Fayette
Indiana

What stands out

Three things set Fayette County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the share working from home is in the bottom 10% of American counties (3%), life expectancy is in the bottom 11% of American counties (71.8 years), and the home price against local income is in the bottom 12% of American counties (1.5 years of income). Within Indiana it ranks 7th of 92 counties for the share working from home, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Fayette County, Indiana. 23,391 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.1% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +82).

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 $52,219 a year, lower than 74% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $44,247. Unemployment runs 4.4%, higher than 80% of American counties. 3% of workers work from home.

Indiana takes 3.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,540 a year.

Home

The median home costs $162K, cheaper than 79% of American counties, about 1.5 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $802 a month. Property tax is 0.77% of home value, roughly $763 a year on that median home, lower than 58% of American counties. 70% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.4 per 1,000 residents, higher than 79% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 33 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 71.8 years, shorter than 89% of American counties. There are 14 active physicians in the county, about 6.0 per 10,000 people. 9.4% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.87 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 68% of American counties. 85% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 55 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 57% 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 63 and lows near 42, colder than 64% of American counties. About 49 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 31 out of 100, safer than 69% of American counties; the county has had 17 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 195 Mbps down, slower than 52% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.7 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.