Union County, South Carolina Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 34th-largest in South Carolina

The population of Union County, South Carolina is 26,990 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 34th-largest county in South Carolina. The median household income is $41,200, the median home value is $100,000, and the median age is 44.3.

The population of Union County has declined 7.7% since 2010 (28,914 → 26,678), a -0.57% annualized rate.

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

26,990

Population

-0.57%

Annual growth

People / sq mi

$41,200

Median Income

$100,000

Median Home Value

Union County covers 514 sq mi of land at 52.6 people per square mile.

About Union County, SC

Union County is a county in South Carolina with a population of 26,990. It ranks #34 among counties in South Carolina by population. The median age is 44.3, older than the national median. The population is 47.2% male and 52.8% female.

The median household income in Union County is $41,200, below the US median of $74,580. 17.9% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $100,000, with monthly rent averaging $770. The homeownership rate of 69.3% is higher than the national rate of 64.8%.

Educational attainment in Union County reflects 13.5% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 2.5% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 27.7 minutes each way.

Union County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Union County had a population of 28,914 in 2010 and 26,678 in 2024, a -7.7% growth over 14 years. The peak was 28,914 in 2010. Average annual growth rate: -0.57%.

26,678

Population (2024)

28,914

Population (2010)

28,914

Peak (2010)

-0.57%

Avg Annual Growth

Year	Population	Change	Annual %	Source
2010	28,914	-	-	estimate
2011	28,654	-260	-0.90%	estimate
2012	28,193	-461	-1.61%	estimate
2013	27,991	-202	-0.72%	estimate
2014	27,912	-79	-0.28%	estimate
2015	27,731	-181	-0.65%	estimate
2016	27,651	-80	-0.29%	estimate
2017	27,433	-218	-0.79%	estimate
2018	27,327	-106	-0.39%	estimate
2019	27,221	-106	-0.39%	estimate
2020	27,182	-39	-0.14%	estimate
2021	27,028	-154	-0.57%	estimate
2022	26,787	-241	-0.89%	estimate
2023	26,751	-36	-0.13%	estimate
2024	26,678	-73	-0.27%	estimate

Race & Ethnicity

White	65.2%
Black or African American	29.2%
Asian	0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	2.6%
Two or More Races	0.0%

Age & Sex

44.3

Median Age

52.8%

Female

47.2%

Male

20.9%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5

5.4%

5–9

6.6%

10–14

5.2%

15–19

5.6%

20–24

5.4%

25–34

12.1%

35–44

10.8%

45–54

12.9%

55–59

8.1%

60–64

7.0%

65–74

12.7%

75–84

5.9%

85+

2.3%

Children (under 15): 17.2% · Seniors (65+): 20.9%

Income & Poverty

Median household income	$41,200$-25,618 vs state
Mean household income	$58,786
Per-capita income	$26,723
Poverty rate	17.9%+7.8% vs state
Unemployment rate	4.1%
Employment-to-population	49.6%

Top Industries by Employment

Manufacturing

26.5%

Professional & business services

20.2%

Retail trade

8.5%

Finance & real estate

6.3%

Education & health care

5.8%

Construction

5.7%

Arts, entertainment & food

5.3%

Public administration

4.5%

The largest employment sector in Union County is manufacturing, accounting for 26.5% of workers.

How residents commute

0.0%

Drive alone

1.4%

Carpool

80.4%

Public transit

2.5%

Work from home

27.7 min

Avg commute

Housing

$100,000$-136,700 vs state

Median home value

$770

Median rent

69.3%

Homeownership rate

13,508

Total housing units

86.9%

Occupied

13.1%

Vacant

30.7%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

88.3%

With health insurance

87.9%

With broadband internet

16.4%

Foreign-born

8.2%

Veterans (18+)

20.8%

With a disability

98.0%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

80.7%

High School+

13.5%

Bachelor's+

Largest cities in South Carolina

Charleston (152,014)Columbia (138,019)North Charleston (117,460)Mount Pleasant (92,662)Rock Hill (74,769)Greenville (71,755)Summerville (51,262)Goose Creek (46,964)Sumter (43,065)Florence (40,205)All South Carolina cities →

Other counties in South Carolina

Greenville County (537,575)Richland County (418,725)Charleston County (414,711)Horry County (368,937)Spartanburg County (338,096)Lexington County (300,370)York County (288,559)Berkeley County (238,723)Anderson County (207,218)Beaufort County (192,123)All South Carolina counties →

Part of South Carolina

South Carolina demographic profile All South Carolina data →

Metro areas in South Carolina

Charlotte (2,712,818)Greenville (945,301)Columbia (839,868)Charleston (817,756)Augusta (618,022)Myrtle Beach (368,937)Spartanburg (365,086)Hilton Head Island (222,781)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, South Carolina has a population of 26,990 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 34th-largest county in South Carolina. Population density is 53 people per square mile.

The population of Union County has declined 7.7% since 2010 (28,914 → 26,678), a -0.57% annualized rate.

The median household income in Union County, South Carolina is $41,200, with mean (average) household income of $58,786 and per-capita income of $26,723. 17.9% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Union County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (65.2%), Black or African American (29.2%), Hispanic or Latino (2.6%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Union County, South Carolina is 44.3 years. Residents are 52.8% female and 47.2% male.

The median home value in Union County is $100,000 and median monthly rent is $770. 69.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 13,508 total housing units, 13.1% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Union County, South Carolina is manufacturing, employing 26.5% of workers. The unemployment rate is 4.1%.

Charleston is among the largest cities associated with Union County, South Carolina, with a population of 152,014.