Elkhart, Indiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Elkhart, Indiana had a total population of 53,733, the 18th largest city in Indiana, with a median household income of $51,028, which is 29% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 18.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Elkhart Quick Facts
How Elkhart 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 | 53,726 | 53,733 | +0.0% |
| Median household income | $47,885 | $51,028 | +6.6% |
| Median home value | $126,900 | $139,500 | +9.9% |
How Elkhart 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Elkhart Rankings in Indiana
Explore Indiana Rankings
Other Cities in Elkhart County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Goshen | 34,420 | $59,184 | 17.1% | $184,900 |
| Nappanee | 6,815 | $68,892 | 9.1% | $238,600 |
| Dunlap | 6,109 | $87,039 | 8.4% | $222,200 |
| Simonton Lake | 4,248 | $75,673 | 11.5% | $266,800 |
| Middlebury | 3,700 | $75,236 | 14.6% | $243,700 |
| Syracuse | 3,233 | $71,833 | 4.2% | $199,400 |
| Wakarusa | 2,282 | $74,464 | 8.6% | $207,200 |
| Bristol | 2,128 | $77,188 | 7.4% | $229,500 |
| New Paris | 1,549 | $74,663 | 10.5% | $223,700 |
| Millersburg | 1,077 | $65,833 | 23.1% | $186,400 |
Cities Similar to Elkhart
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson | 55,367 | $46,909 | $119,000 | 15.7% | 21.0% |
| Mishawaka | 51,021 | $54,291 | $155,500 | 29.2% | 16.4% |
| Kokomo | 59,122 | $55,360 | $137,400 | 18.1% | 17.1% |
| Terre Haute | 58,427 | $43,126 | $115,700 | 24.6% | 24.6% |
| Jeffersonville | 51,043 | $70,930 | $216,800 | 28.2% | 11.2% |
Population Overview
Elkhart is a mid-sized community located in Indiana, within Elkhart County. The total population is 53,733. It ranks as the 18th most populous out of 967 Census-designated places in Indiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Elkhart is 35.0 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 38.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Elkhart is $51,028. This is 29% lower than the state median of $71,957. It is also 37% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 18.2%. This is 47% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.3%. The unemployment rate is 3.9%. This is 8% lower than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $139,500. Housing costs are 36% lower than the state median of $218,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.7x, Elkhart is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 53.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% lower than the state average of 70.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Elkhart is White (non-Hispanic), making up 54.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 27.0%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (27.0% vs 8.6%). The Asian population (0.5%) 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 81.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Elkhart, 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 Elkhart, Indiana?
Elkhart, Indiana has a population of 53,733 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Elkhart, IN?
The median household income in Elkhart is $51,028, which is 37% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Elkhart, IN?
The poverty rate in Elkhart is 18.2%. This means approximately 9,606 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Elkhart, Indiana?
Elkhart's population is 54.9% White, 12.4% Black, 27.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Elkhart, IN?
The median home value in Elkhart is $139,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.7x.
How educated is Elkhart, Indiana?
17.7% of adults (25+) in Elkhart hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.