Fort Wayne city, Indiana Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Fort Wayne city, Indiana has a total population of 266,235, the 2nd largest city in Indiana, with a median household income of $60,293, which is 14% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.6%.
Key Takeaways
- Fort Wayne city is the 2nd largest city in Indiana with a population of 266,235.
Fort Wayne city Quick Facts
How Fort Wayne city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 40 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Fort Wayne city Rankings in Indiana
Explore Indiana Rankings
Cities Similar to Fort Wayne city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evansville city | 116,441 | $52,251 | $129,100 | 22.3% | 18.6% |
| South Bend city | 102,866 | $52,512 | $124,500 | 29.4% | 22.6% |
| Indianapolis city (balance) | 882,043 | $62,995 | $207,000 | 34.2% | 15.7% |
| Hammond city | 77,098 | $53,950 | $141,700 | 15.4% | 19.2% |
| Bloomington city | 78,791 | $48,918 | $289,700 | 60.0% | 30.5% |
Population Overview
Fort Wayne city is a major urban center located in Indiana. The total population is 266,235. It ranks as the 2nd most populous out of 967 cities and towns in Indiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fort Wayne city is 35.0 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 38.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fort Wayne city is $60,293. This is 14% lower than the state median of $70,051. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 23% lower. The poverty rate stands at 15.6%. This is 28% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.2%. The unemployment rate is 5.5%. This is 29% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $169,700. Housing costs are 16% lower than the state median of $201,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Fort Wayne city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 62.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% lower than the state average of 70.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Fort Wayne city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 63.8% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 14.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (14.4% vs 9.1%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (5.8% vs 2.5%).
Education
28.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is about average than the state rate of 28.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 88.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Fort Wayne city, Indiana is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. 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. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Fort Wayne city, Indiana?
Fort Wayne city, Indiana has a population of 266,235 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fort Wayne city, IN?
The median household income in Fort Wayne city is $60,293, which is 23% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Fort Wayne city, IN?
The poverty rate in Fort Wayne city is 15.6%. This means approximately 40,583 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fort Wayne city, Indiana?
Fort Wayne city's population is 63.8% White, 14.4% Black, 10.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 5.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fort Wayne city, IN?
The median home value in Fort Wayne city is $169,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Fort Wayne city, Indiana?
28.5% of adults (25+) in Fort Wayne city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.