1st Advantage MortgageUnion County households have a median income of $62,727 and median rent of $847 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Union County
- Income in Union County compared with Tennessee
- Rent, home values and ownership in Union County
- Work, industries and travel time in Union County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Union County
- Room for a loan payment in Union County
- Union County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Before borrowing in Union County
- Tennessee rules that apply in Union County
- A Union County borrower's checklist
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Union County
Union County is home to about 20,431 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 66th most populous of 95 county-level areas in Tennessee. Packed into 224 square miles, that is close to 91 residents for every square mile of land. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Knoxville, TN metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Of the 3 Census places inside Union County, Maynardville leads by population with about 2,528; 3 of the 3 are incorporated.
Income in Union County compared with Tennessee
Half of Union County households take in less than $62,727 a year and half take in more, 10% below the Tennessee median of $69,595. In the state ranking that is 34th of 95.
| Households earning | Union County | +/- vs Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 29.4% | +5.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.7% | +2.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.7% | -2.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.3% | -4.7 pts |
The spread is wide: 26% of Union County households make $100,000 or more, and 29% make less than $35,000. 13.8% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 13.8%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.425 here. 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
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $847 in Union County versus $1,189 statewide. 53% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 25% spend half or more. With a median value of $204,000, a typical Union County house costs 3.3 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 80% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1993.
| Home costs | Union County | Tennessee | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $847/mo | $1,189/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $204,000 | $286,700 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 80% | 67% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 53% | 49% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 22% | 25% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 21.8% | 8.1% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 19% | 10% | 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. High rent burdens leave little slack. If you are borrowing to consolidate, make sure the new payment is lower than the ones it replaces.
Work, industries and travel time in Union County
Education and health care employs 21% of working residents, the largest share; construction is next with 16%. Compared with Tennessee, the county leans toward construction (16% against 7%). The survey's unemployment rate for Union County averages 2.6% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.7%). About 74% drive to work alone and 35% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Where residents work | Union County | Difference from Tennessee |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.3% | -1.0 pts |
| Construction | 16.3% | +9.2 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 13.1% | +2.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.8% | -1.8 pts |
| Manufacturing | 9.7% | -2.9 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.8% | +0.6 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Union County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Neighboring counties at a glance
Six nearby counties, 18 to 27 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. 3 of the six report a higher median household income than Union County; Knox County is highest at $74,222 and Claiborne County lowest at $49,379.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Union County | - | $62,727 | $847/mo | 80% |
| Claiborne County, TN | 18 mi | $49,379 | $745/mo | 72% |
| Grainger County, TN | 18 mi | $50,538 | $746/mo | 77% |
| Campbell County, TN | 20 mi | $51,557 | $716/mo | 69% |
| Knox County, TN | 21 mi | $74,222 | $1,261/mo | 65% |
| Anderson County, TN | 23 mi | $66,183 | $1,031/mo | 72% |
| Jefferson County, TN | 27 mi | $66,114 | $904/mo | 76% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Union County
The table lists the 3 largest of 3 Census places in Union County, by population. Together all 3 hold about 6,144 people, so roughly 70% of residents live outside any named place. Plainview has the highest median household income on the list ($63,965) and Luttrell the lowest ($41,742), counting places with at least 500 residents. Median rent ranges from $578 in Luttrell to $869 in Plainview. None of the 3 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Maynardville | city | 2,528 | $46,106 | $815 | 3 mi |
| Plainview | city | 2,458 | $63,965 | $869 | 8 mi |
| Luttrell | town | 1,158 | $41,742 | $578 | 7 mi |
Room for a loan payment in Union County
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Union County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Start: $5,227 gross per month ($62,727 / 12)
- 16% goes to median rent ($847)
- $1,401: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Union County residents: age, schooling, coverage
14% of Union County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. The uninsured rate is 8.1%, against 10.0% for Tennessee.
| Indicator | Union County | All of Tennessee | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.7 | 38.9 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 14.2% | 31.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 14.1% | 10.0% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 8.1% | 10.0% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 2.9% | 5.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 11.5% | 12.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 13.8% | 13.8% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.6% | 4.7% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 18.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 19.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 27.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 19.0% |
| 60+ min | 16.4% |
Before borrowing in Union County
Based on the Union County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Long drives. With 35% of commutes over 45 minutes, tires and repairs are fixed costs in many Union County budgets.
- Mobile home upkeep. 22% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Tight rental budgets. With 53% of Union County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
Tennessee rules that apply in Union County
Union County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. More on Tennessee: Tennessee personal loans.
A Union County borrower's checklist
A short checklist for Union County borrowers:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Union County.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Read the final agreement; it must match the offer.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Tennessee guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Union County earn?
The median is $62,727; 26% earn $100,000 or more and 29% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
Is Union County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $847 against $1,189 statewide, and 53% of renter households are cost-burdened.
I own my home in Union County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 80% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Which towns does the Union County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 3 Census places: Maynardville, Plainview, Luttrell.
Can Union County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Tennessee county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.