County profile · South Dakota
Union County, SD market data
How Union County compares with other counties for 56 business types: competitors, household spending, official counts and growth.
- Population, 2025
- 17,402
- +3.3% since 2020
- Households
- 7,310
- Median household income
- $89,636
- +27.4% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Median home value
- $301,100
- Jobs located here
- 9,648
- Highest market score
- 90
- Fast food and sandwich shops, #15 of 2,222 scored counties
A site report maps the competitors on map listings around any address in Union County by name and distance, and the households and spending within reach. Or open the report at the center of Union County. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardSurvey estimates 2020–2024 · population estimates 2025 · official business counts 2023 · map listings September 2026 · Data credits · How we measure
What this means
Union County has an estimated 17,402 people and 7,310 households. Population estimates show Union County grew 3.3% from 2020 to 2025, in step with the U.S. (+3.1%). Median household income in Union County is $89,636, 11% above the U.S. median of $80,734. Against the 2015–2019 survey, the median rose 27.4%, before inflation.
Relative to the U.S., household spending in Union County runs highest on vehicle maintenance and repairs (an index of 138, where 100 is the U.S. average) and lowest on child care and other personal services (85).
Of the business types scored in Union County, fast food and sandwich shops (90); clothing, shoe and laundry businesses (87); and hair salons (86) have the highest Groundwork market scores. For fast food and sandwich shops, that ranks #15 of 2,222 scored counties.
Union County is part of the Sioux City metro area. Against the U.S., map listings per household run highest for chiropractors (3 times the U.S. rate) and lowest for salons, barbers and spas (48% below the U.S. rate).
All 56 business types in Union County
Highest Groundwork market score first. Each score compares Union County with other counties for that business type, from 0 to 100. Spending per listing divides a whole spending line (all vehicle repairs, all eating out) by one type’s listings: the demand for each competitor, not a business’s revenue. Compare it across markets with its index, where 100 is the U.S. figure for the same type; the real estate types, whose line is all housing costs, show the index only. How the score works.
| Business type | Score | Rank among counties | Listings | Per 10k households | Spending per listing | Spending per listing vs. U.S. (100) | Official establishments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fast food and sandwich shops | 90 | #15 of 2,222 | 6 | 8.2 | $5.3M | 172 | 3 |
| Clothing, shoes and laundry | 87 | #42 of 2,210 | 5 | 6.8 | $3.2M | 360 | Under 3 |
| Hair salons | 86 | #33 of 2,339 | 10 | 13.7 | $796K | 185 | Under 3 |
| Salons, barbers and spas | 85 | #36 of 2,385 | 18 | 24.6 | $442K | 208 | Under 3 |
| Clothing and shoe stores | 85 | #75 of 2,087 | 5 | 6.8 | $3.2M | 249 | Under 3 |
| Restaurants and cafes | 81 | #128 of 2,405 | 67 | 91.7 | $471K | 127 | 15 |
| Sit-down restaurants | 80 | #129 of 2,405 | 34 | 46.5 | $927K | 140 | 8 |
| Auto repair and car care | 79 | #137 of 2,401 | 18 | 24.6 | $537K | 200 | 11 |
| Gyms, studios and classes | 76 | #132 of 2,088 | 10 | 13.7 | $783K | 118 | Under 3 |
| Bakeries and dessert shops | 73 | #202 of 1,889 | 5 | 6.8 | $6.3M | 152 | 4 |
| Auto repair shops | 72 | #279 of 2,378 | 9 | 12.3 | $1.1M | 241 | 11 |
| Pet businesses | 70 | #294 of 2,200 | 9 | 12.3 | $770K | 88 | Under 3 |
| Gyms | 64 | #407 of 1,792 | 7 | 9.6 | $1.1M | 86 | Under 3 |
| Lawn, cleaning and pest control | 61 | #469 of 1,771 | 6 | 8.2 | $1.6M | 98 | 9 |
| Spas and skin care | 61 | #501 of 1,769 | 8 | 10.9 | $995K | 114 | Under 3 |
| Pizza | 61 | #631 of 2,090 | 12 | 16.4 | $2.6M | 52 | 3 |
| Home repair trades | 59 | #639 of 2,057 | 12 | 16.4 | $1.8M | 75 | 8 |
| Grocery and convenience stores | 59 | #850 of 2,402 | 21 | 28.7 | $2.2M | 66 | 4 |
| Real estate | 52 | #978 of 2,229 | 15 | 20.5 | Index only | 171 | 16 |
| Real estate agents and brokers | 51 | #995 of 2,176 | 14 | 19.2 | Index only | 145 | 8 |
| Coffee shops and cafes | 50 | #1,021 of 2,063 | 11 | 15.0 | $2.9M | 77 | 4 |
| Primary care and pediatrics | 48 | #908 of 1,656 | 7 | 9.6 | $1.6M | 91 | 20 |
| Convenience stores | 47 | #1,251 of 2,261 | 14 | 19.2 | $3.3M | 42 | Under 3 |
| Dentists and orthodontists | 46 | #1,104 of 1,886 | 11 | 15.0 | $1M | 105 | 10 |
| Gas stations | 44 | #1,448 of 2,358 | 19 | 26.0 | $1.3M | 53 | 11 |
| Electricians | 40 | #839 of 1,160 | 5 | 6.8 | $4.4M | 37 | 5 |
| Physical therapy | 39 | #1,019 of 1,422 | 7 | 9.6 | $1.6M | 67 | 6 |
| Doctors, dentists and clinics | 37 | #1,822 of 2,394 | 92 | 125.9 | $123K | 81 | 49 |
| Insurance agencies | 36 | #1,604 of 2,272 | 11 | 15.0 | $1.3M | 104 | 17 |
| Chiropractors | 33 | #1,216 of 1,490 | 12 | 16.4 | $945K | 40 | 8 |
| Child care and preschools | 33 | #1,286 of 1,611 | 9 | 12.3 | $399K | 40 | 6 |
| Optometrists and eye care | 32 | #1,063 of 1,302 | 9 | 12.3 | $1.3M | 40 | 5 |
| HVAC and plumbing | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 5.5 | $5.5M | 115 | 3 |
| Pet grooming and boarding | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 5.5 | $1.7M | 68 | Under 3 |
| Grocery stores | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 4.1 | $15.6M | 168 | 3 |
| Landscaping and lawn care | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 4.1 | $3.3M | 112 | 6 |
| Martial arts and dance studios | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 4.1 | $2.6M | 129 | Under 3 |
| Roofing and gutters | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 4.1 | $7.3M | 87 | Under 3 |
| Car washes and detailing | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 2.7 | $4.8M | Too few | Under 3 |
| House cleaning | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 2.7 | $4.9M | Too few | 3 |
| Veterinarians | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 2.7 | $3.5M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Funeral homes | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.4 | $1M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Pest control | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.4 | $9.8M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Property management | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.4 | Index only | Too few | 6 |
| Tire shops | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.4 | $9.7M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Barbershops | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Collision repair and body shops | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | 3 |
| Dry cleaners | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Home inspectors | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Laundromats | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Mortgage brokers and lenders | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Nail salons | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Oil change and quick lube | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Pet stores | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Urgent care and walk-in clinics | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Yoga, Pilates and fitness studios | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
Household spending in Union County
What households here spend in a year on each line, in total and per household, with the index against the U.S. average (100).
| Spending line | A year, all households | Per household | Index vs. U.S. (100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle maintenance and repairs | $9.7M | $1,322 | 138 |
| Gasoline and other fuels | $23.9M | $3,273 | 126 |
| Food away from home | $31.5M | $4,313 | 106 |
| Groceries | $46.9M | $6,412 | 101 |
| Personal care products and services | $8M | $1,089 | 108 |
| Child care and other personal services | $3.6M | $492 | 85 |
| Memberships, classes and admissions | $7.8M | $1,071 | 109 |
| Medical and dental services | $11.3M | $1,552 | 120 |
| Pets | $6.9M | $947 | 104 |
| Clothing, shoes and related services | $15.8M | $2,167 | 105 |
| Vehicle insurance | $14.4M | $1,971 | 101 |
| Home repairs, maintenance and insurance | $22M | $3,004 | 100 |
| Lawn care, cleaning and other household services | $9.8M | $1,346 | 95 |
| Rent and homeowner costs | $110.9M | $15,168 | 91 |
Household spending is estimated from the incomes of the households in each neighborhood, using what households at each income spent nationally in 2024, adjusted for the region. It counts what residents spend, wherever they spend it.
Population and households in Union County
- Population, 2025 estimate
- 17,402+3.3% since 2020
- Households
- 7,310
- Median age
- 40.9
- Homes lived in by their owners
- 73%
- Vehicles per household
- 2.2
- Land area
- 462 sq. mi.
- People per square mile
- 37
- Median household income
- $89,636+27.4% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Average household income
- $124,814
- Median home value
- $301,100
- Jobs located here
- 9,648
- Daytime population
- 19,509Residents who don’t work, plus everyone whose job is here
Looking at a specific site in Union County?
These figures cover the whole county. A site report draws rings around one address and counts what’s inside them: households, spending, jobs, and the competitors on map listings by name and distance, for any of the 56 business types.
Or open the report at the center of Union County. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardRelated markets
Nearest counties in South Dakota 8
- Clay County, SD15,219 people
- Yankton County, SD23,414 people
- Turner County, SD8,882 people
- Lincoln County, SD70,638 people
- Minnehaha County, SD203,289 people
- Bon Homme County, SD7,044 people
- Hutchinson County, SD7,404 people
- McCook County, SD5,751 people
Questions
How fast is Union County, SD growing?
Population estimates put Union County at 17,402 people in 2025, up 3.3% since 2020, in step with the U.S. (+3.1%). It has 7,310 households. Median household income rose 27.4% from the 2015–2019 survey, before inflation.
How much do households in Union County, SD spend?
Households in Union County spend about $110.9M a year on rent and homeowner costs, $46.9M on groceries and $31.5M on food away from home. Set against the U.S., households in Union County spend the most on vehicle maintenance and repairs (an index of 138, where 100 is the U.S. average) and the least on child care and other personal services (85).
Which business types have the highest market scores in Union County, SD?
The highest Groundwork market scores in Union County are for fast food and sandwich shops (90); clothing, shoe and laundry businesses (87); and hair salons (86). Union County ranks #15 of 2,222 scored counties for fast food and sandwich shops.
How does Union County, SD compare with the U.S.?
The median household income in Union County is $89,636 a year, 11% above the U.S. median of $80,734. The population rose 3.3% from 2020 to 2025, against +3.1% for the U.S. The median home value is $301,100, against $332,700 for the U.S. For its number of households, Union County has the most map listings, relative to the U.S., for chiropractors (3 times the U.S. rate) and the fewest for salons, barbers and spas (48% below the U.S. rate).
What is the Groundwork market score?
The Groundwork market score runs from 0 to 100 and compares a market with others of its kind for one business type: states with states, metro areas with metro areas, small-town markets and counties with their own. It weighs household spending per competitor (35%), households per business with payroll (25%), population growth (20%) and spending power (20%), each ranked against those peers. A higher score means that, taken together, the market has more household spending and more households for each business already there, faster population growth and more spending per household than similar markets. It describes a market, not any one site or deal. 32 of the 56 business types have a score in Union County, each ranked against other counties.
How can I see the market around a specific site?
Run a Groundwork site report on an address in Union County. It maps the competitors on map listings near the site and sizes the households and spending within the distance you choose. New accounts get 10 actions over 3 days, no card.
All markets in South Dakota · Every U.S. market · How we measure
Screening a site or an acquisition in Union County?
A site report maps the competitors on map listings near an address and sizes the households and spending around it.
The button opens the report at the center of Union County. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Figures are estimates for research only. Not investment or real estate advice.