Union County Demographics

A map of Union County's Population by Race

Union County, Mississippi has an estimated population of 28,122, a slight increase from the 27,777 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 76.5% White, 13.6% Black, 4.9% Hispanic, 3.8% Multiracial, 0.9% Native American/Other, and 0.3% Asian. 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 Mississippi 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 37.4% in 2020 and 39.2% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Union County is ranked the 30th most populous county in Mississippi, out of 82 counties. Union County was ranked the 33rd most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Union County's White Population

21,521 residents of Union County, or 76.5% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Union County is significantly higher than in Mississippi overall, where 55.2% of the population is White. Union County ranks 8th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 82 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Union County's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of Union County's population has decreased from 77.6% to 76.5%.

Union County is more White than neighboring Pontotoc County (74% White), Tippah County (75.9% White), Benton County (60.4% White), Lee County (62.5% White), and Lafayette County (68.5% White).

Union County's Black Population

3,831 residents of Union County, or 13.6% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Union County is significantly lower than in Mississippi overall, where 36.3% of the population is Black. Union County ranks 74th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 82 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Union County's Black population has declined by an estimated 3.0%. Black residents' share of Union County's population has decreased from 14.2% to 13.6%.

Union County is less Black than neighboring Pontotoc County (14.7% Black), Tippah County (14% Black), Benton County (34.5% Black), Lee County (29.9% Black), and Lafayette County (22.6% Black).

Union County's Asian Population

80 residents of Union County, or 0.3% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Union County is comparable to the share in Mississippi overall, where 1% of the population is Asian. Union County ranks 32nd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 82 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Union County's Asian population has declined by an estimated 26.6%. Asian residents' share of Union County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.3%.

Union County is more Asian than neighboring Pontotoc County (0% Asian), and Tippah County (0.2% Asian). Union County is less Asian than neighboring Lee County (1% Asian), and Lafayette County (2.2% Asian).

Union County's Hispanic Population

1,365 residents of Union County, or 4.9% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Union County is comparable to the share in Mississippi overall, where 3.7% of the population is Hispanic. Union County ranks 11th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 82 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Union County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 4.9%. Hispanic residents' share of Union County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.9%.

Union County is more Hispanic than neighboring Benton County (2.4% Hispanic), Lee County (3.5% Hispanic), and Lafayette County (3.7% Hispanic). Union County is less Hispanic than neighboring Pontotoc County (7.1% Hispanic), and Tippah County (5.3% Hispanic).

Union County's Native American/Other Population

253 residents of Union County, or 0.9% 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 Mississippi overall, where 0.8% of the population is Native American/Other. Union County ranks 40th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 82 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Union County's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 145.6%. Native American/Other residents' share of Union County's population has increased from 0.4% to 0.9%.

Union County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Pontotoc County (0.6% Native American/Other), Tippah County (0.4% Native American/Other), Benton County (0.2% Native American/Other), Lee County (0.7% Native American/Other), and Lafayette County (0.3% Native American/Other).

Union County's Multiracial Population

1,072 residents of Union County, or 3.8% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Union County is comparable to the share in Mississippi overall, where 3% of the population is Multiracial. Union County ranks 20th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 82 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Union County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 42.2%. Multiracial residents' share of Union County's population has increased from 2.7% to 3.8%.

Union County is more Multiracial than neighboring Pontotoc County (3.6% Multiracial), Benton County (2.2% Multiracial), Lee County (2.4% Multiracial), and Lafayette County (2.7% Multiracial). Union County is less Multiracial than neighboring Tippah County (4.3% 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.