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

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Population

Population2000201020252030
Union County24,53025,74826,26326,253

Source: ESRI, 2025-09-30

Population by Age

Population2025
0-41,369
5-91,507
10-141,655
15-191,700
20-241,523
25-291,785
30-341,567
35-391,671
40-441,634
45-491,375
50-541,341
55-591,350
60-641,625
65-691,854
70-741,696
75-791,299
80-84694
85+618
18+20,764
Median Age41

Source: ESRI, 2025-09-30

Population by Race

Union County2025
Total26,263.00
White Alone85.01%
Black Alone0.65%
American Indian Alone1.02%
Asian Alone0.87%
Pacific Islander Alone1.92%
Some Other Race1.93%
Two or More Races8.6%
Hispanic Origin5.75%
Diversity Index34.80

Source: ESRI, 2025-09-30

Growth Rate

Union County2025 - 2030
Population-0.01%
Households0.19%
Families0.04%
Median Household Income2%
Per Capita Income2%

Source: ESRI, 2025-09-30

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Housing

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Households

Population2000201020252030
Households9,74010,50110,98011,085
Housing Units10,60411,49011,87411,972
Owner Occupied Units7,2987,424
Renter Occupied Units3,6823,661
Vacant Units894887

Source: ESRI, 2025-09-30

Home Value

Union County20252030
Median Home Value$347,568$371,565
Average Home Value$389,132$409,797
<$50,000503464
$50,000 - $99,999292274
$100,000 - $149,999337319
$150,000 - $199,999504472
$200,000 - $249,999725685
$250,000 - $299,999711675
$300,000 - $399,9991,2131,150
$400,000 - $499,9991,2651,402
$500,000 - $749,9991,2561,382
$1,000,000 +139169

Source: ESRI, 2025-09-30

Housing Year Built

Year RangeHouses Built
2010 or Later627
2000-2009945
1990-19991,334
1980-19891,410
1970-19792,051
1960-1969828
1950-1959808
1940-1949456
1939 or Before3,292

Source: ESRI, 2025-09-30

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Income

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Income

Union County20252030
Median Household$67,178$74,690
Average Household$84,100$91,492
Per Capita$35,178$38,649

Source: ESRI, 2025-09-30

Household Income

Union County2025
<$15,0001,199
$15,000 - $24,999853
$25,000 - $34,999766
$35,000 - $49,9991,204
$50,000 - $74,9991,999
$75,000 - $99,9991,768
$100,000 - $149,9991,770
$150,000 - $199,999910
$200,000+511

Source: ESRI, 2025-09-30

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Employees

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Commute

CategoryCommuters
Workers 16+11,429
In-County Residents10,828
Out-of-County Residents415
Drive Alone8,413
Carpooled1,224
Public Transport38
Work at Home781
Motorcycle0
Bicycle100
Walked641
Other232
Less than 5 minutes1,216
5-9 minutes2,996
10-14 minutes2,315
15-19 minutes1,025
20-24 minutes1,098
25-29 minutes304
30-34 minutes682
35-39 minutes91
40-44 minutes89
45-59 minutes301
60-89 minutes244
90+ minutes287
Average Travel Time17

Source: ESRI, 2025-09-30

Source: ESRI, 2025-09-30

Employees by NAICS

CategoryNumber
Total Employees11,503
Agr/Forestry/Fish/Hunt395
Mining16
Utilities23
Construction353
Manufacturing746
Wholesale Trade647
  
Retail Trade1,543
  
Transportation/Warehouse209
Information191
  
Finance & Insurance211
  
Real Estate/Rent/Leasing183
Prof/Scientific/Tech Srv346
Legal Services27
Mgmt of Comp/Enterprises4
Admin/Support/Waste Mgmt96
Educational Services1,994
HealthCare/Social Assist1,589
Arts/Entertainment/Rec139
  
Accommodation/Food Srvcs918
  
Other Srv excl Pub Admin558
Auto Repair/Maintenance86
Public Administration Emp1,342

Source: ESRI, 2025-09-30

Educational Attainment (25+)

Union County2025
<9th Grade316
Some High School748
GED1,074
Graduated High School5,110
Some College/No Degree4,242
Associates Degree1,965
Bachelor's Degree3,558
Graduate Degree1,496

Source: ESRI, 2025-09-30

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Businesses

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Businesses by NAICS

CategoryNumber
Total Businesses1,267
Agr/Forestry/Fish/Hunt Bus66
Mining Bus1
Utilities Bus5
Construction Bus88
Manufacturing Bus37
Wholesale Trade Bus42
  
Retail Trade Bus160
  
Transportation/Warehouse Bus36
Information Bus32
  
Finance & Insurance Bus47
  
Real Estate/Rent/Leasing Bus49
Prof/Scientific/Tech Srv Bus77
Legal Services Bus6
Mgmt of Comp/Enterprises Bus1
Admin/Support/Waste Mgmt Bus29
Educational Services Bus42
HealthCare/Social Assist Bus101
Arts/Entertainment/Rec Bus25
  
Accommodation/Food Srvcs Bus92
  
Other Srv excl Pub Admin Bus179
Auto Repair/Maintenance Bus32
Public Administration Bus111

Source: ESRI, 2025-09-30

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