1st Advantage MortgageIn Union County, Indiana, the typical household earns $76,424 a year and the typical rent is $760. Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- A quick profile of Union County
- Income in Union County compared with Indiana
- Rent, home values and ownership in Union County
- The Union County job picture
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Union County
- How Union County compares with nearby counties
- Union County households compared
- What the numbers mean for Union County borrowers
- Debt-to-income at Union County's medians
- Lender oversight for Union County
- Steps before you apply in Union County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Union County
With an estimated 6,985 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Union County ranks 91st of 92 in Indiana for population. Spread over 161 square miles, that works out to roughly 43.3 residents per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Union County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 2 places in the county (2 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Liberty, with about 2,052 residents, or 29% of the county. Small populations mean wide margins of error, so read every Union County figure on this page as a rough guide.
Income in Union County compared with Indiana
The median household income in Union County is $76,424; statewide it is $71,957, so Union County runs 6% above Indiana as a whole.
| Band | Union County | Compared with Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 22.0% | -0.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 46.4% | +3.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.6% | -1.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 7.0% | -1.2 pts |
Some 22% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 32% have six-figure incomes. Census counts 8.5% of Union County residents in poverty, against 12.3% across Indiana. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Rent, home values and ownership in Union County
Renters in Union County pay a median of $760 a month, 28% below the Indiana figure of $1,062. By the Census definition, 43% of Union County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $173,500, or 2.3 years of median income. Owners occupy 80% of homes. Median construction year: 1970.
| Measure | Union County | Indiana | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $760/mo | $1,062/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $173,500 | $218,200 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 80% | 71% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 43% | 48% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 15% | 20% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 10% | 9% | n/a |
Because most Union County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
The Union County job picture
The biggest employer of Union County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 26% of workers, followed by manufacturing (13%). Compared with Indiana, the county leans toward agriculture, forestry and mining (5% against 1%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 4.3% in Union County. 14% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 4% work from home. 4.4% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry | Share of Union County workers | vs Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.7% | +2.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 12.7% | -5.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.3% | +0.5 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 9.0% | +2.8 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.9% | -1.3 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.8% | -1.0 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Cities, towns and CDPs in Union County
2 Census places fall mainly inside Union County; the 2 biggest are below. They account for 2,648 residents, leaving about 62% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Live in one of these Union County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Liberty | town | 2,052 | $45,500 | $698 | 1 mi |
| West College Corner | town | 596 | $65,000 | $750 | 7 mi |
How Union County compares with nearby counties
Six nearby counties, 14 to 29 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Income ranges from $55,692 in Wayne County to $81,590 in Butler County; 2 of these neighbors top Union County's median. Some neighbors are in Ohio. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Union County resident follows Indiana rules.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Union County | - | $76,424 | $760/mo | 80% |
| Fayette County, IN | 14 mi | $59,321 | $791/mo | 72% |
| Franklin County, IN | 17 mi | $78,074 | $870/mo | 82% |
| Preble County, OH | 17 mi | $69,223 | $794/mo | 80% |
| Wayne County, IN | 17 mi | $55,692 | $815/mo | 69% |
| Butler County, OH | 23 mi | $81,590 | $1,135/mo | 70% |
| Rush County, IN | 29 mi | $66,473 | $873/mo | 75% |
Union County households compared
College graduates make up 18% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 6.8%, against 7.4% for Indiana.
| Union County | Indiana | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.9 | 38.1 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 18.4% | 29.5% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 12.2% | 9.6% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.8% | 7.4% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 4.4% | 6.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 4.4% | 10.7% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 8.5% | 12.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.3% | 4.3% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Union County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 31.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 28.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 26.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 4.7% |
| 60+ min | 8.8% |
What the numbers mean for Union County borrowers
Where the Union County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Consolidating cards in Union County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
- Scams. A fee demanded before funding is a red flag; report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (spotting scams).
Debt-to-income at Union County's medians
Union County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- $6,369 a month: gross income for a household at the Union County median
- Rent at the median, $760, takes 12% of that
- $1,533: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
- 43% debt-to-income limit: $1,979 left for all other debt payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Lender oversight for Union County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Union County resident can confirm its license with the Indiana Department of Financial Institutions. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. See the Indiana state guide for the statewide picture.
Steps before you apply in Union County
Quick steps for Union County:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Indiana.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Indiana guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Union County earn?
The median is $76,424; 32% earn $100,000 or more and 22% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How much is rent in Union County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $760 a month; 43% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Should Union County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 80% of Union County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
What are the biggest places in Union County?
By population: Liberty, West College Corner. The county has 2 Census places in all.
Are Union County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.