Union County
Did you know?
Best known for its orchards, Union County features several large family-owned orchards that date back more than a century. In fact, local folklore claims the refrigerated railcar got its start here to transport peaches across the nation.
Largest Towns
Anna (4,149)
Top Private Sector Industries
Health Care and Social Assistance
Retail Trade
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, and Hunting
Education & Training Resources
Shawnee Community College Union County Extension Center (Anna, Illinois)
Southern Illinois University (Carbondale, Illinois)
Southeast Missouri State University (Cape Girardeau, Missouri)
By the
Numbers
Numbers
Population
17,244
People within
25 miles
25 miles
242,208
People within
50 miles
50 miles
499,555
Average
Salary
Salary
$35,789
Cost of
Living
Living
9%
Below National Avg.
Important
Assets
Assets
Interstate 57 passes through the eastern side of the county providing direct access to Memphis to the south, Chicago to the north, St. Louis to the west, and Nashville to the east
Class 1 railway access via Canadian National and Union Pacific running directly through the county
Growing tourism industry with the Shawnee Hills Wine Trail, orchards, and Bald Knob Cross of Peace drawing thousands of people every year
Abundant recreational activities such as hiking, fishing, and camping in nearby Shawnee National Forest
Other incentives: TIF District (Anna), Enterprise Zone, Opportunity Zone, New Markets Tax Credit (NMTC)