxes

$800 - $1,499

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Union County, NC distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Union County, NC the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

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Rent vs Own

80.5%

2017 Homeownership

79.5%

2016 Homeownership

In 2017, 80.5% of the housing units in Union County, NC were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 79.5%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 63.9%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Union County, NC compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Union County, NC distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Union County, NC have 2 cars, followed by 3 cars.

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Commute Time

27.4 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Union County, NC have a longer commute time (27.4 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.1 minutes). Additionally, 2.2% of the workforce in Union County, NC have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

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Commuter Transportation

Most Common Method of Travel

  1. Drove Alone

    82.3%

  2. Carpooled

    8.07%

  3. Worked At Home

    7.17%

In 2017, the most common method of travel for workers in Union County, NC was Drove Alone, followed by those who Carpooled and those who Worked At Home.

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