Union, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Union, Iowa had a total population of 378, the 550th largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $55,625, which is 26% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.3x.
Union Quick Facts
How Union Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 391 | 378 | -3.3% |
| Median household income | $60,000 | $55,625 | -7.3% |
| Median home value | $72,600 | $74,600 | +2.8% |
How Union Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 31 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Union Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Hardin County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iowa Falls | 5,038 | $50,417 | 10.7% | $123,800 |
| Eldora | 2,617 | $77,188 | 12.0% | $133,000 |
| Ackley | 1,482 | $62,583 | 7.5% | $103,900 |
| Alden | 833 | $64,500 | 17.5% | $107,900 |
| Hubbard | 773 | $68,750 | 5.6% | $106,100 |
| Radcliffe | 657 | $69,286 | 7.9% | $118,300 |
| Steamboat Rock | 312 | $47,188 | 6.1% | $105,800 |
| New Providence | 173 | $86,667 | 7.6% | $82,500 |
| Whitten | 164 | $92,813 | 2.4% | $90,000 |
| Buckeye | 75 | $44,167 | 12.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Union
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Williams | 369 | $55,417 | $85,900 | 19.4% | 9.5% |
| Casey | 381 | $58,438 | $96,600 | 18.1% | 27.6% |
| Duncombe | 376 | $52,500 | $117,100 | 14.2% | 8.6% |
| Farnhamville | 386 | $57,188 | $72,300 | 15.5% | 16.2% |
| Bode | 379 | $59,531 | $75,700 | 18.7% | 9.8% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 378, Union's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Union is a small community located in Iowa, within Hardin County. The total population is 378. It ranks as the 550th most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Union is 51.1 years. This is 32% higher than the state median of 38.6 years. Only 11.6% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Union is $55,625. This is 26% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 31% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.6%. This is 40% lower than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The survey records no unemployed residents in Union, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. The median home value is $74,600. Housing costs are 64% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.3x, Union is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 86.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% higher than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
Union has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 97.9% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 0.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 7.3%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.
Education
18.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 43% lower than the state rate of 31.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 95.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Union, Iowa is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Union, Iowa?
Union, Iowa has a population of 378 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Union, IA?
The median household income in Union is $55,625, which is 31% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Union, IA?
The poverty rate in Union is 6.6%. This means approximately 25 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Union, Iowa?
Union's population is 97.9% White, 0.0% Black, 0.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Union, IA?
The median home value in Union is $74,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.3x.
How educated is Union, Iowa?
18.0% of adults (25+) in Union hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.