Union County

Union County, Ohio — key demographics

Population size

• 62,784 (2020 Census, official count)
• Strong growth from 2010 to 2020 (roughly +20%); Union County remains one of Ohio’s faster-growing counties

Age

• Under 18: ~26%
• 65 and over: ~13%
• Median age: ~37 years

Gender

• Female: ~49%
• Male: ~51%

Race and ethnicity (percent of total population)

• White (non-Hispanic and Hispanic combined): ~86–88%
• Black or African American: ~2–3%
• Asian: ~6–7%
• Two or more races: ~3–4%
• Hispanic or Latino (of any race): ~3–4%

Households

• Total households: ~23,000
• Average household size: ~2.7–2.8 persons
• Family households: ~70–75% of all households (majority married-couple)
• Households with children under 18: ~35–40%
• Owner-occupied housing rate: roughly mid-to-upper 70% range

Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (2020 Decennial Census; American Community Survey 5-year estimates, most recent available). Figures rounded for clarity.

Union County, OH (pop ≈66,000) email usage snapshot

• Estimated users: ≈50,000 residents use email (age 13+), including ≈47,000 adults (≈92% of adults).
• Age distribution of adult email users: 18–29: ~20%; 30–49: ~39%; 50–64: ~27%; 65+: ~15%.
• Gender split among adult users: Women ~51%; Men ~49% (email adoption is near-universal across genders with a slight female edge).
• Digital access trends:
  • ≈91% of households maintain a home broadband subscription; ≈11% are smartphone‑only internet users.
  • Fixed broadband at 25/3 Mbps is available to well over 90% of addresses; ≥100 Mbps coverage is strongest in and around Marysville and Plain City, with rural townships more reliant on DSL or fixed wireless.
  • Ongoing state/federal investments (e.g., BEAD-era builds) are expanding fiber into remaining gaps.
• Local density/connectivity facts: Population density ≈150 residents per square mile; the U.S. 33/Marysville corridor is the most connected, while lower-density agricultural areas see the largest speed variability.

Notes: Estimates combine recent ACS county demographics with national email adoption benchmarks from major surveys to model county-level usage.

Union County, Ohio: Mobile phone usage snapshot with county–vs–state contrasts

Key counts and user estimates (2022–2023)

• Population: ~66,000; households: ~24,500; adults (18+): ~50,000
• Estimated adult smartphone users: ~46,000–47,000 (roughly 92–94% of adults, consistent with local device and subscription rates and national adoption among adults)
• Smartphone households (ACS S2801, 2018–2022): ~95% in Union County vs ~92% statewide
• Households with a cellular data plan (ACS S2801): ~88% Union vs ~83% Ohio
• Household broadband subscription of any type (ACS S2801): ~92% Union vs ~88% Ohio
• Cellular-only home internet (cellular data plan and no other subscription; ACS S2801): ~9% Union vs ~12% Ohio
• Households with no home internet subscription (ACS S2801): ~4% Union vs ~6–7% Ohio

What’s different in Union County vs Ohio overall

• Higher device and subscription penetration: Smartphone and cellular data-plan rates are several points higher than the state average, while “no internet at home” is several points lower.
• Lower dependence on mobile as the primary home connection: Cellular-only home internet is notably lower than Ohio as a whole, reflecting stronger fixed broadband take-up.
• Younger, higher-income profile supports higher mobile adoption: Union County is one of Ohio’s faster-growing, younger counties with higher median household income; these factors correlate with above-average smartphone and multi-line plan adoption and lower “mobile-only” reliance.
• 5G availability and transportation-driven coverage: 5G is broadly available in Marysville, Plain City, and along the US‑33 corridor, underpinned by a transportation/innovation corridor that is atypical for most counties.

Demographic breakdown and usage tendencies

• Age: A younger age structure than Ohio overall (fewer 65+ share than the state) aligns with higher smartphone and mobile data adoption. Senior adoption locally is stronger than the state average, narrowing the usual age gap in smartphone use.
• Families with children: High share of family and multi-worker households drives multi-line mobile plans and elevated per-household device counts, contributing to the ~95% smartphone-household rate.
• Income and education: Higher median income and educational attainment relative to Ohio support higher smartphone adoption, more 5G-capable devices, and supplemental services (wearables, tablets on data plans).

Digital infrastructure and coverage

• US‑33 Smart Mobility Corridor: Approximately 35 miles of 432‑strand fiber and extensive roadside connectivity from Dublin through Marysville toward East Liberty run through Union County. This corridor supports connected-vehicle pilots and dense roadside communications, indirectly improving backhaul for commercial mobile networks.
• 5G footprint: All three national carriers provide 5G in and around Marysville, Plain City, and the US‑33 corridor; 4G LTE covers essentially all populated areas. Mid-band 5G is present in population centers, enabling both mobility and fixed wireless access offerings.
• Fixed wireless access (FWA): 5G Home Internet from national carriers is available in and around Marysville and along the US‑33 spine, adding competitive home-broadband options. Take-up contributes to high broadband subscription rates without increasing “cellular-only” dependency.
• Public safety and resiliency: FirstNet (Band 14) presence and the corridor’s fiber backhaul enhance network resiliency for emergency communications and large-scale events relative to typical Ohio counties with similar population.

Interpretation and implications

• Penetration and capacity: Union County’s smartphone and cellular-plan penetration outpace Ohio averages, supported by higher income and a robust fiber backbone along a major commuter and R&D corridor. This yields stronger 5G availability and capacity where most residents live and work.
• Substitution dynamics: Because fixed broadband adoption is high, mobile is a complement rather than a substitute for home internet more often than in the state at large; cellular-only households are fewer in Union County.
• Growth pressure: Rapid residential and industrial growth along the US‑33 axis sustains demand for additional small cells and sector densification; the county’s infrastructure posture positions it ahead of typical Ohio counties in meeting that demand.

Notes on sources and vintage

• Device and subscription statistics are from the U.S. Census Bureau’s ACS S2801 (2018–2022, county and state). Population/household baselines reflect Census estimates through 2023. The Smart Mobility Corridor specifications are from ODOT and partner disclosures for the US‑33 corridor.

Social media usage in Union County, OH — short breakdown (2024 benchmark)

Note on method: County-level platform shares are not directly published. Figures below use 2023–2024 Pew Research Center U.S. usage rates as a local proxy; they track closely with suburban Ohio counties and serve as reliable planning benchmarks.

Most-used platforms (share of adults)

• YouTube: about 83%
• Facebook: about 68%
• Instagram: about 50%
• TikTok: about 33%
• Snapchat: about 30%
• Pinterest: about 31%
• LinkedIn: about 30%
• X (Twitter): about 22%
• Reddit: about 20%
• Overall social media adoption (any platform): about 72% of adults

Age-group usage snapshot (percentages reflect national rates used locally)

• Teens 13–17: YouTube ~95%, TikTok ~67%, Instagram ~62%, Snapchat ~60%, Facebook ~32% (Pew teen survey)
• Adults 18–29: YouTube ~93%, Instagram ~78%, Snapchat ~65%, TikTok ~62%, Facebook ~67%
• Adults 30–49: YouTube ~92%, Facebook ~77%, Instagram ~49%, TikTok ~39%, LinkedIn ~40%
• Adults 50–64: YouTube ~70%, Facebook ~73%, Instagram ~29%, TikTok ~17%, Pinterest ~35%
• Adults 65+: YouTube ~49%, Facebook ~50%, Instagram ~13%, TikTok ~8%

Gender patterns (directional, from Pew)

• Women are more likely than men to use Facebook, Instagram, and especially Pinterest (women ~50% vs men ~20%).
• Men are more likely to use Reddit and X (Twitter); YouTube skews slightly male but is high for both.
• TikTok and Snapchat lean female overall.

Behavioral trends observed in suburban Ohio counties applicable to Union County

• Facebook remains the community hub: school district and youth sports updates, local government notices, buy/sell groups, and Marketplace drive high engagement among 30+.
• Short-form video is the growth engine: Instagram Reels and TikTok are the primary reach channels for 13–34; local restaurants, fitness, events, and real estate perform well with concise, geotagged video.
• Snapchat is embedded in teen/young-adult messaging; geofenced lenses/ads work for campus, sports, fairs, and event-based promotions.
• LinkedIn is effective for recruitment and B2B in a commuter/professional labor market tied to large employers and the Columbus corridor.
• Nextdoor usage is strong in HOA and newer subdivisions; best for home services, public safety, and neighborhood-specific announcements.
• Typical engagement windows mirror commuter schedules: weekday 7–9 a.m., lunch hour, and 7–10 p.m.; Sunday evenings are reliably strong for family- and community-oriented content.
• Content that performs: local faces and families, school and youth activities, parks/sports, roadwork/closures, weather and safety updates, new business openings, and practical “how-to” shorts for home/DIY. Paid support is often required to reliably reach 35+ on Instagram/TikTok.

Sources: Pew Research Center, Social Media Use in 2023 (U.S. adults) and Teens, Social Media, and Technology 2022 (U.S. teens). These national rates are used as a county-level proxy due to the absence of platform-by-county reporting.