Carlisle, Indiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Carlisle, Indiana had a total population of 726, the 428th largest town in Indiana, with a median household income of $45,750, which is 36% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 36% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.6%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 6.2% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x.
- Unemployment rate of 17.3% is notably above the national average.
Carlisle Quick Facts
How Carlisle 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 | 610 | 726 | +19.0% |
| Median household income | $52,143 | $45,750 | -12.3% |
| Median home value | $59,500 | $73,000 | +22.7% |
How Carlisle 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+)
Carlisle Rankings in Indiana
Explore Indiana Rankings
Other Cities in Sullivan County
Cities Similar to Carlisle
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Pierre | 727 | N/A | $193,600 | 9.3% | 1.8% |
| Mount Summit | 713 | N/A | $214,100 | 17.2% | 4.9% |
| Clarks Hill | 700 | $46,806 | $93,600 | 7.9% | 16.3% |
| Patoka | 737 | $48,958 | $99,000 | 11.3% | 26.5% |
| Fountain City | 702 | $47,802 | $96,200 | 15.6% | 17.9% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 726, Carlisle's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Carlisle is a small community located in Indiana, within Sullivan County. The total population is 726. It ranks as the 428th most populous out of 967 Census-designated places in Indiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Carlisle is 38.2 years. This is about the same as the state median of 38.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Carlisle is $45,750. This is 36% lower than the state median of $71,957. It is also 43% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 25.6%. This is 108% 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 17.3%. This is 305% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $73,000. Housing costs are 67% lower than the state median of $218,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.6x, Carlisle is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 82.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% higher than the state average of 70.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Carlisle has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.1% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 0.3%. The Black or African American population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 9.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 8.6%.
Education
6.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 79% 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 91.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Carlisle, 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 Carlisle, Indiana?
Carlisle, Indiana has a population of 726 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Carlisle, IN?
The median household income in Carlisle is $45,750, which is 43% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Carlisle, IN?
The poverty rate in Carlisle is 25.6%. This means approximately 186 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Carlisle, Indiana?
Carlisle's population is 93.1% White, 0.3% Black, 0.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Carlisle, IN?
The median home value in Carlisle is $73,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.6x.
How educated is Carlisle, Indiana?
6.2% of adults (25+) in Carlisle hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.