County · North Carolina
Union County, North Carolina
Union County, North Carolina. Union County had 267,674 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 12.4% since 2020, faster than North Carolina (+7.2%). It holds 16 places (15 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 48 census tracts. GEOID 37179.
Union County is one of the 11 counties of the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
267,674
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 238,267 · ACS 2020-2024: 250,958
Median household income
$102,900
±$1,953 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $72,388
Median home value
$417,300
±$6,990 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $288,900
Median gross rent
$1,496
±$74 (90% margin)
North Carolina: $1,228
How many people live in Union County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 238,267 residents in Union County. The Census Bureau estimates 267,674 for July 1, 2025, up 12.4% since 2020, faster than North Carolina (+7.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 250,958 over 633 square miles of land.
| Measure | Union County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 250,958 | 10,730,404 | +19,905 |
| Households | 84,237±575 | 4,282,345 | +7,891 |
| Average household size | 2.95±0.02 | 2.44 | −0.05 |
| Housing units | 88,851±70 | 4,895,668 | +7,795 |
Union County's population since 2000
From 123,677 in 2000 to 267,674 in 2025: up 116.4%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Union County?
Union County holds 16 places: 15 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Indian Trail with 44,303 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Indian Trail | 39,997 | $108,483 |
|---|---|---|
| Monroe | 34,562 | $72,540 |
| Waxhaw | 20,534 | $131,894 |
| Stallings | 16,112 | $115,974 |
| Weddington | 13,181 | $190,766 |
| Wesley Chapel | 8,681 | $132,188 |
| Unionville | 6,643 | $96,028 |
| Marvin | 6,358 | $250,000 or more |
| Wingate | 4,055 | $63,068 |
| Fairview, Union County | 3,456 | $98,808 |
| Lake Park | 3,269 | $66,411 |
| Mineral Springs | 3,159 | $91,500 |
| Marshville | 2,522 | $57,837 |
| Hemby Bridge | 1,614 | $71,688 |
| JAARSGEOID 3733993 | 471 | $65,777 |
| Mint Hill | 26,450 | $100,860 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Union County?
The median resident of Union County is 39.2 years old; 25.6% are under 18 and 13.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 66.8%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 13.4%. 12.2% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Union County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.2±0.3 | 39.1 | +1.0 |
| Under 18 years | 25.6%±0.1 pts | 21.8% | – |
| 65 years and over | 13.5%±0.1 pts | 17.2% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 13.4% | 11.3% | +2.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 66.8%±0.2 pts | 60.0% | −5.3 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 10.9%±0.4 pts | 20.0% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 4.5%±0.2 pts | 3.3% | +1.5 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.8%±0.4 pts | 4.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 12.2%±0.5 pts | 9.1% | +2.7 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 17.4%±0.7 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.3%±0.4 pts | 7.4% | – |
| With a disability | 9.6%±0.5 pts | 13.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.7%±0.6 pts | 9.9% | −1.3 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 90.9%±0.6 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 40.5%±1.1 pts | 35.7% | +5.1 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 14.1%±0.8 pts | 13.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.8%±0.5 pts | 3.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Union County earn?
Half of Union County's 84,237 households earn less than $102,900 a year (±$1,953), against $72,388 in North Carolina. In 2015-2019 the median was $98,496 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $4,404 after inflation. 7.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Union County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $102,900±$1,953 | $72,388 | +$4,404 |
| Mean household income | $137,465±$3,196 | $101,208 | – |
| Per capita income | $46,949±$1,040 | $41,385 | +$2,199 |
| People below the poverty line | 7.7%±0.8 pts | 13.0% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 10.6%±1.5 pts | 17.7% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 7.6%±0.7 pts | 12.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 94.1%±0.7 pts | 90.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Union County?
Owners occupy 81.6% of Union County's occupied homes and renters 18.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $417,300 by its owner (±$6,990). The median renter pays $1,496 a month including utilities, and 35.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Union County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $417,300±$6,990 | $288,900 | +$120,211 |
| Median gross rent | $1,496±$74 | $1,228 | +$228 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 35.9%±3.5 pts | 39.6% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,940±$43 | $1,631 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 81.6%±1.1 pts | 66.6% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 88,851±70 | 4,895,668 | +7,795 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.5%±0.3 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 2.7%±1.3 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 86.4%±0.9 pts | 65.3% | – |
| Mobile homes | 4.5%±0.6 pts | 11.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 4.9%±0.5 pts | 3.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 2.5%±0.5 pts | 4.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Union County building?
Builders took permits for 2,707 new housing units across Union County in 2025 (2,387 single-family), 10.1 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Union County get to work?
69.6% of Union County's workers drive alone and 19.5% work from home. The average trip to work takes 29.8 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.2%.
| Measure | Union County | North Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 67.7%±0.8 pts | 62.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.2%±0.5 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 69.6%±1.2 pts | 71.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.9%±1.0 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Walked | 0.7%±0.2 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 19.5%±1.1 pts | 16.3% | +12.0 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 29.8 min±0.6 | 25.1 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Union County's census tracts?
Union County is divided into 48 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $43,797 (Tract 204.06) to $250,000 or more (Tract 210.07).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Union County compare with North Carolina's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 8th of 100 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 9th of 100 |
| Residents per square mile | 13th of 100 |
| Median household income | 2nd of 100 |
| Median home value | 5th of 100 |
| Median gross rent | 4th of 100 |
| Poverty rate | 96th of 100 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11th of 100 |
| Median age | 79th of 100 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Union County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.