Union County, Pennsylvania facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Union County
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![]() Old Union County Courthouse in New Berlin
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![]() Location within the U.S. state of Pennsylvania
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![]() Pennsylvania's location within the U.S. |
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Country | ![]() |
State | ![]() |
Founded | March 22, 1813 |
Seat | Lewisburg |
Largest borough | Lewisburg |
Area | |
• Total | 318 sq mi (820 km2) |
• Land | 316 sq mi (820 km2) |
• Water | 1.8 sq mi (5 km2) 0.6%% |
Population | |
• Estimate
(2018)
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44,785 |
• Density | 142/sq mi (55/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
Congressional district | 12th |
Union County is a county located in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. As of the 2010 census, the population was 44,947. Its county seat is Lewisburg. The county was created on March 22, 1813, from part of Northumberland County. Its name is an allusion to the federal Union. Mifflinburg was established by legislation as the first county seat until it was moved to New Berlin in 1815. Lewisburg became county seat in 1855 until present.
Union County comprises the Lewisburg, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Bloomsburg-Berwick-Sunbury, PA Combined Statistical Area.
Contents
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 318 square miles (820 km2), of which 316 square miles (820 km2) is land and 1.8 square miles (4.7 km2) (0.6%) is water. It is the fourth-smallest county in Pennsylvania by area.
Adjacent counties
- Lycoming County (north)
- Northumberland County (east)
- Snyder County (south)
- Mifflin County (southwest)
- Centre County (west)
- Clinton County (northwest)
State protected areas
- R. B. Winter State Park
- Sand Bridge State Park
- Shikellamy State Park's overlook is in Union County. The marina is across the Susquehanna River in Northumberland County.
Demographics
Historical population | |||
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Census | Pop. | %± | |
1820 | 18,619 | — | |
1830 | 20,795 | 11.7% | |
1840 | 22,787 | 9.6% | |
1850 | 26,083 | 14.5% | |
1860 | 14,145 | −45.8% | |
1870 | 15,565 | 10.0% | |
1880 | 16,905 | 8.6% | |
1890 | 17,820 | 5.4% | |
1900 | 17,592 | −1.3% | |
1910 | 16,249 | −7.6% | |
1920 | 15,850 | −2.5% | |
1930 | 17,468 | 10.2% | |
1940 | 20,247 | 15.9% | |
1950 | 23,150 | 14.3% | |
1960 | 25,646 | 10.8% | |
1970 | 28,603 | 11.5% | |
1980 | 32,870 | 14.9% | |
1990 | 36,176 | 10.1% | |
2000 | 41,624 | 15.1% | |
2010 | 44,947 | 8.0% | |
2020 | 42,681 | −5.0% | |
U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2017 2010-2020 |
As of the census of 2000, there were 41,624 people, 13,178 households, and 9,211 families residing in the county. The population density was 131 people per square mile (51/km2). There were 14,684 housing units at an average density of 46 per square mile (18/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 90.08% White, 6.91% Black or African American, 0.16% Native American, 1.06% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.37% from other races, and 1.37% from two or more races. 3.90% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 41.2% were of German, 13.9% American, 6.5% Irish, 5.9% English and 5.3% Italian ancestry. 90.4% spoke English, 3.7% Spanish, 2.0% Pennsylvania Dutch and 1.2% German as their first language.
There were 13,178 households, out of which 31.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.90% were married couples living together, 6.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.10% were non-families. 25.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 20.10% under the age of 18, 13.90% from 18 to 24, 30.90% from 25 to 44, 21.70% from 45 to 64, and 13.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 123.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 128.50 males.
Micropolitan Statistical Area

The United States Office of Management and Budget has designated Union County as the Lewisburg, PA Micropolitan Statistical Area (µSA). As of the 2010 U.S. Census the micropolitan area ranked 12th most populous in the State of Pennsylvania and the 263rd most populous in the United States with a population of 44,947. Union County is also a part of the Bloomsburg-Berwick-Sunbury, PA Combined Statistical Area (CSA), which combines the populations of Union County, as well as Columbia, Montour, Northumberland and Snyder Counties in Pennsylvania. The Combined Statistical Area ranked 8th in the State of Pennsylvania and 115th most populous in the United States with a population of 264,739.
Communities
Under Pennsylvania law, there are four types of incorporated municipalities: cities, boroughs, townships, and, in at most two cases, towns. The following boroughs and townships are located in Union County:
Boroughs
- Hartleton
- Lewisburg (county seat)
- Mifflinburg
- New Berlin
Townships
- Buffalo
- East Buffalo
- Gregg
- Hartley
- Kelly
- Lewis
- Limestone
- Union
- West Buffalo
- White Deer
Census-designated places
Census-designated places are geographical areas designated by the U.S. Census Bureau for the purposes of compiling demographic data. They are not actual jurisdictions under Pennsylvania law. Other unincorporated communities, such as villages, may be listed here as well.
Population ranking
The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2010 census of Union County.
† county seat
Rank | City/Town/etc. | Municipal type | Population (2010 Census) |
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1 | † Lewisburg | Borough | 5,792 |
2 | Mifflinburg | Borough | 3,540 |
3 | Linntown | CDP | 1,489 |
4 | New Columbia | CDP | 1,013 |
T-5 | West Milton | CDP | 900 |
T-5 | Winfield | CDP | 900 |
6 | New Berlin | Borough | 873 |
7 | Allenwood | CDP | 321 |
8 | Hartleton | Borough | 283 |
9 | Vicksburg | CDP | 261 |
10 | Laurelton | CDP | 221 |
Recycling
A basic program for recycling is available throughout the county including once-monthly curbside pick up and drop off facilities that are open for a couple hours a week. Aluminum, glass, newspaper, #1 and #2 plastics, and magazines are all accepted at most sites. Strict separation and cleaning of materials are required. Household hazardous waste, including fluorescent bulbs, are not recyclable in the county.
Education
Public school districts
- Lewisburg Area School District
- Lewisburg Area High School
- Mifflinburg Area School District
- Mifflinburg Area High School
- Milton Area School District (also in Northumberland County)
- Milton Area High School
- Warrior Run School District (also in Montour and Northumberland Counties)
- Warrior Run High School
Vocational school
- SUN Area Technical Institute - New Berlin
Higher education
- Bucknell University - Lewisburg
Private schools
- Beaver Run School - Lewisburg
- Bridgeville Parochial School - Mifflinburg
- Buffalo Creek Parochial School - Mifflinburg
- Calvary Holiness Academy - Millmont
- Camp Mount Luther - Mifflinburg
- County Line Amish School - Winfield
- East End Parochial School - Lewisburg
- Green Grove School - Mifflinburg
- Hartleton Mennonite School - Millmont
- Kumon Math and Learning of Lewisburg
- Limestone Valley Parochial School - Mifflinburg
- Morningstar Mennonite School - Mifflinburg
- Mountain Laurel School
- Mountain View Parochial School
- Norbrld Area Head Start Central Susquehanna Intermediate Unit 16
- Ridge View Parochial School
- Shady Grove Christian School
- Snyder Union Mifflin Child Development - Mifflinburg
- Sunnyside School - Millmont
- Union Co ARC Child Development Center - Lewisburg
- Union Co CC and Learning Center - Lewisburg
- White Springs School - Mifflinburg