Union County, Florida
Union County is a county located in the north central portion of the U.S. state of Florida, the smallest in the state by area. As of the 2020 [United States census|2020 census], the population was 16,147. The county seat is Lake Butler.
History
Union County was created on October 1, 1921, from part of Bradford County. It was named to honor the concept of unity. Union County is the location of Union Correctional Institution and the Reception and Medical Center. Union CI is a maximum security prison and is home to part of Florida's Death Row. The death chamber is located at nearby Florida State Prison in Bradford County. Florida State Prison also houses some death-row inmates.Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of, of which is land and is water. It is the smallest county by area in Florida.Adjacent counties
- Baker County
- Alachua County
- Bradford County
- Columbia County
Demographics
Racial and ethnic composition
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 16,147 and a median age of 41.4 years. 18.9% of residents were under the age of 18 and 15.5% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 175.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 199.3 males.There were 4,271 households in the county, of which 37.2% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 47.8% were married-couple households, 17.8% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 27.3% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 23.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. Of those households, 2,873 were families.
There were 4,713 housing units, of which 9.4% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 70.4% were owner-occupied and 29.6% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.2%.
The racial makeup of the county was 73.7% White, 20.0% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.9% from some other race, and 3.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 4.7% of the population.
<0.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.
2000 census
At the 2000 census, there were 13,442 people, 3,367 households and 2,606 families residing in the county. The population density was 56 per square mile. There were 3,736 housing units at an average density of 16 per square mile. The Race and ethnicity in [the United States Census|racial makeup] of the county was 73.62% White, 22.84% Black or African American, 0.66% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.04% from other races, and 1.50% from two or more races. 3.55% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.Of the 3,367 households, 41.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.70% were married couples living together, 15.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.60% were non-families. 19.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.13.
The age distribution was 21.80% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 39.80% from 25 to 44, 22.20% from 45 to 64, and 7.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 183.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 215.20 males. This extremely skewed gender distribution is the result of the county's male prison population.
The median household income was $34,563, and the median family income was $37,516. Males had a median income of $28,571 versus $22,083 for females. The county's per capita income was $12,333. About 10.50% of families and 14.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.60% of those under age 18 and 16.20% of those age 65 or over.
Mortality
The county suffers a death rate of about 1600 per 100,000 residents, the highest in the nation.Government and infrastructure
The Florida Department of Corrections operates Region II Correctional Facility Office in an unincorporated area in Union County. FDOC also maintains the Union Correctional Institution in an unincorporated area in the county. Union Correctional Institution houses one of two death rows for men in Florida. About a third of the county's population is imprisoned, compared to a statewide figure of one-half percent.The Union Juvenile Residential Facility of the Florida Department of Juvenile Justice is in an unincorporated area in Union County.
Education
serves the county.Libraries
In 1986, local county volunteers ran a make shift library in the local Community Center which consisted of donated books and other items. Soon the County was able to fund their own public library from tax money. An old bank building was renovated and used for the new public library. In 1990, the library was open to the public. In 1996, the Union County Public Library became a part of the New River Public Library Cooperative to enhance and support library services for patrons throughout the county.The Union County Public Library serves the county. The branch is at 250 SE 5th Avenue, Lake Butler, Florida 32054. Its director is Mary C. Brown. The branch is open Monday, Wednesday–Friday 9 am–6 pm, Tuesday 9 am–8 pm, and Saturday 9 am–3 pm.
Transportation
Major roads
Railroads
Communities
Government links/Constitutional offices
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Special districts
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Judicial branch
- serving Alachua, Baker, Bradford, Gilchrist, Levy and Union Counties
Category:1921 establishments in Florida
Category:Populated places established in 1921
Category:Florida counties
Category:North Florida