Dale, Indiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Dale, Indiana had a total population of 1,542, the 276th largest town in Indiana, with a median household income of $61,953, which is 14% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x.
Dale Quick Facts
How Dale 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 | 1,569 | 1,542 | -1.7% |
| Median household income | $58,508 | $61,953 | +5.9% |
| Median home value | $119,200 | $127,200 | +6.7% |
How Dale 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+)
Dale Rankings in Indiana
Explore Indiana Rankings
Other Cities in Spencer County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Claus | 2,793 | $89,659 | 3.7% | $258,900 |
| Rockport | 1,958 | $48,889 | 13.3% | $132,700 |
| Grandview | 757 | $50,987 | 8.7% | $140,600 |
| St. Meinrad | 646 | $52,402 | 15.0% | $315,200 |
| Richland | 588 | $73,250 | 11.4% | $146,400 |
| Hatfield | 497 | $71,932 | 21.9% | $138,000 |
| Chrisney | 442 | $55,625 | 11.1% | $102,900 |
| Gentryville | 303 | $49,241 | 2.0% | $122,200 |
Cities Similar to Dale
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brookston | 1,530 | $63,182 | $158,500 | 16.0% | 8.4% |
| Otterbein | 1,576 | $63,698 | $158,500 | 17.4% | 8.8% |
| Oolitic | 1,522 | $59,018 | $138,200 | 26.0% | 3.1% |
| Arcadia | 1,556 | $66,901 | $182,900 | 18.9% | 9.5% |
| Fairview Park | 1,470 | $62,778 | $104,800 | 16.6% | 11.6% |
Population Overview
Dale is a small community located in Indiana, within Spencer County. The total population is 1,542. It ranks as the 276th most populous out of 967 Census-designated places in Indiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dale is 34.8 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 38.1 years. With 31.6% of the population under 18, Dale has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Dale is $61,953. This is 14% lower than the state median of $71,957. It is also 23% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.6%. This is 38% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.3%. The unemployment rate is 3.0%. This is 29% lower than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $127,200. Housing costs are 42% lower than the state median of $218,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Dale 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
The largest racial or ethnic group in Dale is White (non-Hispanic), making up 72.3% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 24.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (24.3% vs 8.6%).
Education
10.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 66% 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 82.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Dale, 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 Dale, Indiana?
Dale, Indiana has a population of 1,542 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Dale, IN?
The median household income in Dale is $61,953, which is 23% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Dale, IN?
The poverty rate in Dale is 7.6%. This means approximately 112 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Dale, Indiana?
Dale's population is 72.3% White, 0.0% Black, 24.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Dale, IN?
The median home value in Dale is $127,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is Dale, Indiana?
10.1% of adults (25+) in Dale hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.