RANK #957 / 1001 NAT · #49 / 49 OH · POP 67,324
1YR FORECAST: -1.3%
5YR OUTLOOK: +14%
Marysville, the county seat, offers a blend of small-town charm and industrial heritage, evident in its historic district and the presence of major companies. Union County, located northwest of Columbus, Ohio, is known for its rural landscapes and commitment to preserving its natural beauty. The county's location provides access to Columbus, with commute options including carpooling and public transit services like GoBus and UCATS for eligible residents. Outdoor recreation is supported by over 40 parks, six golf courses, and numerous trails, including the Heritage Rail Trail, offering opportunities for hiking, biking, and enjoying the scenic deciduous landscape.
Life in Union County attracts families and professionals, drawn by highly-rated public schools and a close-knit community atmosphere. The economy is experiencing growth, with ongoing investments in advanced manufacturing and research and development, particularly in smart mobility and connected technologies along the 33 Smart Mobility Corridor. Healthcare is also seeing expansion to meet the needs of the growing population. This economic activity contributes to a demand for housing, as the county works to balance growth with maintaining its community character.
Union County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +1.3% YoY, population +3.1%, wages +1.6%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below national median
Harsh climate or flat terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 8.4x — 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 →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
AWS Data Center Campus (Project Cosmos)
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
|
$1,000M | Planned |
|
Union Solar Farm
ACCIONA
|
$320M | Under Construction |
|
Richwood Solar
Richwood Solar
|
$250M | Proposed |
|
Cadence Solar Energy Center
Invenergy
|
$136M | Planned |
|
Memorial Health Emergency Department Expansion
Memorial Health
|
$56M | Planned |
|
Amazon Fulfillment Center
Amazon
|
$50M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Union County scores just 4/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #957 of 1001 counties. Job growth at +6.0% and median household income of $112,322 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Housing in Union County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $344,900 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.33, with rents averaging $1,247/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Union County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +3.1% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +6.0% clip. Home values shifted +1.3% in the past year.
In significant numbers — 7.55% of Union County's current population relocated from another state, well above the national norm. That level of in-migration usually signals a county where jobs, affordability, or quality of life are pulling people in from elsewhere.