Union County Population Trends

• From 1990 to 2000, Union County gained 2,395 residents, which was a 23.5% increase in its total population. 

• From 1990 to 2000, Union County gained 1,991 residents to in-migration, which was a 19.5% increase in its total population. 

• 26.98% of Union County’s residents are under the age of 18, while 10.92% are aged 65+. 

• Union County’s median age is 36.9.  This is older than both Clay and Lincoln counties. 

• Union County’s sex ratio is 99.24, meaning there are about 99 males for every 100 females.  This is higher than Clay, but similar to Lincoln.

• Union County’s fertility rate is 66.7 births for every 1,000 females aged 15-44.  This is higher than Clay, but lower than Lincoln. 

Race/Ethnicity in Union County

Union County Agriculture in 2002

• Union County had 522 farms which was a 5.6% decrease from 1997. 

• Union County’s average farm size was 463 acres, which was larger than both Clay and Lincoln counties. 

• Union County’s average net farm income was $27,613, which was lower than Clay, but higher than Lincoln. 

Union County Economics in 2002

• Union County’s per capita income was $24,355.  This is higher than both Clay and Lincoln counties.   

• Union County’s median household income was $44,790.  This is higher than Clay, but lower than Lincoln. 

• 26.3% of Union County’s residents aged 25+ had received a B.S. or higher.  This is lower than Clay, but higher than Lincoln.

• 5.48% of Union County’s residents are living at or below the official poverty line.  This compares with 13.18% for the state of South Dakota, 4.22% for Clay County, and 4.42% for Lincoln County.

• 7.02% of Union County’s children under the age of 5 are living at or below the official poverty line.  This compares with 19.77% for the state of South Dakota, 27.07% for Clay County, and 31.42% for Lincoln County.    

• 63.7% of Union County workers commute into the county to work.  This is the higher than both Clay and Lincoln counties.  It is also the highest percentage in the state of South Dakota.  (Note: We know this figure seems odd, but we have checked the data 3 times and appears to be true).  

Union County Employment by Industry

Income Distribution

Data compiled by:

W. Trevor Brooks

Rural Life and Census Data Center

South Dakota State University

Sources:

South Dakota Data Center (Vermillion, SD)

South Dakota Labor Market

U.S. Census of Agriculture (2002)

U.S. Census Bureau (2000)