Union County Demographics

A map of Union County's Population by Race

Union County, Illinois has an estimated population of 16,997, a slight decrease from the 17,244 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 89.5% White, 5.5% Hispanic, 3.4% Multiracial, 0.9% Black, 0.6% Asian, and 0.1% 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 less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than Illinois 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 20.5% in 2020 and 19.5% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Union County is ranked the 61st most populous county in Illinois, out of 102 counties. Union County was ranked the 61st most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Union County's White Population

15,208 residents of Union County, or 89.5% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Union County is significantly higher than in Illinois overall, where 58.1% of the population is White. Union County ranks 49th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 102 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Union County's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of Union County's population has increased from 88.9% to 89.5%.

Union County is more White than neighboring Pulaski County (61.9% White), Alexander County (62.9% White), Jackson County (71.3% White), Johnson County (80.1% White), and Williamson County (87.9% White).

Union County's Black Population

161 residents of Union County, or 0.9% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Union County is considerably lower than in Illinois overall, where 13.3% of the population is Black. Union County ranks 57th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 102 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Union County's Black population has declined by an estimated 28.8%. Black residents' share of Union County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.9%.

Union County is less Black than neighboring Pulaski County (33.6% Black), Alexander County (32.9% Black), Jackson County (13.9% Black), Johnson County (7.8% Black), and Williamson County (4.3% Black).

Union County's Asian Population

102 residents of Union County, or 0.6% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Union County is lower than in Illinois overall, where 5.9% of the population is Asian. Union County ranks 69th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 102 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Union County's Asian population has grown by an estimated 52.2%. Asian residents' share of Union County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.6%.

Union County is more Asian than neighboring Pulaski County (0.2% Asian), Alexander County (0.4% Asian), and Johnson County (0.2% Asian). Union County is less Asian than neighboring Jackson County (3.7% Asian), and Williamson County (1.4% Asian).

Union County's Hispanic Population

932 residents of Union County, or 5.5% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Union County is considerably lower than in Illinois overall, where 18.8% of the population is Hispanic. Union County ranks 33rd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 102 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Union County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 7.5%. Hispanic residents' share of Union County's population has increased from 5.0% to 5.5%.

Union County is more Hispanic than neighboring Pulaski County (1% Hispanic), Alexander County (0.7% Hispanic), Jackson County (5.3% Hispanic), Johnson County (4.5% Hispanic), and Williamson County (2.9% Hispanic).

Union County's Native American/Other Population

22 residents of Union County, or 0.1% 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 Illinois overall, where 0.5% of the population is Native American/Other. Union County ranks 31st statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 102 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Union County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 74.1%. Native American/Other residents' share of Union County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.1%.

Union County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Alexander County (0% Native American/Other). Union County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Jackson County (1.1% Native American/Other), Johnson County (0.2% Native American/Other), and Williamson County (0.3% Native American/Other).

Union County's Multiracial Population

572 residents of Union County, or 3.4% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Union County is comparable to the share in Illinois overall, where 3.4% of the population is Multiracial. Union County ranks 29th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 102 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Union County's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 14.4%. Multiracial residents' share of Union County's population has decreased from 3.9% to 3.4%.

Union County is more Multiracial than neighboring Pulaski County (3.3% Multiracial), Alexander County (3.1% Multiracial), and Williamson County (3.2% Multiracial). Union County is less Multiracial than neighboring Jackson County (4.7% Multiracial), and Johnson County (7.2% 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.