Union County, NC

County

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2019 Population

231,053

1.92% 1-year growth

US Senator

Richard Burr

Republican Party

US Senator

Thom Tillis

Republican Party

2019 Median Age

38.2

0.526% 1-year increase

2019 Poverty Rate

8.24%

7.43% 1-year decrease

2019 Median Household Income

$80,033

6.15% 1-year growth

2019 Median Property Value

$241,400

5.32% 1-year growth

2019 Employed Population

113,699

3.37% 1-year growth

About

In 2019, Union County, NC had a population of 231k people with a median age of 38.2 and a median household income of $80,033. Between 2018 and 2019 the population of Union County, NC grew from 226,694 to 231,053, a 1.92% increase and its median household income grew from $75,397 to $80,033, a 6.15% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Union County, NC are White (Non-Hispanic) (72.1%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (11.2%), White (Hispanic) (9.12%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (2.98%), and Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (2.09%). 0% of the households in Union County, NC speak a non-English language at home as their primary language.

95% of the residents in Union County, NC are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Union County, NC are Wingate University (845 degrees awarded in 2019).

In 2019, the median property value in Union County, NC was $241,400, and the homeownership rate was 81.3%. Most people in Union County, NC drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 27.5 minutes. The average car ownership in Union County, NC was 2 cars per household.

Union County, NC borders Anson County, NC, Cabarrus County, NC, Mecklenburg County, NC, Stanly County, NC, Chesterfield County, SC, and Lancaster County, SC.

United States North Carolina Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC

Diversity

Union County, NC is home to a population of 231k people, from which 95% are citizens. As of 2019, 9.52% of Union County, NC residents were born outside of the country (22k people).

In 2019, there were 6.42 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (167k people) in Union County, NC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 26k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 21.1k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Union County, NC

White (Non-Hispanic)
167k ± 145
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
26k ± 600
White (Hispanic)
21.1k ± 977

11.1%

Hispanic Population

25.7k people

11.1% of the people in Union County, NC are hispanic (25.7k people).

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

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

9.52%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

22k people

9.03%

2018 Foreign-Born Population

20.5k people

As of 2019, 9.52% of Union County, NC residents (22k 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, NC was 9.03%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.3

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 0.8

In 2019, the median age of all people in Union County, NC was 38.2. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 37, were generally younger than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 42. But people in Union County, NC are getting getting older. In 2018, the average age of all Union County, NC residents was 38.

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

Mexico
229,947 ± 11,640 people
India
70,805 ± 6,510 people
Honduras
36,544 ± 4,685 people

In 2019, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of North Carolina was Mexico, the natal country of 229,947 North Carolina residents, followed by India with 70,805 and Honduras with 36,544.

Citizenship

95%

2019 Citizenship

95.1%

2018 Citizenship

As of 2019, 95% of Union County, NC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2018, the percentage of US citizens in Union County, NC was 95.1%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
3,859 ± 264
Gulf War (2001-)
2,329 ± 330
Gulf War (1990s)
2,318 ± 345

Union County, NC has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.66 times greater than any other conflict.

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for North Carolina. 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 North Carolina, 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 North Carolina.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in North Carolina (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 North Carolina.

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 North Carolina. 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 North Carolina.

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Community Mobility

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

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of North Carolina 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, NC is $80,033. In 2019, the tract with the highest median household income in Union County, NC was Census Tract 210.07 with a value of $205,766, followed by Census Tract 210.06 and Census Tract 210.09, with respective values of $197,292 and $168,864.

Males in North Carolina have an average income that is 1.33 times higher than the average income of females, which is $47,862. The income inequality in North Carolina (measured using the Gini index) is 0.472, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of Union County, NC employs 114k people. The largest industries in Union County, NC are Retail Trade (14,013 people), Manufacturing (13,403 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (12,648 people), and the highest paying industries are Finance & Insurance ($91,611), Management of Companies & Enterprises ($85,511), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($82,671).

Wages

Median Household Income

$80,033

2019 value

± $1,581

6.15%

1 Year Growth

± 2.46%

Households in Union County, NC have a median annual income of $80,033, which is more than the median annual income of $65,712 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $75,397 in 2018, which represents a 6.15% annual growth.

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

Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

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

$63,585

Average Male Salary in North Carolina

± $1,168

$47,862

Average Female Salary in North Carolina

± $855

In 2019, full-time male employees in North Carolina made 1.33 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in North Carolina 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 North Carolina.

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in North Carolina

Asian
$64,719 ± $4,583
White
$53,494 ± $850
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
$42,933 ± $24,629

In 2019 the highest paid race/ethnicity of North Carolina workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.21 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in North Carolina.

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

Wage Distribution

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

0.472

2019 Wage GINI in North Carolina

0.473

2018 Wage GINI in North Carolina

In 2019, the income inequality in North Carolina was 0.472 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.0599% decline from 2018 to 2019, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for North Carolina was lower than than the national average of 0.478. 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.

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 210.07
Census Tract 210.06
Census Tract 210.09

In 2019, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Union County, NC was Census Tract 210.07 with a value of $205,766, followed by Census Tract 210.06 and Census Tract 210.09, with respective values of $197,292 and $168,864.

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

Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 35 - 44

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

8.24% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Union County, NC (18.8k out of 228k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.3%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 35 - 44, followed by Males 6 - 11 and then Females 25 - 34.

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
13,065 ± 985
Hispanic
4,390 ± 656
Black
4,319 ± 499

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

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

114k

2019 Value

± 2,249

3.37%

1 Year growth

± 2.69%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Union County, NC grew at a rate of 3.37%, from 110k employees to 114k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Union County, NC, are Management Occupations (14,838 people), Sales & Related Occupations (14,241 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (11,253 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Union County, NC.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Union County, NC, by number of employees, are Management Occupations (14,838 people), Sales & Related Occupations (14,241 people), and Office & Administrative Support Occupations (11,253 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Union County, NC has an unusually high number of residents working as Management Occupations (1.28 times higher than expected), Business & Financial Operations Occupations (1.23 times), and Sales & Related Occupations (1.22 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Union County, NC, by median earnings, are Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($95,012), Computer, Engineering, & Science Occupations ($85,123), and Management Occupations ($81,804).

Industries

Employment by Industries

114k

2019 Value

± 2,249

3.37%

1 Year growth

± 2.69%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Union County, NC grew at a rate of 3.37%, from 110k employees to 114k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Union County, NC, are Retail Trade (14,013 people), Manufacturing (13,403 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (12,648 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.

Most Common

The most common industries in Union County, NC, by number of employees, are Retail Trade (14,013 people), Manufacturing (13,403 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (12,648 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Union County, NC has an unusually high number of Finance & Insurance (1.66 times higher than expected), Utilities (1.31 times), and Construction (1.25 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Union County, NC, by median earnings, are Finance & Insurance ($91,611), Management of Companies & Enterprises ($85,511), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($82,671).

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

In 2018, the top outbound North Carolina product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $54.1B, followed by Pharmaceuticals ($40B) and Machinery ($36.8B).

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

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for North Carolina.

$430B

2018 Value in North Carolina

$840B

Projected 2045 Value in North Carolina

95.4% growth

In 2018, total outbound North Carolina trade was $430B. This is expected to increase 95.4% to $840B by 2045.

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

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

Georgia
$28.2B
South Carolina
$27.5B
Virginia
$24.4B

In 2018, the top outbound North Carolina domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Georgia with $28.2B, followed by South Carolina with $27.5B and Virginia and $24.4B.

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

Civics

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in Union County, NC went to Donald J. Trump with 63.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Hillary Rodham Clinton (32.5%), followed by Other (4.41%). The most partisan county was Graham County, NC with 78.8% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

Richard Burr and Thom Tillis are the senators currently representing the state of North Carolina. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

North Carolina is currently represented by 13 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Showing data up to the 2016 election. Updated election results are currently being processed, and will be released in the coming months.

2016 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (63.1%)
Republican Party
Hillary Rodham Clinton (32.5%)
Democratic Party
Other (4.41%)
Other Party

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in North Carolina went to Donald J. Trump with 63.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Hillary Rodham Clinton (32.5%), followed by Other (4.41%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in North Carolina for each registered party from 1976 to 2016.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

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

Showing data up to the 2016 election. Updated election results are currently being processed, and will be released in the coming months.

Donald J. Trump

Popular Vote for Union County, NC

63.1% for the Republican Party

Most Partisan Counties in North Carolina

Graham County, NC
78.8% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Yadkin County, NC
78.8% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Durham County, NC
77.7% for Hillary Rodham Clinton (Democratic Party)

In the 2016 presidential election, the most partisan county in North Carolina was Graham County, NC with 78.8% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

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

US Senators from North Carolina

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

Richard Burr

Senator from North Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2005

Thom Tillis

Senator from North Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2015

Richard Burr and Thom Tillis are the senators currently representing North Carolina.

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 North Carolina over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representatives from North Carolina

North Carolina is currently represented by 13 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 North Carolina have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2019, universities in Union County, NC awarded 845 degrees. The student population of Union County, NC is skewed towards women, with 1,400 male students and 2,281 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Union County, NC are White (504 and 62.8%), followed by Black or African American (114 and 14.2%), Unknown (85 and 10.6%), and Two or More Races (42 and 5.24%).

The largest universities in Union County, NC by number of degrees awarded are Wingate University (845 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Union County, NC are Pharmacy (103 and 12.2%), General Biological Sciences (68 and 8.05%), and General Business Administration & Management (54 and 6.39%).

The median tuition cost in Union County, NC for private four year colleges is $35,910.

Concentrations

Most Common

General Biological Sciences
68 degree-majorss awarded
General Human Services
41 degree-majorss awarded
General Psychology
36 degree-majorss awarded

In 2019, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Union County, NC was General Biological Sciences with 68 degrees awarded.

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

Universities

Wingate University

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

845 degrees awarded

$35,910

Median Private

In 2019, the Union County, NC institution with the largest number of graduating students was Wingate University with 845 degrees awarded.

Student Gender for Common Institutions

322

Degrees Awarded to Men

523

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2019, 322 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Union County, NC, which is 0.616 times less than the 523 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.

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
504 degrees awarded
Black or African American
114 degrees awarded
Unknown
85 degrees awarded

In 2019 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions in Union County, NC was White students. These 504 degrees mean that there were 4.42 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 114 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Union County, NC was $241,400 in 2019, which is 1 times larger than the national average of $240,500. Between 2018 and 2019 the median property value increased from $229,200 to $241,400, a 5.32% increase. The homeownership rate in Union County, NC is 81.3%, which is higher than the national average of 64.1%. People in Union County, NC have an average commute time of 27.5 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Union County, NC is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$241,400

2019 Median

± $4,357

$229,200

2018 Median

± $4,059

In 2019, the median property value in Union County, NC grew to to $241,400 from the previous year's value of $229,200.

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.

Household Income

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

$80,033

Median Household Income

± $1,581

76.3k

Number of Households

± 1,770

In 2019, the median household income of the 76.3k households in Union County, NC grew to $80,033 from the previous year's value of $75,397.

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.

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.

Rent vs Own

81.3%

2019 Homeownership

80.5%

2018 Homeownership

In 2019, 81.3% of the housing units in Union County, NC were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 80.5%.

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

Commute Time

27.5 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Union County, NC have a longer commute time (27.5 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.5 minutes). Additionally, 2.06% 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.

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2019

Drove Alone (81.8%)
Carpooled (8.42%)
Worked At Home (7.46%)

In 2019, 81.8% of workers in Union County, NC drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (8.42%) and those who worked at home (7.46%).

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, 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 false.

Health

91% of the population of Union County, NC has health coverage, with 56.5% on employee plans, 10.5% on Medicaid, 9.65% on Medicare, 12.7% on non-group plans, and 1.57% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in North Carolina 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 1430 patients per year on average, which represents a 6.04% decrease from the previous year (1522 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 3378 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 816 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Jones County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (27.2%). Additionally, Bladen County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (49.1%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,430 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Union County, NC

Primary care physicians in Union County, NC see an average of 1,430 patients per year. This represents a 6.04% decrease from the previous year (1,522 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 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 North Carolina.

$7,264

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in North Carolina

$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.

Health Care Coverage

9.04%

Uninsured

56.5%

Employer Coverage

10.5%

Medicaid

9.65%

Medicare

12.7%

Non-Group

1.57%

Military or VA

Between 2018 and 2019, the percent of uninsured citizens in Union County, NC declined by 3.65% from 9.39% to 9.04%.

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.