1st Advantage MortgageIn Union County, Mississippi, the typical household earns $55,505 a year and the typical rent is $865. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Mississippi before sharing details.
On this page
- Union County, MS: the basics
- Jobs and commutes in Union County
- Household income in Union County
- Renting and owning in Union County
- Union County towns compared
- How Union County compares with nearby counties
- Budget math at the Union County median
- Reading the Union County data as a borrower
- Union County households compared
- Licensing and complaints for Union County
- Four steps for Union County borrowers
- More guides for Union County
- Frequently asked questions
Union County, MS: the basics
With an estimated 28,122 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Union County ranks 30th of 82 in Mississippi for population. It covers 416 square miles of land, or about 68 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Union County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 3 Census places inside Union County, New Albany leads by population with about 7,663; 3 of the 3 are incorporated.
Jobs and commutes in Union County
Manufacturing employs 24% of working residents, the largest share; education and health care is next with 19%. Compared with Mississippi, the county leans toward manufacturing (24% against 13%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 4.4% in Union County. Long commutes are the exception here: 10% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Households without a car make up 5.4% of the total (6.3% statewide).
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Union County | Gap to Mississippi |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 23.5% | +10.6 pts |
| Education and health care | 18.5% | -6.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.1% | +0.7 pts |
| Construction | 8.7% | +1.8 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.0% | -1.8 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.3% | -1.3 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Household income in Union County
Half of Union County households take in less than $55,505 a year and half take in more, 2% below the Mississippi median of $56,447. Only 20 Mississippi counties post a higher median.
| Households earning | Union County | +/- vs Mississippi |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 28.8% | -3.7 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 47.6% | +6.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 18.0% | -2.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.6% | -0.1 pts |
About 29% of households earn under $35,000, while 24% clear $100,000. Census counts 15.1% of Union County residents in poverty, against 18.9% across Mississippi. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.450 (0 is perfect equality). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Union County median.
Renting and owning in Union County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $865 in Union County versus $954 statewide. 43% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 12% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $163,400, about 2.9 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 75%. Median construction year: 1985.
| Cost | Union County | Mississippi figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $865/mo | $954/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $163,400 | $169,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 75% | 70% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 43% | 51% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 22% | 26% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 21.2% | 14.4% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 20% | 15% | 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.
Union County towns compared
3 Census places fall mainly inside Union County; the 3 biggest are below. They account for 8,702 residents, leaving about 69% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. No Union County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 3.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Albany | city | 7,663 | $51,332 | $973 | 1 mi |
| Myrtle | town | 771 | $65,833 | $939 | 8 mi |
| Blue Springs | village | 268 | $44,286 | $733 | 10 mi |
How Union County compares with nearby counties
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (18 to 29 miles). Income ranges from $46,016 in Benton County to $67,863 in Lee County; 2 of these neighbors top Union County's median.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Union County | - | $55,505 | $865/mo | 75% |
| Pontotoc County, MS | 18 mi | $51,484 | $864/mo | 70% |
| Tippah County, MS | 20 mi | $52,542 | $790/mo | 75% |
| Lee County, MS | 23 mi | $67,863 | $957/mo | 71% |
| Benton County, MS | 25 mi | $46,016 | $731/mo | 86% |
| Prentiss County, MS | 29 mi | $49,724 | $637/mo | 78% |
| Lafayette County, MS | 29 mi | $67,185 | $1,085/mo | 64% |
Budget math at the Union County median
How much room does a median Union County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- $55,505 a year is $4,625 of gross monthly income
- Housing at the median rent of $865 uses 19%
- Under a 36% cap, $1,665 total minus rent leaves $800
Two-income households and single earners in Union County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Reading the Union County data as a borrower
A few patterns in the Union County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Uninsured care. 11% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- 21% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
Union County households compared
Degree holders: 19% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 11.1%, against 11.0% for Mississippi.
| Indicator | Union County | All of Mississippi | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.3 | 38.6 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 19.1% | 25.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 20.2% | 12.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 11.1% | 11.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.4% | 6.3% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 1.4% | 5.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 15.1% | 18.9% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.4% | 5.8% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Union County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 29.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 38.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 21.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.2% |
| 60+ min | 4.8% |
Licensing and complaints for Union County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Union County borrowers answers to the Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. See the Mississippi state guide for the statewide picture.
Four steps for Union County borrowers
Before you apply, wherever you live in Union County:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Mississippi.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
More guides for Union County
For statewide rules and data, see the Mississippi guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Union County?
$55,505 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $56,447 for Mississippi. It ranks 21st of 82 in the state.
How does Union County rent compare with Mississippi?
$865 locally versus $954 for the state, 9% below.
What are the biggest places in Union County?
By population: New Albany, Myrtle, Blue Springs. The county has 3 Census places in all.
Does living in Union County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Union County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Where can someone in Union County check a lender's license?
With the Mississippi Department of Banking and Consumer Finance. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.