The story
History
According to Oregon Geographic Names, the county is named for the town of Union. Union County was originally part of Baker County (which was originally a part of Wasco County, which was originally part of Clackamas County). The northern end of the Grande Ronde Valley was the first part to be settled. During the 1860s, population growth in eastern Oregon prompted the State Legislature to split Umatilla and Baker Counties from Wasco County in 1862. Further settlement in the Grande Ronde Valley led to the division of Baker County to create Union County on October 14, 1864. The county doubled in population between 1880 and 1890.
The choice of a county seat resulted in competition, based on geography and on economic and population growth, between La Grande and the city of Union. The county seat alternated between Union and La Grande until it permanently came to rest at La Grande in 1905. Between 1875 and 1913, adjustments were made between Union County's borders and the borders of Baker, Umatilla, and Wallowa counties.
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 26,196. Of the residents, 22.2% were under the age of 18 and 21.6% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 40.1 years. For every 100 females there were 97.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 95.1 males. 57.1% of residents lived in urban areas and 42.9% lived in rural areas.
The racial and ethnic composition of the county is detailed in the table below.
There were 10,779 households in the county, of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 25.5% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 28.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 11,649 housing units, of which 7.5% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 65.2% were owner-occupied and 34.8% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.8%.
2010 census
As of the 2010 census, there were 25,748 people, 10,501 households, and 6,804 families living in the county. The population density was 12.6 inhabitants per square mile (4.9/km2). There were 11,489 housing units at an average density of 5.6 units per square mile (2.2 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 93.1% white, 1.1% American Indian, 0.9% Pacific islander, 0.8% Asian, 0.5% black or African American, 1.3% from other races, and 2.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.9% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 25.2% were German, 17.8% were Irish, 17.3% were English, and 6.9% were American.
Of the 10,501 households, 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.3% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 35.2% were non-families, and 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.89. The median age was 40.0 years.
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The median income for a household in the county was $42,162 and the median income for a family was $52,558. Males had a median income of $40,720 versus $30,373 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,947. About 10.5% of families and 16.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.6% of those under age 18 and 10.2% of those age 65 or over.
2000 census
As of the 2000 census, there were 24,530 people, 9,740 households, and 6,516 families living in the county. The population density was 12 people per square mile (4.6 people/km2). There were 10,603 housing units at an average density of 5 units per square mile (1.9/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 94.29% White, 0.85% Native American, 0.85% Asian, 0.62% Pacific Islander, 0.51% Black/African American, 1.22% from other races, and 1.67% from two or more races. Hispanics and Latinos of any race constituted 2.45% of the population. 20.2% were of German, 15.5% American, 12.2% English and 10.5% Irish ancestry.
There were 9,740 households, out of which 30.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.10% were married couples living together, 8.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.10% were non-families. 26.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.60% under the age of 18, 12.10% from 18 to 24, 23.50% from 25 to 44, 25.00% from 45 to 64, and 14.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 95.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $33,738, and the median income for a family was $40,520. Males had a median income of $33,028 versus $21,740 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,907. About 8.50% of families and 13.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.60% of those under age 18 and 9.50% of those age 65 or over.
From Wikipedia’s article on Union County, Oregon, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.4