countyscore
54.5
County Score
Disaster Risk 89.2Water Quality 86Safety 78.4

County Report Card

About Union County, Florida

Union County surpasses national average

Union County's composite score of 57.2 rises above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the top 40% of U.S. counties. This above-average performance reflects strong tax policy and affordability despite health care limitations.

Florida's top performer in this group

Union scores 57.2 against Florida's state average of 45.1, making it one of the strongest-performing counties in the state by composite metrics. The county stands out statewide for livability.

Tax burden and affordability excel

Union boasts an exceptional tax score of 76.6 with the lowest effective tax rate (0.580%) in this group, plus outstanding affordability with median rents of $846/month and home values of $160,400. Safety (78.4) and water quality (86.0) are also strong.

Health and schools significantly underperform

Health (22.9) and school (21.3) scores are among the weakest in this group, indicating substantial public health and educational challenges. Income levels are also modest at 54.1, limiting economic opportunity.

Ideal for retirees with alternative income

Union County appeals to retirees or remote workers valuing low taxes, exceptional affordability, and safe water quality. Families with school-age children or those relying on local job markets should prioritize counties with stronger educational and health infrastructure.

2040608010074.759.878.422.921.346.189.28619.8Tax74.7Cost59.8Safety78.4Health22.9Schools21.3Income46.1Risk89.2Water86Weather19.854.5/100
This county
National avg
5 above average3 below average

Union County DNA

Foverall

How Union County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Union County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Disaster Risk (89.2/100) but notably weak in Weather & Climate (19.8/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
74.7+22.700000000000003
Cost
59.8+11.799999999999997
Safety
78.4+23.400000000000006
Health
22.9-27.1
Schools
21.3-32.7
Income
46.1
Risk
89.2+42.2
Water
86+28
Weather
19.8-36.2
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Compare mortgage rates in Union County

Whether buying or refinancing in Union County, compare rates from top lenders to find the best deal.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$169,500

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$894/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$169,500/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$35,760/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.6x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $64,146/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

19.3

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Counties with similar scores

Marshall County
Alabama
Median income: $62,571
54.5
Howard County
Arkansas
Median income: $45,603
54.5
Walker County
Georgia
Median income: $59,469
54.5
Noble County
Indiana
Median income: $71,723
54.5
Franklin Parish
Louisiana
Median income: $47,020
54.5
Simpson County
Mississippi
Median income: $56,381
54.5
Cole County
Missouri
Median income: $74,876
54.5
Henry County
Tennessee
Median income: $50,613
54.5

Nearby counties

Bradford County
Florida
58.8
Columbia County
Florida
43.1
Alachua County
Florida
31.9
Baker County
Florida
44.5
Gilchrist County
Florida
60.1
Clay County
Florida
43.9
Suwannee County
Florida
55.8
Putnam County
Florida
37.9

Deep Dives

Union County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 8 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Union County

via TaxByCounty

Union County has the lowest tax rate in Florida

Union County's effective rate of 0.580% is the lowest among all eight profiled counties and well below the national median. The median annual tax of $931 reflects Union's combination of a rock-bottom tax rate and modest home valuations ($160,400), making it exceptionally affordable for property owners.

Union leads Florida with the state's lowest tax rate

At 0.580%, Union County's effective rate falls significantly below Florida's 0.731% statewide average, offering homeowners a substantial tax advantage. The median bill of $931 is 51% below the state median of $1,885, reflecting both the county's minimal tax rate and modest home values.

Union taxes less than any nearby county profiled

Union's 0.580% rate substantially undercuts Suwannee County's 0.727% and Taylor County's 0.723%, making Union the tax leader in its tier. Even accounting for similar home values, Union residents pay roughly $200–250 less annually than their Suwannee or Taylor neighbors.

A $160,400 home costs about $931 yearly

The median Union home, valued at $160,400, incurs an annual property tax of just $931. With mortgage taxes included, homeowners pay $1,368; without a mortgage, the bill drops to $652.

Union homeowners can still benefit from appeals

Property tax appeals are free in Florida, and even in low-tax counties like Union, some homeowners discover their assessments are too high. Challenging your valuation costs nothing and could provide additional relief.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Union County

via IncomeByCounty

Union trails national average

Union County's median household income of $64,922 runs 13% below the U.S. median of $74,755. The county faces earnings headwinds compared to national trends, though the gap is narrower than some rural Florida counties.

Below-average within Florida

Union County's median household income of $64,922 falls $546 short of Florida's state average of $65,468. The county sits in the lower-middle tier of Florida's 67 counties, reflecting limited high-wage employment options.

Mid-range earnings locally

Union's $64,922 median income underperforms Sumter County ($73,297) but edges ahead of Suwannee County ($55,479). The county faces stiff competition from better-performing neighbors to the south and east.

Housing costs are favorable

Union County's rent-to-income ratio of 15.6% ranks among Florida's best, keeping housing expenses well below the 30% threshold. A median home value of $160,400 is highly affordable for households earning $64,922.

Leverage low housing costs

Union households enjoying low housing burdens can redirect savings toward retirement accounts and investment vehicles. The favorable rent-to-income ratio creates opportunities to build long-term wealth despite modest median incomes.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Union County

via CrimeByCounty

Union County Outperforms National Safety Norms

Union County earns a high safety score of 99.2, signaling a very secure environment. The total crime rate of 515.3 per 100,000 is significantly lower than the national average of 2385.5.

Union Stays Ahead of State Averages

The county's safety score of 99.2 is higher than Florida’s average of 98.4. Its total crime rate of 515.3 is roughly half the state average of 1027.9, demonstrating strong local safety.

Safety Comparisons in North Florida

Union County has a higher crime rate than Taylor County (354.8) but remains much safer than the state average. Seven local agencies coordinate to maintain peace across the county’s smaller population.

Property Crime vs Violent Crime in Union

Property crime sits at 360.7 per 100,000, while violent crime is lower at 154.6. This distribution shows that residents are more likely to encounter theft than physical danger.

Ensuring Home Security in Union County

Basic security habits like locking doors and windows are highly effective in low-crime areas. Installing simple security cameras can further deter the property crimes that occasionally occur.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Soil Quality in Union County

via SoilByCounty

Fine sand and acidic Entisols

Union County is defined by Entisols, which are relatively young soils with an average pH of 4.42. This is significantly more acidic than the state average of 4.88 and the national 6.5 median. The dominant texture is classified as fine sand, providing a unique gritty feel.

Fine sand mix with high silt

The soil contains 77.5% sand, 4.6% silt, and 3.3% clay, giving it slightly more structure than coarser neighbors. This mix allows for decent drainage while the silt and clay provide a small amount of mineral stability. It is easy to work but requires acidity management for most crops.

Top-tier organic matter and water capacity

The county boasts a high organic matter content of 10.66%, well above the state average. This richness creates an available water capacity of 0.125 in/in, the highest in this group. These factors contribute to a soil score of 33.4, surpassing the state average.

Somewhat poorly drained with high capacity

Classified as somewhat poorly drained and belonging to Hydrologic Group A, this soil can stay damp after rains. The high water capacity of 0.125 means the soil stores moisture effectively for plant use. This makes it productive but potentially prone to wet feet in low-lying areas.

Nurturing a garden in zone 9a

Union County's zone 9a climate is perfect for growing blueberries and pecans which thrive in acidic, moisture-retentive soils. Your high organic matter content (10.66%) means your soil is naturally fertile. Start a garden today and enjoy some of the best water-holding soil in the region.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Union County

via LawnByCounty

Tending Lawns in Union County

Union County’s lawn difficulty score of 23.2 is slightly better than the Florida average, but still presents a challenge for most homeowners. Located in Zone 9a, the county experiences the heat of the Deep South with the added complexity of poorly drained soils. This score suggests that while difficult, success is attainable with the right soil prep.

Sultry Summers and Wet Soil

With 92 extreme heat days and 53.4 inches of rain, Union County sits right at the state average for climate stress. While specific growing degree day data is limited, the heat and rainfall levels suggest a very active growing season. Mowers should be kept sharp to handle the thick growth fueled by these tropical conditions.

Navigating Fine Sand and Drainage

Union County features 'somewhat poorly drained' fine sand, which is unusual for the region's 77.5% sand content. The soil pH is 4.42, indicating highly acidic conditions that can stunt grass growth if not treated with lime. This combination of poor drainage and acidity means you must be careful not to overwater and drown your roots.

A Total Severe Drought Status

Currently, 100.0% of Union County is experiencing severe drought conditions after 25 weeks of drought this past year. Despite the poorly drained soil type, prolonged lack of rain will eventually deplete the moisture in the sandy topsoil. During these times, it is vital to keep your mower deck high to shade the soil and reduce evaporation.

Growing Tips for Zone 9a

Centipede grass is a popular choice for Union County because it tolerates acidic soils better than many other varieties. While specific frost dates are unavailable, Zone 9a gardeners generally wait until late February or early March to begin planting. Focus on improving your soil's pH now to ensure a lush, green lawn later this year.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Union County's county score?
Union County, Florida has a composite county score of 54.5 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Union County rank among counties in Florida?
Union County ranks #11 among all counties in Florida on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Union County, Florida?
The median annual property tax in Union County is $980, with an effective tax rate of 0.58%. This earns Union County a tax score of 74.7/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Union County?
The median household income in Union County, Florida is $64,146 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Union County earns an income score of 46.1/100 on CountyScore.
Is Union County, Florida a good place to live?
Union County scores 54.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #11 in Florida. The best way to evaluate Union County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Union County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.