Union, WV

West Virginia

Union is a small town in West Virginia with a population of 414. Residents earn $32,281 per year, which is 57% below the national average.

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
414 Population 920/sq mi density
$32,281 Median Income $27,714 per capita
$158,000 Home Value $194,316 Zillow
$418 Median Rent 26.6% income on rent
53°F Avg Temperature
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.6 / 5.0
$32,281 median income, 8.2% unemployment
B+
Affordability
3.9 / 5.0
$158,000 home value, $418/mo rent
D
Education
1.9 / 5.0
11.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $32,281
57% lower than US avg
Home Value $158,000
44% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 11.5%
66% lower than US avg
Median Rent $418
64% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.7%
27% higher than US avg
Unemployment 8.2%
128% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 7.8%
37% lower than US avg

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

People

Population414
Median Age62.2 yrs
Density920/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 89%
Veterans11.8%

Economy

C+
Median Income$32,281
Per Capita$27,714
Unemployment8.2%
Poverty7.8%
County GDP$309M
Commute12 min

Housing

B+
Home Value$158,000
Rent$418
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$194,316
Rent Burden26.6%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity40.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression32.0%
Heart Disease6.1%

Climate

Avg Temp53°F
AQI39 (Good)
Rain38.8 in/yr
Elevation2,063 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+11.5%
High School+95.4%
School Score4.81

Community

2024 VoteR 80% / D 18%
Commute12 min
Broadband87.3%
Libraries2

Is Union a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Union receives an overall livability score of 2.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Union has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Union is $32,281, 57% below the national average of $75,149. At 8.2%, unemployment is notably high. Only 7.8% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 12 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Union is $158,000, 44% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $418 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4.9x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

11.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 95.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.8/10.

Climate & Weather

Union experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 53°F. Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 38.8 inches, including 24.0 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Union has a population of 414 with a density of 920 people per square mile. The median age is 62.2 years, 60% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (88.9%), with 3.9% Black.

Population

414
Total Population
920
People / sq mi
62.2yrs
Median Age
60% above US avg
0.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51.2%
Female 48.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Union vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.4%
24% above US avg
Spanish2.6%
81% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Union vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Union is $32,281, which is 57% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 8.2% (above the 3.6% US average). 7.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 12 minutes.

Income: Union vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$32,281
57% below US avg
Per Capita Income$27,714
Avg Weekly Wage$904
IRS Avg AGI$53,587

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment8.2%
128% above US avg
Poverty Rate7.8%
37% below US avg
Establishments (County)317
County GDP$309M

Business (County)

Restaurants13
Healthcare17
Retail23
Manufacturing7

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$1,714
51% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.08%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time12.3 min
Drive Alone65.2%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home18.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Union is $158,000, 44% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $418 (64% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $194,316.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$158,000
44% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$194,316

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$418
64% below US avg
Rent Burden26.6%

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$714
1 Bedroom$766
2 Bedrooms$945
3 Bedrooms$1,231
4 Bedrooms$1,380

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied61.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$1,714
51% below US avg
Effective Rate1.08%
In Union, 40.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 32.0% report depression. 31.7% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.7%
27% above US avg
Diabetes12.5%
Heart Disease6.1%
High Blood Pressure37.9%
Asthma12.3%
COPD8.4%
Stroke3.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.8%
Physical Inactivity31.7%
Depression32.0%
Mental Distress22.7%
Physical Distress15.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate92.4%
Checkup Rate78.6%
Premature Death14,123/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.6/10
Exercise Access42.8%
Healthcare Facilities17

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Safety Score

Union has an average annual temperature of 53°F (12°C). Winters average 32°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 38.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.

Temperature

32°F Jan (0°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average52.8°F
2% below US avg
January Average32°F (0°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall38.8 inches
2% above US avg
Snowfall24.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median39.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation2,063 ft (629 m)
Area0.5 sq mi (1.2 km²)
Population Density920/sq mi
Coordinates37.5907°N, 80.5400°W
County FIPS54063
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 11.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (66% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 61.8-point margin. 87.3% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 79.9%
D 18.1%

Winner: Republican by 61.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+11.5%
66% below US avg
High School+95.4%
School Test Score4.81
D Education Grade (1.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density920/sq mi
Total Area0.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access87.3%
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities17
Restaurants13
Retail Stores23

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute12.3 min
Drive Alone65.2%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home18.3%

Nearby Cities

Compare Union with another city: