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

Profile Report Sections

Population

Total Population

26,351

Population
Growth Rate

-0.01%

Median Age

41

Diversity Index

35.600

Source: ESRI, 2026-09-09

Housing & Income

Households

11,044

Total Housing Units

11,978


Owner Occupied

7,285

Renter Occupied

3,759

Vacant

934

Median Home Value

$361,817


Average Home Value

$403,043

Income
Growth Rate

Median
Household Income

0.00%


Per Capita Income

2.43%

Income Projection

Median Household

$71,569 $79,488


Average Household

$86,741 $96,772


Per Capita

$36,469 $41,126

Source: ESRI, 2026-09-09

Workforce

Total Businesses

1,274

Total Employed

11,466

Workers 16+

11,658

2026 Educational Services - Businesses

cp-industries

Businesses

42

Employed

1,967

2026 HealthCare / Social Assistance

cp-industries

Businesses

104

Employed

1,603

2026 Retail Trade Businesses

cp-industries

Businesses

159

Employed

1,434

2026 Public Administration

cp-industries

Businesses

111

Employed

1,321

2026 Accommodation / Food Service

cp-industries

Businesses

93

Employed

989

2026 Food Service / Drinking Est.

cp-industries

Businesses

72

Employed

862

Some
High School

723

Graduated
High School

5,306

Associates
Degree

1,935

Bachelor's
Degree

3,339

Graduate
Degree

1,778

Average Commute Time

16 min.



Resident Commuters

11,187

Non-Resident Commuters

300

Drive Alone

8,385

Carpooled

1,130

Public

31

Work At Home

995

Source: ESRI, 2026-09-09