Union County, South Carolina

Union County, South Carolina
Location in the state of South Carolina
South Carolina's location in the U.S.
Founded	1798
Seat	Union
Area  - Total  - Land  - Water	516 sq mi (1,336 km²) 514 sq mi (1,331 km²) 2 sq mi (5 km²), 0.35%
Population  - (2010)  - Density	28,961 57/sq mi (22/km²)
Website	www.countyofunion.org

Union County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2010 census, the population was 28,961. Its county seat is Union. It is included in the Union, South Carolina, Micropolitan Statistical Area. It is further included in the Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson combined statistical area, commonly referred to as Upstate South Carolina.

The county's Carnegie Library was named Best Small Library in America by Library Journal for 2009.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 516 square miles (1,340 km²), of which 514 square miles (1,330 km²) is land and 2 square miles (5.2 km²) (0.35%) is water.

Adjacent Counties

• Cherokee County, South Carolina - north
• York County, South Carolina - northeast
• Chester County, South Carolina - east
• Fairfield County, South Carolina - southeast
• Newberry County, South Carolina - south
• Laurens County, South Carolina - southwest
• Spartanburg County, South Carolina - northwest

National protected area

• Sumter National Forest (part)

Demographics

Historical populations
Census	Pop.		%±
1790	7,693		—
1800	10,237		33.1%
1810	10,995		7.4%
1820	14,126		28.5%
1830	17,906		26.8%
1840	18,936		5.8%
1850	19,852		4.8%
1860	19,635		−1.1%
1870	19,248		−2.0%
1880	24,080		25.1%
1890	25,363		5.3%
1900	25,501		0.5%
1910	29,911		17.3%
1920	30,372		1.5%
1930	30,920		1.8%
1940	31,360		1.4%
1950	31,334		−0.1%
1960	30,015		−4.2%
1970	29,230		−2.6%
1980	30,751		5.2%
1990	30,337		−1.3%
2000	29,881		−1.5%
2010	28,961		−3.1%
U.S. Decennial Census

As of the census of 2010, there were 28,961 people, 14,153 households, and 8,497 families residing in the county. The population density was 58 people per square mile (22/km²). There were 13,351 housing units at an average density of 26 per square mile (10/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 66.6% White, 31.3% Black or African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.16% from other races, and 0.61% from two or more races. 1.0% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 12,087 households out of which 29.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.80% were married couples living together, 16.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.70% were non-families. 26.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the county, the population was spread out with 23.80% under the age of 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 27.90% from 25 to 44, 24.40% from 45 to 64, and 15.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 89.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,441, and the median income for a family was $37,661. Males had a median income of $29,371 versus $20,701 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,877. About 11.10% of families and 14.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.70% of those under age 18 and 15.90% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

Incorporated

1. Union 8,393
2. Jonesville 911
3. Lockhart 488
4. Carlisle 436

Census designated places

• Buffalo 1,266
• Monarch Mill 1,811

2010 United States Census population

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Union County, South Carolina
• Tryon County, North Carolina