countyscore
57.2
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.

Score breakdown

Tax76.6Cost69.9Safety78.4Health22.9Schools21.3Income54.1Risk89.2Water86Weather19.8
🏛76.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠69.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼54.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡78.4
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤22.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓21.3
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡89.2
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧86
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤19.8
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨33.4
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱23.2
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Explore this county

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Counties with similar scores

Madison County
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Cass County
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Hardeman County
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Sitka City and Borough
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Boise County
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Scott County
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Gove County
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Median income: $63,203
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Nearby counties

Bradford County
Florida
60.2
Columbia County
Florida
44.2
Alachua County
Florida
32.1
Baker County
Florida
45.7
Gilchrist County
Florida
61.1
Clay County
Florida
44
Suwannee County
Florida
56.2
Putnam County
Florida
37.5

Deep Dives

Union County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 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

Cost of Living in Union County

via CostByCounty

Union County: America's affordability outlier

Union County's 15.6% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the lowest in the nation, with median rents of just $846 against a median household income of $64,922. Housing here remains remarkably accessible despite below-national-average incomes.

Florida's second-most affordable county

Union's 15.6% rent-to-income ratio trails only Suwannee's 18.4%, making it one of Florida's housing bargains. The median rent of $846 ranks second-lowest statewide, well below the state average of $1,233.

Beats Suwannee and Taylor on affordability

Union's 15.6% ratio edges out Suwannee (18.4%) and Taylor (23.4%), despite similar absolute rents of $846 versus $849 and $878. Union's relative income strength gives it the best affordability ratio among the state's rural counties.

Unbeatable rent-to-income alignment

Renters pay $846 monthly (15.6% of income) and homeowners just $569 (10.5% of income), the most balanced housing cost structure in our comparison. The median home value of $160,400 makes ownership dreams achievable for modest earners.

Union: Florida's hidden affordability gem

Households earning $60,000–$75,000 should seriously explore Union for its unmatched rent-to-income ratio and homeownership access. Those seeking small-town stability and economic viability should prioritize Union over even more remote Taylor County.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

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

Health in Union County

via HealthByCounty

Union County faces Florida's bleakest health outlook

At 67.9 years, Union County's life expectancy is nearly 8.5 years below the U.S. average of 76.4 years—the lowest in Florida. With 22.6% of residents reporting poor or fair health, the county confronts a health crisis requiring urgent intervention.

Worst health outcomes in all of Florida

Union County's 67.9-year life expectancy is 7.9 years below Florida's 75.8-year average—a catastrophic gap—and its 22.6% poor/fair health rate is the highest in the state. Though 10.6% are uninsured (better than state average), outcomes suggest deeper structural health barriers.

Dramatically worse than all comparable counties

Union County residents live 13.1 years fewer than St. Johns County (81.0 years) and 9.8 years fewer than Sumter County (78.4 years). Its 22.6% poor/fair health rate is 1.1 percentage points worse than even Taylor County's crisis-level rates.

Critical shortage of all healthcare providers

Union County has only 31 primary care doctors per 100,000 residents and 58 mental health providers per 100,000—among Florida's most severe shortages. Even the 10.6% with insurance struggle to find accessible care in this rural healthcare desert.

Health insurance is step one toward survival

Union County's uninsured residents cannot delay: call 211 or visit FloridaHealthFinder.gov immediately to enroll in Medicaid or ACA coverage. Every person deserves insurance protection, and for Union County's most vulnerable residents, coverage access to distant providers is literally a matter of life expectancy.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Union County

via SchoolsByCounty

Six Schools for a Small Student Body

Union County features one of the smallest public school footprints in the state with only 6 schools. This includes one elementary, one middle, and two high schools serving a total of 2,385 students. The entire system is managed by a single school district.

Consistent Performance and Efficient Spending

The graduation rate is 87.0%, which exactly matches the national average. Per-pupil spending stands at $5,741, which is below the state average of $6,118. While the school score of 49.2 is slightly below the state average, it remains close to the national median of 50.0.

A Small, Dedicated School District

The Union school district provides all educational services for the county's 2,385 students. There are no charter schools in the county, focusing all community efforts on the six public institutions. This concentrated environment allows the district to focus on its small student population.

Town-Centered Schools with Large Primary Enrollment

All six of Union's schools are located in town settings, providing a central hub for the community. Interestingly, Lake Butler Elementary is the largest school with 1,061 students, more than double the size of the high school. The average school enrollment is 795 students, reflecting a consolidated approach to schooling.

Stability and Community in Union Schools

Homebuyers in Union County can expect a stable, town-centered school system where the community is deeply involved. The consolidated nature of the schools makes it easy for families to stay connected across different grade levels. Consider homes near Lake Butler for the most convenient access to all district campuses.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Union County

via RiskByCounty

Union County is exceptionally safe

Union County's composite risk score of 10.88 places it in the "Very Low" category, making it one of America's safest counties for natural disaster risk. This remarkably low exposure reflects Union's inland, sparsely populated character and distance from major storm-prone zones.

Florida's lowest-risk county by far

Union's 10.88 score is a stark outlier compared to Florida's 75.74 state average, making it by far the state's safest county. Its flood risk of 11.07 is extraordinarily low, reflecting the county's inland topography and minimal precipitation hazard.

Dramatically safer than all peers

Union's 10.88 risk score is incomparably lower than any neighboring county, including Taylor (65.43), Suwannee (71.34), and Sumter (87.60). The county stands alone as a natural disaster safety outlier in northern Florida.

Wildfire and hurricane risks remain minimal

Even Union's highest risk category—wildfire at 73.86—remains well below most Florida counties' overall risk scores. Hurricane risk of 81.48 and tornado risk of 27.70 round out a hazard profile that is exceptionally benign by state and national standards.

Standard homeowners insurance suffices

Union County residents can rely on basic homeowners insurance without the enhanced coverage demands facing higher-risk Florida counties. A standard emergency kit and evacuation plan provide adequate preparedness for this exceptionally low-risk area.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

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 57.2 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 #5 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 $931, with an effective tax rate of 0.58%. This earns Union County a tax score of 76.6/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Union County?
The median household income in Union County, Florida is $64,922 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Union County earns an income score of 54.1/100 on CountyScore.
Is Union County, Florida a good place to live?
Union County scores 57.2/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #5 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.

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality🌤Weather & Climate🪨Soil Quality🌱Lawn Care🛒Farmers Markets

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