Union County

Union County is home to the communities of Cove, Elgin, Imbler, Island City, La Grande, North Powder, Summerville, and Union. Union County is a beautiful place to live with mountains and streams providing hunting, fishing, skiing, and camping opportunities. Initially, the county’s economy was defined by mining but over the years farming (wheat, fruit, vegetables, and grass seeds), cattle, sheep raising, and timber replaced mining as the primary economic forces in the county. More recently, the county diversified into an economic base that includes light manufacturing; technical based business and regional headquarters for Federal and State government. A mainstay of the Union County economy is Eastern Oregon University – a college offering certificate and degree programs that attracts students from Oregon, the PNW and internationally.

 

 

Communities in Union County include:

  • Cove
  • Elgin
  • Imbler
  • Island City
  • La Grande
  • North Powder
  • Summerville
  • Union

Population

Total Population

26,263

Population
Growth Rate

-0.01%

Median Age

41

Diversity Index

34.800

Source: ESRI, 2025-09-30

Housing & Income

Households

10,980

Total Housing Units

11,874


Owner Occupied

7,298

Renter Occupied

3,682

Vacant

894

Median Home Value

$347,568


Average Home Value

$389,132

Income
Growth Rate

Median
Household Income

0.00%


Per Capita Income

1.90%

Income Projection

Median Household

$67,178 $74,690


Average Household

$84,100 $91,492


Per Capita

$35,178 $38,649

Source: ESRI, 2025-09-30

Workforce

Total Businesses

1,267

Total Employed

11,503

Workers 16+

11,429

2025 Educational Services - Businesses

cp-industries

Businesses

42

Employed

1,994

2025 HealthCare / Social Assistance

cp-industries

Businesses

101

Employed

1,589

2025 Retail Trade Businesses

cp-industries

Businesses

160

Employed

1,543

2025 Public Administration

cp-industries

Businesses

111

Employed

1,342

2025 Accommodation / Food Service

cp-industries

Businesses

92

Employed

918

2025 Food Service / Drinking Est.

cp-industries

Businesses

72

Employed

829

Some
High School

748

Graduated
High School

5,110

Associates
Degree

1,965

Bachelor's
Degree

3,558

Graduate
Degree

1,496

Average Commute Time

17 min.



Resident Commuters

10,828

Non-Resident Commuters

415

Drive Alone

8,413

Carpooled

1,224

Public

38

Work At Home

781

Source: ESRI, 2025-09-30