Wells
Indiana

What stands out

Against every county in America, Wells County is unusual in three ways: the restaurant count per person is in the bottom 6% of American counties (0.3 per 1,000), unemployment is in the bottom 11% of American counties (2.3%), and the property tax rate is in the bottom 12% of American counties (0.50%). Within Indiana it ranks 4th of 89 counties for the restaurant count per person, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Wells County, Indiana. 28,167 people live here with you. The population grew 0.9% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +266).

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 $68,074 a year, higher than 70% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $50,048. Unemployment runs 2.3%, lower than 89% of American counties. 5% of workers work from home.

Indiana takes 3.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,008 a year.

Home

The median home costs $249K, pricier than 55% of American counties, about 1.9 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $835 a month. Property tax is 0.50% of home value, roughly $800 a year on that median home, lower than 88% of American counties. 77% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.6 per 1,000 residents, lower than 65% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 16 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 76.7 years, longer than 61% of American counties. There are 26 active physicians in the county, about 9.2 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 4.0 of 5 stars. 8.7% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.26 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 85% of American counties. 93% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 60 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 67% 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 62 and lows near 41, colder than 70% of American counties. About 30 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 15 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 148 Mbps down, slower than 72% of American counties. There are 4 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.3 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.