At a Glance
Median Income
$32,281
$27,714 per capita
Home Value
$158,000
Zillow: $200,839
Median Rent
$418/mo
26.6% of income on rent
Bachelor's Degree+
11.5%
95.4% high school+
Unemployment
21.2%
7.8% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
40.7%
20.0% smoking rate
How Union Compares to the U.S. Average
Each bar shows Union's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)
Is Union a Good Place to Live?
C+
2.7 / 5.0 - Fair
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.
Economy & Jobs
Union residents earn a median household income of $32,281 , which is 57% below the national average of $75,149.
Per capita income is $27,714. The unemployment rate stands at 21.2% (489% above the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 7.8% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 317 business establishments, including 13 restaurants.
Housing & Cost of Living
The median home value in Union is $158,000 , 44% below the national median of $281,900.
Zillow estimates the typical home at $200,839. Median rent is $418/month, with 26.6% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 89.5 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1967.
Education
11.5% of adults in Union hold a bachelor's degree or higher
(66% below the national average).
95.4% have completed high school. Local schools score 4.7/10 in standardized testing.
Climate & Weather
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 totals 38.8 inches.
Data Overview
People
Population414
Median Age62.2 yrs
Density920/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Foreign Born1.2%
Veterans11.8%
Economy
C
Median Income$32,281
Per Capita$27,714
Unemployment21.2%
Poverty7.8%
County GDP$309M
Avg Weekly Wage$904
Housing
B+
Home Value$158,000
Rent$418
Ownership61.8%
Zillow$200,839
Housing Units357
Rent Burden26.6%
Health
Obesity40.7%
Diabetes12.5%
Smoking20.0%
Heart Disease6.1%
Premature Death14,123/100K
Climate
Avg Temp53°F
Rain38.8 in/yr
Elevation2,063 ft
Education
D
Bachelor's+11.5%
High School+95.4%
Graduate+13.3%
School Score4.7/10
Community
2024 VoteR 80% / D 18%
Commute12 min
Broadband87.3%
Internet Speed31 Mbps
EV Stations1
Libraries2
Did You Know?
The median home in Union was built in 1967.
18.3% work from home.
The nearest airport is Roanoke/Blacksburg Regional (Woodrum Field) (36 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.401 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Very Low" by FEMA.
35.7% of the population has a disability.
The county recorded 3 fatal vehicle crashes.