Fort Wayne, Indiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Fort Wayne, Indiana had a total population of 268,589, the 2nd largest city in Indiana, with a median household income of $61,422, which is 15% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Fort Wayne is the 2nd largest city in Indiana with a population of 268,589.
Fort Wayne Quick Facts
How Fort Wayne 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 | 266,235 | 268,589 | +0.9% |
| Median household income | $60,293 | $61,422 | +1.9% |
| Median home value | $169,700 | $188,900 | +11.3% |
How Fort Wayne 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+)
Fort Wayne Rankings in Indiana
Explore Indiana Rankings
Other Cities in Allen County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New Haven | 15,698 | $70,970 | 9.7% | $166,900 |
| Huntertown | 11,379 | $109,432 | 3.2% | $298,200 |
| Leo-Cedarville | 3,695 | $116,375 | 0.0% | $370,100 |
| Woodburn | 1,263 | $65,938 | 8.7% | $137,000 |
| Harlan | 1,254 | $75,313 | 5.6% | $179,200 |
| Monroeville | 1,122 | $56,302 | 4.5% | $128,000 |
| Grabill | 1,108 | $66,563 | 5.6% | $150,200 |
| Hoagland | 845 | $61,563 | 13.9% | $183,600 |
| Zanesville | 488 | $67,212 | 10.3% | $162,500 |
Cities Similar to Fort Wayne
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evansville | 116,116 | $53,387 | $143,100 | 22.8% | 18.4% |
| South Bend | 103,085 | $55,786 | $140,400 | 29.3% | 20.8% |
| Indianapolis | 885,860 | $66,219 | $224,800 | 34.9% | 15.8% |
| Hammond | 76,768 | $55,504 | $159,900 | 17.4% | 19.1% |
| Bloomington | 80,049 | $50,465 | $321,400 | 58.8% | 29.8% |
Population Overview
Fort Wayne is a major urban center located in Indiana, within Allen County. The total population is 268,589. It ranks as the 2nd most populous out of 967 Census-designated places in Indiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Fort Wayne is 35.0 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 38.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Fort Wayne is $61,422. This is 15% lower than the state median of $71,957. It is also 24% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.0%. This is 30% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.3%. The unemployment rate is 5.6%. This is 31% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $188,900. Housing costs are 13% lower than the state median of $218,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 61.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% lower than the state average of 70.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Fort Wayne is White (non-Hispanic), making up 63.2% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 14.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (14.0% vs 9.1%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (6.1% vs 2.6%).
Education
29.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 2% 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 Fort Wayne, 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 Fort Wayne, Indiana?
Fort Wayne, Indiana has a population of 268,589 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Fort Wayne, IN?
The median household income in Fort Wayne is $61,422, which is 24% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Fort Wayne, IN?
The poverty rate in Fort Wayne is 16.0%. This means approximately 42,225 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Fort Wayne, Indiana?
Fort Wayne's population is 63.2% White, 14.0% Black, 10.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 6.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Fort Wayne, IN?
The median home value in Fort Wayne is $188,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Fort Wayne, Indiana?
29.0% of adults (25+) in Fort Wayne hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.