City profile · California · Census ACS 2023

Union City, CA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Union City - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

68,141
Residents
$137,194
Median income
$1,058,200
Median home
$2,912
Median rent (state)

Union City - the verdict

Union City ranks in the 92nd percentile for household income and the 20th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

92nd
percentile, household income
98th
percentile, home value
97th
percentile, median rent
20th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Union City, CA

Union City is a small city in California, home to 68,141 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $137,194 per year, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 4.5%. Typical homes in Union City are valued around $1,058,200, and the median resident age is 42.1 years. 45.3% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 62.6% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 41 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Building Boom), up 173% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 2643.2 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, near the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

California carries a cost-of-living premium: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, California scores 110.7 (Well Above Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $2,912 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in California run around $275, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Commute times here average 27.1 minutes, with 61.5% driving alone and 17.7% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 99.8 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

68,141 residents

Census ACS 2023 - California

Median Household Income

$137,194 /yr

Poverty 4.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

110.7 (US=100)

Well Above Average - BEA RPP 2024, California average

How does Union City compare to other US cities?

Where Union City sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 92% higher than other cities
Home value 98% pricier than other cities
Median rent 97% pricier than other cities
Safety 20% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

Zoom in to just California and the picture shifts: Union City ranks #332 of 441 California cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Union City against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to California only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

California-relative analysis

Median Home Value places Union City toward the top of California's cities

Among the 1,343 California cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Union City ranks #210 - the 84th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Union City only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#225 of 1,338
83rd percentile in California
Median Gross Rent
#352 of 1,458
71st percentile in California
Median Home Value
#210 of 1,343
84th percentile in California
Poverty Rate
#893 of 1,450
38th percentile in California
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#336 of 1,458
77th percentile in California

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within California only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

92ndIncome percentile
20thSafety percentile

92nd percentile nationally for median household income · 20th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Union City's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Union City's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 38 Avg. percentile National median
Union City's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Union City's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$1,058,200 2nd percentile more affordable than 2% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). This entry sits in this band. Union City $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Union City, CA Union City, CA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Union City, CA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Union City, CA median $137,194/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Union City, CA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Union City, CA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 45.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 4.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 62.6%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
68,141
Median Income
$137,194
Median Home Value
$1,058,200
Median Age
42.1
Poverty Rate
4.5%
Labor force participation
62.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
45.3%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2643.2
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
408.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2235.2
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
11
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
64,000 residents66,000 residents68,000 residents70,000 residents72,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 69,932 residents 65,282 residents ▼ -6.6%
Union City's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
41
housing units authorized
Single-Family
41
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.6
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 15
2020 3
2021 23
2022 31
2023 28
2024 41

Permit volume increased 173% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
27.1 minutes
Drive Alone
61.5%
Carpool
12.5%
Public Transit
5.1%
Walk
0.8%
Work from Home
17.7%
Other
2.4%

Based on 33,554 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for California - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$150
avg/month
Natural Gas
$55
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$70
avg/month
Total Utilities
$275
estimated/month

Estimates reflect California state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a California state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Union City sits in

Cost of Living Index
110.7
Well Above Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$2,912/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
99.8 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in California

Yorba Linda
67,407 people
Palo Alto
67,231 people
Madera
67,133 people
Lodi
67,008 people
Davis
66,801 people
Yuba City
69,545 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Union City's 68,141 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Eagan, MN
68,158 people
South Hill, WA
68,161 people
Shawnee, KS
68,175 people
Jackson, TN
68,098 people
Weston, FL
67,952 people
Albany, GA
67,939 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Union City's $137,194 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Berwyn, PA
$137,206 median income
Walkersville, MD
$137,218 median income
Gateway, AK
$137,150 median income
Dunlap, IL
$137,240 median income
Cayuga Heights, NY
$137,132 median income
Pecan Grove, TX
$137,275 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Union City, CA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Union City, CA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 17.9% 55.9% 9.6% 9.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 19.3% White 17.9% Black or African American 5.3% Asian 55.9% American Indian 0.8% Native Hawaiian 0.9% Some other race 9.6% Two or more races 9.6% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Union City compares to nearby California cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Union City (this city) 68,141 $137,194
Yorba Linda 67,407 $152,060
Palo Alto 67,231 $220,408
Madera 67,133 $63,619
Census ACS 5-year FIPS CA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Union City, CA?

What is the population of Union City, CA? +

The population of Union City, CA stands at 68,141 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Union City, CA? +

Union City households earn a median of $137,194 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Union City? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Union City; the closest available measure is the California state average, a cost of living index of 110.7 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Above Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within California vary by metro area.

Is Union City, CA safe? +

Union City has a total crime rate of 2643.2 per 100,000 residents, which is near the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Union City, CA? +

Union City's median home value sits at $1,058,200, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.