As part of the Monroe Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA), Union Parish ranks No. 4 in economic development according to Site Selection magazine (2011). The parish is strategically positioned at the crossroads of the Mid-South, one of the fastest growing regions of the United States. At the midpoint between Dallas and Birmingham, Little Rock and New Orleans, and Houston and Memphis, Union Parish can access more than 30 million consumers via Interstate 20, US 167, LA 2 and LA 33. Air service, Class 1 Rail, and the Greater Ouachita Port offer multimodal transportation options. Located in northeast Louisiana, Union Parish covers 905sq. miles with a population of 22,721 residents, which earns an average household income of $41,280. The civilian labor force of 9,870 works primarily in agribusiness, healthcare, entergy and financial services . Unemployment in Union Parish is 6.8% (September 2012).
Union Parish’s economy had focused primarily on harvesting timber, cotton, corn and beans. Over the years, Union Parish has diversified its industries, adding agribusiness or poultry growing and processing, healthcare, retail businesses, petroleum pipeline construction, and timber processing and transport. As a Louisiana Certified Retirement Community, the parish is also quickly becoming home to retirees, who are drawn to the shores of beautiful Lake D’Arbonne and to the relaxed lifestyle in this corner of the South. Union Parish Communities Union Parish Demographics Union Parish Workplace Statistics Union Parish Transportation Infrastructure Union Parish Major Employers Tax Structure: Cost of Business
(2010 U.S. Census)
Demographics
Population
22,721
Households
9,091
Median Age
39.9
Male Population
11,214 (49.4%)
Median Male Age
39.8
Female Population
11,507 (50.6%)
Median Female Age
42.2
5 Year Population Projection
22,947 to 24,906
Race
White
15,682 (69%)
African American
6,182 (27.2%)
American Indian or Alaska Native
58 (.3%)
Asian
32 (.1)
Other
750 (3.8)
Hispanic Ethnicity
943 (4.2%)
Income
Median Household Income
$31,662
Average Household Income
$41,280
Per Capita Income
$16,851
Workforce
Source: Louisiana Workforce Commission, Sept. 2012
Civilian Labor
9,870
Employed
9,203
Unemployed
667
Unemployment rate
6.8%
White Collar Jobs
48.2%
Service Jobs
15.3%
Blue Collar Jobs
36.5%
Educational Attainment Diploma or Higher (Age 25+)
60.8%
High School Graduate
43.7%
Associate Degree
3.6%
Bachelor’s Degree
9.7%
Master’s or Doctorate
3.8%
Weekly Wages- 3Q 2010
Average Weekly Wage
$525
*Based on distance from parish seat **All North Louisiana Ports are connected to deepwater ports.
Private Employers
950
125
55
Public Employers
450
State Corporate Income Tax
State Corporate Franchise Tax
Unemployment Insurance Tax
Parish Property
59.20 - 64.09 Mills*
Total Sales Taxes in Union Parish
8.00%**
Total Sales Taxes in Bernice
10.00%
Total Sales Taxes in Farmerville
9.50%
Total Sales Taxes in Marion
9.00%
* To calculate property tax, multiply the assessed value of the property by the appropriate millage rate. The assessed value is the fair market value of the property times 10% for real property or 15% for personal property. ** Sales taxes include a 4% state tax along with a local portion