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Bluffton, Indiana Demographics & Population 2026

During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bluffton, Indiana had a total population of 10,529, the 83rd largest city in Indiana, with a median household income of $57,539, which is 20% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 9.5%.

Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes

Bluffton Quick Facts

Population 10,529
Median Household Income $57,539
Median Home Value $149,600
Poverty Rate 9.5%
Unemployment Rate 2.8%
Median Age 38.9 years
Homeownership Rate 62.0%
Affordability Ratio 2.6x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 17.7%
High School Graduation Rate 92.0%
Diversity Index 20/100
Population 10,529 83rd of 967
Median Income $57,539 below average
Poverty Rate 9.5% 23% lower than national
Median Home Value $149,600 average

How Bluffton Changed

Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.

Metric2019–20232020–2024Change
Population10,53910,529-0.1%
Median household income$57,929$57,539-0.7%
Median home value$136,800$149,600+9.4%

How Bluffton Compares

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 16.8%
$25K-$50K 24.1%
$50K-$100K 37.9%
$100K+ 21.1%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
4.8%
$10K-$15K
3.6%
$15K-$20K
4.5%
$20K-$25K
4.0%
$25K-$30K
4.5%
$30K-$35K
6.5%
$35K-$40K
4.9%
$40K-$45K
5.5%
$45K-$50K
2.8%
$50K-$60K
11.8%
$60K-$75K
9.9%
$75K-$100K
16.2%
$100K-$125K
7.4%
$125K-$150K
3.3%
$150K-$200K
6.6%
$200K+
3.8%

Employment

2.8% Unemployment Rate State: 4.3%|National: 5.2%
66.5% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 62.0%
Renter 38.0%
Affordability Index Very Affordable
2.6x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $732/mo 15.3% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

20out of 100
Very Low Diversity

A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.

State average: 41 | National average: 61

Education

Bluffton Rankings in Indiana

#83 Population of 967
#510 Median Income of 796
#381 Education of 966
#389 Home Value of 818

Other Cities in Wells County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Ossian 3,384 $71,563 6.7% $201,500
Uniondale 309 $84,375 6.2% $110,500
Poneto 174 $63,750 17.2% $95,400
Vera Cruz 62 $70,000 21.0% $68,900

Cities Similar to Bluffton

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Kendallville10,556$58,939$133,20013.0%12.4%
Plymouth10,664$58,623$131,80023.7%13.5%
Wabash10,358$53,410$116,50023.4%14.0%
Decatur9,811$58,646$142,80012.3%11.3%
Greencastle9,864$55,565$169,20022.5%12.2%

Population Overview

Bluffton is a small city located in Indiana, within Wells County. The total population is 10,529. It ranks as the 83rd most populous out of 967 Census-designated places in Indiana.

Age Demographics

The median age in Bluffton is 38.9 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 38.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Bluffton is $57,539. This is 20% lower than the state median of $71,957. It is also 29% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.5%. This is 23% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.3%. The unemployment rate is 2.8%. This is 36% lower than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $149,600. Housing costs are 31% lower than the state median of $218,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Bluffton is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 62.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% lower than the state average of 70.5%.

Race & Ethnicity

Bluffton has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.0% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 5.8%. The Black or African American population (1.8%) is well below the state average of 9.1%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 2.6%.

Education

17.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 40% 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 92.0%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Bluffton, 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 Bluffton, Indiana?

Bluffton, Indiana has a population of 10,529 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Bluffton, IN?

The median household income in Bluffton is $57,539, which is 29% lower than the national median of $80,734.

What is the poverty rate in Bluffton, IN?

The poverty rate in Bluffton is 9.5%. This means approximately 984 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Bluffton, Indiana?

Bluffton's population is 89.0% White, 1.8% Black, 5.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.

What is the median home value in Bluffton, IN?

The median home value in Bluffton is $149,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.

How educated is Bluffton, Indiana?

17.7% of adults (25+) in Bluffton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.