Editing Union County, Oregon

{{short description|County in Oregon, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Union County
 | state                = Oregon
 | seal                 = 
 | founded date         = October 14
 | founded year         = 1864
 | seat wl              = La Grande
 | largest city wl      = La Grande
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 2039
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 2037
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 1.9
 | area percentage      = 0.1%
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 26196
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2024
 | population_est       = 26058 {{decrease}}
 | density_sq_mi        = 13
 | district             = 2nd
 | named for            = [[Union, Oregon]]
 | web                  = unioncountyor.gov
 | time zone            = Pacific
 | ex image             = Union County Museum - Union Oregon.jpg
 | ex image cap         = Union County Museum
}}

'''Union County''' is one of the [[List of counties in Oregon|36 counties]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Oregon]], and one of the 8 counties of eastern Oregon. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 26,196.<ref name="QF">{{Cite web |title=State & County QuickFacts |url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/unioncountyoregon/PST045222 |access-date=May 20, 2023 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> The county comprises the La Grande [[micropolitan statistical area]] and the [[county seat]] is [[La Grande, Oregon|La Grande]].<ref name="GR6">{{Cite web |title=Find a County |url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref>

==History==
{{See also|History of Oregon|National Register of Historic Places listings in Union County, Oregon|Oregon pioneer history}}

According to ''[[Oregon Geographic Names]]'', the county is named for the town of [[Union, Oregon|Union]]. Union County was originally part of [[Baker County, Oregon|Baker County]] (which was originally a part of Wasco County, which was originally part of Clackamas County). The northern end of the [[Grande Ronde Valley]] was the first part to be settled.<ref name="main">{{Cite book |last=Bailey |first=Barbara Ruth |title=Main Street: Northeastern Oregon |publisher=[[Oregon Historical Society]] |year=1982 |isbn=0-87595-073-6 |pages=25–26}}</ref> During the 1860s, population growth in eastern Oregon prompted the State Legislature to split [[Umatilla County, Oregon|Umatilla]] and [[Baker County, Oregon|Baker]] Counties from Wasco County in 1862. Further settlement in the Grande Ronde Valley led to the division of Baker County to create Union County on October 14, 1864. The county doubled in population between 1880 and 1890.<ref name="main" />

The choice of a [[county seat]] resulted in competition, based on geography and on economic and population growth, between [[La Grande, Oregon|La Grande]] and the [[Union, Oregon|city of Union]]. The county seat alternated between Union and La Grande until it permanently came to rest at La Grande in 1905. Between 1875 and 1913, adjustments were made between Union County's borders and the borders of Baker, Umatilla, and [[Wallowa County, Oregon|Wallowa]] counties.

==Geography==
[[File:UnionCountyMap.png|thumb|left|Union County]]
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|2039|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|2037|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|1.9|sqmi}} (0.1%) is water.<ref name="GR1">{{Cite web |date=August 22, 2012 |title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files |url=http://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/counties_list_41.txt |access-date=February 28, 2015 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> The [[United States Forest Service|Forest Service]] owns 47% of the land in the county.{{Citation needed|date=February 2012}}

===Adjacent counties===
* [[Umatilla County, Oregon|Umatilla County]] (northwest)
* [[Wallowa County, Oregon|Wallowa County]] (northeast)
* [[Baker County, Oregon|Baker County]] (southeast)
* [[Grant County, Oregon|Grant County]] (southwest)

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1870= 2552
|1880= 6550
|1890= 12044
|1900= 16070
|1910= 16191
|1920= 16636
|1930= 17492
|1940= 17399
|1950= 17962
|1960= 18180
|1970= 19377
|1980= 23921
|1990= 23598
|2000= 24530
|2010= 25748
|2020= 26196
|estyear=2024
|estimate=26058
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2024">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html|title=County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=May 15, 2025}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{Cite web |title=U.S. Decennial Census |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |access-date=February 28, 2015 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref><br />1790–1960<ref>{{Cite web |title=Historical Census Browser |url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu |access-date=February 28, 2015 |publisher=University of Virginia Library}}</ref> 1900–1990<ref>{{Cite web |date=March 27, 1995 |editor-last=Forstall |editor-first=Richard L. |title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/or190090.txt |access-date=February 28, 2015 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref><br />1990–2000<ref>{{Cite web |date=April 2, 2001 |title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150226035610/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=February 26, 2015 |access-date=February 28, 2015 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> 2010–2020<ref name="QF" />
}}

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], there were 25,748 people, 10,501 households, and 6,804 families living in the county.<ref name="census-dp1">{{Cite web |title=DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US41061 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213020859/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US41061 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=February 23, 2016 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> The population density was {{convert|12.6|PD/sqmi}}. There were 11,489 housing units at an average density of {{convert|5.6|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}.<ref name="census-density">{{Cite web |title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US41061 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213193141/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US41061 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=February 23, 2016 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> The racial makeup of the county was 93.1% white, 1.1% American Indian, 0.9% Pacific islander, 0.8% Asian, 0.5% black or African American, 1.3% from other races, and 2.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.9% of the population.<ref name="census-dp1" /> In terms of ancestry, 25.2% were [[Germans|German]], 17.8% were [[Irish people|Irish]], 17.3% were [[English people|English]], and 6.9% were [[Americans|American]].<ref name="census-dp2">{{Cite web |title=DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US41061 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213022326/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US41061 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=February 23, 2016 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>

Of the 10,501 households, 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.3% were married couples living together, 9.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 35.2% were non-families, and 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.89. The median age was 40.0 years.<ref name="census-dp1" />

The median income for a household in the county was $42,162 and the median income for a family was $52,558. Males had a median income of $40,720 versus $30,373 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,947. About 10.5% of families and 16.1% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 22.6% of those under age 18 and 10.2% of those age 65 or over.<ref name="census-dp3">{{Cite web |title=DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US41061 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213015844/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US41061 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=February 23, 2016 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>

===2000 census===
As of the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]], there were 24,530 people, 9,740 households, and 6,516 families living in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|12|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people|}}. There were 10,603 housing units at an average density of {{convert|5|/mi2|/km2|adj=pre|units&nbsp;}}. The racial makeup of the county was 94.29% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 0.85% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.85% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.62% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.51% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]]/[[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 1.22% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.67% from two or more races.  [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]]s and [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]]s of any race constituted 2.45% of the population. 20.2% were of [[German people|German]], 15.5% [[United States|American]], 12.2% [[English people|English]] and 10.5% [[Irish people|Irish]] ancestry.

There were 9,740 households, out of which 30.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.10% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 8.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.10% were non-families. 26.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.60% under the age of 18, 12.10% from 18 to 24, 23.50% from 25 to 44, 25.00% from 45 to 64, and 14.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 95.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,738, and the median income for a family was $40,520. Males had a median income of $33,028 versus $21,740 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $16,907. About 8.50% of families and 13.80% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 13.60% of those under age 18 and 9.50% of those age 65 or over.

==Communities==

===Cities===
{{div col}}
*[[Cove, Oregon|Cove]]
*[[Elgin, Oregon|Elgin]]
*[[Imbler, Oregon|Imbler]]
*[[Island City, Oregon|Island City]]
*[[La Grande, Oregon|La Grande]] (county seat)
*[[North Powder, Oregon|North Powder]]
*[[Summerville, Oregon|Summerville]]
*[[Union, Oregon|Union]]
{{div col end}}

===Unincorporated communities===
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
*[[Alicel, Oregon|Alicel]]
*[[Camp Elkanah, Union County, Oregon |Camp Elkanah]]
*[[Hilgard, Oregon|Hilgard]]
*[[Hot Lake, Oregon|Hot Lake]]
*[[Kamela, Oregon|Kamela]]
*[[Medical Springs, Oregon|Medical Springs]]
*[[Perry, Oregon|Perry]]
*[[Starkey, Oregon|Starkey]]
*[[Telocaset, Oregon|Telocaset]]
{{div col end}}

===Ghost towns/Former communities===
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
*[[Nibley, Oregon|Nibley]]
*[[Orodell, Oregon|Orodell]]
*[[Pondosa, Oregon|Pondosa]]
{{div col end}}

==Government and politics==
[[File:Political orientations in Union County, Oregon (March 2009).gif|frame|Registered voters of 2009.<ref name="sos2009" />]]

Like the rest of eastern Oregon, the majority of registered voters who are part of a [[political party]] in Union County belong to the [[Oregon Republican Party|Republican Party]].<ref name="sos2009">{{Cite web |title=Content Manager WebDrawer - 2009 April Voter Registration |url=http://records.sos.state.or.us/ORSOSWebDrawer/Recordpdf/6812395 |access-date=April 20, 2009 |website=records.sos.state.or.us}}</ref> In the [[2008 United States presidential election|2016 presidential election]], 65 percent of Union County voters voted for Republican [[Donald Trump]], while 25 percent voted for [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] [[Hillary Clinton]] and 10 percent of voters either voted for a [[Third party (politics)|Third Party]] candidate or [[write-in candidate|wrote in]] a candidate.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Union County, Oregon |url=http://www.union-county.org/ |access-date=April 7, 2023 |website=www.union-county.org}}</ref> These numbers show a large shift away from the Democratic party towards third-party candidates when compared to the [[2012 United States presidential election|2012 presidential election]], when 63.2% of Union Country voters voted for [[Mitt Romney]], 32.9% voted for [[Barack Obama]], and 3.8% of voters either voted for a [[third party (politics)|third party]] candidate or [[write-in candidate|wrote in a candidate]]. In 2020, however, the third party turnout dropped to 2.62% and [[Joe Biden]] won 28.47% of the vote, but the Republican lean remained with Trump winning over 68% of the vote.
{{PresHead|place=Union County, Oregon|whig=no|source1=<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leip |first=David |title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections |url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS |access-date=April 11, 2018 |website=uselectionatlas.org}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP/Whig vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|9,942|4,107|525|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|10,298|4,254|392|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|8,431|3,249|1,288|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|7,636|3,973|461|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|7,581|4,613|400|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|8,879|4,428|212|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|7,836|3,577|663|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|5,414|4,379|1,552|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|4,223|3,990|3,375|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|5,061|4,682|347|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|6,645|4,134|50|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|6,514|3,677|1,081|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|5,111|4,280|438|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|5,073|3,272|640|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|3,796|3,409|542|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|2,553|4,929|7|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|1960|Democratic|3,689|4,081|0|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|1956|Democratic|3,749|4,389|0|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|4,114|3,526|23|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|2,668|3,808|222|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|2,413|3,951|60|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|2,642|4,500|54|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|1,517|4,643|552|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|1,705|4,450|195|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|3,219|2,154|71|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|2,428|1,816|1,419|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|2,844|1,899|277|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|2,253|3,086|326|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|671|1,090|1,373|Oregon}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|1,510|1,191|279|Oregon}}
{{PresFoot|1904|Republican|1,884|775|337|Oregon}}

===Oregon Legislative Assembly===
Union County is located in [[Oregon House of Representatives|Oregon State House District 58]] which is currently represented by [[Bobby Levy]]. It is also located in [[Oregon State Senate|Oregon State Senate District 29]], represented by [[Bill Hansell]]. Both Levy and Hansell are registered [[Oregon Republican Party|Republicans]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Voter's Self Defense System |url=http://www.votesmart.org/search.php?search=97850&submit_lastname-zip.x=0&submit_lastname-zip.y=12 |access-date=October 22, 2009 |website=www.votesmart.org}}</ref>

===Board of Commissioners===
Union County is represented and governed by three [[County commission|commissioner]]s. The Union County Board of Commissioners is currently made up of Paul Anderes, Matt Scarfo, and Donna Beverage.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Commissioners – Union County |url=http://union-county.org/commissioners/ |access-date=January 10, 2019 |website=union-county.org}}</ref>

==Economy==
The initial economic interest in Union County was mining, but most of the mines in the area were annexed by Baker County in 1901.{{Citation needed|date=February 2012}} The local [[Natural resource economics|economy continues to be based on natural resources]], including [[farming]] (wheat, fruit, vegetables, mint, and grass seed), [[ranching]] (cattle and sheep), and [[timber]]. The ridges of Pyles Canyon are the site of the Elkhorn Valley Wind Farm, owned and operated by [[Horizon Wind Energy]] and whose power is sold to [[Idaho Power]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Elkhorn Valley Wind Farm |url=http://www.horizonwind.com/projects/whatwevedone/elkhorn.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120101164318/http://www.horizonwind.com/projects/whatwevedone/elkhorn.aspx |archive-date=January 1, 2012 |access-date=February 2, 2012 |publisher=[[EDP Renováveis]] |quote=Elkhorn Valley Wind Farm spreads across the ridges of Pyles Canyon in Union County, Oregon... Commercial operation began in December 2007, and Idaho Power buys the wind farm's green energy.}}</ref>  Since October 2010, the county board of commissioners has supported a "strategic investment program" for another [[List of power stations in Oregon|wind power project in Oregon]], Horizon Wind Energy's proposed Antelope Ridge Wind Farm;<ref>[http://www.union-county.org/website.nsf/SIP?OpenPage Proposed Antelope Ridge SIP]{{Dead link|date=March 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} from the county's official website as of February 2, 2012</ref> after delays due to concerns about the project's impact on wildlife,<ref>[http://www.lagrandeobserver.com/index2.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=70214&pop=1&Itemid=68 An impact on wildlife] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160307200423/http://www.lagrandeobserver.com/index2.php?id=70214&itemid=68&option=com_content&pop=1&task=view |date=March 7, 2016 }}, an article by Charlie Gillis published April 15, 2011, by ''[[The Observer (La Grande)|The Observer]]''</ref>  the project has received support from [[Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife]].<ref>[http://www.dfw.state.or.us/news/2011/november/111411.asp ODFW and EDP Renewables North America agree to a solution for the coexistence of wildlife and the proposed Antelope Ridge Wind Farm], a November 14, 2011, announcement from the website of the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife</ref>

Nearby mountains and streams offer hunting, fishing, skiing, and camping, all of which attract vacationers. Attractions include the [[Anthony Lakes (Oregon)|Anthony Lakes]] (and [[Anthony Lakes (ski area)|its ski area]]), [[Minam River]], [[Mount Emily (Union County, Oregon)|Mount Emily]], [[Blue Mountains (Oregon)|Blue Mountains]], [[Umatilla National Forest]], [[Wallowa–Whitman National Forest]] (including [[Eagle Cap Wilderness]]), [[Catherine Creek State Park]], [[Hilgard Junction State Recreation Area]], [[Thief Valley Reservoir]], [[Cove Hot Springs Pool]], the [[Hot Lake Hotel]] (first built in the 1860s due to nearby [[hot springs]]), and the [[Eagle Cap Excursion Train]].
[[File:Grande Ronde River and Grande Ronde Basalt IMG 4536.jpg|right|thumb|[[Basalt]] outcroppings along the [[Grande Ronde River]] (August 2011).]]

==Education==
School districts include:<ref>{{cite map|author=Geography Division|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st41_or/schooldistrict_maps/c41061_union/DC20SD_C41061.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Union County, OR|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|date=December 18, 2020|access-date=2025-04-03}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st41_or/schooldistrict_maps/c41061_union/DC20SD_C41061_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref>
* [[Athena-Weston School District 29J]]
* [[Baker School District 5J]]
* [[Cove School District 15]]
* [[Elgin School District 23]]
* [[Imbler School District 11]]
* [[La Grande School District 1]]
* [[North Powder School District 8J]]
* [[Union School District 5]]

Union County is not in the boundary of any community college district.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.clatsopcc.edu/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/02-2-OR-CC-color-map.pdf|title=Oregon Community Colleges and Community College Districts|publisher=[[Oregon Department of Community Colleges & Workforce Development]]|accessdate=2025-04-03}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist|35em}}

==Further reading==

* Bernal D. Hug (ed.), [https://archive.org/details/historyofunionco00hugb ''History of Union Country, Oregon.''] La Grande, OR: Union County Historical Society, 1961.

==External links==
*[http://www.union-county.org/ Official website]
*[http://www.usgwtombstones.org/oregon/union.htm Union County graveyards] from Oregon Tombstone Transcription Project

{{Coord|45|19|38|N|118|5|36|W|type:adm2nd_region:US-OR_scale:500000|display=title}}

{{Union County, Oregon}}
{{Oregon}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Union County, Oregon| ]]
[[Category:1864 establishments in Oregon]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1864]]