Brookston, Indiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Brookston, Indiana had a total population of 1,530, the 278th largest town in Indiana, with a median household income of $63,182, which is 12% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.6%.
Brookston Quick Facts
How Brookston 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 | 1,703 | 1,530 | -10.2% |
| Median household income | $62,375 | $63,182 | +1.3% |
| Median home value | $132,700 | $158,500 | +19.4% |
How Brookston 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
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Brookston Rankings in Indiana
Explore Indiana Rankings
Other Cities in White County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Monticello | 5,496 | $52,798 | 11.1% | $149,600 |
| Monon | 2,091 | $49,286 | 23.7% | $96,000 |
| Wolcott | 1,033 | $66,875 | 11.5% | $113,900 |
| Buffalo | 947 | $89,934 | 8.3% | $125,000 |
| Reynolds | 718 | $58,750 | 5.9% | $123,900 |
| Chalmers | 526 | $70,500 | 8.0% | $162,500 |
| Idaville | 399 | $49,323 | 12.8% | $136,300 |
| Burnettsville | 307 | $63,365 | 14.3% | $104,700 |
| Norway | 282 | $39,286 | 15.6% | $106,000 |
Cities Similar to Brookston
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dale | 1,542 | $61,953 | $127,200 | 10.1% | 7.6% |
| Otterbein | 1,576 | $63,698 | $158,500 | 17.4% | 8.8% |
| Oolitic | 1,522 | $59,018 | $138,200 | 26.0% | 3.1% |
| Fairview Park | 1,470 | $62,778 | $104,800 | 16.6% | 11.6% |
| Arcadia | 1,556 | $66,901 | $182,900 | 18.9% | 9.5% |
Population Overview
Brookston is a small community located in Indiana, within White County. The total population is 1,530. It ranks as the 278th most populous out of 967 Census-designated places in Indiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Brookston is 40.0 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 38.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Brookston is $63,182. This is 12% lower than the state median of $71,957. It is also 22% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.4%. This is 32% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.3%. The unemployment rate is 0.6%. This is 87% lower than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $158,500. Housing costs are 27% lower than the state median of $218,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Brookston is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 73.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% higher than the state average of 70.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Brookston has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population (4.0%) is well below the state average of 8.6%.
Education
16.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 46% 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 94.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Brookston, 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 Brookston, Indiana?
Brookston, Indiana has a population of 1,530 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Brookston, IN?
The median household income in Brookston is $63,182, which is 22% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Brookston, IN?
The poverty rate in Brookston is 8.4%. This means approximately 128 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Brookston, Indiana?
Brookston's population is 92.2% White, 0.0% Black, 4.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Brookston, IN?
The median home value in Brookston is $158,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Brookston, Indiana?
16.0% of adults (25+) in Brookston hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.