Jay County, Indiana Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Jay County is located in Indiana with a total population of 20,281. It is the 72nd most populous county out of 92 in Indiana.

Age Demographics

The median age in Jay County is 39.6 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 38.0 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Jay County is $54,114. This is 23% lower than the state median of $70,051. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 31% lower. The poverty rate stands at 13.2%. This is 8% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.2%. The unemployment rate is 3.8%. This is 12% lower than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $110,100. Housing costs are 45% lower than the state median of $201,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.0x, Jay County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 78.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% higher than the state average of 70.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

Jay County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 93.0% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.5%. The Black or African American population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 9.1%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 2.5%.

Education

12.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 56% lower 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 86.9%.