Median owner-occupied home value
$205,200
A broad benchmark for homes people own here—not a live asking price.
Data: 2024-12-31View source
All communities
Complete relocation guide
Moving to Union
Growing county-seat city · housing, schools, commute, costs and everyday life
About this CityHub guideA growing Franklin County seat with local government, college access and a practical regional-service role.
The short version
Union is Franklin County’s seat and offers civic services, retail, parks and nearby East Central College. It is more self-contained than a bedroom suburb, but households with frequent St. Louis-area trips should account for distance and route reliability.
What stands out
Union’s 2025 population estimate was 13,445, up 8.9% from the 2020 estimate base, across 9.01 square miles. Its courthouse-centered core and expanding commercial and residential areas serve both the city and surrounding county.
What to understand
The city can support many daily routines locally. The tradeoff is outer-metro distance: employment direction, road access and vehicle costs matter more here than a metro-wide average suggests.
The essentials
At a glance
The local picture
A feel for Union
These local estimates and CityHub editorial ratings are for comparison and orientation. They are not verified statistics or current prices.
Local snapshot
Best for & local character
People centered on Franklin CountyHouseholds valuing county-seat servicesResidents comfortable with car-oriented regional travelCounty seatRegional servicesCollege nearbyGrowing
Highlights
- 13,445 residents in the 2025 Census estimate
- 8.9% growth from the 2020 estimate base
- $205,200 median owner-occupied value, 2020–2024
- 24.2-minute mean travel time to work, 2020–2024
How it scores
CityHub estimates, not official scores. Some ratings are generated from community characteristics.
Walkability · modeled48
Transit · modeled38
School context · modeled58
Nightlife & dining · modeled48
Parks & outdoors · modeled58
Arts & culture · modeled46
Quiet & peaceful · modeled60
The decision brief
Is Union a good fit?
What stands out
The Census reports Union's 2025 population estimate 8.9% above its 2020 estimate base. If you want a growing Franklin County city, compare current neighborhoods and services rather than assuming that growth means the same thing on every street.
Things to check
Corridor and industrial context
Growth can change a neighborhood's surroundings, but citywide numbers do not identify a specific parcel's exposure. Inspect adjacent land use, truck routes and commercial activity and verify any planned projects near the property.
Does this fit your actual move?
Compare Union against your budget, commute, and priorities—or ask about a specific address.
Homes & housing
What does housing cost here?
Published Census estimates provide broad context where a reliable community-level figure is available. Check current homes or rentals for actual prices.
Owner-occupied homes
60.6%
The share of occupied homes lived in by their owners.
Data: 2024-12-31View source
Median gross rent
$858/mo
Useful renter context—not a substitute for current available rentals.
Data: 2024-12-31View source
Price is only part of the monthly payment
For a specific home, also account for the interest rate, property taxes, homeowners insurance, HOA fees, utilities, and condition. That’s why two homes with the same price tag can still cost very different amounts every month.
Plan the daily trip
Commute & getting around
The Census mean commute was 24.2 minutes, but destinations vary widely. Test any recurring metro-area drive at peak time.
Schools
Which schools serve this address?
The address—not the city name—determines the schools
Union R-XI operates Union High School and Union Middle School, with younger students assigned among Central, Prairie Dell and Beaufort elementary schools; the district also operates an Early Childhood Center. For a home search, the elementary assignment and transportation details are the main address-level variables, while the middle- and high-school path is shared across the district.
1
Identify the district
Start with the property’s complete street address.
2
Check the boundary tool
Use the district’s official address or attendance lookup.
3
Confirm before deciding
Ask the district to verify the current assignment and enrollment details.
Missouri DESE school directory and map
DESE says its maps are for reference; confirm official boundaries with county authorities and the district.
Official school and district resources
How people spend free time
Parks & recreation
Veterans Memorial Park and the city park system provide sports, events and outdoor recreation.
Errands, routines & convenience
Everyday life
Downtown, Highway 50 and nearby East Central College are the main civic, commercial and institutional anchors.
Direct answers for movers
Questions about moving to Union
What is it like to live in Union?+
Union’s 2025 population estimate was 13,445, up 8.9% from the 2020 estimate base, across 9.01 square miles. Its courthouse-centered core and expanding commercial and residential areas serve both the city and surrounding county. The city can support many daily routines locally. The tradeoff is outer-metro distance: employment direction, road access and vehicle costs matter more here than a metro-wide average suggests. Union fits people whose work and routines center on Franklin County and who value county-seat services.
What should I know about housing costs in Union?+
The published median value of owner-occupied homes (data as of 2024-12-31) is $205,200 in Union. That describes existing homes in a survey period, not current listings or the homes available within your budget. Compare actual properties and their condition.
SourceWhat should movers know about schools in Union?+
Union R-XI operates Union High School and Union Middle School, with younger students assigned among Central, Prairie Dell and Beaufort elementary schools; the district also operates an Early Childhood Center. For a home search, the elementary assignment and transportation details are the main address-level variables, while the middle- and high-school path is shared across the district. Confirm the current school assignment and enrollment rules directly with the district for the specific address.
Use the Missouri DESE school directoryWhat is commuting from Union like?+
The Census mean commute was 24.2 minutes, but destinations vary widely. Test any recurring metro-area drive at peak time.
What costs should I consider before moving to Union?+
The published median gross rent (data as of 2024-12-31) is $858/month in Union. This is a survey measure, not a current rental quote. Check current offers, utilities, insurance and travel costs for the exact home.
SourceWhat should I verify before choosing a home in Union?+
Growth can change a neighborhood's surroundings, but citywide numbers do not identify a specific parcel's exposure. Inspect adjacent land use, truck routes and commercial activity and verify any planned projects near the property. East Central College is one documented local destination; check the route and current access from the home you are considering. Confirm school assignment, property condition and recurring costs for the exact address.
Keep narrowing the decision
Put Union in context.
The community guide tells you about this place. These guides help answer whether this is the right kind of place for your move.
St. Louis County or St. Charles County?
Compare the river crossing, housing choices and weekly geography before choosing a county label.
Read guideLooking for newer homes or more space?
See where newer housing appears around the region and what changes when you move farther west.
Read guideWhere should you live in St. Louis?
Start with the life you want and use that to narrow the region.
Read guideUnderstand the geography
Map of Union
See where Union sits in the St. Louis region, then open named local places for directions and surrounding context.
Mapped places in this guide
6 verified locationsUnion Auditorium500 E Locust St, Union, MO 63084East Central College1964 Prairie Dell Rd, Union, MO 63084Veterans Memorial Park650 Progress Pkwy, Union, MO 63084Scenic Regional Library — Union Branch251 Union Plaza Dr, Union, MO 63084Franklin County Courthouse300 E Main St, Union, MO 63084Union City Hall500 E Locust St, Union, MO 63084
This map is for orientation. Confirm municipal, school, floodplain, and parcel boundaries with the appropriate official source.
Around town
Places to know
Parks, civic resources, recreation, and recognizable destinations that help explain everyday life in Union.
Parks & outdoors
1 placeparks
Veterans Memorial Park
Municipal park and recreation complex.
650 Progress Pkwy, Union, MO 63084
Official details Things to do
1 placethings_to_do
Union Auditorium
Municipal auditorium and community event venue.
500 E Locust St, Union, MO 63084
Official details Civic & everyday
4 placesservices
East Central College
Public community college and regional education anchor.
1964 Prairie Dell Rd, Union, MO 63084
Official details services
Scenic Regional Library — Union Branch
Public library branch serving Union.
251 Union Plaza Dr, Union, MO 63084
Official details services
Franklin County Courthouse
County courthouse and civic anchor in Union.
300 E Main St, Union, MO 63084
Official details services
Union City Hall
Municipal government center for Union.
500 E Locust St, Union, MO 63084
Official details Don’t choose in a vacuum
Compare nearby alternatives
Compare Festus
Festus offers I‑55 orientation and a jointly functioning commercial area with Crystal City.
Compare Eureka
Eureka is closer to St. Louis and I‑44 but has higher citywide housing values.
Compare Washington
Washington offers a larger historic downtown and Missouri River setting.
Sources, dates & how we got here3 sources · expand
CityHub separates sourced facts from editorial guidance. Official data may describe different time periods; each fact shows its represented date when available.