Union County Demographics

A map of Union County's Population by Race

Union County, Iowa has an estimated population of 11,993, a slight decrease from the 12,138 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 91.9% White, 3.8% Hispanic, 2.4% Multiracial, 0.9% Asian, 0.8% Black, and 0.2% 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 more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Iowa 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 14.3% in 2020 and 15.4% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Union County is ranked the 63rd most populous county in Iowa, out of 99 counties. Union County was ranked the 62nd most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Union County's White Population

11,018 residents of Union County, or 91.9% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Union County is higher than in Iowa overall, where 82.3% of the population is White. Union County ranks 45th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 99 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Union County's White population has declined by an estimated 1.8%. White residents' share of Union County's population has decreased from 92.5% to 91.9%.

Union County is more White than neighboring Clarke County (77.5% White). Union County is less White than neighboring Ringgold County (94.7% White), Madison County (94.3% White), Adair County (93.1% White), and Adams County (94.5% White).

Union County's Black Population

93 residents of Union County, or 0.8% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Union County is slightly lower than in Iowa overall, where 3.8% of the population is Black. Union County ranks 40th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 99 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Union County's Black population has declined by an estimated 18.4%. Black residents' share of Union County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.8%.

Union County is more Black than neighboring Ringgold County (0.4% Black), Madison County (0.7% Black), Adams County (0.3% Black), and Clarke County (0.1% Black). Union County is less Black than neighboring Adair County (1.4% Black).

Union County's Asian Population

106 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 Iowa overall, where 2.5% of the population is Asian. Union County ranks 40th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 99 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Union County's Asian population has grown by an estimated 63.1%. Asian residents' share of Union County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.9%.

Union County is more Asian than neighboring Ringgold County (0% Asian), Madison County (0.4% Asian), Adair County (0.3% Asian), Adams County (0% Asian), and Clarke County (0.6% Asian).

Union County's Hispanic Population

460 residents of Union County, or 3.8% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Union County is slightly lower than in Iowa overall, where 7.3% of the population is Hispanic. Union County ranks 50th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 99 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Union County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 15.3%. Hispanic residents' share of Union County's population has increased from 3.3% to 3.8%.

Union County is more Hispanic than neighboring Ringgold County (2.2% Hispanic), Madison County (2.3% Hispanic), Adair County (3.2% Hispanic), and Adams County (1.7% Hispanic). Union County is less Hispanic than neighboring Clarke County (16.8% Hispanic).

Union County's Native American/Other Population

23 residents of Union County, or 0.2% 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 Iowa overall, where 0.6% of the population is Native American/Other. Union County ranks 68th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 99 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Union County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 45.2%. Native American/Other residents' share of Union County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.2%.

Union County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Madison County (0.1% Native American/Other). Union County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Ringgold County (0.3% Native American/Other), Adair County (0.7% Native American/Other), and Adams County (0.3% Native American/Other).

Union County's Multiracial Population

293 residents of Union County, or 2.4% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Union County is comparable to the share in Iowa overall, where 3.5% of the population is Multiracial. Union County ranks 55th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 99 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Union County's Multiracial population has remained roughly the same. Multiracial residents' share of Union County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.4%.

Union County is more Multiracial than neighboring Madison County (2.2% Multiracial), and Adair County (1.4% Multiracial). Union County is less Multiracial than neighboring Ringgold County (2.5% Multiracial), Adams County (3.2% Multiracial), and Clarke County (4.9% 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.