Union County, SC

County

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2021 Population

27,306

0.0695% 1-year decline

US Senator

Lindsey Graham

Republican Party

US Senator

Tim Scott

Republican Party

2021 Median Age

0.901% 1-year decrease

2021 Poverty Rate

20.9%

5.11% 1-year increase

2021 Median Household Income

$40,048

2.6% 1-year decline

2021 Median Property Value

$81,400

1.37% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

11,049

3.79% 1-year decline

About

In 2021, Union County, SC had a population of 27.3k people with a median age of 44 and a median household income of $40,048. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Union County, SC declined from 27,325 to 27,306, a −0.0695% decrease and its median household income declined from $41,117 to $40,048, a −2.6% decrease.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Union County, SC are White (Non-Hispanic) (64.1%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (29.7%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (4.14%), White (Hispanic) (0.795%), and Other (Hispanic) (0.385%).

None of the households in Union County, SC reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

99.4% of the residents in Union County, SC are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Union County, SC are University of South Carolina-Union (117 degrees awarded in 2021).

In 2021, the median property value in Union County, SC was $81,400, and the homeownership rate was 68.3%.

Most people in Union County, SC drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 26.7 minutes. The average car ownership in Union County, SC was 2 cars per household.

Union County, SC borders Cherokee County, SC, Chester County, SC, Fairfield County, SC, Laurens County, SC, Newberry County, SC, Spartanburg County, SC, and York County, SC.

United States South Carolina Spartanburg, SC

Population & Diversity

Union County, SC is home to a population of 27.3k people, from which 99.4% are citizens. As of 2021, 0.916% of Union County, SC residents were born outside of the country (250 people).

In 2021, there were 2.15 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (17.5k people) in Union County, SC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 8.12k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 1.13k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

99.4%

2021 Citizenship

99.6%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 99.4% of Union County, SC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Union County, SC was 99.6%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Union County, SC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Union County, SC

White (Non-Hispanic)
17.5k ± 12
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
8.12k ± 404
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
1.13k ± 409

1.75%

Hispanic Population

478 people

1.75% of the people in Union County, SC are hispanic (478 people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Union County, SC as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for South Carolina.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
59,828 ± 5,970 people
India
16,728 ± 3,170 people
Honduras
13,020 ± 2,798 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of South Carolina was Mexico, the natal country of 59,828 South Carolina residents, followed by India with 16,728 and Honduras with 13,020.

Foreign-Born Population

0.916%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

250 people

0.856%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

234 people

As of 2021, 0.916% of Union County, SC residents (250 people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Union County, SC was 0.856%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Union County, SC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
555 ± 133
Gulf War (2001-)
464 ± 191
Gulf War (1990s)
318 ± 115

Union County, SC has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.2 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Union County, SC employs 11k people. The largest industries in Union County, SC are Manufacturing (2,802 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (1,437 people), and Retail Trade (1,303 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($56,944), Public Administration ($50,500), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($44,583).

Males in South Carolina have an average income that is 1.38 times higher than the average income of females, which is $47,907. The income inequality in South Carolina (measured using the Gini index) is 0.463, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

11k

2021 Value

± 766

−3.79%

1 Year decline

± 10%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Union County, SC declined at a rate of −3.79%, from 11.5k employees to 11k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Union County, SC, are Production Occupations (1,788 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (1,323 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (928 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Union County, SC.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in South Carolina (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

11k

2021 Value

± 766

−3.79%

1 Year decline

± 10%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Union County, SC declined at a rate of −3.79%, from 11.5k employees to 11k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Union County, SC, are Manufacturing (2,802 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (1,437 people), and Retail Trade (1,303 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Union County, SC, though some of these residents may live in Union County, SC and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$38,244

Median earning men ± $3,185

$25,013

Median earning women ± $2,485

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($120,284), Public Administration ($54,515), and Information ($47,828).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Public Administration ($38,477), Wholesale Trade ($34,500), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($32,375).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in South Carolina. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in South Carolina.

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

129
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing
108
Manufacturing
104
Retail Trade

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$222k
Manufacturing
$30.8k
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing
$25k
Retail Trade

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from South Carolina to other states, or from other states to South Carolina.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound South Carolina product (by dollars) was Motorized vehicles with $39.9B, followed by Plastics/rubber ($29.5B) and Machinery ($26.9B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound South Carolina products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for South Carolina.

$273B

2020 Value in South Carolina

$613B

Projected 2050 Value in South Carolina

124% growth

In 2020, total outbound South Carolina trade was $273B. This is expected to increase 124% to $613B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound South Carolina trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from South Carolina to other states, or from other states to South Carolina.

Most Common Trade Partners

North Carolina
$28.9B
Georgia
$21.4B
Texas
$10.9B

In 2020, the top outbound South Carolina domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was North Carolina with $28.9B, followed by Georgia with $21.4B and Texas and $10.9B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that South Carolina shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Union County, SC went to Donald J. Trump with 61.7% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (37.2%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (0.724%).

Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott are the senators currently representing the state of South Carolina. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

South Carolina is currently represented by 7 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (61.7%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (37.2%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (0.724%)
Libertarian Party

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Union County, SC for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from South Carolina

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for South Carolina.

Lindsey Graham

Senator from South Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2003

Tim Scott

Senator from South Carolina

Assumed office on January 2, 2013
Appointed to the seat following the resignation of Jim DeMint.

Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott are the senators currently representing South Carolina.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in South Carolina over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from South Carolina

South Carolina is currently represented by 7 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for South Carolina have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Union County, SC awarded 117 degrees. The student population of Union County, SC in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 568 male students and 676 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Union County, SC are White (88 and 75.2%), followed by Black or African American (17 and 14.5%), Two or More Races (10 and 8.55%), and Hispanic or Latino (2 and 1.71%).

The largest universities in Union County, SC by number of degrees awarded are University of South Carolina-Union (117 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Union County, SC are Liberal Arts & Sciences (117 and 100%).

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Union County, SC, the percentage of applicants admitted was 89.5%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 55.7%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 1,244 (45.7% men and 54.3% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2021 there were 1,244 students enrolled in Union County, SC, 45.7% men and 54.3% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 861 records, of which 53.2% were women and 46.8% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Liberal Arts & Sciences

Most Common

117 degrees awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Union County, SC was Liberal Arts & Sciences with 117 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Associates Degree from schools in Union County, SC according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

University of South Carolina-Union

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

117 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of South Carolina-Union with 117 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 56 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Union County, SC, which is 0.918 times less than the 61 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 88 degrees mean that there were 5.18 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 17 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Public, 2-year ($7,158) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($400) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($1,600) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for South Carolina.

Measure

In 2021, 0.829% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.722% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for South Carolina.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (1.18M), Some college (890k), and Bachelors Degree (688k).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Union County, SC was $81,400 in 2021, which is 0.332 times smaller than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $80,300 to $81,400, a 1.37% increase. The homeownership rate in Union County, SC is 68.3%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Union County, SC have an average commute time of 26.7 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Union County, SC is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Union County, SC is $40,048. In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Union County, SC was Census Tract 308 with a value of $58,342, followed by Census Tract 305 and Census Tract 306, with respective values of $53,615 and $48,333.

In 2022, 11.9% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Union County, SC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 1.43%.

Housing

Property

$81,400

Median Property Value 2021

±$4,880

$7,619

Median Property Taxes

±$527

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Union County, SC the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Union County, SC compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

68.3%

Homeownership

2021

63.3%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 68.3% of the housing units in Union County, SC were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 66.8%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Union County, SC compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 308
Census Tract 305
Census Tract 306

In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Union County, SC was Census Tract 308 with a value of $58,342, followed by Census Tract 305 and Census Tract 306, with respective values of $53,615 and $48,333.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Union County, SC colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$40,048

Median Household Income

± $3,273

11.2k

Number of Households

± 720

In 2021, the median household income of the 11.2k households in Union County, SC declined from $40,048 from the previous year's value of $41,117.

The following chart displays the households in Union County, SC distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the < $10k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Union County, SC is from South Carolina.

0.463

2021 Wage GINI in South Carolina

0.462

2020 Wage GINI in South Carolina

In 2021, the income inequality in South Carolina was 0.463 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.122% growth from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for South Carolina was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in South Carolina in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in South Carolina across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (84.1%)
Carpooled (11.1%)
Worked At Home (1.97%)

In 2021, 84.1% of workers in Union County, SC drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (11.1%) and those who worked at home (1.97%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

26.7 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Union County, SC have a shorter commute time (26.7 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 2.34% of the workforce in Union County, SC have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Union County, SC compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Union County, SC distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Union County, SC have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2022, 11.9% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Union County, SC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 1.43%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

20.9% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Union County, SC (5.61k out of 26.9k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 55 - 64, followed by Females 25 - 34 and then Females 6 - 11.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Union County, SC is White, followed by Black and Two Or More.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2022, 24.3% of the children was living in poverty in Union County, SC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 8.6%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 671 in Union County, SC. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 27.4 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

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Health

88.8% of the population of Union County, SC has health coverage, with 35.5% on employee plans, 22.4% on Medicaid, 17.3% on Medicare, 11.5% on non-group plans, and 2.17% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Union County, SC see 2483 patients per year on average, which represents a 8.71% increase from the previous year (2284 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 4498 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 1080 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 46.8% were men and 53.2% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

2,483 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Union County, SC

Primary care physicians in Union County, SC see an average of 2,483 patients per year. This represents a 8.71% increase from the previous year (2,284 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Union County, SC in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 22.8% under 18 years, 17.6% between 18 and 34 years, 39.9% between 35 and 64 years, and 19.7% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 46.8% were men and 53.2% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

11.2%

Uninsured

35.5%

Employer Coverage

22.4%

Medicaid

17.3%

Medicare

11.5%

Non-Group

2.17%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Union County, SC grew by 8.8% from 10.3% to 11.2%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Union County, SC changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2022, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 68.9 in Union County, SC.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Union County, SC.

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Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2022, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 37.6% in Union County, SC.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Union County, SC.

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