Union County Demographics

A map of Union County's Population by Race

Union County, South Carolina has an estimated population of 26,885, a slight decrease from the 27,244 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 64.2% White, 27.5% Black, 5.6% Multiracial, 2.1% Hispanic, 0.5% Native American/Other, and 0.2% 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 slightly more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is less diverse than South 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 50.0% in 2020 and 50.8% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Union County is ranked the 35th most populous county in South Carolina, out of 46 counties. Union County was ranked the 34th most populous county in the 2020 Census.

Union County's White Population

17,272 residents of Union County, or 64.2% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Union County is slightly higher than in South Carolina overall, where 61.9% of the population is White. Union County ranks 18th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 46 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 63.4% to 64.2%.

Union County is more White than neighboring Newberry County (59.7% White), and Chester County (57.7% White). Union County is less White than neighboring Cherokee County (69.7% White), Laurens County (65.8% White), and Spartanburg County (65.3% White).

Union County's Black Population

7,387 residents of Union County, or 27.5% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Union County is slightly higher than in South Carolina overall, where 24.6% of the population is Black. Union County ranks 23rd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 46 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Union County's Black population has declined by an estimated 12.4%. Black residents' share of Union County's population has decreased from 31.0% to 27.5%.

Union County is more Black than neighboring Cherokee County (18.7% Black), Laurens County (22.9% Black), and Spartanburg County (19.3% Black). Union County is less Black than neighboring Newberry County (28.7% Black), and Chester County (34.5% Black).

Union County's Asian Population

43 residents of Union County, or 0.2% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Union County is comparable to the share in South Carolina overall, where 1.7% of the population is Asian. Union County ranks 41st statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 46 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Union County's Asian population has declined by an estimated 44.9%. Asian residents' share of Union County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.2%.

Union County is less Asian than neighboring Cherokee County (0.5% Asian), Newberry County (0.5% Asian), Laurens County (0.6% Asian), Spartanburg County (2.3% Asian), and Chester County (0.4% Asian).

Union County's Hispanic Population

559 residents of Union County, or 2.1% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Union County is lower than in South Carolina overall, where 7.4% of the population is Hispanic. Union County ranks 44th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 46 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Union County's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 27.6%. Hispanic residents' share of Union County's population has increased from 1.6% to 2.1%.

Union County is less Hispanic than neighboring Cherokee County (5.5% Hispanic), Newberry County (9.2% Hispanic), Laurens County (6.7% Hispanic), Spartanburg County (9.3% Hispanic), and Chester County (3% Hispanic).

Union County's Native American/Other Population

122 residents of Union County, or 0.5% 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 South Carolina overall, where 0.7% of the population is Native American/Other. Union County ranks 45th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 46 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Union County's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 13.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Union County's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.5%.

Union County is more Native American/Other than neighboring Newberry County (0.4% Native American/Other), and Laurens County (0.3% Native American/Other). Union County is less Native American/Other than neighboring Cherokee County (1.6% Native American/Other), and Spartanburg County (0.6% Native American/Other).

Union County's Multiracial Population

1,502 residents of Union County, or 5.6% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Union County is comparable to the share in South Carolina overall, where 3.7% of the population is Multiracial. Union County ranks 22nd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 46 counties.

Since the 2020 Census, Union County's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 65.8%. Multiracial residents' share of Union County's population has increased from 3.3% to 5.6%.

Union County is more Multiracial than neighboring Cherokee County (4% Multiracial), Newberry County (1.4% Multiracial), Laurens County (3.7% Multiracial), Spartanburg County (3.3% Multiracial), and Chester County (3.9% 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.