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

26,385

Population
Growth Rate

0.04%

Median Age

41

Diversity Index

34.700

Source: ESRI, 2024-09-26

Housing & Income

Households

10,938

Total Housing Units

11,828


Owner Occupied

7,225

Renter Occupied

3,713

Vacant

890

Median Home Value

$339,176


Average Home Value

$379,280

Income
Growth Rate

Median
Household Income

0.00%


Per Capita Income

3.45%

Income Projection

Median Household

$61,016 $75,417


Average Household

$84,335 $98,807


Per Capita

$34,986 $41,454

Source: ESRI, 2024-09-26

Workforce

Total Businesses

1,273

Total Employed

11,812

Workers 16+

11,304

2024 Educational Services - Businesses

cp-industries

Businesses

42

Employed

1,934

2024 HealthCare / Social Assistance

cp-industries

Businesses

105

Employed

1,721

2024 Retail Trade Businesses

cp-industries

Businesses

155

Employed

1,449

2024 Public Administration

cp-industries

Businesses

113

Employed

1,440

2024 Accommodation / Food Service

cp-industries

Businesses

92

Employed

901

2024 Food Service / Drinking Est.

cp-industries

Businesses

70

Employed

794

Some
High School

863

Graduated
High School

5,345

Associates
Degree

1,625

Bachelor's
Degree

3,253

Graduate
Degree

1,409

Average Commute Time

17 min.



Resident Commuters

10,743

Non-Resident Commuters

413

Drive Alone

8,432

Carpooled

1,124

Public

19

Work At Home

817

Source: ESRI, 2024-09-26