Union City Economic Briefing

Union City has experienced steady growth in new businesses, number of jobs, and annual payroll over the last five years. There has been steady growth in all three categories. In 2006, Union City had over 1,100 businesses, employing nearly 21,000 persons, with an annual payroll of over $900 million. The annual payroll reflects a 68% growth from 2001. The slower growth rate in the number of jobs (19%) and the rapid growth rate of the annual payroll, indicates a steady growth of quality jobs vs. the quantity of jobs, over the last five years.

Union City’s employment base is concentrated in the Scientific, Professional and Technical Services, Manufacturing, Accommodation and Food Services, Wholesale and Retail Trade.

It is interesting and encouraging that Union City has already achieved high growth in Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (34.2%), the industry that is expected to have the highest grow rate within the region over the next 10 years. It is reasonable to expect that businesses that generate Professional, Scientific and Technical Services employment will play an integral role and constitute an important part of the City’s current and future job base.  

The City’s Business-to-business sector has accounted for a major portion of Union City’s growth in sales tax revenue and employment growth over the last two years. The increase in the business-to-business category was approximately 46% over the two year period. 

We expect continued growth in the business-to-business sector over the next five years due to expanding businesses, market lease rates, quality space, and the development of the Intermodal Station District.