County · South Carolina
Union County, South Carolina
Union County, South Carolina. Union County had 26,799 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 1.6% since 2020, while South Carolina grew 8.8%. It holds 6 places (4 cities, villages and boroughs and 2 census-designated) and 10 census tracts. GEOID 45087.
Union County is one of the 2 counties of the Spartanburg, SC metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
26,799
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 27,244 · ACS 2020-2024: 26,885
Median household income
$41,621
±$3,477 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $69,324
Median home value
$103,600
±$6,425 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $259,000
Median gross rent
$804
±$142 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $1,180
How many people live in Union County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 27,244 residents in Union County. The Census Bureau estimates 26,799 for July 1, 2025, down 1.6% since 2020, while South Carolina grew 8.8%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 26,885 over 514 square miles of land.
| Measure | Union County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 26,885 | 5,296,225 | −605 |
| Households | 11,611±284 | 2,117,989 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.28±0.06 | 2.44 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 13,527±29 | 2,443,039 | −568 |
Union County's population since 2000
From 29,881 in 2000 to 26,799 in 2025: down 10.3%. 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 6 places: 4 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 2 census-designated places. The largest is Union with 8,077 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Union | 8,174 | $31,914 |
|---|---|---|
| Monarch Mill | 1,584 | $39,350 |
| Buffalo | 1,288 | $21,614 |
| Jonesville | 852 | $40,625 |
| Lockhart | 384 | $39,000 |
| CarlisleGEOID 4511755 | 321 | $61,029 |
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 44.5 years old; 20.8% are under 18 and 21.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 64.2%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 27.5%. 1.5% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Union County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 44.5±0.4 | 40.2 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 20.8% | 21.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 21.6%±0.1 pts | 18.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.1% | 7.4% | +0.5 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 64.2%±0.2 pts | 61.9% | −0.4 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 27.5%±1.6 pts | 24.6% | −2.9 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 1.7% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 5.6%±1.6 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.5%±0.6 pts | 5.8% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.4%±0.6 pts | 8.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.8%±1.2 pts | 8.3% | – |
| With a disability | 21.7%±1.9 pts | 14.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 10.5%±1.9 pts | 9.6% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 82.1%±2.6 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 15.0%±2.4 pts | 32.1% | +3.7 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 3.6%±0.9 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.5%±0.3 pts | 3.7% | – |
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 11,611 households earn less than $41,621 a year (±$3,477), against $69,324 in South Carolina. In 2015-2019 the median was $50,687 in 2024 dollars, so it fell by $9,066 after inflation. 22.6% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Union County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $41,621±$3,477 | $69,324 | −$9,066 |
| Mean household income | $60,230±$3,808 | $95,567 | – |
| Per capita income | $27,229±$1,689 | $39,236 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 22.6%±2.6 pts | 14.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 36.1%±7.2 pts | 19.4% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 19.6%±2.7 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 82.3%±2.4 pts | 88.8% | – |
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 71.3% of Union County's occupied homes and renters 28.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $103,600 by its owner (±$6,425). The median renter pays $804 a month including utilities, and 43.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Union County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $103,600±$6,425 | $259,000 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $804±$142 | $1,180 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 43.8%±7.5 pts | 42.8% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $997±$62 | $1,529 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 71.3%±3.1 pts | 71.9% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 13,527±29 | 2,443,039 | −568 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.5%±0.4 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.8%±3.0 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 68.7%±2.9 pts | 64.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 21.2%±2.4 pts | 14.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.0%±0.7 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 15.2%±2.3 pts | 3.6% | – |
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 373 new housing units across Union County in 2025 (89 single-family), 13.9 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?
83.5% of Union County's workers drive alone and 3.4% work from home. The average trip to work takes 27.4 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 7.9%.
| Measure | Union County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 53.5%±2.0 pts | 60.5% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 7.9%±1.9 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 83.5%±2.8 pts | 76.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 11.7%±2.5 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.4 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Walked | 0.6%±0.5 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 3.4%±1.2 pts | 11.5% | +1.5 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 27.4 min±1.8 | 25.6 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 10 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $21,792 (Tract 302) to $62,674 (Tract 308).
| Tract 30145087030100 | 2,435±297 | $34,863 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 30245087030200 | 2,511±345 | $21,792 |
| Tract 30345087030300 | 3,902±387 | $39,958 |
| Tract 304.0145087030401 | 2,588±317 | $56,667 |
| Tract 304.0245087030402 | 2,756±379 | $33,025 |
| Tract 30545087030500 | 1,859±416 | $41,050 |
| Tract 30645087030600 | 1,607±272 | $47,469 |
| Tract 30745087030700 | 3,382±524 | $59,152 |
| Tract 30845087030800 | 3,275±443 | $62,674 |
| Tract 30945087030900 | 2,570±277 | $50,781 |
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 South Carolina's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 35th of 46 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 37th of 46 |
| Residents per square mile | 31st of 46 |
| Median household income | 43rd of 46 |
| Median home value | 41st of 46 |
| Median gross rent | 35th of 46 |
| Poverty rate | 9th of 46 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 37th of 46 |
| Median age | 11th of 46 |
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.