Blackford
Indiana

What stands out

What stands out about Blackford County: the home price against local income is in the bottom 8% of American counties (1.4 years of income), natural-hazard risk is in the bottom 12% of American counties (12 of 100), and the median home price is in the bottom 14% of American counties ($145K). Within Indiana it ranks 3rd of 92 counties for the home price against local income, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Blackford County, Indiana. 12,074 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.2% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +43).

Indiana has a flat income tax just under 3% and most counties add their own income tax on top, typically 1% to 2.5%. Property taxes are capped by the state constitution at 1% of assessed value for homesteads. Indianapolis, Fort Wayne and the Chicago suburbs in Lake County account for most of the growth; the rest of the state is affordable and slow-changing.

Money

The typical household here brings in $51,108 a year, lower than 77% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $46,641. Unemployment runs 3.5%, higher than 52% of American counties. 8% of workers work from home.

Indiana takes 3.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,508 a year.

Home

The median home costs $145K, cheaper than 86% of American counties, about 1.4 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $692 a month. Property tax is 0.88% of home value, roughly $794 a year on that median home, higher than 51% of American counties. 76% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.5 per 1,000 residents, higher than 81% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 25 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 73.0 years, shorter than 80% of American counties. There are 5 active physicians in the county, about 4.1 per 10,000 people. 8.7% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.15 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 77% of American counties. 90% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 51 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 58% of eligible voters turned out. Under Indiana law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is illegal.

Weather and risk

The year averages 52°F, highs near 62 and lows near 41, colder than 68% of American counties. About 32 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 12 out of 100, safer than 88% of American counties; the county has had 17 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 106 Mbps down, slower than 86% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.5 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.