Starke
Indiana

What stands out

Three things set Starke County apart from the other 3,142 counties: homeownership is in the top 5% of American counties (84%) and the share working from home is in the bottom 7% of American counties (3%). Within Indiana it ranks 3rd of 92 counties for homeownership.

Where you are

You live in Starke County, Indiana. 23,308 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.0% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +115).

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 $59,916 a year, lower than 51% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $44,150. Unemployment runs 3.8%, higher than 63% of American counties. 3% of workers work from home.

Indiana takes 3.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,768 a year.

Home

The median home costs $223K, cheaper than 55% of American counties, about 2.0 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $723 a month. Property tax is 0.58% of home value, roughly $849 a year on that median home, lower than 79% of American counties. 84% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.1 per 1,000 residents, higher than 65% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 26 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 72.4 years, shorter than 84% of American counties. There are 8 active physicians in the county, about 3.4 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 1.0 of 5 stars. 9.9% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.97 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 60% of American counties. 85% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 50 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 59% 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 51°F, highs near 61 and lows near 40, colder than 73% of American counties. About 36 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 24 out of 100, safer than 76% of American counties; the county has had 17 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 172 Mbps down, slower than 62% of American counties. There are 5 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery.