Union County Demographics

A map of Union County's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	22,506	22,904	59.4%	58.6%
Black	12,162	12,670	32.1%	32.4%
Hispanic	1,793	1,754	4.7%	4.5%
Multiracial	1,018	1,213	2.7%	3.1%
Asian	325	273	0.9%	0.7%
Native American/Other	96	240	0.3%	0.6%

Union County, Arkansas has an estimated population of 37,900, a slight decrease from the 39,054 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 59.4% White, 32.1% Black, 4.7% Hispanic, 2.7% Multiracial, 0.9% Asian, and 0.3% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Union County, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Union has become slightly less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is more diverse than Arkansas overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Union County, that probability was 54.8% in 2020 and 54.1% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Union County is ranked the 21st most populous county in Arkansas, out of 75 counties. Union County was ranked the 19th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Union County's White Population

22,506 residents of Union County, or 59.4% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Union County is lower than in Arkansas overall, where 67.4% of the population is White. Union County ranks 59th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 75 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Union County's White population has declined by an estimated 1.7%. White residents' share of Union County's population has increased from 58.6% to 59.4%.

Union County is more White than neighboring Ouachita County (53.9% White), Bradley County (53.9% White), and Claiborne County (44.4% White). Union County is less White than neighboring Calhoun County (72.4% White), and Union County (69% White).

Union County's Black Population

12,162 residents of Union County, or 32.1% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Union County is significantly higher than in Arkansas overall, where 14.6% of the population is Black. Union County ranks 14th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 75 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Union County's Black population has declined by an estimated 4.0%. Black residents' share of Union County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 32.1%.

Union County is more Black than neighboring Calhoun County (17.2% Black), Union County (23.5% Black), and Bradley County (25.9% Black). Union County is less Black than neighboring Ouachita County (40.8% Black), and Claiborne County (50.3% Black).

Union County's Asian Population

325 residents of Union County, or 0.9% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Union County is comparable to the share in Arkansas overall, where 1.6% of the population is Asian. Union County ranks 23rd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 75 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Union County's Asian population has grown by an estimated 19.0%. Asian residents' share of Union County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.9%.

Union County is more Asian than neighboring Calhoun County (0.2% Asian), Union County (0.2% Asian), Ouachita County (0.3% Asian), Bradley County (0% Asian), and Claiborne County (0.1% Asian).

Union County's Hispanic Population

1,793 residents of Union County, or 4.7% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Union County is slightly lower than in Arkansas overall, where 9% of the population is Hispanic. Union County ranks 31st statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 75 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Union County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 2.2%. Hispanic residents' share of Union County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.7%.

Union County is more Hispanic than neighboring Calhoun County (3% Hispanic), Ouachita County (2.6% Hispanic), and Claiborne County (0.6% Hispanic). Union County is less Hispanic than neighboring Union County (5.8% Hispanic), and Bradley County (15.9% Hispanic).

Union County's Native American/Other Population

96 residents of Union County, or 0.3% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Union County is comparable to the share in Arkansas overall, where 1% of the population is Native American/Other. Union County ranks 52nd statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 75 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Union County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 60.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Union County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.3%.

Union County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Union County (0.1% Native American/Other), Ouachita County (0.2% Native American/Other), and Claiborne County (0.1% Native American/Other). Union County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Calhoun County (0.6% Native American/Other), and Bradley County (0.7% Native American/Other).

Union County's Multiracial Population

1,018 residents of Union County, or 2.7% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Union County is slightly lower than in Arkansas overall, where 6.3% of the population is Multiracial. Union County ranks 62nd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 75 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Union County's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 16.1%. Multiracial residents' share of Union County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.7%.

Union County is more Multiracial than neighboring Union County (1.4% Multiracial), and Ouachita County (2.2% Multiracial). Union County is less Multiracial than neighboring Calhoun County (6.6% Multiracial), Bradley County (3.5% Multiracial), and Claiborne County (4.5% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.