Union County Demographics

A map of Union County's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	167,601	161,113	66.8%	67.6%
Hispanic	33,636	30,110	13.4%	12.6%
Black	27,313	26,500	10.9%	11.1%
Asian	11,323	9,516	4.5%	4.0%
Multiracial	9,619	9,098	3.8%	3.8%
Native American/Other	1,466	1,930	0.6%	0.8%

Union County, North Carolina has an estimated population of 250,958, an increase from the 238,267 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 66.8% White, 13.4% Hispanic, 10.9% Black, 4.5% Asian, 3.8% Multiracial, and 0.6% 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 more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than North Carolina 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 51.1% in 2020 and 52.1% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Union County is ranked the 8th most populous county in North Carolina, out of 100 counties. Union County was ranked the 8th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Union County's White Population

167,601 residents of Union County, or 66.8% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Union County is higher than in North Carolina overall, where 60% of the population is White. Union County ranks 48th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Union County's White population has grown by an estimated 4.0%. White residents' share of Union County's population has decreased from 67.6% to 66.8%.

Union County is more White than neighboring Mecklenburg County (43.2% White), Cabarrus County (57.3% White), and Anson County (43.7% White). Union County is less White than neighboring Lancaster County (67.2% White), and Stanly County (78% White).

Union County's Black Population

27,313 residents of Union County, or 10.9% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Union County is lower than in North Carolina overall, where 20% of the population is Black. Union County ranks 60th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Union County's Black population has grown by an estimated 3.1%. Black residents' share of Union County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 10.9%.

Union County is less Black than neighboring Lancaster County (19.3% Black), Mecklenburg County (29.7% Black), Cabarrus County (18.7% Black), Stanly County (11.2% Black), and Anson County (44.6% Black).

Union County's Asian Population

11,323 residents of Union County, or 4.5% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Union County is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 3.3% of the population is Asian. Union County ranks 8th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 100 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 increased from 4.0% to 4.5%.

Union County is more Asian than neighboring Lancaster County (2.5% Asian), Stanly County (1.9% Asian), and Anson County (1.6% Asian). Union County is less Asian than neighboring Mecklenburg County (6.3% Asian), and Cabarrus County (6.2% Asian).

Union County's Hispanic Population

33,636 residents of Union County, or 13.4% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Union County is slightly higher than in North Carolina overall, where 11.3% of the population is Hispanic. Union County ranks 18th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Union County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 11.7%. Hispanic residents' share of Union County's population has increased from 12.6% to 13.4%.

Union County is more Hispanic than neighboring Lancaster County (7.5% Hispanic), Cabarrus County (12.7% Hispanic), Stanly County (5.7% Hispanic), and Anson County (4.2% Hispanic). Union County is less Hispanic than neighboring Mecklenburg County (16% Hispanic).

Union County's Native American/Other Population

1,466 residents of Union County, or 0.6% 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 North Carolina overall, where 1.4% of the population is Native American/Other. Union County ranks 38th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Union County's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 24.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Union County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.6%.

Union County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Lancaster County (0.4% Native American/Other), and Stanly County (0.4% Native American/Other). Union County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Mecklenburg County (0.7% Native American/Other), Cabarrus County (0.7% Native American/Other), and Anson County (0.8% Native American/Other).

Union County's Multiracial Population

9,619 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 North Carolina overall, where 4.1% of the population is Multiracial. Union County ranks 35th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 100 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Union County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 5.7%. Multiracial residents' share of Union County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.8%.

Union County is more Multiracial than neighboring Lancaster County (3.2% Multiracial), and Stanly County (2.8% Multiracial). Union County is less Multiracial than neighboring Mecklenburg County (4.1% Multiracial), Cabarrus County (4.4% Multiracial), and Anson County (5.1% 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.