Townapedia
Aerial view of Union City, September 2018
Aerial view of Union City, September 2018 · Pi.1415926535, CC BY-SA 3.0
Capitol Corridor train in Union City, October 2017
Capitol Corridor train in Union City, October 2017 · Pi.1415926535, CC BY-SA 3.0
Union City station emergency exit stairs, October 2017
Union City station emergency exit stairs, October 2017 · Pi.1415926535, CC BY-SA 3.0
Two trains at Union City station, October 2017
Two trains at Union City station, October 2017 · Pi.1415926535, CC BY-SA 3.0
New escalator at Union City station (2), April 2024
New escalator at Union City station (2), April 2024 · Pi.1415926535, CC BY-SA 4.0
Northbound train at Union City station, April 2024
Northbound train at Union City station, April 2024 · Pi.1415926535, CC BY-SA 4.0

Union City, California

Union City is a city of 67,464 people in Alameda County, California.

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Population67,464 -9.7% since 2019
Elevation69 ft 21 m
Land area19.4 sq mi
ZIP codes94552, 94587
Nearest airportHayward Executive Airport (HWD) 7 mi

Why visit Union City

Townapedia lists 23 museums and landmarks, 138 parks and trails, 221 places to eat, 9 places to stay and 7 attractions in and around town.

Highlights include California State University, East Bay, Century 25, Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum and California School for the Blind.

September is the warmest month, with average highs of 78°F; December lows average 42°F.

About Union City

Union City is a city in Alameda County, California, United States in the San Francisco Bay Area. The population in the 2020 census was 70,143, up from 69,628 in the 2010 census.

From the Wikipedia article Union City, California (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Things to do7

California State University, East Bay

School · 4.3 mi

Public university in Hayward, California

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

Century 25

Cinema and theater · 2.7 mi

32100 Dyer Street, Union City

Open in Google Maps

Tolman Peak

Scenic view · 1.7 mi

Open in Google Maps

Garin Peak

Scenic view · 2.8 mi

Open in Google Maps

Gossip Rock

Scenic view · 1.7 mi

Open in Google Maps

Little Theater

Cinema and theater · 0.7 mi

Open in Google Maps

Vista Peak

Scenic view · 2.9 mi

Open in Google Maps

Museums and landmarks23

Niles Essanay Silent Film Museum

Museum · 2.8 mi

Film museum in the Niles District of Fremont, California

37417 Niles Boulevard

Sa-Su 12:00-16:00

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

California School for the Blind

Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 4.0 mi

School in the United States

500 Walnut Ave., Fremont

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

Washington High School

Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.7 mi

Public high school in Fremont, California

38442 Fremont Boulevard, Fremont

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

Ardenwood Historic Farm

Museum · National Register of Historic Places · 3.5 mi

Human settlement in California, United States of America

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

Golden Gate Railroad Museum

Museum · 5.5 mi

Museum in Sunol, California

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

Union City Historical Museum

Museum · 3.2 mi

3841 Smith Street, Union City

Th-Sa 10:00-16:00

Open in Google Maps

Niles Depot Museum

Museum · 2.8 mi

37592 Niles Boulevard, Fremont

Open in Google Maps

Vallejo Mill Ruins

Monument and historic site · 3.1 mi

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

Fremont Art Association

Museum · 2.9 mi

Sa,Su 12:00-17:00

Open in Google Maps

iFLY Indoor Skydiving

Monument and historic site · 2.6 mi

31274;31310 Alvarado-Niles Road

Open in Google Maps

11 more on the map.

Parks, trails and playgrounds138

Mission Hills of Hayward Golf Course

Golf course · 2.2 mi

9 hole Par 30

75 Industrial Parkway, Hayward

Open in Google Maps · +1-510-888-0200

Niles Community Park

Park · 2.8 mi

sunrise-(sunset-00:30)

Open in Google Maps

Coyote Hills Regional Park

Park · 4.7 mi

Park in Fremont, California, US

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

Dry Creek Pioneer Regional Park

Park · 1.1 mi

Park in United States of America

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

Eden Landing Ecological Reserve

Park · 5.5 mi

Nature reserve in Hayward and Union City, California

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

Fremont Central Park

Park · 4.7 mi

Park in California, United States of America, United States of America

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

Garin Regional Park

Park · 2.3 mi

Park in California, United States of America

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

Memorial Park

Park · 4.5 mi

Urban park in Hayward, California

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

Quarry Lakes Regional Park

Park · 2.2 mi

Su-Sa 05:00-22:00

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

Vargas Plateau Regional Park

Park · 4.4 mi

Park in California, United States of America

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

Ardenwood Regional Preserve

Park · 3.5 mi

Open in Google Maps

126 more on the map.

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Restaurants and cafes221

Starbucks

Cafe · Coffee Shop · 1.0 mi

Located inside of Safeway

1790 Decoto Road, Union City

Mo-Su 05:00-19:00

Open in Google Maps · +1 510-429-9090

Baby Cafe

Restaurant · Chinese · 0.9 mi

1749 Decoto Road, Union City

We-Mo 11:00-21:00

Open in Google Maps · +1-510-952-9091

Baskin-Robbins

Ice cream · Ice Cream · 2.8 mi

32232 Dyer Street, Union City

Mo-Su 11:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-23:00

Open in Google Maps · +1 510-471-3131

Din Ding Dumpling House

Restaurant · Chinese · 1.0 mi

1779 Decoto Road, Union City

Mo-Fr 11:00-14:30, Mo-Fr 17:00-21:30, Sa 11:00-21:30, Su 11:00-21:00

Open in Google Maps · +1-510-675-9958

Greens N Grills

Restaurant · Mediterranean · 3.0 mi

31804 Alvarado Boulevard, Union City

Mo-Su 11:00-21:00

Open in Google Maps · +1-510-431-3021

Pho Mama

Restaurant · Vietnamese, Pho, Rice · 0.9 mi

1630 Decoto Road, Union City

Mo-Su 10:30-21:00

Open in Google Maps · +1-510-952-0118

Ramen Shu

Restaurant · Noodle · 1.0 mi

34308 Alvarado-Niles Road, Union City

Mo-Sa 11:30-14:00; Mo-Th 17:30-21:00; Fr,Sa 17:30-21:30; Su...

Open in Google Maps · +1-510-324-7502

Skillet'z Cafe

Diner · American · 2.7 mi

37378 Niles Boulevard, Fremont

Mo-Su 07:00-03:00

Open in Google Maps · +1-510-793-8161

Starbucks

Cafe · Coffee Shop · 2.4 mi

29705 Mission Boulevard, Hayward

Mo-Su 04:30-21:00

Open in Google Maps · +1-510-394-0115

Starbucks

Cafe · Coffee Shop · 2.8 mi

32240 Dyer Street, Union City

Mo-Su 04:30-00:00; Fr-Sa 04:30-01:00

Open in Google Maps · +1 510-487-1467

Starbucks

Cafe · Coffee Shop · 3.0 mi

1695 Industrial Parkway West, Stratford Corners

05:00-21:00

Open in Google Maps · +1 510-887-8587

Sushi Go Go

Restaurant · Sushi · 0.9 mi

1672 Decoto Road, Union City

Mo-Su 11:30-21:00

Open in Google Maps · +1-510-952-0098

209 more on the map.

History

Costanoans ("coastal peoples") were the first inhabitants, primarily the Ohlone peoples living alongside the Alameda and Dry Creeks. Shell mounds along the sloughs of Alameda Creek near the Alvarado sugar mill contained burial sites.

The first non-native community was founded in 1850 by John and William Horner, who named it "Union City" after their Sacramento River Steamship, "The Union". In 1854, it merged with the nearby community of New Haven (founded 1851) to form the town of Alvarado, named after a former Mexican governor, Juan Bautista Alvarado. Alvarado was the first county seat of Alameda County, a designation it lost in 1865 to San Leandro. Further east, Decoto was founded in 1870 as a railroad hub, hosting the first transcontinental railroad. Alvarado-Niles Road, one of the city's largest streets, connects the historical Fremont district of Niles with the historical Union City district of Alvarado.

The California Beet Sugar Company, the US' first successful sugar beet mill, was located in Alvarado and began operations in 1870. The plant was demolished in 1977.

From the History section of Union City, California on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where to stay9

Churches and places of worship50

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Shopping50

Gas and EV charging22

Schools, colleges and libraries88

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Healthcare17

Map of Union City

250 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.

Climate by month

40°60°80°January: 3.0 in of rainFebruary: 3.2 in of rainMarch: 2.5 in of rainApril: 1.2 in of rainMay: 0.5 in of rainJune: 0.2 in of rainJuly: 0.0 in of rainAugust: 0.0 in of rainSeptember: 0.1 in of rainOctober: 0.7 in of rainNovember: 1.6 in of rainDecember: 3.0 in of rainJanuary: 59°FFebruary: 61°FMarch: 65°FApril: 68°FMay: 71°FJune: 75°FJuly: 78°FAugust: 78°FSeptember: 78°FOctober: 73°FNovember: 65°FDecember: 58°FJanuary: 43°FFebruary: 44°FMarch: 46°FApril: 48°FMay: 52°FJune: 55°FJuly: 57°FAugust: 57°FSeptember: 56°FOctober: 52°FNovember: 46°FDecember: 42°FJFMAMJJASOND
Average high Average low Rain
Monthly table
MonthHighLowRainSnow
Jan59°F43°F3.0 in0.0 in
Feb61°F44°F3.2 in0.0 in
Mar65°F46°F2.5 in0.0 in
Apr68°F48°F1.2 in0.0 in
May71°F52°F0.5 in0.0 in
Jun75°F55°F0.2 in0.0 in
Jul78°F57°F0.0 in0.0 in
Aug78°F57°F0.0 in0.0 in
Sep78°F56°F0.1 in0.0 in
Oct73°F52°F0.7 in0.0 in
Nov65°F46°F1.6 in0.0 in
Dec58°F42°F3.0 in0.0 in

U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Fremont (4 mi away), NOAA NCEI.

People and cost of living

$133,715median household income
$1,104,900median home value
$2,713median monthly rent
43.0median age
45.1%of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher
64.7%of homes are owner-occupied
31.9 minaverage commute
Age of residents
Under 1817%18 to 3422%35 to 6442%65 and over19%

American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.

Disaster history

Alameda County has had 11 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for severe storms.

  • 2023-04-03: Severe Winter Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides (Severe Storm)
  • 2023-01-14: Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, Landslides, And Mudslides (Flood)
  • 2023-01-09: Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, And Mudslides (Flood)
  • 2020-03-22: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)
  • 2020-03-13: Covid-19 (Biological)
  • 2017-04-01: Severe Winter Storms, Flooding, And Mudslides (Flood)

OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.

Getting there and nearby towns

Hayward Executive Airport (HWD) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 7 miles away.

  • Hayward 5 mi west, about 8 min by car
  • Fairview 5 mi north, about 9 min by car
  • Newark 7 mi south, about 11 min by car
  • Cherryland 7 mi northwest, about 11 min by car
  • Castro Valley 8 mi north, about 12 min by car
  • San Lorenzo 8 mi northwest, about 13 min by car
  • Ashland 8 mi northwest, about 13 min by car
  • Fremont 9 mi southeast, about 14 min by car
  • Pleasanton 9 mi northeast, about 14 min by car
  • Dublin 10 mi northeast, about 17 min by car

Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.

Reviews, tips and questions

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Sources and licences

Photo credits

Page built October 30, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us or suggest a place.