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Union, Illinois
Downtown Union
Downtown Union
Location in McHenry County, Illinois
Location in McHenry County, Illinois
Union, Illinois is located in the United States
Union, Illinois
Union, Illinois
Location in the United States
Country United States
State Illinois
County McHenry
Township Coral
Area
 • Total 0.84 sq mi (2.17 km2)
 • Land 0.84 sq mi (2.17 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
842 ft (257 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 551
 • Density 659.09/sq mi (254.36/km2)
Time zone UTC-6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code
60180
Area code(s) 815
FIPS code 17-76706

Union is a small village located in McHenry County, Illinois, United States. In 2020, about 551 people lived there. It's a quiet place with a rich history and interesting attractions.

Discovering Union's Past

The village of Union has had a post office since 1852. It was named "Union" to honor the federal union of the United States. This name shows the strong connection to the country's unity.

Where is Union Located?

Union is in the southwestern part of McHenry County. It is about 3.5 miles southeast of Marengo. It is also 13 miles west of Crystal Lake. The village is 22 miles northwest of Elgin.

Union covers an area of about 0.84 square miles (2.17 square kilometers). All of this area is land. Water from the village flows north into the South Branch of the Kishwaukee River. This river is part of the larger Rock River system.

People of Union: A Look at the Population

The population of Union has changed over the years. In 1880, only 156 people lived there. The number grew to 580 by 2010, but then slightly decreased to 551 in 2020.

Who Lives in Union?

The people living in Union come from different backgrounds. Most residents are White. In 2020, about 87.30% of the population was White (not Hispanic or Latino). There are also small groups of Asian residents and people of mixed races. About 8.71% of the population is Hispanic or Latino.

Fun Places to Visit in Union

Union has some unique and interesting spots.

  • First Automatic Electrical Substation: Union was home to the world's first fully automatic electrical substation. This important site is now where the village's water tower stands. It is just east of Main Street.
  • Illinois Railway Museum: This museum is a big attraction. It has a large collection of historic trains and railway equipment. You can learn a lot about how trains work and their history.
  • McHenry County Historical Society: This society helps preserve the history of McHenry County. It's a great place to learn about the local area's past.

Famous People from Union

One notable person born in Union is Red Kelly. He was a professional baseball player. He played as a right fielder for the Chicago White Sox.

Local News and Media

The local newspaper for Union is The Marengo-Union Times. This newspaper is delivered to homes and businesses in the Marengo and Union areas. For cable television, Union uses Charter Communications. This is different from most of the Chicago Metropolitan Area, which uses Comcast.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Union (Illinois) para niños

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