Union County
County
Old Union County Courthouse in New Berlin
Old Union County Courthouse in New Berlin
Map of Pennsylvania highlighting Union County
Location within the U.S. state of Pennsylvania
Map of the United States highlighting Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 40°58′N 77°04′W / 40.96°N 77.06°W / 40.96; -77.06
Country United States
State Pennsylvania
FoundedMarch 22, 1813
SeatLewisburg
Largest boroughLewisburg
Area
 • Total318 sq mi (820 km2)
 • Land316 sq mi (820 km2)
 • Water1.8 sq mi (5 km2)  0.6%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total42,681 Decrease
 • Density142/sq mi (55/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district12th
Websitewww.unionco.org

Union County is a county in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. As of the 2020 census, the population was 42,681.[1] Its county seat is Lewisburg.[2] The county was created on March 22, 1813, from part of Northumberland County. Its name is an allusion to the federal Union. Mifflinburg was established by legislation as the first county seat until it was moved to New Berlin in 1815. Lewisburg became county seat in 1855 and has remained so since. Union County comprises the Lewisburg, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Bloomsburg-Berwick-Sunbury, PA Combined Statistical Area.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 318 square miles (820 km2), of which 316 square miles (820 km2) is land and 1.8 square miles (4.7 km2) (0.6%) is water.[3] It is the fourth-smallest county in Pennsylvania by area. Union has a humid continental climate (Dfa/Dfb) and average temperatures in Lewisburg range from 27.2 °F in January to 72.7 °F in July, while in Hartleton they range from 26.4 °F in January to 72.1 °F in July.[4]

Adjacent counties

State protected areas

Major highways

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
182018,619—
183020,79511.7%
184022,7879.6%
185026,08314.5%
186014,145−45.8%
187015,56510.0%
188016,9058.6%
189017,8205.4%
190017,592−1.3%
191016,249−7.6%
192015,850−2.5%
193017,46810.2%
194020,24715.9%
195023,15014.3%
196025,64610.8%
197028,60311.5%
198032,87014.9%
199036,17610.1%
200041,62415.1%
201044,9478.0%
202042,681−5.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
1790–1960[6] 1900–1990[7]
1990–2000[8] 2010–2017[9] 2010-2020[10]

As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 41,624 people, 13,178 households, and 9,211 families residing in the county. The population density was 131 people per square mile (51 people/km2). There were 14,684 housing units at an average density of 46 units per square mile (18/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 90.08% White, 6.91% Black or African American, 0.16% Native American, 1.06% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.37% from other races, and 1.37% from two or more races. 3.90% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 41.2% were of German, 13.9% American, 6.5% Irish, 5.9% English and 5.3% Italian ancestry. 90.4% spoke English, 3.7% Spanish, 2.0% Pennsylvania Dutch and 1.2% German as their first language.

There were 13,178 households, out of which 31.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.90% were married couples living together, 6.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.10% were non-families. 25.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 20.10% under the age of 18, 13.90% from 18 to 24, 30.90% from 25 to 44, 21.70% from 45 to 64, and 13.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 123.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 128.50 males.

2020 census

Union County Racial Composition[12]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 36,050 84.46%
Black or African American (NH) 2,459 5.76%
Native American (NH) 73 0.2%
Asian (NH) 814 2%
Pacific Islander (NH) 8 0.02%
Other/Mixed (NH) 1,268 3%
Hispanic or Latino 2,000 4.7%

Micropolitan Statistical Area

Map of the Bloomsburg–Berwick–Sunbury, PA Combined Statistical Area (CSA), composed of the following parts:
  Bloomsburg–Berwick, PA Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)
  Sunbury, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area (μSA)
  Lewisburg, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area (μSA)
  Selinsgrove, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area (μSA)

The United States Office of Management and Budget[13] has designated Union County as the Lewisburg, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area (µSA). As of the 2010 census[14] the micropolitan area ranked 12th most populous in the State of Pennsylvania and the 263rd most populous in the United States with a population of 44,947. Union County is also a part of the Bloomsburg–Berwick–Sunbury, PA Combined Statistical Area (CSA), which combines the populations of Union County, as well as Columbia, Montour, Northumberland and Snyder Counties in Pennsylvania. The Combined Statistical Area ranked 8th in the State of Pennsylvania and 115th most populous in the United States with a population of 264,739.

Government

County commissioners

State government

Federal level

Politics

United States presidential election results for Union County, Pennsylvania[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 12,356 61.19% 7,475 37.02% 361 1.79%
2016 10,622 60.02% 6,180 34.92% 894 5.05%
2012 9,896 60.57% 6,109 37.39% 332 2.03%
2008 9,859 56.42% 7,333 41.96% 283 1.62%
2004 10,334 64.09% 5,700 35.35% 89 0.55%
2000 8,523 64.69% 4,209 31.95% 443 3.36%
1996 6,570 56.04% 3,658 31.20% 1,496 12.76%
1992 6,362 51.87% 3,623 29.54% 2,280 18.59%
1988 7,912 71.05% 3,163 28.40% 61 0.55%
1984 7,792 73.66% 2,747 25.97% 40 0.38%
1980 6,798 66.28% 2,687 26.20% 771 7.52%
1976 6,309 63.71% 3,405 34.39% 188 1.90%
1972 6,905 73.57% 2,278 24.27% 202 2.15%
1968 6,422 69.69% 2,178 23.64% 615 6.67%
1964 4,944 53.65% 4,262 46.25% 10 0.11%
1960 7,466 78.82% 1,993 21.04% 13 0.14%
1956 6,620 78.08% 1,844 21.75% 14 0.17%
1952 6,558 80.16% 1,610 19.68% 13 0.16%
1948 5,058 76.79% 1,442 21.89% 87 1.32%
1944 5,585 76.19% 1,704 23.25% 41 0.56%
1940 5,612 71.43% 2,220 28.26% 25 0.32%
1936 5,589 64.97% 2,946 34.25% 67 0.78%
1932 3,534 61.63% 1,948 33.97% 252 4.39%
1928 5,708 87.45% 765 11.72% 54 0.83%
1924 3,707 71.59% 1,209 23.35% 262 5.06%
1920 3,305 71.38% 1,155 24.95% 170 3.67%
1916 1,902 58.06% 1,272 38.83% 102 3.11%
1912 470 13.56% 1,126 32.50% 1,869 53.94%
1908 2,547 66.89% 1,154 30.30% 107 2.81%
1904 2,548 69.26% 1,034 28.11% 97 2.64%
1900 2,810 65.82% 1,359 31.83% 100 2.34%
1896 2,585 65.63% 1,186 30.11% 168 4.27%
1892 2,308 58.02% 1,569 39.44% 101 2.54%
1888 2,448 59.85% 1,582 38.68% 60 1.47%

In presidential elections, Union County has voted for Democratic candidates less than almost any county in the nation.[citation needed] Andrew Jackson was the last Democratic Party candidate to win the county, in 1828. The county has been solidly Republican in Presidential elections since John C. Frémont's win against James Buchanan in 1856. The only exception was William Howard Taft's loss to Theodore Roosevelt of the Bull Moose (Progressive) Party – which had splintered from the Republican Party – in 1912.[16] The county has also voted for Republican Senators,[17] State Treasurers,[18] and State Auditors[19] for decades. Robert P. Casey is the only Democratic gubernatorial candidate to win the county in the last fifty years.[20] The county seat of Lewisburg is heavily Democratic, having given Joe Biden over 70% of its vote in 2020. However, the rest of the county is overwhelmingly Republican.[21]

Education

Map of Union County, Pennsylvania Public School Districts

Public school districts

Vocational school

Higher education

Private schools

Communities

Map of Union County, Pennsylvania with municipal labels showing boroughs (red), townships (white), and census-designated places (blue)

Under Pennsylvania law, there are four types of incorporated municipalities: cities, boroughs, townships, and, in most cases, towns. The following boroughs and townships are located in Union County:

Boroughs

Townships

Census-designated places

Census-designated places are geographical areas designated by the U.S. Census Bureau for the purposes of compiling demographic data. They are not actual jurisdictions under Pennsylvania law. Other unincorporated communities, such as villages, may be listed here as well.

Population ranking

The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Union County.[14]

† county seat

Rank City/Town/etc. Municipal type Population (2010 Census)
1 † Lewisburg Borough 5,792
2 Mifflinburg Borough 3,540
3 Linntown CDP 1,489
4 New Columbia CDP 1,013
T-5 West Milton CDP 900
T-5 Winfield CDP 900
6 New Berlin Borough 873
7 Allenwood CDP 321
8 Hartleton Borough 283
9 Vicksburg CDP 261
10 Laurelton CDP 221

See also

References

  1. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Union County, Pennsylvania". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 18, 2022.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  4. ^ "PRISM Climate Group at Oregon State University".
  5. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  6. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  7. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 24, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  8. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved March 11, 2015.
  9. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 10, 2016. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
  10. ^ "Census 2020".
  11. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  12. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Union County, Pennsylvania".
  13. ^ "Office of Management and Budget". whitehouse.gov. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  14. ^ a b Promotions, Center for New Media and. "US Census Bureau 2010 Census". www.census.gov. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  15. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  16. ^ "Presidential Elections". staffweb.wilkes.edu. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  17. ^ "David Leip's Atlas". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  18. ^ "David Leip's Atlas". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  19. ^ "David Leip's Atlas". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  20. ^ "David Leip's Atlas". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 23, 2018.
  21. ^ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".

External links

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40°58′N 77°04′W / 40.96°N 77.06°W / 40.96; -77.06

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Municipalities and communities of Union County, Pennsylvania, United States
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