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Union, MO

Union is a city in Franklin County, Missouri, United States, and serves as the county seat. Located about 50 miles southwest of St. Louis on the Bourbeuse River, it is a growing community with a population of over 12,000, known for its small-town atmosphere and access to the larger St. Louis metropolitan area.

About the City

Official Status and Administrative Affiliation

The official name of the city is Union, Missouri. It serves as the county seat of Franklin County . The city is located in the state of Missouri, within the United States. This region is part of the greater St. Louis metropolitan area and is sometimes associated with the Missouri Rhineland, an area known for its historic German settlements and wineries .

Founding Date and Age

Union was founded in 1826 and was officially designated as the county seat in 1827, making the city nearly 200 years old . The city's name honors the ideal of political unity . A post office has been operating in Union since 1827, the same year it became the county seat .

Geographic Location and Coordinates

Union is located in east-central Missouri at coordinates 38.4399° N, -90.9927° W . It is situated on the northwest side of the Bourbeuse River . The elevation of the city center is approximately 528 feet (161 meters) above sea level . It is a classic example of a small Midwestern city situated in the river hills region.

City Type and Economic Specialization

Union functions primarily as an administrative center (as the county seat) and a regional economic hub for surrounding communities. Its economy is supported by local government, education (being home to East Central College), and small-to-medium-sized businesses that benefit from the city's transportation links .

Population and Demographics

According to the 2020 census, the population of Union is 12,348 . This makes it a small city. It is one of the fastest-growing communities in Franklin County, showing significant population increases in recent decades, with a growth rate of over 30% between 2000 and 2010 . The city has a diverse age range, with a median age of 34.1 .

City's "Business Card" (Briefly)

Union is a welcoming and historic community that serves as the governmental and educational heart of Franklin County. With its convenient location along U.S. Route 50, just minutes from Interstate 44, it offers a quiet, family-friendly atmosphere with easy access to the amenities and opportunities of the St. Louis metropolitan area.

Climate and Weather

Climate Type and General Characteristics

Union has a humid subtropical climate (or humid continental, depending on the classification system), characterized by four distinct seasons . It features warm, muggy summers and cold, snowy winters. The sky is generally partly cloudy throughout the year .

Average Temperatures by Month

Temperatures in Union vary significantly by season. The hottest month is July, with an average high of 88°F (31°C) and an average low of 68°F (20°C). The coldest month is January, with an average high of 42°F (6°C) and an average low of 24°F (-4°C) .

Month Average High (°F) Average Low (°F)
January 43°F 23°F
February 48°F 26°F
March 59°F 35°F
April 70°F 45°F
May 78°F 55°F
June 86°F 63°F
July 91°F 67°F
August 89°F 66°F
September 82°F 57°F
October 70°F 46°F
November 57°F 35°F
December 46°F 27°F

*Source: NOAA *

Precipitation and Humidity

Union receives an average of 44.96 inches (1142 mm) of precipitation annually, which is relatively evenly distributed throughout the year . The wettest period is in spring, with May being the wettest month, averaging 4.2 inches of rain . Snowfall is common in winter, with an average of 14.4 inches per year, mostly falling in January and February . Summers are notably muggy, with humidity levels making the warm temperatures feel even warmer .

Sunny Days and UV Index

The sunniest and clearest part of the year is from mid-June to late October. August is typically the clearest month . The longest days are in June, with nearly 15 hours of daylight . The UV index can reach high levels during the summer months, making sun protection advisable.

Seasonality and Best Time to Visit

The best time to visit Union for warm-weather activities is from early June to late September .

Landmarks

The Franklin County Courthouse

As the county seat, the Franklin County Courthouse stands as a central landmark in Union. It is not only the hub of local government but also an architectural anchor for the community. The current courthouse, a substantial structure, serves as a symbol of the city's long-standing role as the administrative heart of the county since 1827 . It is located downtown and is a key point of reference.

Memorial Union (University of Missouri)

While not located in Union itself, the Memorial Union at the University of Missouri in nearby Columbia is a profoundly significant landmark for all Missourians. This 143-foot Gothic Revival tower, completed in 1926, stands as a permanent tribute to Mizzou students and alumni who gave their lives in service to the United States, beginning with World War I . The building's limestone walls are etched with the names of the fallen, and a quiet tradition asks passersby to remove their hats and speak softly when walking beneath its arches . It is a masterpiece of symbolic architecture, featuring gargoyles, statues of kneeling soldiers, and an inscription modeled after London's Big Ben . For those interested in Missouri's cultural and historical landmarks, it is a must-see destination.

Historic Downtown Union

The historic downtown area along Main Street offers a glimpse into the city's past. It features a collection of well-preserved buildings from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, housing local businesses, antique shops, and restaurants. This area serves as a focal point for community life and special events, reflecting the city's motto, "Treasuring Our Past, Building For Our Future" .

Transport

Major Airports

Union is conveniently located within an hour's drive of two major airports .

Other Airports

Major Highways and Roads

Union is a well-connected transportation hub, situated at the crossroads of two major routes :

The intersection of US 50 and MO 47 is one of the highest-traffic volume points in the Franklin County region .

Rail Service

Union has a rich railroad history and continues to be served by freight rail. The Central Midland Railway (CMR), a division of Progressive Rail Inc., provides freight rail service to industrial customers in Union . This line operates on a portion of the historic Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railway main line that was constructed in 1870 .

River Access

While Union is not directly on a major navigable river, it has excellent access to the Port of Metropolitan St. Louis, the second-largest inland port in the U.S. by tonnage. Located less than 60 miles east via Interstate 44, this port on the Mississippi River handles over 31 million tons of cargo annually, including petroleum, chemicals, grain, and coal .

Universities and Educational Institutions

Higher education opportunities in Union are centered around a partnership that brings university-level programs to the city.

Central Methodist University at Union

Central Methodist University (CMU) partners with East Central College to offer fully accredited bachelor's degree completion programs . The CMU location is on the East Central College campus at 1964 Prairie Dell Road, Union, MO 63084 . This partnership provides residents of Union and the surrounding area with access to a range of bachelor's programs, emphasizing convenience and affordability for students . The College of Graduate and Extended Studies at CMU is dedicated to supporting the unique needs and success of every student at this location .

Museums

While Union itself doesn't have a large museum, a world-class university museum is located approximately 50 miles east in Columbia, MO, at the University of Missouri.

Museum of Art and Archaeology

The Museum of Art and Archaeology at the University of Missouri has a collection of 16,000 works . Visitors can view these works in rotating exhibits and two permanent displays. The Gallery of European and American Art offers a roughly chronological journey through art history from the 13th to the 19th centuries . The Saul and Gladys Weinberg Gallery of Antiquities includes a collection of Greek and Roman coins, glass vessels, terracotta figurines, and Roman imperial portraits, as well as a dramatic painted mummy shroud . A chemistry class recently used X-ray spectroscopy of pigments at the museum to confirm that a painting suspected of being a forgery was, in fact, a fake .

Museum of Anthropology

Also located at the University of Missouri, the Museum of Anthropology's crown jewel is the Grayson Archery Collection and Library . With 5,500 bows, arrows, quivers, thumb rings, and associated books and fine art from six continents, it is considered one of the world's largest and most comprehensive collections of its kind . Other notable displays include sandals made of fiber and leather dating back 8,000 years, which were recovered from a Missouri cave, and a wall of skull casts that tracks human evolution from almost 4 million years ago to the present .

Healthcare and Medical Facilities

Union is served by a network of healthcare facilities ranging from primary care clinics to urgent care centers and long-term care options, ensuring residents have access to essential medical services.

Mercy Clinic Primary Care

Mercy Clinic Primary Care on St. Andrews Drive provides comprehensive healthcare for the entire family . This clinic specializes in family medicine, internal medicine, and pediatrics . Patients at this Mercy Clinic location can utilize MyMercy, a free app that makes it easy to access health information and connect with a primary care physician . The clinic offers a range of services, including comprehensive testing to diagnose conditions and injuries, as well as compassionate care for various treatment services .

Compass Health Network - Union Community Health Center

Compass Health Network operates a nonprofit community health center in Union at 1780 Old Highway 50 E . As a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), it provides comprehensive primary and preventive healthcare services to all residents, regardless of their insurance status or ability to pay . The center offers a wide array of services under one roof, including:

The center operates on a sliding fee scale based on income and family size, and it also accepts private insurance and Medicaid . Another Compass Health, Inc. location is also listed at 500 Clark Ave in Union . With 27 physicians covering 14 specialty areas, Compass Health is a significant healthcare provider in the community .

Mercy-GoHealth Urgent Care

For non-life-threatening medical needs that require immediate attention, Mercy-GoHealth Urgent Care is located at 39 Silo Drive in Union . The center is open seven days a week, with extended hours on weekdays until 8:00 pm . It accepts various forms of payment, including Medicaid, and provides interpretation services for non-English languages . The urgent care center offers testing for a range of conditions, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis, and tuberculosis .

Sunset Health Care Center

Sunset Health Care Center, located at 400 West Park Avenue, provides long-term nursing care, assisted living, and therapy services for seniors . Situated next to Union City Park, the facility offers skilled nursing, hospice and palliative care, as well as speech, occupational, and physical therapy . Specialized care programs are available for stroke recovery, neurological rehabilitation, and dialysis needs . The center is conveniently located about 8 miles from Mercy Hospital .

Healthcare Access and Statistics

While Union is a smaller community with a population of just under 9,000 people, its healthcare options have been steadily growing . There are approximately 122 physicians per 100,000 population in Union, compared to the U.S. average of 210 . The annual BestPlaces Health Cost Index for the Union area is 94.1 (where a lower score is better), slightly below the national average of 100 . The city's air quality index is 64 (100=best), which is better than the U.S. average of 58, and its water quality index is an impressive 86, far surpassing the national average of 55 .

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