Union County, Oregon

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County in Oregon, United States

title: "Union County, Oregon" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["union-county,-oregon", "1864-establishments-in-oregon", "populated-places-established-in-1864"] description: "County in Oregon, United States" topic_path: "general/union-county-oregon" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Union_County,_Oregon" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::summary County in Oregon, United States ::

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

FieldValue
countyUnion County
stateOregon
founded dateOctober 14
founded year1864
seat wlLa Grande
largest city wlLa Grande
area_total_sq_mi2039
area_land_sq_mi2037
area_water_sq_mi1.9
area percentage0.1%
population_as_of2020
population_total26196
pop_est_as_of2024
population_est26058
density_sq_mi13
district2nd
named forUnion, Oregon
webunioncountyor.gov
time zonePacific
ex imageUnion County Museum - Union Oregon.jpg
ex image capUnion County Museum
::

| county = Union County | state = Oregon | seal = | founded date = October 14 | founded year = 1864 | seat wl = La Grande | largest city wl = La Grande | area_total_sq_mi = 2039 | area_land_sq_mi = 2037 | area_water_sq_mi = 1.9 | area percentage = 0.1% | population_as_of = 2020 | population_total = 26196 | pop_est_as_of = 2024 | population_est = 26058 | density_sq_mi = 13 | district = 2nd | named for = Union, Oregon | web = unioncountyor.gov | time zone = Pacific | ex image = Union County Museum - Union Oregon.jpg | ex image cap = Union County Museum

Union County is one of the 36 counties in the U.S. state of Oregon, and one of the 8 counties of eastern Oregon. As of the 2020 census, the population was 26,196. The county comprises the La Grande micropolitan statistical area and the county seat is La Grande.

History

According to Oregon Geographic Names, the county is named for the town of Union. Union County was originally part of Baker County (which was originally a part of Wasco County, which was originally part of Clackamas County). The northern end of the Grande Ronde Valley was the first part to be settled. During the 1860s, population growth in eastern Oregon prompted the State Legislature to split Umatilla and Baker Counties from Wasco County in 1862. Further settlement in the Grande Ronde Valley led to the division of Baker County to create Union County on October 14, 1864. The county doubled in population between 1880 and 1890.

The choice of a county seat resulted in competition, based on geography and on economic and population growth, between La Grande and the city of Union. The county seat alternated between Union and La Grande until it permanently came to rest at La Grande in 1905. Between 1875 and 1913, adjustments were made between Union County's borders and the borders of Baker, Umatilla, and Wallowa counties.

Geography

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/df/UnionCountyMap.png" caption="Union County"] ::

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2039 sqmi, of which 2037 sqmi is land and 1.9 sqmi (0.1%) is water. The Forest Service owns 47% of the land in the county.

Adjacent counties

Demographics

|1870= 2552 |1880= 6550 |1890= 12044 |1900= 16070 |1910= 16191 |1920= 16636 |1930= 17492 |1940= 17399 |1950= 17962 |1960= 18180 |1970= 19377 |1980= 23921 |1990= 23598 |2000= 24530 |2010= 25748 |2020= 26196 |estyear=2024 |estimate=26058 |estref= |align-fn=center |footnote=U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2020 | align = right

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 26,196. Of the residents, 22.2% were under the age of 18 and 21.6% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 40.1 years. For every 100 females there were 97.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 95.1 males. 57.1% of residents lived in urban areas and 42.9% lived in rural areas.

The racial and ethnic composition of the county is detailed in the table below.

There were 10,779 households in the county, of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 25.5% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 28.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 11,649 housing units, of which 7.5% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 65.2% were owner-occupied and 34.8% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.8%.

::data[format=table title="'''Union County, Oregon – 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) | title=1980 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Oregon - Table 58 - Persons by Race and Table 59 - Total Persons and Spanish Origin Persons by Type of Spanish Origin and Race (p. 39/24-39/32)|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1980/volume-1/oregon/1980a_orabc-05.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau|page=}} | title=1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Oregon - Table 5 - Race and Hispanic Origin|url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1990/cp-1/cp-1-39.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau|page=9-30}} | title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Union County, Oregon|url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=050XX00US41061&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, Oregon|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US41061&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=United States Census Bureau |access-date= }} | Pop 2020 | % 1980 | % 1990 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 | |---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---| | White alone (NH) | 23,170 | 22,612 | 22,843 | 23,407 | 22,075 | 96.86% | 95.82% | 93.12% | 90.91% | 84.27% | | Black or African American alone (NH) | 104 | 99 | 117 | 126 | 145 | 0.43% | 0.42% | 0.48% | 0.49% | 0.55% | | Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 170 | 226 | 191 | 255 | 219 | 0.71% | 0.96% | 0.78% | 0.99% | 0.84% | | Asian alone (NH) | 106 | 268 | 204 | 204 | 216 | 0.44% | 1.14% | 0.83% | 0.79% | 0.82% | | Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) | x | x | 147 | 223 | 488 | x | x | 0.60% | 0.87% | 1.86% | | Other race alone (NH) | 97 | 12 | 92 | 49 | 129 | 0.41% | 0.05% | 0.38% | 0.19% | 0.49% | | Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | x | x | 336 | 482 | 1,577 | x | x | 1.37% | 1.87% | 6.02% | | Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 274 | 381 | 600 | 1,002 | 1,347 | 1.15% | 1.61% | 2.45% | 3.89% | 5.14% | | Total | 23,921 | 23,598 | 24,530 | 25,748 | **26,196 ** | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | ::

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 25,748 people, 10,501 households, and 6,804 families living in the county. The population density was 12.6 PD/sqmi. There were 11,489 housing units at an average density of 5.6 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 93.1% white, 1.1% American Indian, 0.9% Pacific islander, 0.8% Asian, 0.5% black or African American, 1.3% from other races, and 2.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.9% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 25.2% were German, 17.8% were Irish, 17.3% were English, and 6.9% were American.

Of the 10,501 households, 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.3% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 35.2% were non-families, and 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.89. The median age was 40.0 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $42,162 and the median income for a family was $52,558. Males had a median income of $40,720 versus $30,373 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,947. About 10.5% of families and 16.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.6% of those under age 18 and 10.2% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 24,530 people, 9,740 households, and 6,516 families living in the county. The population density was 12 /mi2. There were 10,603 housing units at an average density of 5 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 94.29% White, 0.85% Native American, 0.85% Asian, 0.62% Pacific Islander, 0.51% Black/African American, 1.22% from other races, and 1.67% from two or more races. Hispanics and Latinos of any race constituted 2.45% of the population. 20.2% were of German, 15.5% American, 12.2% English and 10.5% Irish ancestry.

There were 9,740 households, out of which 30.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.10% were married couples living together, 8.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.10% were non-families. 26.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.60% under the age of 18, 12.10% from 18 to 24, 23.50% from 25 to 44, 25.00% from 45 to 64, and 14.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 95.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,738, and the median income for a family was $40,520. Males had a median income of $33,028 versus $21,740 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,907. About 8.50% of families and 13.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.60% of those under age 18 and 9.50% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Ghost towns/Former communities

Government and politics

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/60/Political_orientations_in_Union_County,Oregon(March_2009).gif" caption="Registered voters of 2009."] ::

Like the rest of eastern Oregon, the majority of registered voters who are part of a political party in Union County belong to the Republican Party. In the 2016 presidential election, 65 percent of Union County voters voted for Republican Donald Trump, while 25 percent voted for Democrat Hillary Clinton and 10 percent of voters either voted for a Third Party candidate or wrote in a candidate. These numbers show a large shift away from the Democratic party towards third-party candidates when compared to the 2012 presidential election, when 63.2% of Union Country voters voted for Mitt Romney, 32.9% voted for Barack Obama, and 3.8% of voters either voted for a third party candidate or wrote in a candidate. In 2020, however, the third party turnout dropped to 2.62% and Joe Biden won 28.47% of the vote, but the Republican lean remained with Trump winning over 68% of the vote.

Oregon Legislative Assembly

Union County is located in Oregon State House District 58 which is currently represented by Bobby Levy. It is also located in Oregon State Senate District 29, represented by Bill Hansell. Both Levy and Hansell are registered Republicans.

Board of Commissioners

Union County is represented and governed by three commissioners. The Union County Board of Commissioners is currently made up of Paul Anderes, Matt Scarfo, and Donna Beverage.

Economy

The initial economic interest in Union County was mining, but most of the mines in the area were annexed by Baker County in 1901. The local economy continues to be based on natural resources, including farming (wheat, fruit, vegetables, mint, and grass seed), ranching (cattle and sheep), and timber. The ridges of Pyles Canyon are the site of the Elkhorn Valley Wind Farm, owned and operated by Horizon Wind Energy and whose power is sold to Idaho Power. Since October 2010, the county board of commissioners has supported a "strategic investment program" for another wind power project in Oregon, Horizon Wind Energy's proposed Antelope Ridge Wind Farm; after delays due to concerns about the project's impact on wildlife, the project has received support from Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Nearby mountains and streams offer hunting, fishing, skiing, and camping, all of which attract vacationers. Attractions include the Anthony Lakes (and its ski area), Minam River, Mount Emily, Blue Mountains, Umatilla National Forest, Wallowa–Whitman National Forest (including Eagle Cap Wilderness), Catherine Creek State Park, Hilgard Junction State Recreation Area, Thief Valley Reservoir, Cove Hot Springs Pool, the Hot Lake Hotel (first built in the 1860s due to nearby hot springs), and the Eagle Cap Excursion Train. ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/c4/Grande_Ronde_River_and_Grande_Ronde_Basalt_IMG_4536.jpg" caption="[[Basalt]] outcroppings along the [[Grande Ronde River]] (August 2011)."] ::

Education

School districts include:

Union County is not in the boundary of any community college district.

References

References

  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties.
  3. Bailey, Barbara Ruth. (1982). "Main Street: Northeastern Oregon". [[Oregon Historical Society]].
  4. (August 22, 2012). "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
  5. "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". United States Census Bureau.
  6. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau.
  7. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library.
  8. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau.
  9. (April 2, 2001). "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". United States Census Bureau.
  10. (2023). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)".
  11. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)".
  12. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)".
  13. "1980 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Oregon - Table 58 - Persons by Race and Table 59 - Total Persons and Spanish Origin Persons by Type of Spanish Origin and Race (p. 39/24-39/32)".
  14. "1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics - Oregon - Table 5 - Race and Hispanic Origin".
  15. "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Union County, Oregon".
  16. "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Union County, Oregon".
  17. "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Union County, Oregon".
  18. included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
  19. included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
  20. not an option in the 1980 Census
  21. not an option in the 1990 Census
  22. "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". [[United States Census Bureau]].
  23. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". [[United States Census Bureau]].
  24. "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". [[United States Census Bureau]].
  25. "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". [[United States Census Bureau]].
  26. "Content Manager WebDrawer - 2009 April Voter Registration".
  27. "Union County, Oregon".
  28. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
  29. "The Voter's Self Defense System".
  30. "Commissioners – Union County".
  31. "Elkhorn Valley Wind Farm". [[EDP Renováveis]].
  32. [http://www.union-county.org/website.nsf/SIP?OpenPage Proposed Antelope Ridge SIP]{{Dead link. (March 2020)
  33. link. (March 7, 2016 , an article by Charlie Gillis published April 15, 2011, by ''[[The Observer (La Grande)). The Observer]]''
  34. [http://www.dfw.state.or.us/news/2011/november/111411.asp ODFW and EDP Renewables North America agree to a solution for the coexistence of wildlife and the proposed Antelope Ridge Wind Farm], a November 14, 2011, announcement from the website of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife
  35. Geography Division. (December 18, 2020). "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Union County, OR". [[U.S. Census Bureau]].
  36. "Oregon Community Colleges and Community College Districts". [[Oregon Department of Community Colleges & Workforce Development]].

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union-county,-oregon1864-establishments-in-oregonpopulated-places-established-in-1864