Union, South Carolina Facts for Kids

Union is a city in South Carolina, United States. It is the main city of Union County. The city is also the county seat, which means it is where the local government offices are located. In 2020, about 8,174 people lived in Union.

Union is part of a larger area called the Union Micropolitan Statistical Area. This area includes all of Union County. It is also part of an even bigger region that includes the cities of Greenville, Spartanburg, and Anderson.

History of Union, South Carolina
Geography of Union
Population and People in Union
- Union's Population in 2020
Arts and Culture in Union
Education in Union
Notable People from Union
See also

History of Union, South Carolina

Both the city of Union and Union County got their names from an old church. This church was called Union Church. It used to stand near a place called the Monarch Mill.

When the city was first started, it was known as Unionville. Later, its name was made shorter to just Union. The first white settlers came to this area from Virginia in 1749. The number of people living in Union County grew quickly between 1762 and the start of the American Revolutionary War.

Early Settlers built simple log cabins. They grew crops like tobacco, flax, corn, and wheat. Union was one of the first towns to be settled in this region. The city was not damaged during the American Civil War. This was because the Broad River flooded. The flood stopped Sherman’s troops from reaching the town.

Geography of Union

The city of Union covers an area of about 8 square miles (20.67 square kilometers). All of this area is land. There is no water within the city limits.

Population and People in Union

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1850	554	—
1880	1,267	—
1890	1,609	27.0%
1900	5,400	235.6%
1910	5,623	4.1%
1920	6,141	9.2%
1930	7,419	20.8%
1940	8,478	14.3%
1950	9,730	14.8%
1960	10,191	4.7%
1970	10,775	5.7%
1980	10,523	−2.3%
1990	9,836	−6.5%
2000	8,793	−10.6%
2010	8,393	−4.5%
2020	8,174	−2.6%
U.S. Decennial Census 2013 Estimate

Union first appeared in the U.S. Census in 1850. It was listed as "Unionville" back then. At that time, 554 people lived there.

Union's Population in 2020

The most recent census was in 2020. It showed that 8,174 people lived in Union. These people lived in 3,452 households. There were also 2,063 families living in the city.

The table below shows the different groups of people living in Union in 2020:

Union Racial Composition
Race	Num.	Perc.
White (non-Hispanic)	3,660	44.78%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic)	4,023	49.22%
Native American	10	0.12%
Asian	34	0.42%
Other/Mixed	306	3.74%
Hispanic or Latino	141	1.72%

Arts and Culture in Union

Central Graded School

Many places in Union are important for their history and culture. These sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are recognized for their special historical value.

Some of these important places in Union County include:

Cedar Bluff
Central Graded School
Corinth Baptist Church
Culp House
Judge Thomas Dawkins House
East Main Street-Douglass Heights Historic District
Episcopal Church of the Nativity
Fair Forest Hotel
Herndon Terrace
Gov. Thomas B. Jeter House
Meng House
Merridun
South Street-South Church Street Historic District
Union Community Hospital
Union County Jail
Union Downtown Historic District
Union High School-Main Street Grammar School
Nathaniel Gist House

Education in Union

The public schools in Union are managed by Union County Schools.

For a while, Union County had three high schools. These were Union Comprehensive High, Jonesville High, and Lockhart High. Later, the county decided to combine them. Jonesville High School and Lockhart High School were closed. Their students then went to Union High School. This school was renamed Union County High School.

The city also has a college campus. It is the University of South Carolina Union (USC Union). This is a branch campus of the main University of South Carolina. USC Union started in 1965. It is officially recognized by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools.

Union also has a public library. It is called the Union County Carnegie Library. This Carnegie library offers many books and resources. It helps both the community and students from USC Union. In 2009, it was named the "Best Small Library in America" by Library Journal.

Notable People from Union

Many interesting people have come from Union, South Carolina. Here are a few of them:

Darrell Austin: A former NFL player for the New York Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
States Rights Gist: A Confederate brigadier general during the American Civil War.
Elizabeth B. Grimball: A theatrical producer, director, and writer.
Willie Jeffries: A famous College Football Hall of Fame coach. He coached for South Carolina State University, Wichita State University, and Howard University.
Bob Jeter: An NFL player for the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears.
Henry "Rufe" Johnson: A Piedmont blues guitarist, pianist, singer, and songwriter. He was born near Union and worked there.
Mona Lisa: An R&B singer.
Cotton Owens: A NASCAR race car driver.
Clifford Ray: A former professional basketball player. He played for the Golden State Warriors and Chicago Bulls.
Don Rhymer: A former film writer and producer.
Jim Youngblood: A former NFL linebacker for the Los Angeles Rams.
Shi Smith: An NFL Wide Receiver for the Carolina Panthers.
Lester Oliver Bankhead: An American architect. He was born in Union, South Carolina.

Union, South Carolina facts for kids

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