1st Advantage MortgageThe median Union County household earns $112,322, and 5% of residents live below the poverty line. A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's Ohio license first.
On this page
- Union County by the numbers
- Rent, home values and ownership in Union County
- Household income in Union County
- Employment and commuting in Union County
- Towns and communities in Union County
- Regional comparison for Union County
- What a median Union County budget can carry
- Local borrowing considerations for Union County
- Union County households compared
- Checklist for Union County applicants
- Lender oversight for Union County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Union County by the numbers
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Union County's population at 67,324; only 35 of Ohio's 88 county-level areas are larger. Packed into 432 square miles, that is close to 156 residents for every square mile of land. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Columbus, OH metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Marysville is the biggest of its 8 Census places, at roughly 27,518 people (41% of the county total).
Rent, home values and ownership in Union County
A typical Union County rental runs $1,247 a month including utilities, which is 21% above Ohio. 35% 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 $344,900, about 3.1 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 79%. The median year built is 1996.
| Cost | Union County | Ohio figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,247/mo | $1,034/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $344,900 | $214,800 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 79% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 35% | 46% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 16% | 21% | 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.
Household income in Union County
At $112,322, the typical Union County household income is 71% above the median U.S. county ($65,681). In the state ranking that is 2nd of 88.
| Income band | Share in Union County | Difference from Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 9.8% | -14.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 34.4% | -7.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 38.5% | +13.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 17.3% | +8.2 pts |
The spread is wide: 56% of Union County households make $100,000 or more, and 10% make less than $35,000. Census counts 5.0% of Union County residents in poverty, against 13.3% across Ohio. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.414 here. For a borrower in Union County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Employment and commuting in Union County
By the Census industry count, 21% of employed Union County residents work in education and health care and 18% in manufacturing. Compared with Ohio, the county leans toward manufacturing (18% against 15%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 2.6% in Union County. Long commutes are the exception here: 13% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Only 2.4% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Sector | Union County | Compared with Ohio |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 20.8% | -3.5 pts |
| Manufacturing | 17.6% | +2.9 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 12.8% | +2.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.0% | -2.1 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 8.0% | +1.4 pts |
| Public administration | 6.1% | +2.1 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Towns and communities in Union County
8 Census places fall mainly inside Union County; the 8 biggest are below. They account for 37,164 residents, leaving about 45% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Incomes vary by place: $161,908 at the median in New California, $64,007 in Richwood. Live in one of these Union County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marysville | city | 27,518 | $92,619 | $1,223 | 5 mi |
| Plain City | village | 3,829 | $117,972 | $985 | 14 mi |
| Richwood | village | 2,332 | $64,007 | $852 | 10 mi |
| New California | CDP | 1,672 | $161,908 | n/a | 12 mi |
| Milford Center | village | 770 | $93,125 | $1,438 | 9 mi |
| Raymond | CDP | 415 | $118,950 | n/a | 6 mi |
| Magnetic Springs | village | 359 | $77,813 | $1,000 | 7 mi |
| Unionville Center | village | 269 | $104,545 | $967 | 11 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
Regional comparison for Union County
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Union County's, from 19 to 29 miles away. Delaware County leads the group on income ($133,540), Marion County trails ($59,371), and Union County out-earns 5 of the six.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Union County | - | $112,322 | $1,247/mo | 79% |
| Delaware County, OH | 19 mi | $133,540 | $1,492/mo | 79% |
| Logan County, OH | 22 mi | $71,551 | $845/mo | 78% |
| Marion County, OH | 23 mi | $59,371 | $864/mo | 67% |
| Champaign County, OH | 24 mi | $75,556 | $905/mo | 77% |
| Madison County, OH | 28 mi | $87,045 | $943/mo | 78% |
| Franklin County, OH | 29 mi | $75,176 | $1,302/mo | 53% |
What a median Union County budget can carry
Here is the Union County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- $112,322 a year is $9,360 of gross monthly income
- 13% goes to median rent ($1,247)
- 35% debt-to-income limit: $2,029 left for all other debt payments
- 45% debt-to-income limit: $2,965 left for all other debt payments
Two-income households and single earners in Union County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Local borrowing considerations for Union County
What the Union County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Six-figure budgets. For the 56% earning $100,000 or more, lifestyle creep, not approval, is the usual problem.
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
- Check your file. An error fixed before you apply can change the offers a Union County borrower sees (free reports).
Union County households compared
39% of Union County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 3.8% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | Union County | Ohio statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.5 | 39.7 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 39.2% | 31.5% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 4.2% | 8.2% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 3.8% | 6.4% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 2.4% | 7.5% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 21.6% | 13.0% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 5.0% | 13.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.6% | 4.8% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Union County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 26.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 36.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 24.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.6% |
| 60+ min | 4.4% |
Checklist for Union County applicants
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 Ohio.
- Lock paid-off cards after consolidating so balances stay at zero.
Lender oversight for Union County
Union County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Ohio Division of Financial Institutions. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. The Ohio guide covers state rules in more detail.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Ohio guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Union County?
$112,322 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $71,389 for Ohio. It ranks 2nd of 88 in the state.
What do renters pay in Union County?
$1,247 a month at the median, about 13% of median household income.
What are the biggest places in Union County?
By population: Marysville, Plain City, Richwood, New California, Milford Center. The county has 8 Census places in all.
Can Union County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Ohio county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
Is there a Union County office that licenses lenders?
No, licensing is statewide. In Ohio it is the Ohio Division of Financial Institutions.