Union, IA

Iowa

Union is a small town in Iowa with a population of 391. Residents earn $60,000 per year, which is 20% below the national average.

3.7 /5.0
B+ Good
391 Population 686/sq mi density
$60,000 Median Income $35,159 per capita
$72,600 Home Value $91,855 Zillow
$775 Median Rent
47°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.7 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.9 / 5.0
$60,000 median income, 1.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$72,600 home value, $775/mo rent
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
15.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $60,000
20% lower than US avg
Home Value $72,600
74% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 15.8%
53% lower than US avg
Median Rent $775
33% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.9%
18% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.4%
61% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 10.6%
15% lower than US avg

How Union Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population391
Median Age49.9 yrs
Density686/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 98%

Economy

B+
Median Income$60,000
Per Capita$35,159
Unemployment1.4%
Poverty10.6%
County GDP$1,142M
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$72,600
Rent$775
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$91,855

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity37.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.9%
Heart Disease5.4%

Climate

Avg Temp47°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain37.9 in/yr
Elevation929 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+15.8%
High School+97.5%
School Score5.16

Community

2024 VoteR 69% / D 30%
Commute20 min
Libraries8

Is Union a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Union receives an overall livability score of 3.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Union offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Union is $60,000, 20% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.4%. 10.6% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Union is $72,600, 74% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $775 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

15.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 97.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.2/10.

Climate & Weather

Union experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 37.9 inches, including 33.2 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Union has a population of 391 with a density of 686 people per square mile. The median age is 49.9 years, 28% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (97.7%), with 1.5% Hispanic.

Population

391
Total Population
686
People / sq mi
49.9yrs
Median Age
28% above US avg
0.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.8%
Female 53.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Union vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Union vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Union is $60,000, which is 20% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 10.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: Union vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$60,000
20% below US avg
Per Capita Income$35,159
Avg Weekly Wage$1,040
IRS Avg AGI$73,609

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.4%
61% below US avg
Poverty Rate10.6%
15% below US avg
Establishments (County)650
County GDP$1,142M

Business (County)

Restaurants33
Healthcare53
Retail64
Manufacturing21

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,023
15% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate5.54%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.4 min
Work from Home2.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Union is $72,600, 74% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $775 (33% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $91,855.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$72,600
74% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$91,855

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$775
33% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$634
1 Bedroom$700
2 Bedrooms$919
3 Bedrooms$1,212
4 Bedrooms$1,217

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied85.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,023
15% above US avg
Effective Rate5.54%
In Union, 37.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.9% report depression. 23.0% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Union vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.9%
18% above US avg
Diabetes9.3%
Heart Disease5.4%
High Blood Pressure30.7%
Asthma10.1%
COPD6.0%
Stroke2.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking23.8%
Physical Inactivity23.0%
Depression21.9%
Mental Distress17.7%
Physical Distress11.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate88.8%
Checkup Rate75.1%
Premature Death7,029/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.9/10
Exercise Access85.0%
Healthcare Facilities53

Crime Rates: Union vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4

Safety Score

Union has an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 17°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 37.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

17°F Jan (-8°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average46.9°F
13% below US avg
January Average17°F (-8°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall37.9 inches
0% below US avg
Snowfall33.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation929 ft (283 m)
Area0.6 sq mi (1.5 km²)
Population Density686/sq mi
Coordinates42.2435°N, 93.0625°W
County FIPS19083
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 15.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (53% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 38.4-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 68.7%
D 30.3%

Winner: Republican by 38.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+15.8%
53% below US avg
High School+97.5%
School Test Score5.16
C Education Grade (2.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density686/sq mi
Total Area0.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries8
Healthcare Facilities53
Restaurants33
Retail Stores64

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.4 min
Work from Home2.4%

Nearby Cities

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