County population in 2024: 12,108 (62% urban, 38% rural); it was 12,309 in 2000County owner-occupied with a mortgage or a loan houses and condos in 2020: 2,018 County owner-occupied free and clear houses and condos in 2020: 1,587 County owner-occupied houses and condos in 2000: 3,776, in 2010: 1,498 Renter-occupied apartments: 1,564 (it was 1,466 in 2000, and 1,535 in 2010)
% of renters here:
28%
State:
30%
Land area: 424 sq. mi.
Water area: 1.6 sq. mi.
Population density: 29 people per square mile (low).
December 2024 cost of living index in Union County: 75.1 (low, U.S. average is 100)
Industries providing employment: Educational, health and social services (23.6%), Manufacturing (16.1%), Retail trade (12.2%).
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with mortgages in 2024: $2,373 (1.6%) Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units with no mortgage in 2024: $2,116 (1.6%)
Percentage of residents living in poverty in 2024: 12.7%
Union County:
12.7%
Iowa:
11.3%
(11.4% for White Non-Hispanic residents, 12.4% for Black residents, 13.6% for Hispanic or Latino residents, 5.9% for American Indian residents, 34.3% for other race residents, 21.3% for two or more races residents)
Median age of residents in 2024: 40.9 years old
(Males: 39.7 years old, Females: 42.1 years old)
(Median age for: White residents: 43.1 years old, Black residents: 11.0 years old, Asian residents: 24.9 years old, Hispanic or Latino residents: 32.6 years old, Other race residents: 39.4 years old)
Fair market rent in 2006 for a 1-bedroom apartment in Union County is $379 a month. Fair market rent for a 2-bedroom apartment is $498 a month. Fair market rent for a 3-bedroom apartment is $608 a month.
Notable locations in this county outside city limits:
Notable locations in Union County: Pine Valley Golf Course (A), Cromwell (B), Lakeshore Golf and Country Club (C), Spaulding (D), Crestmoor Country Club (E), Talmage Junction (F), Highland Townhall (G). Display/hide their locations on the map
Churches in Union County include: Beulah Church (A), Dodge Center Church (B), Immanuel Church (C), Oak Hill Church (D), Pleasant Valley Church (E), Platte Center Church (F), Jerusalem Church (G), Kingdom Hall of Jehovahs Witnesses (H). Display/hide their locations on the map
Cemeteries: Groesbeck Cemetery (1), County Home Cemetery (2), Dodge Center Cemetery (3), Homewood Cemetery (4), Reasoner Cemetery (5), Leas Cemetery (6), Brown Family Cemetery (7). Display/hide their locations on the map
Reservoirs: Lake Afton (A), Summit Lake (B), Thayer Lake (C), Spring Valley Lake (D), Three Mile Lake (E), Twelve Mile Lake (F), Green Valley Lake (G). Display/hide their locations on the map
Streams, rivers, and creeks: Indian Creek (A), Wolf Creek (B), Sevenmile Creek (C), Twelvemile Creek (D), Fourmile Creek (E), East Platte River (F), Threemile Creek (G), East Branch Middle Platte River (H), Loefler Creek (I). Display/hide their locations on the map
Parks in Union County include: Mount Pisgah Park (1), First White Settlement in Union County Historical Marker (2), Twelve Mile Lake Wildlife Management Area (3), Three Mile Lake Wildlife Management Area (4), Mitchell Marsh (5), Summit Lake Wildlife Management Area (6), Thayer Lake Park (7), Talmage Hill Park (8), Talmage Hill Wildlife Area (9). Display/hide their locations on the map
Current college students: 597 People 25 years of age or older with a high school degree or higher: 91.5% People 25 years of age or older with a bachelor's degree or higher: 23.3%
Number of foreign born residents: 235 (18.3% naturalized citizens)
Union County:
1.9%
Whole state:
6.3%
Year of entry for the foreign-born population
1922010 or later
02000 to 2009
01990 to 1999
231980 to 1989
201970 to 1979
28Before 1970
Mean travel time to work (commute): 16 minutes
Percentage of county residents living and working in this county: 100.0%
Housing units in structures:
One, detached: 4,392
One, attached: 92
Two: 74
3 or 4: 404
5 to 9: 199
10 to 19: 81
20 to 49: 150
50 or more: 152
Mobile homes: 319
Boats, RVs, vans, etc.: 3
Housing units in Union County with a mortgage: 1,771 (299 second mortgage, 110 home equity loan, 166 both second mortgage and home equity loan) Houses without a mortgage: 73
Here:
1.4% with mortgage
State:
97.1% with mortgage
Religion statistics for Union County
Religion
Adherents
Congregations
Mainline Protestant
2,932
17
Catholic
1,157
2
Evangelical Protestant
1,015
12
Other
159
3
None
7,271
-
Union County Religion Details
Source: Clifford Grammich, Kirk Hadaway, Richard Houseal, Dale E.Jones, Alexei Krindatch, Richie Stanley and Richard H.Taylor. 2012. 2010 U.S.Religion Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study. Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center.
Food Environment Statistics:
Number of grocery stores: 2
Union County:
1.65 / 10,000 pop.
State:
2.14 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (with gas): 10
Union County:
8.23 / 10,000 pop.
Iowa:
5.55 / 10,000 pop.
Number of full-service restaurants: 12
This county:
9.87 / 10,000 pop.
State:
8.01 / 10,000 pop.
Adult diabetes rate:
Union County:
8.3%
Iowa:
7.8%
Adult obesity rate:
Union County:
26.4%
State:
27.3%
Low-income preschool obesity rate:
Here:
16.1%
State:
14.5%
Agriculture in Union County:
Average size of farms: 341 acres Average value of agricultural products sold per farm: $90,100 Average value of crops sold per acre for harvested cropland: $197.78 The value of livestock, poultry, and their products as a percentage of the total market value of agricultural products sold: 63.24% Average total farm production expenses per farm: $89,635 Harvested cropland as a percentage of land in farms: 49.11% Average market value of all machinery and equipment per farm: $85,551 The percentage of farms operated by a family or individual: 89.11% Average age of principal farm operators: 55 years Average number of cattle and calves per 100 acres of all land in farms: 18.38 Milk cows as a percentage of all cattle and calves: 0.60% Corn for grain: 46420 harvested acres All wheat for grain: 319 harvested acres Soybeans for beans: 43067 harvested acres
Tornado activity:
Union County historical area-adjusted tornado activity is significantly below Iowa state average. It is 1650530.7 times below overall U.S. average. Tornadoes in this county have caused 3 injuries recorded between 1950 and 2024.
On 1995-05-27, a category F4 (max. wind speeds 207-260 mph) tornado injured 2 people and caused between $500,000 and $5,000,000 in damages. On 1999-04-08, a category F4 (max. wind speeds 207-260 mph) tornado injured one person and caused $2 million in damages.
Earthquake activity:
Union County-area historical earthquake activity is slightly above Iowa state average. It is 55% smaller than the overall U.S. average.
On 9/3/2016 at 12:02:44, a magnitude 5.8 (5.8 MW, Depth: 3.5 mi, Class: Moderate, Intensity: VI - VII) earthquake occurred 349.4 miles away from Union County center On 11/6/2011 at 03:53:10, a magnitude 5.7 (5.7 MW, Depth: 3.2 mi) earthquake occurred 403.8 miles away from the county center On 4/18/2008 at 09:36:59, a magnitude 5.4 (5.1 MB, 4.8 MS, 5.4 MW, 5.2 MW) earthquake occurred 383.7 miles away from the county center On 11/12/2014 at 21:40:00, a magnitude 4.9 (4.9 MW, Depth: 2.5 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 316.0 miles away from the county center On 7/16/2004 at 12:17:30, a magnitude 3.5 (3.5 MW, Depth: 3.1 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: II - III) earthquake occurred 72.2 miles away from Union County center On 12/17/2009 at 02:53:42, a magnitude 3.6 (3.6 MB, Depth: 3.1 mi) earthquake occurred 93.9 miles away from the county center Magnitude types: body-wave magnitude (MB), surface-wave magnitude (MS), moment magnitude (MW)
Iowa Covid-19 Pandemic, Incident Period: March 17, 2020, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-4483-IA: March 23, 2020, FEMA Id: 4483, Natural disaster type: Other
Iowa Covid-19, Incident Period: Jan 20, 2020 - May 11, 2023, FEMA Id: 3480, Natural disaster type: Other
Iowa Severe Storms And Flooding, Incident Period: March 12, 2019, FEMA Id: 4421, Natural disaster type: Storm, Flood
Iowa Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes, Incident Period: June 01, 2010 to August 31, 2010, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1930: July 29, 2010, FEMA Id: 1930, Natural disaster type: Storm, Tornado, Flood
Iowa Severe Winter Storms, Incident Period: January 19, 2010 to January 26, 2010, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1880: March 02, 2010, FEMA Id: 1880, Natural disaster type: Winter Storm
Iowa Severe Storms, Tornadoes, and Flooding, Incident Period: May 25, 2008 to August 13, 2008, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1763: May 27, 2008, FEMA Id: 1763, Natural disaster type: Storm, Tornado, Flood
Iowa Severe Winter Storm, Incident Period: December 10, 2007 to December 11, 2007, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1737: January 04, 2008, FEMA Id: 1737, Natural disaster type: Winter Storm
Iowa Severe Storms and Flooding, Incident Period: August 17, 2007 to September 05, 2007, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1727: September 14, 2007, FEMA Id: 1727, Natural disaster type: Storm, Flood
Iowa Severe Storms, Flooding, and Tornadoes, Incident Period: May 05, 2007 to May 07, 2007, Major Disaster (Presidential) Declared DR-1705: May 25, 2007, FEMA Id: 1705, Natural disaster type: Storm, Tornado, Flood
10 other natural disasters have been reported since 1953.
The number of natural disasters in Union County (20) is near the US average (19). Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 16 Emergencies Declared: 1
Causes of natural disasters: Floods: 12, Storms: 11, Tornadoes: 5, Winter Storms: 2, Heavy Rain: 1, Hurricane: 1, Ice Storm: 1, Snow: 1, Other: 2 (Note: some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).
Installation, maintenance, and repair occupations (8%)
Office and administrative support occupations (12%)
Production occupations (11%)
Sales and related occupations (10%)
Educational instruction, and library occupations (10%)
Management occupations (9%)
Healthcare support occupations (9%)
Personal care and service occupations (6%)
Mexico (29%)
Korea (27%)
Cameroon (18%)
Philippines (9%)
Guatemala (6%)
Colombia (6%)
Germany (5%)
German (18%)
English (17%)
American (15%)
Irish (9%)
Scottish (4%)
Norwegian (3%)
Scotch-Irish (2%)
People in group quarters in Union County, Iowa in 2020:
175 people in college/university student housing
96 people in nursing facilities/skilled-nursing facilities
52 people in other noninstitutional facilities
52 people in group homes intended for adults
12 people in correctional facilities for adults
12 people in local jails and other municipal confinement facilitie
People in group quarters in Union County, Iowa in 2010:
117 people in nursing facilities/skilled-nursing facilities
112 people in college/university student housing
64 people in other noninstitutional facilities
50 people in group homes intended for adults
9 people in local jails and other municipal confinement facilities
People in group quarters in Union County, Iowa in 2000:
158 people in nursing homes
60 people in college dormitories (includes college quarters off campus)
38 people in homes for the mentally retarded
27 people in other noninstitutional group quarters
9 people in local jails and other confinement facilities (including police lockups)
Average gross adjusted income of non-migrant taxpayers in this county in 2021 was $64,613.
5.99% of this county's 2022 resident taxpayers lived in other counties in 2021 ($44,757 average adjusted gross income)
Here:
5.99%
Iowa average:
6.13%
10 or fewer of this county's residents moved from foreign countries.
4.84% relocated from other counties in Iowa ($37,514 average AGI)
1.15% relocated from other states ($7,243 average AGI)
Union County:
1.15%
Iowa average:
2.47%
Top counties from which taxpayers relocated into this county between 2021 and 2022:
6.11% of this county's 2021 resident taxpayers moved to other counties in 2022 ($46,138 average adjusted gross income)
Here:
6.11%
Iowa average:
6.48%
10 or fewer of this county's residents moved to foreign countries.
4.55% relocated to other counties in Iowa ($32,199 average AGI)
1.56% relocated to other states ($13,940 average AGI)
Union County:
1.56%
Iowa average:
2.84%
Top counties to which taxpayers relocated from this county between 2021 and 2022:
Births per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 11.7 Births per 1000 population from 2000 to 2006: 11.9
Deaths per 1000 population from 1990 to 1999: 13.0 Deaths per 1000 population from 2000 to 2009: 12.4 Deaths per 1000 population from 2010 to 2020: 12.0
Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 1990 to 1999: 8.0 Infant deaths per 1000 live births from 2000 to 2006: 5.4
Population without health insurance coverage in 2023: 5.9% Persons under 19 years old without health insurance coverage in 2023: 3.7%
Percentage of population without health insurance coverage in Union County
Persons enrolled in hospital insurance and/or supplemental medical insurance (Medicare) in July 1, 2007: 2,610 (2,207 aged, 403 disabled) Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2007: 173 (6%)
Most common underlying causes of death in Union County, Iowa in 1999 - 2019:
Atherosclerotic heart disease (264)
Hypertensive heart disease without (congestive) heart failure (173)
Bronchus or lung, unspecified - Malignant neoplasms (143)
Acute myocardial infarction, unspecified (68)
Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, so described (49)
Stroke, not specified as haemorrhage or infarction (25)
Population without health insurance coverage in 2000: 9% Children under 18 without health insurance coverage in 2000: 7%
Short term general hospitals per 100,000 population in 2004: 8.34 Short term general hospital admissions per 100,000 population in 2004: 13,741 Short term general hospital beds per 100,000 population in 2004: 284 Emergency room visits per 100,000 population in 2004: 37,197
General practice office based MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 1,362 Medical specialist MDs per 100,000 population in 2005: 1,554
Total births per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006 : 40 Total deaths per 100,000 population, July 2005 - July 2006: 75
Limited-service eating places per 100,000 population in 2005 : 8
Household type by relationship:
Households: 12,108
Male householders: 2,498 (919 living alone), Female householders: 2,724 (1,049 living alone)
1,820 married couples with children.
698 single-parent households (68 men, 630 women).
95.3% of residents of Union speak English at home.
1.4% of residents speak Spanish at home (45% speak English very well, 46% speak English well, 2% speak English not well, 7% don't speak English at all).
2.2% of residents speak other Indo-European language at home (74% speak English very well, 9% speak English well, 16% speak English not well).
0.9% of residents speak Asian or Pacific Island language at home (31% speak English very well, 21% speak English well, 48% speak English not well).
In fiscal year 2004:
Federal Government expenditure: $87,397,000 ($7,287 per capita) Department of Defense expenditure: $1,105,000 Federal direct payments to individuals for retirement and disability: $36,127,000 Federal other direct payments to individuals: $18,220,000 Federal direct payments not to individuals: $7,835,000 Federal grants: $19,410,000 Federal procurement contracts: $944,000 ($15,000 Department of Defense) Federal salaries and wages: $4,862,000 ($412,000 Department of Defense) Federal Government direct loans: $4,376,000 Federal guaranteed/insured loans: $1,551,000 Federal Government insurance: $19,509,000
Population change from April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2005:
Births: 718
Here:
60 per 1000 residents
State:
66 per 1000 residents
Deaths: 789
Here:
66 per 1000 residents
State:
48 per 1000 residents
Net international migration: +22
Here:
+2 per 1000 residents
State:
+10 per 1000 residents
Net internal migration: -273
Here:
-23 per 1000 residents
State:
-14 per 1000 residents
Total withdrawal of fresh water for public supply: 3.16 millions of gallons per day (1% from ground, 99% from surface)
Cars and other vehicles available in Union County in owner-occupied houses/condos
90no vehicle
8691 vehicle
1,3982 vehicles
8483 vehicles
4234 vehicles
1255+ vehicles
Cars and other vehicles available in Union County in renter-occupied apartments
237no vehicle
8221 vehicle
3502 vehicles
623 vehicles
144 vehicles
05+ vehicles
89.2% of Union County residents lived in the same house 1 years ago. Out of people who lived in different houses, 39% lived in this county. Out of people who lived in different counties, 81% lived in Iowa.
Union County:
89.2%
State average:
88.3%
Place of birth for U.S.-born residents:
This state: 8,805
Other state: 2,986
Northeast: 104
Midwest: 1,463
South: 555
West: 863
Most commonly used house heating fuel in Union County
(49.8%)
(50.2%)
, Adams County 
, Clarke County 
, Decatur County 
, Madison County 
, Ringgold County 
, Taylor County 
.
0.72% ($51,636 average AGI)
-14 per 1000 residents
