Union County Map, Florida
Explore the definitive interactive map and reference guide to Union County, Florida. With a population of 15,237 living across 240 square miles of land, Union County is one of 14 counties in the North Central Florida region. The county seat is Lake Butler, and the county carries the FIPS identifier 12125 in U.S. Census and USGS datasets.
Florida's smallest county by land area, Union is a rural interior county dominated by state correctional facilities (Union CI, Florida State Prison in nearby Raiford) and farmland.
Union County at a glance
A concise reference summary of Union County's key statistics — useful for research, real estate, relocation, travel planning, GIS workflows, journalism, and civics education.
- Official name
- Union County
- County seat
- Lake Butler
- FIPS code
- 12125
- Region
- North Central Florida
- Established
- 1921
- Named for
- The union of the settlers who split from Bradford County.
- Land area
- 240 sq mi
- Water area
- 5 sq mi
- Total area
- 245 sq mi
- Population (2020)
- 15,237
- Population density
- 63 / sq mi
- Time zone
- Eastern Time
Where is Union County, Florida?
Union County is located in the North Central Florida region of Florida, one of 67 counties that make up the state. Its county seat, Lake Butler, is the administrative hub — home to the courthouse, county commission chambers, tax collector, property appraiser, supervisor of elections, and clerk of the circuit court.
The county spans a total of 245 square miles — 240 of land and 5 of water — and operates on Eastern Time. Federal agencies including the U.S. Census Bureau, USGS, and FEMA reference the county by its FIPS code, 12125, in datasets, boundary files, and hazard mapping.
Union County shares borders with 4 neighboring counties: Baker County, Bradford County, Alachua County, Columbia County. Use the interactive map above to explore where those boundaries meet or jump directly to any neighboring county page for a side-by-side comparison.
Union County geography & landscape
Flat pine flatwoods drained by the New and Santa Fe Rivers.
The county's overall footprint — 240 square miles of land plus 5 square miles of water — places it among the more compact of Florida's 67 counties by area. Elevation across most of Florida is modest, and land-use, drainage basins, and habitat corridors defined by state and federal agencies (Florida Department of Environmental Protection, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and the Water Management Districts) shape how growth and conservation coexist here.
Economy & industry in Union County
Corrections, agriculture (dairy, blueberries, watermelons), and timber.
Employment, tax base, and land use in Union County reflect its location in North Central Florida and its position as a smaller, more rural county. Economic development authorities, chambers of commerce, and the Florida Department of Economic Opportunity publish updated employer and workforce data for the county on their portals.
History of Union County
Split from Bradford County in 1921 after a long dispute; residents wanted the county seat closer.
Established in 1921, Union County is one of Florida's modern counties. Its boundaries, seat, and government have evolved through territorial, statehood, Reconstruction, and modern eras — a lineage documented by the Florida Historical Society, the State Archives of Florida, and the Union County Historical Commission or equivalent local body.
Tourism & things to do in Union County
Small county with limited tourism; the Olustee Reenactment (adjacent Baker) and Santa Fe River are nearby draws.
Whether you're planning a weekend trip, a longer stay, or a day drive from a neighboring county, Union County offers a mix of natural, cultural, and community attractions tied to its North Central Florida identity. For the latest hours, admission fees, and seasonal events, check the county's official tourism development council and the Florida State Parks portal (floridastateparks.org).
Cities, towns & communities in Union County
Union County contains the following incorporated cities, towns, and notable census-designated places. Each municipality provides local services, zoning, and police protection within the broader county jurisdiction. Use the ZIP code lookupto jump between Florida counties instantly.
Getting to Union County
Access routes and regional transportation infrastructure serving Union County.
- US-121
- SR-100
- SR-231
- SR-238
- Gainesville Regional nearby
Union County GIS, parcel & boundary data
Union County's authoritative boundary lines, parcel data, zoning layers, flood zones, and land-use inventories are maintained by county government and state agencies. Use the official links in the sidebar for parcel lookups, appraiser searches, and record requests. For statewide GIS, the Florida Geographic Data Library (FGDL) and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection publish downloadable layers keyed to FIPS 12125.
You can download this county's outline as SVG, PNG, or a printable PDF factsheet using the export tools in the sidebar — perfect for reports, presentations, classroom handouts, or planning documents.
Frequently asked about Union County
Population figures reflect the U.S. Census Bureau 2020 decennial count with ACS 5-year updates where noted. Land and water areas come from the U.S. Census Bureau TIGER/Line boundary files. Highway designations use Florida Department of Transportation route inventories. County establishment dates and namesakes are drawn from the Florida Association of Counties and State Archives of Florida. See our methodology page.
Nearby Florida counties
Counties that share a border with Union County. Click any to view its map, seat, cities, and full guide.