Union
South Carolina

What stands out

If you had to describe Union County in numbers, start here: the share working from home is in the bottom 4% of American counties (2%), life expectancy is in the bottom 4% of American counties (69.9 years), and the overdose death rate is in the top 7% of American counties (38 per 100,000). Within South Carolina it ranks 7th of 46 counties for the share working from home, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Union County, South Carolina. 27,158 people live here with you. The population shrank 0.4% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +135).

South Carolina has a two-bracket income tax with a top rate of 5.21% for 2026, does not tax Social Security, and exempts up to $10,000 of retirement income per person. Owner-occupied homes are assessed at 4% instead of 6%, which keeps property taxes among the lowest in the country. Charleston, Greenville and the coastal counties have drawn heavy in-migration; hurricane exposure runs the length of the coast.

Money

The typical household here brings in $42,305 a year, lower than 91% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $48,510. Unemployment runs 4.7%, higher than 85% of American counties. 2% of workers work from home.

South Carolina takes 2.9% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,238 a year.

Home

The median home costs $135K, cheaper than 90% of American counties, about 1.6 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $801 a month. Property tax is 0.63% of home value, roughly $597 a year on that median home, lower than 74% of American counties. 69% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.6 per 1,000 residents, higher than 87% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 38 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 69.9 years, shorter than 96% of American counties. There are 11 active physicians in the county, about 4.1 per 10,000 people. 12.4% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.57 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 90% of American counties. 82% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 33 points. 62% of eligible voters turned out. Under South Carolina law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is medical only.

Weather and risk

The year averages 62°F, highs near 73 and lows near 50, warmer than 73% of American counties. About 39 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 53 out of 100, riskier than 53% of American counties; the county has had 23 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 249 Mbps down, faster than 74% of American counties. For a night or a weekend out: 0.5 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.