County · Oregon
Union County, Oregon
Union County, Oregon. Union County had 25,900 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.1% since 2020, while Oregon grew 0.9%. It holds 8 places (8 cities, villages and boroughs) and 8 census tracts. GEOID 41061.
Union County is the county of the La Grande, OR micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
25,900
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 26,196 · ACS 2020-2024: 26,144
Median household income
$65,661
±$3,326 (90% margin)
Oregon: $83,011
Median home value
$294,600
±$14,624 (90% margin)
Oregon: $477,600
Median gross rent
$982
±$47 (90% margin)
Oregon: $1,525
How many people live in Union County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 26,196 residents in Union County. The Census Bureau estimates 25,900 for July 1, 2025, down 1.1% since 2020, while Oregon grew 0.9%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 26,144 over 2,037 square miles of land.
| Measure | Union County | Oregon | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 26,144 | 4,254,293 | −193 |
| Households | 10,900±156 | 1,718,422 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.35±0.03 | 2.42 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 11,829±34 | 1,857,992 | no clear change |
Union County's population since 2000
From 24,530 in 2000 to 25,900 in 2025: up 5.6%. 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 8 places: 8 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is La Grande with 12,985 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| La Grande | 13,026 | $58,427 |
|---|---|---|
| Union | 2,152 | $65,047 |
| Elgin | 1,717 | $57,750 |
| Island City | 1,144 | $66,563 |
| Cove | 620 | $82,500 |
| North PowderGEOID 4153300 | 504 | $52,273 |
| ImblerGEOID 4136050 | 245 | $66,250 |
| SummervilleGEOID 4170850 | 119 | $120,417 |
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 40.0 years old; 21.4% are under 18 and 21.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 85.8%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 5.5%. 4.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Union County | Oregon | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.0±0.6 | 40.4 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.4%±0.3 pts | 19.9% | – |
| 65 years and over | 21.4%±0.3 pts | 19.1% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 5.5% | 14.7% | +0.7 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 85.8%±0.9 pts | 71.4% | −2.9 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.8%±0.3 pts | 1.8% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.1%±0.2 pts | 4.4% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.2 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 1.5%±0.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.9%±0.6 pts | 6.1% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.8%±0.8 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 4.0%±0.7 pts | 9.8% | +1.1 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 4.9%±0.9 pts | 15.2% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.9%±1.1 pts | 7.2% | – |
| With a disability | 18.6%±1.8 pts | 15.5% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.9%±1.5 pts | 5.9% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 93.5%±1.3 pts | 91.8% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 26.1%±2.0 pts | 36.8% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 8.9%±1.6 pts | 14.1% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.8%±0.7 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 10,900 households earn less than $65,661 a year (±$3,326), against $83,011 in Oregon. In 2015-2019 it was $64,207 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 16.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Union County | Oregon | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $65,661±$3,326 | $83,011 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $87,276±$5,658 | $111,542 | – |
| Per capita income | $37,171±$2,311 | $45,612 | +$3,147 |
| People below the poverty line | 16.1%±2.1 pts | 11.9% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 17.3%±4.8 pts | 13.2% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 19.4%±1.8 pts | 16.0% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 83.7%±2.5 pts | 92.4% | – |
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 65.5% of Union County's occupied homes and renters 34.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $294,600 by its owner (±$14,624). The median renter pays $982 a month including utilities, and 32.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Union County | Oregon | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $294,600±$14,624 | $477,600 | +$66,429 |
| Median gross rent | $982±$47 | $1,525 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 32.4%±5.7 pts | 43.1% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,502±$94 | $2,157 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 65.5%±2.5 pts | 63.3% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 11,829±34 | 1,857,992 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.3%±0.4 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 1.7%±1.3 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 69.6%±2.1 pts | 62.7% | – |
| Mobile homes | 11.2%±1.7 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.7%±0.8 pts | 2.1% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 26.1%±2.4 pts | 10.7% | – |
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 50 new housing units across Union County in 2025 (48 single-family), 1.9 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?
71.9% of Union County's workers drive alone and 8.5% work from home. The average trip to work takes 16.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.7%.
| Measure | Union County | Oregon | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 59.2%±1.6 pts | 62.3% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.7%±1.3 pts | 5.4% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 71.9%±3.6 pts | 64.5% | – |
| Carpooled | 9.7%±2.2 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.3%±0.3 pts | 2.2% | – |
| Walked | 6.4%±2.1 pts | 3.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 8.5%±1.7 pts | 19.0% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 16.3 min±1.3 | 23.0 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 8 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $39,031 (Tract 9707) to $100,972 (Tract 9706).
| Tract 970141061970100 | 3,091±324 | $63,673 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 970241061970200 | 3,433±301 | $65,484 |
| Tract 970341061970300 | 2,510±261 | $79,609 |
| Tract 970441061970400 | 2,528±289 | $70,431 |
| Tract 970541061970500 | 3,276±320 | $53,750 |
| Tract 970641061970600 | 3,988±446 | $100,972 |
| Tract 970741061970700 | 3,127±446 | $39,031 |
| Tract 970841061970800 | 4,191±418 | $59,375 |
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 Oregon's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 24th of 36 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 30th of 36 |
| Residents per square mile | 23rd of 36 |
| Median household income | 22nd of 36 |
| Median home value | 25th of 36 |
| Median gross rent | 28th of 36 |
| Poverty rate | 6th of 36 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 15th of 36 |
| Median age | 27th of 36 |
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.