Skip to main content

Union Parish, Louisiana Demographics 2026

Union Parish, Louisiana has a population of 20,821, the 42nd most populous county in Louisiana. The median household income is $42,885 and the median home value is $112,500. The poverty rate is 29.4%.

Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes

Union Parish Quick Facts

Population 20,821
Median Household Income $42,885
Median Home Value $112,500
Poverty Rate 29.4%
Unemployment Rate 5.1%
Median Age 43.7 years
Homeownership Rate 77.8%
Affordability Ratio 2.6x
Bachelor's Degree+ 14.8%
High School Graduation 87.5%
Cities/Places 6
Population 20,821 42nd of 64
Median Income $42,885 29% lower than state
Poverty Rate 29.4%
Unemployment 5.1%

How Union Parish Changed

Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.

Metric2019–20232020–2024Change
Population20,91420,821-0.4%
Median household income$45,743$42,885-6.2%
Median home value$115,400$112,500-2.5%

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 31.2%
$25K-$50K 22.2%
$50K-$100K 26.1%
$100K+ 20.5%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
8.9%
$10K-$15K
9.2%
$15K-$20K
6.0%
$20K-$25K
7.0%
$25K-$30K
6.6%
$30K-$35K
4.4%
$35K-$40K
5.6%
$40K-$45K
4.1%
$45K-$50K
1.5%
$50K-$60K
5.3%
$60K-$75K
7.5%
$75K-$100K
13.3%
$100K-$125K
8.4%
$125K-$150K
6.4%
$150K-$200K
3.0%
$200K+
2.7%

Employment

5.1% Unemployment Rate State: 6.3%|National: 5.2%
49.3% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 77.8%
Renter 22.2%
Affordability Index Very Affordable
2.6x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $778/mo 21.8% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

47out of 100
Moderate Diversity

Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.

State average: 59 | National average: 61

Education

Cities & Places in Union Parish

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Farmerville3,407$26,35642.3%$104,900
Bernice1,355$26,39928.1%$80,300
Marion539$28,45236.9%$142,100
Junction City525N/A59.1%N/A
Lillie133$53,75031.6%N/A
Spearsville93$44,37522.6%$87,500

Population Overview

Union Parish is located in Louisiana with a total population of 20,821. It is the 42nd most populous county out of 64 in Louisiana. The county encompasses 6 Census-designated places.

Age Demographics

The median age in Union Parish is 43.7 years. This is 15% higher than the state median of 38.0 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Union Parish is $42,885. This is 29% lower than the state median of $60,756. It is also 47% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 29.4%. This is 55% higher than the state poverty rate of 18.9%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 5.1%. This is 19% lower than the state rate of 6.3%. The median home value is $112,500. Housing costs are 48% lower than the state median of $216,500. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Union Parish is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 77.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% higher than the state average of 67.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Union Parish is White (non-Hispanic), making up 69.0% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 23.5%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 1.7%.

Education

14.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 45% lower than the state rate of 27.0%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 87.5%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All figures for Union Parish come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates, with comparisons drawn against Louisiana and national averages from the same dataset. See our methodology page for how each metric is defined, or data.census.gov for official tables with margins of error.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Union Parish, Louisiana?

Union Parish has a population of 20,821, making it the 42nd most populous county in Louisiana.

What is the median income in Union Parish?

The median household income in Union Parish is $42,885 with a poverty rate of 29.4%.

How many cities are in Union Parish, Louisiana?

Union Parish contains 6 Census-designated places.