Dunkirk, Indiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Dunkirk, Indiana had a total population of 1,861, the 242nd largest city in Indiana, with a median household income of $46,339, which is 36% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 22.6%.
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.
- Only 6.9% 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 1.8x.
Dunkirk Quick Facts
How Dunkirk 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 | 1,760 | 1,861 | +5.7% |
| Median household income | $46,250 | $46,339 | +0.2% |
| Median home value | $65,000 | $81,100 | +24.8% |
How Dunkirk 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+)
Dunkirk Rankings in Indiana
Explore Indiana Rankings
Other Cities in Jay County
Cities Similar to Dunkirk
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ardmore | 1,810 | $47,069 | $143,100 | 14.0% | 14.6% |
| Vevay | 1,757 | $45,962 | $133,800 | 12.9% | 13.6% |
| Rockport | 1,958 | $48,889 | $132,700 | 15.0% | 13.3% |
| Versailles | 2,037 | $45,758 | $169,200 | 12.4% | 17.6% |
| French Lick | 1,828 | $54,519 | $85,100 | 15.6% | 10.1% |
Population Overview
Dunkirk is a small community located in Indiana, within Jay County. The total population is 1,861. It ranks as the 242nd most populous out of 967 Census-designated places in Indiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dunkirk is 43.5 years. This is 14% higher than the state median of 38.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Dunkirk is $46,339. 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 22.6%. This is 83% 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 4.9%. This is 15% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $81,100. Housing costs are 63% lower than the state median of $218,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x, Dunkirk is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 72.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% higher than the state average of 70.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Dunkirk has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.7%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 9.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (1.7%) is well below the state average of 8.6%. The Asian population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 2.6%.
Education
6.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 77% 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 89.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Dunkirk, 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 Dunkirk, Indiana?
Dunkirk, Indiana has a population of 1,861 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Dunkirk, IN?
The median household income in Dunkirk is $46,339, which is 43% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Dunkirk, IN?
The poverty rate in Dunkirk is 22.6%. This means approximately 420 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Dunkirk, Indiana?
Dunkirk's population is 93.4% White, 0.4% Black, 1.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Dunkirk, IN?
The median home value in Dunkirk is $81,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.8x.
How educated is Dunkirk, Indiana?
6.9% of adults (25+) in Dunkirk hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.