Anderson, Indiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Anderson, Indiana had a total population of 55,367, the 16th largest city in Indiana, with a median household income of $46,909, which is 35% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 35% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
Anderson Quick Facts
How Anderson Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 54,930 | 55,367 | +0.8% |
| Median household income | $47,221 | $46,909 | -0.7% |
| Median home value | $104,300 | $119,000 | +14.1% |
How Anderson Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Anderson Rankings in Indiana
Explore Indiana Rankings
Other Cities in Madison County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elwood | 8,356 | $53,280 | 19.5% | $97,800 |
| Pendleton | 5,321 | $86,806 | 9.2% | $248,200 |
| Alexandria | 5,155 | $64,317 | 7.8% | $97,800 |
| Lapel | 2,668 | $79,778 | 6.4% | $220,400 |
| Ingalls | 2,512 | $74,236 | 9.6% | $189,900 |
| Chesterfield | 2,489 | $58,824 | 11.9% | $113,100 |
| Edgewood | 2,121 | $87,770 | 2.9% | $200,100 |
| Frankton | 1,658 | $68,611 | 9.2% | $140,400 |
| Summitville | 1,104 | $52,946 | 21.4% | $101,600 |
| Markleville | 739 | $89,167 | 8.0% | $184,200 |
Cities Similar to Anderson
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elkhart | 53,733 | $51,028 | $139,500 | 17.7% | 18.2% |
| Terre Haute | 58,427 | $43,126 | $115,700 | 24.6% | 24.6% |
| Kokomo | 59,122 | $55,360 | $137,400 | 18.1% | 17.1% |
| Mishawaka | 51,021 | $54,291 | $155,500 | 29.2% | 16.4% |
| Muncie | 64,751 | $44,471 | $97,300 | 26.2% | 29.2% |
Population Overview
Anderson is a mid-sized community located in Indiana, within Madison County. The total population is 55,367. It ranks as the 16th most populous out of 967 Census-designated places in Indiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Anderson is 38.9 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 38.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Anderson is $46,909. This is 35% lower than the state median of $71,957. It is also 42% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.0%. This is 70% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.3%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 7.3%. This is 70% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $119,000. Housing costs are 45% lower than the state median of $218,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Anderson is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 55.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% lower than the state average of 70.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Anderson is White (non-Hispanic), making up 72.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 11.6%. The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 2.6%.
Education
15.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 47% lower than the state rate of 29.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 87.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Anderson, Indiana is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Indiana state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 967 Census-designated places in Indiana. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Anderson, Indiana?
Anderson, Indiana has a population of 55,367 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Anderson, IN?
The median household income in Anderson is $46,909, which is 42% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Anderson, IN?
The poverty rate in Anderson is 21.0%. This means approximately 11,145 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Anderson, Indiana?
Anderson's population is 72.5% White, 11.6% Black, 8.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Anderson, IN?
The median home value in Anderson is $119,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Anderson, Indiana?
15.7% of adults (25+) in Anderson hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.