Union County, North Carolina Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 8th-largest in North Carolina
The population of Union County, North Carolina is 244,975 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 8th-largest county in North Carolina. The median household income is $99,243, the median home value is $374,400, and the median age is 39.1.
The population of Union County has grown 30.3% since 2010 (202,110 → 263,386), a +1.91% annualized rate.
244,975
Population
+1.91%
Annual growth
387
People / sq mi
$99,243
Median Income
$374,400
Median Home Value
Union County covers 633 sq mi of land at 387.2 people per square mile.
About Union County, NC
What sets Union County apart is where people work — remote work is unusually prominent here, at 18.0% versus 14.0% nationally. Union County is a county in North Carolina with a population of 244,975. That makes it one of the ten largest counties in North Carolina in the country, at #8 by population.
Earnings sit at the high end: a median household income of $99,243, above the US median of $78,538. Poverty is relatively low for US counties at 5.7%, below the national 12.4%. Real estate commands a premium here — a median home value of $374,400, with typical rent around $1,390.
Union County is among the best-educated US counties: 39.0% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree, above the national 35.0%. An unusually large 18.0% of workers are remote, above the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 30 minutes each way.
The remote-work concentration is telling in Union County — it skews toward higher-income, college-educated workers and reshapes both commute patterns and housing demand.
Union County Population History (2010-2024)
The county of Union County had a population of 202,110 in 2010 and 263,386 in 2024, a 30.3% growth over 14 years. The peak was 263,386 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 1.91%.
263,386
Population (2024)
202,110
Population (2010)
263,386
Peak (2024)
1.91%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 202,110 |
| 2011 | 204,916 |
| 2012 | 208,106 |
| 2013 | 212,261 |
| 2014 | 217,767 |
| 2015 | 222,051 |
| 2016 | 226,501 |
| 2017 | 231,525 |
| 2018 | 236,217 |
| 2019 | 240,028 |
| 2020 | 239,688 |
| 2021 | 244,491 |
| 2022 | 249,714 |
| 2023 | 257,510 |
| 2024 | 263,386 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 71.1% |
| Black or African American | 11.2% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.7% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Age & Sex
39.1
Median Age
50.3%
Female
49.7%
Male
13.2%
Age 65+
Age Distribution
Children (under 15): 20.7% · Seniors (65+): 13.2%
Income & Poverty
| Median household income | $99,243+$29,339 vs state |
| Mean household income | $132,863 |
| Per-capita income | $45,355 |
| Poverty rate | 5.7%-3.7% vs state |
| Unemployment rate | 2.8% |
| Employment-to-population | 64.8% |
Top Industries by Employment
The largest employment sector in Union County is professional & business services, accounting for 18.9% of workers.
How residents commute
0.2%
Drive alone
0.7%
Carpool
70.8%
Public transit
18.0%
Work from home
29.7 min
Avg commute
Housing
$374,400+$115,000 vs state
Median home value
$1,390
Median rent
81.8%
Homeownership rate
86,730
Total housing units
94.8%
Occupied
5.2%
Vacant
18.2%
Renter-occupied
Social & access
92.1%
With health insurance
96.3%
With broadband internet
41.7%
Foreign-born
6.4%
Veterans (18+)
9.2%
With a disability
83.1%
Speak language other than English at home
Education
90.4%
High School+
39.0%
Bachelor's+
Largest cities in North Carolina
Other counties in North Carolina
Part of North Carolina
Metro areas in North Carolina
County rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Union County, North Carolina has a population of 244,975 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 8th-largest county in North Carolina. Population density is 387 people per square mile.
The population of Union County has grown 30.3% since 2010 (202,110 → 263,386), a +1.91% annualized rate.
The median household income in Union County, North Carolina is $99,243, with mean (average) household income of $132,863 and per-capita income of $45,355. 5.7% of residents live below the federal poverty level.
In Union County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (71.1%), Black or African American (11.2%), Hispanic or Latino (1.7%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.
The median age in Union County, North Carolina is 39.1 years. Residents are 50.3% female and 49.7% male.
The median home value in Union County is $374,400 and median monthly rent is $1,390. 81.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 86,730 total housing units, 5.2% of which are vacant.
The largest employment sector in Union County, North Carolina is professional, scientific, and management services, employing 18.9% of workers. The unemployment rate is 2.8%.
Charlotte is among the largest cities associated with Union County, North Carolina, with a population of 886,283.
Union County, NC Climate
Union County, NC has an average annual temperature of 15.9°C (61°F) and receives about 1217 mm of precipitation per year. The warmest month is July and the coldest is January. Figures are 1970–2000 climate normals.
15.9°C
Avg Temp
1217
Precip (mm/yr)
Jul
Hottest Month
Jan
Coldest Month
| Month | Avg (°C/°F) | Precip |
|---|---|---|
| January | 5° / 41° | 113 mm |
| February | 7° / 45° | 96 mm |
| March | 11° / 52° | 121 mm |
| April | 16° / 60° | 76 mm |
| May | 20° / 68° | 93 mm |
| June | 24° / 75° | 106 mm |
| July | 26° / 79° | 118 mm |
| August | 25° / 78° | 114 mm |
| September | 22° / 72° | 105 mm |
| October | 16° / 61° | 103 mm |
| November | 11° / 52° | 83 mm |
| December | 7° / 44° | 89 mm |
1970–2000 normals from WorldClim 2.1 (~9 km grid). Precipitation can be less precise near mountains or coastlines, where rainfall varies sharply over short distances.
Best time to visit Union County, NC
The most comfortable months to visit Union County, NC are typically May, September and June, when temperatures are mildest and rainfall is relatively low. The hottest month is July (around 32°C high). The coldest is January (near -1°C low). March is usually the wettest month.
Where to stay near Union County
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Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.