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Mishawaka, Indiana Demographics & Population 2026

During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Mishawaka, Indiana had a total population of 51,021, the 21st largest city in Indiana, with a median household income of $54,291, which is 25% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.4%.

Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes

Mishawaka Quick Facts

Population 51,021
Median Household Income $54,291
Median Home Value $155,500
Poverty Rate 16.4%
Unemployment Rate 6.8%
Median Age 36.0 years
Homeownership Rate 49.3%
Affordability Ratio 2.9x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 29.2%
High School Graduation Rate 91.1%
Diversity Index 44/100
Population 51,021 21st of 967
Median Income $54,291 bottom 30%
Poverty Rate 16.4% 32% higher than national
Median Home Value $155,500 average

How Mishawaka Changed

Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.

Metric2019–20232020–2024Change
Population50,90751,021+0.2%
Median household income$53,120$54,291+2.2%
Median home value$140,600$155,500+10.6%

How Mishawaka Compares

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 18.6%
$25K-$50K 28.0%
$50K-$100K 31.8%
$100K+ 21.6%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
5.1%
$10K-$15K
4.0%
$15K-$20K
4.6%
$20K-$25K
4.9%
$25K-$30K
6.7%
$30K-$35K
3.9%
$35K-$40K
6.1%
$40K-$45K
5.0%
$45K-$50K
6.3%
$50K-$60K
8.5%
$60K-$75K
10.9%
$75K-$100K
12.4%
$100K-$125K
8.7%
$125K-$150K
3.5%
$150K-$200K
4.5%
$200K+
4.9%

Employment

6.8% Unemployment Rate State: 4.3%|National: 5.2%
65.9% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 49.3%
Renter 50.7%
Affordability Index Very Affordable
2.9x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $1,070/mo 23.7% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

44out of 100
Moderate Diversity

Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.

State average: 41 | National average: 61

Education

Mishawaka Rankings in Indiana

#21 Population of 967
#572 Median Income of 796
#179 Education of 966
#361 Home Value of 818

Other Cities in St. Joseph County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
South Bend 103,085 $55,786 20.8% $140,400
Granger 30,321 $123,318 4.7% $331,100
Notre Dame 6,890 $19,886 49.2% N/A
Osceola 2,593 $66,503 14.5% $196,900
Walkerton 2,115 $65,340 6.4% $149,200
New Carlisle 1,998 $66,824 4.5% $186,700
North Liberty 1,775 $75,047 8.3% $162,100
Roseland 1,175 $47,917 28.8% $122,500
Lakeville 735 $62,772 17.5% $136,500
Indian Village 97 $81,875 10.3% $190,600

Cities Similar to Mishawaka

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Elkhart53,733$51,028$139,50017.7%18.2%
Jeffersonville51,043$70,930$216,80028.2%11.2%
Anderson55,367$46,909$119,00015.7%21.0%
Kokomo59,122$55,360$137,40018.1%17.1%
Lawrence49,517$74,022$230,10035.6%8.7%

Population Overview

Mishawaka is a mid-sized community located in Indiana, within St. Joseph County. The total population is 51,021. It ranks as the 21st most populous out of 967 Census-designated places in Indiana.

Age Demographics

The median age in Mishawaka is 36.0 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 38.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Mishawaka is $54,291. This is 25% lower than the state median of $71,957. It is also 33% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.4%. This is 33% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.3%. The unemployment rate is 6.8%. This is 58% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $155,500. Housing costs are 29% lower than the state median of $218,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Mishawaka is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 49.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 30% lower than the state average of 70.5%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Mishawaka is White (non-Hispanic), making up 73.7% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 10.7%.

Education

29.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is about the same as 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 91.1%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Mishawaka, 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 Mishawaka, Indiana?

Mishawaka, Indiana has a population of 51,021 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Mishawaka, IN?

The median household income in Mishawaka is $54,291, which is 33% lower than the national median of $80,734.

What is the poverty rate in Mishawaka, IN?

The poverty rate in Mishawaka is 16.4%. This means approximately 8,164 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Mishawaka, Indiana?

Mishawaka's population is 73.7% White, 10.7% Black, 6.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.4% Asian.

What is the median home value in Mishawaka, IN?

The median home value in Mishawaka is $155,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.

How educated is Mishawaka, Indiana?

29.2% of adults (25+) in Mishawaka hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.