City profile · Missouri · Census ACS 2023

Union, MO

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

12,560
Residents
$71,760
Median income
$199,100
Median home
$1,218
Median rent (state)

Union - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Union places in the 52nd percentile for household income and the 19th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

52nd
percentile, household income
43rd
percentile, home value
38th
percentile, median rent
19th
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, MO

Union is a small town in Missouri, home to 12,560 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Union brings in $71,760 a year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 7.3%. Home values in Union run a median of $199,100, and the median resident age is 33.9 years. Educational attainment runs 25.6% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 61.1% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 141 residential building permits were authorized in Union (Building Boom), up 114% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 2717.9 in FBI UCR data, near the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 56.9°F with 45.0 inches of precipitation per year and 14.4 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in Missouri run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Missouri at 90.8 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Well Below Average). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,218 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Missouri's average monthly utility costs around $219 (state average). FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 83.5 out of 100 (High).

Population

12,560 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Missouri

Median Household Income

$71,760 /yr

Poverty 7.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

90.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Missouri average

How does Union compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 52% higher than other cities
Home value 43% pricier than other cities
Median rent 38% pricier than other cities
Safety 19% safer than other cities

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

Zoom in to just Missouri and the picture shifts: Union ranks #176 of 234 Missouri cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Union's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Missouri, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

52ndIncome percentile
19thSafety percentile

52nd percentile nationally for median household income · 19th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Union's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Union'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 44 Avg. percentile National median
Union'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's home value compares nationally

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

$199,100 Among the most affordable more affordable than 57% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Union $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, MO Union, MO's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Union, MO-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, MO median $71,760/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, MO'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, MO. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 25.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 7.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 61.1%

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

Population
12,560
Median Income
$71,760
Median Home Value
$199,100
Median Age
33.9
Poverty Rate
7.3%
Labor force participation
61.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
25.6%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2717.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
393.7
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2324.2
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.

Climate

Avg Temperature
56.9°F
Annual Precipitation
45.0"
Annual Snowfall
14.4"

Schools

Total Schools
6
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
12,000 residents12,500 residents13,000 residents13,500 residents14,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 12,382 residents 13,445 residents ▲ +8.6%
Union's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
141
housing units authorized
Single-Family
109
detached homes
Multifamily
32
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
11.2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 66
2020 76
2021 138
2022 163
2023 102
2024 141

Permit volume increased 114% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
77.0%
Carpool
11.4%
Public Transit
0.6%
Walk
0.8%
Work from Home
9.0%
Other
1.2%

Based on 6,014 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

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

Electricity
$105
avg/month
Natural Gas
$72
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$42
avg/month
Total Utilities
$219
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Missouri 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 Missouri state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Union sits in

Cost of Living Index
90.8
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,218/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
83.5 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Missouri

Fulton
12,611 people
Eureka
12,371 people
Branson
12,760 people
West Plains
12,341 people
Crestwood
12,298 people
Neosho
12,857 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Union's 12,560 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Parker, SC
12,564 people
Poquoson, VA
12,556 people
Windsor Locks, CT
12,555 people
Artesia, NM
12,555 people
Levelland, TX
12,565 people
Mendota, CA
12,554 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Union's $71,760 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Williamstown, KY
$71,761 median income
East Peoria, IL
$71,763 median income
Foots Creek, OR
$71,755 median income
Arden-Arcade, CA
$71,767 median income
Commerce, CA
$71,768 median income
Milner, GA
$71,750 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Union, MO 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, MO - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 87.5% 8.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 2.8% White 87.5% Black or African American 2.0% Asian 1.5% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.5% Two or more races 8.5% 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 compares to nearby Missouri 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 (this city) 12,560 $71,760
Fulton 12,611 $55,015
Eureka 12,371 $108,947
Branson 12,760 $54,961
Census ACS 5-year FIPS MO FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Union, MO?

What is the population of Union, MO? +

Union, MO has a population of 12,560 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Union, MO? +

Union households earn a median of $71,760 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Union? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Union; the closest available measure is the Missouri state average, a cost of living index of 90.8 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Missouri vary by metro area.

Is Union, MO safe? +

Union has a total crime rate of 2717.9 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, MO? +

The median home value in Union is $199,100, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Union? +

Union has an average annual temperature of 56.9°F, 45.0 inches of precipitation, and 14.4 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, 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 Editorial

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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.