Union County, South Carolina Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Union County is located in South Carolina with a total population of 26,990. It is the 34th most populous county out of 46 in South Carolina.

Age Demographics

The median age in Union County is 44.3 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 40.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Union County is $41,200. This is 38% lower than the state median of $66,818. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 48% lower. The poverty rate stands at 22.7%. This is 60% higher than the state poverty rate of 14.2%. 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 7.6%. This is 55% higher than the state rate of 5.0%. The median home value is $100,000. Housing costs are 58% lower than the state median of $236,700. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, Union County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 69.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% lower than the state average of 71.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Union County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 64.1% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 28.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.9%) is well below the state average of 7.1%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 1.7%.

Education

13.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 57% lower than the state rate of 31.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 80.7%.