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The ACS estimates about 706, give or take 152 civilian veterans in Union County.
Among Iowa's 99 counties and equivalents, Union County ranks 60th by its estimated number of veterans.
Share of civilian veterans, ACS 2020-2024
Measure
Union County
Iowa
United States
Share with a service-connected rating
30 percent; a small survey sample; treat as rough
Not compared
Not compared
Share rated 70 percent or higher
7 percent; a small survey sample; treat as rough
Not compared
Not compared
Union County has about 185, give or take 54 veterans 75 and older, making up 26 percent of its veterans compared with 28 percent in Iowa.
Veterans under 35 account for 0 percent; a small survey sample; treat as rough in Union County; the survey figures do not support a state comparison.
Women veterans account for 7 percent; a small survey sample; treat as rough in Union County; the survey figures do not support a state comparison.
Income, work and education in Union County
Census ACS 2020-2024 estimates and 90% margins of error
Measure
Union County
Iowa
United States
Veteran median income, age 18 and over with income
$28,491 ± $10,699
$50,056 ± $903
$54,224 ± $147
Nonveteran median income, age 18 and over with income
$35,000 ± $2,502
$41,543 ± $224
$41,154 ± $99
Veterans below poverty level, age 18 and over
9.7% ± 8.2 points; small survey sample; treat as rough
Not compared
Not compared
Veterans with a disability, age 18 and over
32.1% ± 9.4 points
29.5% ± 0.8 points
30.7% ± 0.1 points
Employed share of veterans, ages 18 to 64
65.5% ± 13.1 points
80.4% ± 1.2 points
73.9% ± 0.2 points
Unemployed share of veterans in the labor force, ages 18 to 64
0.0% ± 15.8 points; small survey sample; treat as rough
Not compared
Not compared
Veterans with high school or more, age 25 and over
99.6% ± 0.7 points
95.7% ± 0.4 points
95.5% ± 0.1 points
Veterans with a bachelor’s degree or more, age 25 and over
21.5% ± 14.3 points; small survey sample; treat as rough
Not compared
Not compared
Income is in 2024 dollars. These figures describe civilians. Poverty and disability shares use veterans whose poverty status is determined. Census disability measures daily functioning, not a VA service-connected rating. Tables and method.
VA projects fewer veterans here in 2035. VetPop2023 projections for small counties show direction only. Projection source and method.
VA disability compensation in Union County
VA reports 228 veterans in Union County receiving disability compensation in FY2025.
In 2025, lenders reported 7 VA-backed home loans out of 220 home loans made in Union County (3.2% VA), under the federal Home Mortgage Disclosure Act (HMDA).
The largest reported service groups are Vietnam era only (about 353, give or take 107) and between the Vietnam and Gulf War eras (about 123, give or take 74; a small survey sample; treat as rough).
For questions about Vietnam-era exposure rules, read the Agent Orange guide; eligibility depends on your service and condition.
VA money in Union County
VA reported about $4.9 million in compensation and pension spending and about $7.0 million in medical care spending in Union County for FY2025.
about 50 miles in a straight line from the county center.
Call to confirm hours before you go.
Outside Iowa, in Omaha, NE, Omaha VA Medical Center (opens in a new tab) is Union County's second-nearest medical center, about 91 miles in a straight line from the county center.
Outside Iowa, in Omaha, NE, Omaha Vet Center (opens in a new tab) is Union County's second-nearest Vet Center, about 91 miles in a straight line from the county center.
The state registry lists Des Moines RO (station 333); county claims jurisdiction is unconfirmed.
No sites from these two federal datasets were mapped to Union County.
For VA’s service-location rules, see the presumptive conditions list. A location listing does not establish personal exposure or eligibility.
Veterans experiencing homelessness
On one night in January 2024, Iowa Balance of State CoC counted 72 veterans experiencing homelessness (59 sheltered, 13 unsheltered).
IA-501 is the HUD Continuum of Care (CoC) selected by this county's geographic center (polygon centroid). This Balance of State area covers communities outside separate local CoCs.
The HUD workbook reports 77 veterans for the 2019 comparison.
This is a one-night count for the whole CoC area, not a county or annual total. CoC mapping method.
If you need housing help, call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 877-424-3838. You can call any time, day or night.
Shannon City (city): about 115 residents (small survey sample; treat as rough)
Cromwell (city): about 103 residents
More places (3)
Arispe (city): about 78 residents
Thayer (city): about 45 residents (small survey sample; treat as rough)
Kent (unincorporated community): about 0 residents (small survey sample; treat as rough)
Census incorporated places and census-designated places, sorted by ACS 2020-2024 population. Figures are ACS estimates for the whole place, not only the part inside this county. Places are assigned by their 2024 Census internal point and may cross county boundaries. Sources and mapping method.
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