Union County, Florida

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County in Florida, United States

title: "Union County, Florida" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["union-county,-florida", "1921-establishments-in-florida", "populated-places-established-in-1921", "florida-counties", "north-florida"] description: "County in Florida, United States" topic_path: "general/union-county-florida" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_County,_Florida" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary County in Florida, United States ::

::data[format=table title="Infobox U.S. county"]

FieldValue
countyUnion County
stateFlorida
founded year1921
founded dateMay 20
named forConcept of Unity
seatLake Butler
largest cityLake Butler
area_total_sq_mi250
area_land_sq_mi244
area_water_sq_mi6.2
area percentage2.5
census yr2020
pop16147
pop_est_as_of2023
population_est15532
density_sq_miauto
webhttp://www.unioncounty-fl.gov/
ex imageUnion Cnty Crths Lake Butler.jpg
ex image capUnion County Courthouse
district3rd
time zoneEastern
::

| county = Union County | state = Florida | seal = | founded year = 1921 | founded date = May 20 | named for = Concept of Unity | seat = Lake Butler | largest city = Lake Butler | area_total_sq_mi = 250 | area_land_sq_mi = 244 | area_water_sq_mi = 6.2 | area percentage = 2.5 | census yr = 2020 | pop = 16147 | pop_est_as_of = 2023 | population_est = 15532 | density_sq_mi = auto | web =http://www.unioncounty-fl.gov/ | ex image = Union Cnty Crths Lake Butler.jpg | ex image cap = Union County Courthouse | district = 3rd | time zone = Eastern }}

Union County is a county located in the north central portion of the U.S. state of Florida, the smallest in the state by area. As of the 2020 census, the population was 16,147. The county seat is Lake Butler.

History

Union County was created on October 1, 1921, from part of Bradford County. It was named to honor the concept of unity. Union County is the location of Union Correctional Institution and the Reception and Medical Center (RMC). Union CI is a maximum security prison and is home to part of Florida's Death Row. The death chamber is located at nearby Florida State Prison (FSP) in Bradford County. Florida State Prison also houses some death-row inmates.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 250 sqmi, of which 244 sqmi is land and 6.2 sqmi (2.5%) is water. It is the smallest county by area in Florida.

Adjacent counties

Demographics

|1930= 7428 |1940= 7094 |1950= 8906 |1960= 6043 |1970= 8112 |1980= 10166 |1990= 10252 |2000= 13442 |2010= 15535 |align-fn=center |footnote=U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2019 |2020=16147 |estyear=2023 |estimate=15532 |estref= | align = right

Racial and ethnic composition

::data[format=table title="'''Union County, Florida – Racial and ethnic composition'''
{{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}"] | Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 1980 | Pop 1990 | title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Union County, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=050XX00US12125&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|website=United States Census Bureau |access-date= }} | title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Union County, Florida|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US12125&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=United States Census Bureau |access-date= }} | Pop 2020 | % 1980 | % 1990 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | White alone (NH) | 6,890 | 7,499 | 9,659 | 11,123 | 11,585 | 67.77% | 73.15% | 71.86% | 71.60% | 71.75% | | Black or African American alone (NH) | 2,920 | 2,320 | 3,038 | 3,391 | 3,197 | 28.72% | 22.63% | 22.60% | 21.83% | 19.80% | | Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 46 | 57 | 84 | 52 | 42 | 0.45% | 0.56% | 0.62% | 0.33% | 0.26% | | Asian alone (NH) | 38 | 38 | 33 | 32 | 35 | 0.37% | 0.37% | 0.25% | 0.21% | 0.22% | | Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) | x | x | 3 | 2 | 0 | x | x | 0.02% | 0.01% | 0.00% | | Other race alone (NH) | 5 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 62 | 0.05% | 0.03% | 0.02% | 0.03% | 0.38% | | Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | x | x | 264 | 188 | 462 | x | x | 1.96% | 1.21% | 2.86% | | Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 267 | 335 | 477 | 743 | 764 | 2.63% | 3.27% | 3.55% | 4.78% | 4.73% | | Total | 10,166 | 10,252 | 13,561 | 15,535 | **16,147 ** | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | ::

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 16,147 and a median age of 41.4 years. 18.9% of residents were under the age of 18 and 15.5% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 175.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 199.3 males.

There were 4,271 households in the county, of which 37.2% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 47.8% were married-couple households, 17.8% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 27.3% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 23.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. Of those households, 2,873 were families.

There were 4,713 housing units, of which 9.4% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 70.4% were owner-occupied and 29.6% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.2%.

The racial makeup of the county was 73.7% White, 20.0% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% Asian,

2000 census

At the 2000 census, there were 13,442 people, 3,367 households and 2,606 families residing in the county. The population density was 56 per square mile (22/km2). There were 3,736 housing units at an average density of 16 per square mile (6/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 73.62% White, 22.84% Black or African American, 0.66% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.04% from other races, and 1.50% from two or more races. 3.55% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

Of the 3,367 households, 41.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.70% were married couples living together, 15.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.60% were non-families. 19.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.13.

The age distribution was 21.80% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 39.80% from 25 to 44, 22.20% from 45 to 64, and 7.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 183.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 215.20 males. This extremely skewed gender distribution is the result of the county's male prison population.

The median household income was $34,563, and the median family income was $37,516. Males had a median income of $28,571 versus $22,083 for females. The county's per capita income was $12,333. About 10.50% of families and 14.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.60% of those under age 18 and 16.20% of those age 65 or over.

Mortality

The county suffers a death rate of about 1600 per 100,000 residents, the highest in the nation.

::data[format=table] | title=Union County Data |url=https://wellflorida.org/data-reports/union-county-data/ |website=Wellflorida |access-date=January 14, 2019 |archive-date=January 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190114153349/https://wellflorida.org/data-reports/union-county-data/ |url-status=dead }} | Union County (Adjusted Rate) | Florida (Adjusted Rate) | |---|---|---| | Overall | 1,516 | 681 | | Cancer | 470 | 153 | | Heart Disease | 298 | 152 | | Respiratory Infection | 121 | 39 | | Stroke | 59 | 36 | | Hepatitis | 54 | 2 | ::

Government and infrastructure

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/df/UnionCIRaifordFL.jpg" caption="[[Union Correctional Institution"] ::

The Florida Department of Corrections (FDOC) operates Region II Correctional Facility Office in an unincorporated area in Union County. FDOC also maintains the Union Correctional Institution in an unincorporated area in the county. Union Correctional Institution houses one of two death rows for men in Florida. About a third of the county's population is imprisoned, compared to a statewide figure of one-half percent.

The Union Juvenile Residential Facility of the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice is in an unincorporated area in Union County.{{cite web |url=http://www.djj.state.fl.us/Residential/facilities/north_facilities/Union.html |title=Union Juvenile Residential Facility |publisher=Florida Department of Juvenile Justice |access-date=August 3, 2008 |archive-date=September 27, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080927105218/http://www.djj.state.fl.us/Residential/facilities/north_facilities/Union.html |url-status=dead

Education

Union County School District serves the county.

Libraries

In 1986, local county volunteers ran a make shift library in the local Community Center which consisted of donated books and other items. Soon the County was able to fund their own public library from tax money. An old bank building was renovated and used for the new public library. In 1990, the library was open to the public. In 1996, the Union County Public Library became a part of the New River Public Library Cooperative to enhance and support library services for patrons throughout the county.

The Union County Public Library serves the county. The branch is at 250 SE 5th Avenue, Lake Butler, Florida 32054. Its director is Mary C. Brown. The branch is open Monday, Wednesday–Friday 9 am–6 pm, Tuesday 9 am–8 pm, and Saturday 9 am–3 pm.

Transportation

Union County's three airports Worthington Springs main airport is Lake City Municipal Airport. Private airports also exist throughout the county.--

Major roads

Railroads

Union County has had three railroad lines in the past, all of which are abandoned. The primary one is the former Georgia Southern and Florida Railway, which ran along SR 100 from Columbia County through Bradford County. The other line is the Jacksonville and Southwestern Railroad which ran along SR 121 from Columbia County into Baker County. The J&SW also had a junction to the Bradford Farms Railroad, a spur north of Florida State Road 16 leading to what is today the Wildwood Subdivision in Lawtey in Bradford County.

Communities

::data[format=table]

#Incorporated CommunityDesignationPopulation
1Lake ButlerCity1,813
2Worthington SpringsTown390
3RaifordTown242
4JohnstownUnincorporated
5RylanderUnincorporated
::

References

References

  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties.
  3. Works Progress Administration, Historical Records Survey. (February 10, 1937). "History of Union County".
  4. "Reception and Medical Center (RMC)". [[Florida Department of Corrections]].
  5. (February 12, 2011). "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". [[United States Census Bureau]].
  6. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau.
  7. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library.
  8. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau.
  9. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". United States Census Bureau.
  10. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau.
  11. (1980). "1980 U.S. Census - General Population Characteristics - Table 16 Total Persons and Spanish Origin Persons by Type of Spanish Origin and Race: 1980".
  12. (1980). "1990 U.S. Census - Social and Economic Characteristics - Table 6. Race and Hispanic Origin: 1990".
  13. "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Union County, Florida".
  14. "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Union County, Florida".
  15. "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Union County, Florida".
  16. included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
  17. included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
  18. not an option in the 1980 Census
  19. not an option in the 1990 Census
  20. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)".
  21. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)".
  22. (2023). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)".
  23. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
  24. (April 20, 2017). "35 Years Of American Death".
  25. "Union County Data".
  26. "[http://www.dc.state.fl.us/facilities/region2/index.html Region II Correctional Facility Office] {{Webarchive. link. (October 10, 1999 ." [[Florida Department of Corrections]]. Retrieved on January 8, 2010.)
  27. "[http://www.dc.state.fl.us/facilities/region2/213.html Union Correctional Facility] {{Webarchive. link. (July 24, 2010 ." [[Florida Department of Corrections]]. Retrieved on August 31, 2010.)
  28. "[http://www.dc.state.fl.us/oth/deathrow/ Death Row Fact Sheet] {{Webarchive. link. (April 23, 2015 ." [[Florida Department of Corrections]]. Retrieved on August 15, 2010.)
  29. "2020 CENSUS - CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Union County, FL". [[U.S. Census Bureau]].
  30. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
  31. "Our Campaigns".
  32. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Union County, FL". [[U.S. Census Bureau]].
  33. Bird, Virginia. (1998-01-01). "Union County Public Library". Florida Library History Project.

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union-county,-florida1921-establishments-in-floridapopulated-places-established-in-1921florida-countiesnorth-florida