Union County, Kentucky Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 81st-largest in Kentucky

The population of Union County, Kentucky is 13,379 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 81st-largest county in Kentucky. The median household income is $60,989, the median home value is $109,000, and the median age is 41.3.

The population of Union County has declined 13.7% since 2010 (15,274 → 13,178), a -1.05% annualized rate.

Union County within Kentucky · Source: US Census TIGER/Line via us-atlas

13,379

Population

-1.05%

Annual growth

People / sq mi

$60,989

Median Income

$109,000

Median Home Value

Union County covers 343 sq mi of land at 39.0 people per square mile.

About Union County, KY

Educational attainment is the headline number in Union County: 11.8% of adults 25 and older have a four-year degree. Union County is a county in Kentucky with a population of 13,379.

Household earnings are middling, with a median of $60,989 — below the US median of $78,538. The poverty rate is 10.6%, below the national 12.4%. Homes are comparatively cheap — a median value of $109,000, with typical rent around $787.

Union County is among the least college-educated US counties, at 11.8% — below the national 35.0%. Just 5.0% of workers are home-based, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 23 minutes each way.

Union County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Union County had a population of 15,274 in 2010 and 13,178 in 2024, a -13.7% growth over 14 years. The peak was 15,274 in 2010. Average annual growth rate: -1.04%.

Union County population, 2010–2024 · Source: U.S. Census Bureau — decennial census & Population Estimates

13,178

Population (2024)

15,274

Population (2010)

15,274

Peak (2010)

-1.04%

Avg Annual Growth

Year	Population	Change	Annual %	Source
2010	15,274	-	-	estimate
2011	15,264	-10	-0.07%	estimate
2012	15,092	-172	-1.13%	estimate
2013	15,078	-14	-0.09%	estimate
2014	15,093	+15	+0.10%	estimate
2015	14,976	-117	-0.78%	estimate
2016	14,795	-181	-1.21%	estimate
2017	14,656	-139	-0.94%	estimate
2018	14,519	-137	-0.93%	estimate
2019	14,497	-22	-0.15%	estimate
2020	13,650	-847	-5.84%	estimate
2021	13,251	-399	-2.92%	estimate
2022	13,107	-144	-1.09%	estimate
2023	13,116	+9	+0.07%	estimate
2024	13,178	+62	+0.47%	estimate

Race & Ethnicity

White	88.9%
Black or African American	8.1%
Asian	0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	0.7%
Two or More Races	0.0%

Age & Sex

41.3

Median Age

49.4%

Female

50.6%

Male

19.6%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5

5.4%

5–9

5.4%

10–14

4.7%

15–19

6.2%

20–24

8.0%

25–34

11.6%

35–44

12.1%

45–54

12.4%

55–59

7.4%

60–64

7.2%

65–74

12.8%

75–84

4.7%

85+

2.1%

Children (under 15): 15.5% · Seniors (65+): 19.6%

Income & Poverty

Median household income	$60,989$-1,428 vs state
Mean household income	$75,274
Per-capita income	$30,328
Poverty rate	10.6%-1.2% vs state
Unemployment rate	1.6%
Employment-to-population	50.5%

Top Industries by Employment

Professional & business services

20.9%

Manufacturing

17.5%

Agriculture

12.1%

Finance & real estate

11.4%

Construction

7.2%

Retail trade

6.1%

Education & health care

5.2%

Information

2.7%

The largest employment sector in Union County is professional & business services, accounting for 20.9% of workers.

How residents commute

0.0%

Drive alone

2.0%

Carpool

83.1%

Public transit

5.0%

Work from home

22.7 min

Avg commute

Housing

$109,000$-83,300 vs state

Median home value

$787

Median rent

71.7%

Homeownership rate

5,868

Total housing units

87.4%

Occupied

12.6%

Vacant

28.3%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

94.6%

With health insurance

95.2%

With broadband internet

30.0%

Foreign-born

6.7%

Veterans (18+)

30.8%

With a disability

98.7%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

92.0%

High School+

11.8%

Bachelor's+

Largest cities in Kentucky

Louisville/Jefferson County (627,210)Lexington-Fayette (321,122)Bowling Green (73,638)Owensboro (60,112)Covington (40,902)Georgetown (38,206)Richmond (35,498)Florence (32,334)Elizabethtown (31,870)Nicholasville (31,625)All Kentucky cities →

Other counties in Kentucky

Jefferson County (777,392)Fayette County (321,122)Kenton County (169,817)Boone County (137,676)Warren County (137,549)Hardin County (111,452)Daviess County (103,195)Madison County (94,064)Campbell County (93,193)Bullitt County (83,209)All Kentucky counties →

Part of Kentucky

Kentucky demographic profile All Kentucky data →

Metro areas in Kentucky

Cincinnati (2,255,257)Louisville/Jefferson County (1,361,847)Lexington (517,378)Huntington (372,801)Clarksville (328,626)Bowling Green (183,194)Elizabethtown (126,480)Owensboro (112,322)All US metros →

County rankings

US Counties by Population Richest US Counties by Median Household Income Expensive US Counties by Home Value Educated US Counties Counties With Highest Poverty Rates Youngest US Counties by Median Age Oldest US Counties by Median Age Cheapest US Counties by Median Home Value Racially Diverse US Counties Counties With Largest Hispanic Population All rankings →

Frequently Asked Questions

Union County, Kentucky has a population of 13,379 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 81st-largest county in Kentucky. Population density is 39 people per square mile.

The population of Union County has declined 13.7% since 2010 (15,274 → 13,178), a -1.05% annualized rate.

The median household income in Union County, Kentucky is $60,989, with mean (average) household income of $75,274 and per-capita income of $30,328. 10.6% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Union County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (88.9%), Black or African American (8.1%), Hispanic or Latino (0.7%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Union County, Kentucky is 41.3 years. Residents are 49.4% female and 50.6% male.

The median home value in Union County is $109,000 and median monthly rent is $787. 71.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 5,868 total housing units, 12.6% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Union County, Kentucky is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 20.9% of workers. The unemployment rate is 1.6%.

Louisville/Jefferson County is among the largest cities associated with Union County, Kentucky, with a population of 627,210.