Herbst, Indiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Herbst, Indiana had a total population of 309, the 602nd largest community in Indiana, with a median household income of $40,366, which is 44% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 44% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Unemployment rate of 27.6% is notably above the national average.
Herbst Quick Facts
How Herbst 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 | 323 | 309 | -4.3% |
How Herbst 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+)
Herbst Rankings in Indiana
Explore Indiana Rankings
Other Cities in Grant County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marion | 27,531 | $43,343 | 29.6% | $85,300 |
| Gas City | 6,076 | $55,982 | 16.8% | $119,300 |
| Upland | 3,918 | $83,839 | 9.7% | $203,200 |
| Fairmount | 2,662 | $51,739 | 25.7% | $103,200 |
| Jonesboro | 1,578 | $45,833 | 16.3% | $79,500 |
| Sweetser | 1,061 | $80,625 | 11.8% | $153,400 |
| Swayzee | 846 | $65,391 | 10.8% | $121,000 |
| Converse | 813 | $65,536 | 18.9% | $103,800 |
| Van Buren | 782 | $47,692 | 19.7% | $69,800 |
| Matthews | 501 | $50,048 | 15.5% | $80,100 |
Cities Similar to Herbst
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Needmore | 309 | N/A | $94,200 | 8.9% | 5.9% |
| Fairview | 306 | $40,114 | $9,999 | 17.4% | 72.6% |
| Amity | 317 | N/A | $207,900 | 0.0% | 19.2% |
| Ontario | 301 | N/A | N/A | 5.4% | 0.0% |
| Arthur | 299 | N/A | $110,800 | 20.9% | 42.5% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 309, Herbst's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.
Population Overview
Herbst is a small community located in Indiana, within Grant County. The total population is 309. It ranks as the 602nd most populous out of 967 Census-designated places in Indiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Herbst is 37.1 years. This is 3% lower than the state median of 38.1 years. With 29.1% of the population under 18, Herbst has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Herbst is $40,366. This is 44% lower than the state median of $71,957. It is also 50% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.4%. This is 65% 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 27.6%. This is 544% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. 90.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% higher than the state average of 70.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Every resident counted in Herbst was recorded as White (non-Hispanic). A figure of exactly 100.0% reflects a survey sample too small to capture the community's full composition rather than a precise measurement.
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. No surveyed resident aged 25 or older reported leaving school before earning a high school diploma, though a rate of exactly 100% reflects the limits of a small sample.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Herbst, 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 Herbst, Indiana?
Herbst, Indiana has a population of 309 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Herbst, IN?
The median household income in Herbst is $40,366, which is 50% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Herbst, IN?
The poverty rate in Herbst is 20.4%. This means approximately 63 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Herbst, Indiana?
Herbst's population is 100.0% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Herbst, IN?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Herbst — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Herbst, Indiana?
10.1% of adults (25+) in Herbst hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.