Union County, OR

County

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2020 Population

26,502

0.626% 1-year growth

US Senator

Ron Wyden

Democratic Party

US Senator

Jeff Merkley

Democratic Party

2020 Median Age

0.498% 1-year decrease

2020 Poverty Rate

13.9%

0.424% 1-year decrease

2020 Median Household Income

$53,940

3.39% 1-year growth

2020 Median Property Value

$198,200

6.9% 1-year growth

2020 Employed Population

11,394

2.83% 1-year decline

About

In 2020, Union County, OR had a population of 26.5k people with a median age of 40 and a median household income of $53,940. Between 2019 and 2020 the population of Union County, OR grew from 26,337 to 26,502, a 0.626% increase and its median household income grew from $52,171 to $53,940, a 3.39% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Union County, OR are White (Non-Hispanic) (88.4%), White (Hispanic) (3.29%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (2.59%), Native Hawaiian & Other Pacific Islander (Non-Hispanic) (1.49%), and Asian (Non-Hispanic) (1.09%).

None of the households in Union County, OR 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.

98.1% of the residents in Union County, OR are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Union County, OR are Eastern Oregon University (751 degrees awarded in 2020).

In 2020, the median property value in Union County, OR was $198,200, and the homeownership rate was 66.5%. Most people in Union County, OR drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 16.5 minutes. The average car ownership in Union County, OR was 2 cars per household.

Union County, OR borders Baker County, OR, Grant County, OR, Umatilla County, OR, and Wallowa County, OR.

United States Oregon La Grande, OR

Diversity

Union County, OR is home to a population of 26.5k people, from which 98.1% are citizens. As of 2020, 2.92% of Union County, OR residents were born outside of the country (775 people).

In 2020, there were 26.9 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (23.4k people) in Union County, OR than any other race or ethnicity. There were 872 White (Hispanic) and 686 Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Union County, OR

White (Non-Hispanic)
23.4k ± 41
White (Hispanic)
872 ± 123
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
686 ± 109

4.93%

Hispanic Population

1.31k people

4.93% of the people in Union County, OR are hispanic (1.31k people).

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

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

2.92%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

775 people

2.93%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

771 people

As of 2020, 2.92% of Union County, OR residents (775 people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.5%. In 2019, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Union County, OR was 2.93%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

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

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.6

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 4.3

In 2020, the median age of all people in Union County, OR was 40. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 40, were generally older than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 40. But people in Union County, OR are getting getting younger. In 2019, the average age of all Union County, OR residents was 40.

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

Mexico
141,609 ± 9,081 people
Vietnam
22,538 ± 3,676 people
China
22,455 ± 3,669 people

In 2020, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Oregon was Mexico, the natal country of 141,609 Oregon residents, followed by Vietnam with 22,538 and China with 22,455.

Citizenship

98.1%

2020 Citizenship

98%

2019 Citizenship

As of 2020, 98.1% of Union County, OR residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2019, the percentage of US citizens in Union County, OR was 98%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
733 ± 102
Gulf War (2001-)
405 ± 120
Gulf War (1990s)
216 ± 82

Union County, OR has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.81 times greater than any other conflict.

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for Oregon. 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 Oregon, 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 Oregon.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Oregon (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 Oregon.

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 Oregon. 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 Oregon.

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Community Mobility

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

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of Oregon 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, OR is $53,940. In 2020, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Union County, OR was Census Tract 9706 with a value of $81,250, followed by Census Tract 9703 and Census Tract 9702, with respective values of $63,478 and $55,861.

Males in Oregon have an average income that is 1.28 times higher than the average income of females, which is $54,561. The income inequality in Oregon (measured using the Gini index) is 0.464, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of Union County, OR employs 11.4k people. The largest industries in Union County, OR are Health Care & Social Assistance (1,795 people), Retail Trade (1,327 people), and Manufacturing (1,150 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($68,750), Public Administration ($60,905), and Wholesale Trade ($53,500).

Wages

Median Household Income

$53,940

2020 value

± $3,352

3.39%

1 Year Growth

± 9.44%

Households in Union County, OR have a median annual income of $53,940, which is less than the median annual income of $64,994 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $52,171 in 2019, which represents a 3.39% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Union County, OR 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 Oregon.

$69,771

Average Male Salary in Oregon

± $1,792

$54,561

Average Female Salary in Oregon

± $1,535

In 2020, full-time male employees in Oregon made 1.28 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the sex-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Oregon 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 Oregon.

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in Oregon

Asian
$64,025 ± $5,447
White
$54,721 ± $1,157
Black
$44,935 ± $6,848

In 2020 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Oregon workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.17 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in Oregon.

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

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Union County, OR is from Oregon.

0.464

2020 Wage GINI in Oregon

0.465

2019 Wage GINI in Oregon

In 2020, the income inequality in Oregon was 0.464 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.249% decline from 2019 to 2020, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Oregon was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Oregon in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Oregon 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 9706
Census Tract 9703
Census Tract 9702

In 2020, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Union County, OR was Census Tract 9706 with a value of $81,250, followed by Census Tract 9703 and Census Tract 9702, with respective values of $63,478 and $55,861.

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

Poverty by Age and Sex

Females 18 - 24

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

13.9% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Union County, OR (3.57k out of 25.8k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.8%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Females 25 - 34 and then Males 18 - 24.

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
3,150 ± 352
Hispanic
212 ± 129
Two Or More
154 ± 103

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Union County, OR is White, followed by Hispanic and Two Or More.

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

11.4k

2020 Value

± 609

−2.83%

1 Year decline

± 7.66%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Union County, OR declined at a rate of −2.83%, from 11.7k employees to 11.4k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Union County, OR, are Sales & Related Occupations (1,175 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (999 people), and Management Occupations (993 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Union County, OR.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Union County, OR, by number of employees, are Sales & Related Occupations (1,175 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (999 people), and Management Occupations (993 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Union County, OR has an unusually high number of residents working as Farming, Fishing, & Forestry Occupations (3.46 times higher than expected), Fire Fighting & Prevention, & Other Protective Service Workers Including Supervisors (2.1 times), and Healthcare Support Occupations (2.06 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Union County, OR, by median earnings, are Law Enforcement Workers Including Supervisors ($75,893), Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($68,125), and Life, Physical, & Social Science Occupations ($66,845).

Industries

Employment by Industries

11.4k

2020 Value

± 609

−2.83%

1 Year decline

± 7.66%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Union County, OR declined at a rate of −2.83%, from 11.7k employees to 11.4k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Union County, OR, are Health Care & Social Assistance (1,795 people), Retail Trade (1,327 people), and Manufacturing (1,150 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Union County, OR, though some of these residents may live in Union County, OR 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, OR, by number of employees, are Health Care & Social Assistance (1,795 people), Retail Trade (1,327 people), and Manufacturing (1,150 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Union County, OR has an unusually high number of Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (4.62 times higher than expected), Public Administration (1.5 times), and Health Care & Social Assistance (1.13 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Union County, OR, by median earnings, are Utilities ($68,750), Public Administration ($60,905), and Wholesale Trade ($53,500).

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

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

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Oregon product (by dollars) was Electronics with $19B, followed by Mixed freight ($18.8B) and Wood prods. ($14.1B).

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

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Oregon.

$185B

2020 Value in Oregon

$358B

Projected 2050 Value in Oregon

93.6% growth

In 2020, total outbound Oregon trade was $185B. This is expected to increase 93.6% to $358B by 2050.

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

Interstate Trade

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

Most Common Trade Partners

Washington
$36.1B
California
$24.7B
Idaho
$3.73B

In 2020, the top outbound Oregon domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Washington with $36.1B, followed by California with $24.7B and Idaho and $3.73B.

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

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Union County, OR went to Donald J. Trump with 68.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (28.5%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.61%). The most partisan county was Lake County, OR with 79.5% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley are the senators currently representing the state of Oregon. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Oregon is currently represented by 5 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 (68.9%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (28.5%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.61%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Union County, OR went to Donald J. Trump with 68.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (28.5%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.61%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Union County, OR 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 Oregon.

Donald J. Trump

Popular Vote for Union County, OR

68.9% for the Republican Party

Most Partisan Counties in Oregon

Lake County, OR
79.5% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Multnomah County, OR
79.2% for Joseph R Biden Jr. (Democratic Party)
Harney County, OR
77.5% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)

In the 2020 presidential election, the most partisan county in Oregon was Lake County, OR with 79.5% of the vote going to Donald J. Trump running for the Republican Party.

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

US Senators from Oregon

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

Ron Wyden

Senator from Oregon

Assumed office on February 5, 1996
Elected to the seat following the resignation of Bob Packwood.

Jeff Merkley

Senator from Oregon

Assumed office on January 3, 2009

Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley are the senators currently representing Oregon.

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

US Representatives from Oregon

Oregon is currently represented by 5 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 Oregon have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2020, universities in Union County, OR awarded 751 degrees. The student population of Union County, OR is skewed towards women, with 1,111 male students and 1,742 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Union County, OR are White (567 and 76.7%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (73 and 9.88%), Two or More Races (32 and 4.33%), and Asian (16 and 2.17%).

The largest universities in Union County, OR by number of degrees awarded are Eastern Oregon University (751 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Union County, OR are Other Business Administration, Management, & Operations (175 and 23.3%), Teacher Education & Professional Development (54 and 7.19%), and General Interdisciplinary Studies (51 and 6.79%).

The median tuition cost in Union County, OR for a public four year colleges is $7,830 for in-state students and $20,520 for out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

General Interdisciplinary Studies
51 degree-majorss awarded
General Health & Physical Education
51 degree-majorss awarded
Other Business Administration, Management, & Operations
175 degree-majorss awarded

In 2020, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Union County, OR was General Interdisciplinary Studies with 51 degrees awarded.

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

Universities

Eastern Oregon University

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

751 degrees awarded

$7,830

Median In-State Public

In 2020, the Union County, OR institution with the largest number of graduating students was Eastern Oregon University with 751 degrees awarded.

Student Sex for Common Institutions

273

Degrees Awarded to Men

478

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2020, 273 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Union County, OR, which is 0.571 times less than the 478 female students who received degrees in the same year.

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

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
567 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
73 degrees awarded
Two or More Races
32 degrees awarded

In 2020 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions in Union County, OR was White students. These 567 degrees mean that there were 7.77 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 73 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Union County, OR was $198,200 in 2020, which is 0.862 times smaller than the national average of $229,800. Between 2019 and 2020 the median property value increased from $185,400 to $198,200, a 6.9% increase. The homeownership rate in Union County, OR is 66.5%, which is higher than the national average of 64.4%. People in Union County, OR have an average commute time of 16.5 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Union County, OR is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$198,200

2020 Median

± $10,969

$185,400

2019 Median

± $7,936

In 2020, the median property value in Union County, OR grew to to $198,200 from the previous year's value of $185,400.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Union County, OR 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, OR 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.

$53,940

Median Household Income

± $3,352

10.8k

Number of Households

± 561

In 2020, the median household income of the 10.8k households in Union County, OR grew to $53,940 from the previous year's value of $52,171.

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

Rent vs Own

66.5%

2020 Homeownership

64.5%

2019 Homeownership

In 2020, 66.5% of the housing units in Union County, OR were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 64.5%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 64.4%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Union County, OR compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

16.5 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Union County, OR have a shorter commute time (16.5 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.9 minutes). Additionally, 2.19% of the workforce in Union County, OR have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2020

Drove Alone (76.9%)
Carpooled (9.27%)
Walked (6.59%)

In 2020, 76.9% of workers in Union County, OR drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (9.27%) and those who walked to work (6.59%).

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

Health

93.1% of the population of Union County, OR has health coverage, with 40.6% on employee plans, 21.1% on Medicaid, 13.8% on Medicare, 15.7% on non-group plans, and 1.86% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in Oregon was $8,044 in 2014. This is a 7.73% increase from the previous year ($7,467).

Primary care physicians in Union County, OR see 1323 patients per year on average, which represents a 4.13% decrease from the previous year (1380 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1579 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 298 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Jefferson County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (18.3%). Additionally, Malheur County and Union County have the highest prevalence of adult obesity (39.9%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,323 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Union County, OR

Primary care physicians in Union County, OR see an average of 1,323 patients per year. This represents a 4.13% decrease from the previous year (1,380 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Union County, OR 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 Oregon.

$8,044

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in Oregon

$4,232

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$7,185

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$8,942

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in Oregon (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 7.73%, from $7,467 to $8,044.

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

Health Care Coverage

6.94%

Uninsured

40.6%

Employer Coverage

21.1%

Medicaid

13.8%

Medicare

15.7%

Non-Group

1.86%

Military or VA

Between 2019 and 2020, the percent of uninsured citizens in Union County, OR grew by 0.668% from 6.89% to 6.94%.

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