RANK #747 / 1001 NAT · #39 / 51 NC · POP 250,958
1YR FORECAST: -1.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +24%
Union County, North Carolina, offers a blend of rural landscapes and suburban amenities, situated in the southern Piedmont region, bordering South Carolina and just southeast of Charlotte. Locals often highlight the town of Waxhaw, known for its historic downtown and antique shops, or Cane Creek Park, a large water-based recreation area with a 350-acre lake for fishing, boating, and hiking. Commuting to Charlotte is feasible, with express bus services available from towns like Indian Trail and Monroe. The county maintains a community feel, with rolling hills and agricultural areas providing a scenic backdrop for outdoor activities.
Life in Union County attracts families and professionals seeking a balance between country living and access to urban conveniences. The public school system is highly rated, serving nearly 40,000 students across 53 schools. The economy, historically rooted in agriculture, has diversified, with significant growth in manufacturing, aerospace, and pharmaceutical sectors. This expansion is supported by workforce development initiatives and a focus on agribusiness, including a new Food Innovation Center designed to support local food production and entrepreneurs.
Union County is one of 43 U.S. counties in this market profile — near the profile average on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of -0.2% matches the profile's typical -0.0%.
See all 43 Sun Belt Exurban Boom counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Prices declining
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 20.5x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Advanced Manufacturing Facility (Project Seven)
Confidential Company
|
$200M | Planned |
|
Monroe Solar Facility
Duke Energy Carolinas, LLC
|
$60M | Operating |
|
Dymax Corporation Manufacturing Center
Dymax Corporation
|
$47M | Planned |
|
Briolf USA Manufacturing Center
Briolf USA LLC (Briolf Group)
|
$30M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
At 25/100, Union County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 1001 counties we track. Median income of $102,900 combined with job growth of +5.2% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Union County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $417,300 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.25 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,496/month on average.
Union County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +2.4% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +5.2% clip. Home values shifted -0.2% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.9% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Union County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.