Union County, Mississippi

Major highways

• Interstate 22
• U.S. Route 78
• Mississippi Highway 9
• Mississippi Highway 15
• Mississippi Highway 30
• Mississippi Highway 178
• Mississippi Highway 348
• Mississippi Highway 349
• Mississippi Highway 355

Adjacent counties

• Benton County (north)
• Tippah County (north)
• Prentiss County (east)
• Lee County (southeast)
• Pontotoc County (south)
• Lafayette County (southwest)
• Marshall County (northwest)

National protected area

• Holly Springs National Forest (part)

Racial and ethnic composition

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 27,777. The median age was 40.2 years. 24.0% of residents were under the age of 18 and 18.2% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 94.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 93.1 males age 18 and over.^[22][23]

The racial makeup of the county was 78.3% White, 14.3% Black or African American, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 3.2% from some other race, and 3.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 4.7% of the population.^[23]

24.3% of residents lived in urban areas, while 75.7% lived in rural areas.^[24]

There were 10,809 households in the county, of which 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 50.8% were married-couple households, 17.7% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 26.7% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 26.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.^[22]

There were 12,119 housing units, of which 10.8% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 73.5% were owner-occupied and 26.5% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.0% and the rental vacancy rate was 13.9%.^[22]

2000 census

As of the census^[25] of 2000, there were 25,362 people, 9,786 households, and 7,241 families residing in the county. The population density was 61 people per square mile (24 people/km²). There were 10,693 housing units at an average density of 26 units per square mile (10 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 83.42% White, 14.95% Black or African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.67% from other races, and 0.62% from two or more races. 1.63% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

As of the census^[25] of 2000, there were 9,786 households, out of which 34.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.90% were married couples living together, 11.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.00% were non-families. 23.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.90% under the age of 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 28.50% from 25 to 44, 22.20% from 45 to 64, and 14.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 93.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,682, and the median income for a family was $39,777. Males had a median income of $29,087 versus $21,418 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,700. About 9.60% of families and 12.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.10% of those under age 18 and 20.80% of those age 65 or over.

City

• New Albany (county seat and largest municipality)

Towns

• Myrtle
• Sherman (partly in Pontotoc County and Lee County)

Village

• Blue Springs

Unincorporated communities

• Alpine
• Enterprise
• Etta
• Ingomar
• Jugfork
• Keownville
• New Harmony
• Wallerville