Union Downtown Historic District (Boundary Increase) · Photo: Bill Fitzpatrick · CC BY-SA 3.0On CDC estimates, Union is healthier than 2% of U.S. towns
Union differs from South Carolina on 24 of 32 measures CDC estimates: 2 better, 22 worse.
Modeled estimates for adults 18+, CDC’s own estimate for Union. How CDC estimates town health
What stands out about health in Union
COPD, stroke and diabetes run high in Union
1 in 8 adults have COPD (13.1%), vs 7.5% across South Carolina. 1 in 15 adults have had a stroke (6.6%), vs 3.9% across South Carolina. Diabetes is also above the state: 21.6%, vs 13.9% across South Carolina. In all, Union runs above South Carolina on eight of 11 chronic conditions. Conditions ↓
Union is in the bottom 2% of U.S. towns for health
On the seven CDC estimates behind the Health Grade, Union is healthier than only 2% of U.S. towns. It earns a D on all of them. Health Grade ↓
Making ends meet is harder in Union
1 in 3 adults worry about having enough food (33.9%), about twice the South Carolina rate. Utility shut-off threats (18% vs 8.9%) and no reliable transportation (16% vs 8.6%) are higher too. 27.5% of adults receive SNAP, vs 10.5% statewide. Everyday needs ↓
More high blood pressure in Union, and more people treating it
50.7% of adults have high blood pressure (South Carolina 38.5%), but 82.8% of them take medicine for it, vs 80.2% statewide. Checkups ↓
Union is healthier than its income would predict
Against all U.S. towns, Union is healthier than 2%. Against the 777 towns with similar household incomes ($24K–$40K), it’s healthier than 24%. Health Grade ↓
Written from the CDC, Medicare and HRSA data on this page. CDC PLACES 2025 release: modeled estimates for adults, not counts; “higher” and “lower” mean the South Carolina figure falls outside Union’s likely range.
What’s behind Union’s grade
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Union is healthier than 2% of U.S. towns, #161 of 169 in South Carolina. All seven of Union’s estimates fall in the lowest 11% of U.S. towns. The furthest from typical is diabetes: 21.6% of adults, against 13.9% across South Carolina and 12% nationally.
Health estimates follow income closely across the country: towns with higher household incomes usually score higher (a correlation of 0.77 across 21,157 graded towns). Union’s median household income is $31,914; among the 777 U.S. towns within 25% of that ($24K–$40K), it’s healthier than 24%, so it sits below most towns with similar incomes, too.
Where Union compares well: binge drinking, 12.2% (U.S. 15.4%); taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure), 82.8% (U.S. 76.5%).
Out of every 100 Union adults…
Union runs above SC on 9 of 12 conditions. Tap one to see it as people.
Making ends meet
Needs that shape health as much as any doctor visit: food, housing, utilities and a way to get around.
27.5% of Union adults receive SNAP (food stamps), compared with 10.5% across South Carolina.
Keeping up with care
Share of Union adults getting routine care. The full ring is 100%; the dark tick marks South Carolina.
Care in and near Union
1 hospital and 1 community health center in Union, plus the nearest just outside it.
Hospitals: Medicare overall star ratings, 1–5. Community health centers charge on a sliding scale by income. Distances are straight-line from the center of Union; ≈ marks a hospital located by its town, not its street. Shortage areas: HRSA Health Professional Shortage Areas (a “population” designation covers specific residents, such as those with low incomes).
Everyday habits, side by side with South Carolina
Share of adults, with the South Carolina figure marked.
0.6 miles of trails across 3 parks and preserves
How Union adults are doing
On 2 of 4 measures, Union runs above South Carolina.
1 in 3 Union adults feel lonely. A hello is a start.
Groups are the easiest way in: a walking group, a book club, your street.
If you or someone you know is struggling, call or text 988, the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. It’s free, confidential and open 24/7.
Union and the towns around it
How health changes across the town line.
Health next door
| Town | Health | Obesity | Diabetes | Smoking | Figures from |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Union | D− | 47.5% | 21.6% | 21.2% | CDC place |
| Monarch Mill | D | 43% | 18% | 19.6% | CDC place |
Same-state neighbors only, ordered by length of shared border.
Living with a disability
Shown without a better/worse judgment.
of Union adults live with a disability (South Carolina 31.5%). Walking or climbing stairs is the most common.
Every CDC estimate for Union
Share of adults, 40 measures, with CDC’s likely range.
On the 32 measures below that have a better and a worse direction, Union is better than South Carolina on 2 and worse on 22; on the rest, the South Carolina figure falls inside Union’s likely range, so we call them about the same. Disability and SNAP are described, not compared as better or worse.
| Adults who… | Union | SC | U.S. | vs SC |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Overall health | ||||
| Fair or poor health | 33.1%29.7–36.6 | 20.1% | 19.4% | Worse |
| Frequent physical distress (physical health not good 14+ days a month) | 19.6%17.5–21.9 | 14% | 13% | Worse |
| Frequent mental distress (mental health not good 14+ days a month) | 19.8%17.8–22.2 | 16.4% | 15.9% | Worse |
| Conditions | ||||
| Obesity | 47.5%39.7–55.6 | 35.8% | 32.9% | Worse |
| Diabetes | 21.6%19.2–24.2 | 13.9% | 12% | Worse |
| High blood pressure | 50.7%46.4–55 | 38.5% | 34.4% | Worse |
| High cholesterol (adults screened in 5 years) | 41.9%37.6–46.4 | 38.1% | 37.1% | About the same |
| Arthritis | 35.8%32.3–39.4 | 28.5% | 25.3% | Worse |
| Asthma | 11.7%10.4–13.2 | 9.6% | 9.9% | Worse |
| Cancer, other than skin cancer | 8.3%7.5–9.1 | 8.6% | 7.9% | About the same |
| Coronary heart disease | 9.9%9–10.9 | 6.8% | 6.4% | Worse |
| COPD | 13.1%11.7–14.6 | 7.5% | 6.3% | Worse |
| Stroke | 6.6%6–7.1 | 3.9% | 3.4% | Worse |
| Lost all teeth (ages 65+) | 23.8%19.3–28.7 | 13.9% | 12.3% | Worse |
| Habits | ||||
| Smoke cigarettes | 21.2%18.5–24.1 | 13.3% | 11.8% | Worse |
| No exercise outside work | 37.8%32.8–42.8 | 25.8% | 24.7% | Worse |
| Binge drinking | 12.2%9.9–14.8 | 15.7% | 15.4% | Better |
| Sleep under 7 hours | 41.7%33.6–50.3 | 35.8% | 36% | About the same |
| Checkups and coverage | ||||
| No health insurance (ages 18–64) | 16.5%14.2–19 | 11.8% | 11% | Worse |
| Checkup in the past year | 82.6%79.5–85.5 | 80.6% | 77.4% | About the same |
| Dentist visit in the past year | 51.3%46.8–55.9 | 63.1% | 63.2% | Worse |
| Cholesterol check in 5 years | 84.9%83.1–86.6 | 86.9% | 87.1% | Worse |
| Taking blood pressure medicine (adults with high blood pressure) | 82.8%80.6–84.9 | 80.2% | 76.5% | Better |
| Colorectal cancer screening (ages 45–75) | 64.5%58.2–70.4 | 69.3% | 65.5% | About the same |
| Mammogram in 2 years (women 50–74) | 74.6%65.1–82.5 | 77.6% | 76.4% | About the same |
| Mind and connection | ||||
| Ever told they have depression | 23%19.6–26.7 | 22.3% | 20.6% | About the same |
| Feel lonely | 35.1%30.1–40.4 | 31.7% | 32.5% | About the same |
| Lack social and emotional support | 28.5%24.8–32.6 | 23.6% | 23.6% | Worse |
| Everyday needs | ||||
| Worried about having enough food | 33.9%30.4–37.7 | 17.4% | 15% | Worse |
| Worried about keeping housing | 23.8%21–26.7 | 13.3% | 12% | Worse |
| Threatened with a utility shut-off | 18%16–20.1 | 8.9% | 7.6% | Worse |
| Lack reliable transportation | 16%14.2–17.8 | 8.6% | 7.9% | Worse |
| Received SNAP (food stamps) | 27.5%24.6–30.7 | 10.5% | 11.6% | Higher |
| Disability | ||||
| Any disability | 44.5%39.8–49.2 | 31.5% | 30.1% | Higher |
| Difficulty walking or climbing stairs | 26.1%23.4–29 | 15.4% | 13.6% | Higher |
| Difficulty concentrating or remembering | 20.2%18–22.5 | 14.3% | 13.9% | Higher |
| Hearing difficulty | 9%8.1–10.1 | 7% | 6.7% | Higher |
| Vision difficulty | 10.8%9.8–11.7 | 5.6% | 5.4% | Higher |
| Difficulty doing errands alone | 15%13.5–16.6 | 8.7% | 7.9% | Higher |
| Difficulty dressing or bathing | 8.6%7.8–9.4 | 4.3% | 3.8% | Higher |
Each figure is the share of adults 18+ unless the label says otherwise; small numbers after it are CDC’s likely range (95% interval). “About the same” means the South Carolina figure falls inside that range.
Questions about health in Union
Is Union a healthy place to live?
On seven CDC estimates for adults, Union is healthier than 2% of U.S. towns: D− for health, #161 of 169 in South Carolina. Among U.S. towns with similar household incomes it’s healthier than 24%. These are modeled estimates of who lives there, not a measure of local care or habits alone.
What is the obesity rate in Union?
CDC estimates 47.5% of adults have obesity, likely between 39.7% and 55.6%, against 35.8% across South Carolina and 32.9% nationally.
What hospital is closest to Union?
Union Medical Center in Union, 0.8 miles in a straight line from Union’s center point, is the nearest general hospital with an emergency room; it has no Medicare star rating.
How many people in Union have no health insurance?
CDC estimates 16.5% of adults ages 18–64 have no health insurance (likely 14.2–19%), against 11.8% across South Carolina.
How accurate are these numbers?
They’re modeled estimates: CDC applies national survey answers to each area’s age, sex, race and education mix, so they describe who lives in Union more than anything measured there. At the ends of CDC’s ranges the grade could be anywhere from D− to D.
Neighbors talk health
Doctors taking patients, urgent care, staying active in Union.
Health estimates: CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release. The South Carolina figure combines its counties, weighted by adult population. Hospitals and star ratings: Medicare Care Compare (CMS). Health centers and shortage areas: HRSA. The Health Grade is our own summary of CDC’s estimates, not an official rating. Ages: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey. Town boundaries: U.S. Census Bureau. This page isn’t medical advice. In an emergency, call 911.