New Castle, Indiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, New Castle, Indiana had a total population of 17,367, the 52nd largest city in Indiana, with a median household income of $51,606, which is 28% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x.
New Castle Quick Facts
How New Castle 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 | 17,356 | 17,367 | +0.1% |
| Median household income | $48,977 | $51,606 | +5.4% |
| Median home value | $95,100 | $98,000 | +3.0% |
How New Castle 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+)
New Castle Rankings in Indiana
Explore Indiana Rankings
Other Cities in Henry County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knightstown | 2,241 | $49,792 | 22.0% | $130,000 |
| Middletown | 2,235 | $56,008 | 12.7% | $96,200 |
| Spiceland | 840 | $65,875 | 22.2% | $118,300 |
| Mount Summit | 713 | N/A | 4.9% | $214,100 |
| Mooreland | 493 | $60,714 | 16.9% | $94,200 |
| Sulphur Springs | 454 | $51,250 | 9.5% | $139,300 |
| Kennard | 415 | $58,125 | 10.4% | $110,700 |
| Lewisville | 282 | $50,208 | 23.8% | $114,300 |
| Straughn | 229 | $73,125 | 11.8% | $112,000 |
| Cadiz | 226 | $101,000 | 13.6% | $105,600 |
Cities Similar to New Castle
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Huntington | 17,030 | $56,520 | $119,500 | 16.4% | 15.0% |
| Vincennes | 16,586 | $53,637 | $111,600 | 16.8% | 19.6% |
| Logansport | 17,790 | $47,291 | $92,200 | 12.2% | 16.1% |
| Crawfordsville | 16,491 | $55,033 | $134,000 | 15.2% | 15.2% |
| Warsaw | 16,768 | $61,035 | $181,200 | 33.7% | 17.6% |
Population Overview
New Castle is a small city located in Indiana, within Henry County. The total population is 17,367. It ranks as the 52nd most populous out of 967 Census-designated places in Indiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in New Castle is 41.2 years. This is 8% higher than the state median of 38.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in New Castle is $51,606. This is 28% lower than the state median of $71,957. It is also 36% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.1%. This is 63% 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 4.9%. This is 14% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $98,000. Housing costs are 55% lower than the state median of $218,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, New Castle is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 61.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 70.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
New Castle has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.2% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 3.5%. The Black or African American population (3.5%) is well below the state average of 9.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.2%) is well below the state average of 8.6%. The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 2.6%.
Education
13.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 55% 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 88.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for New Castle, 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 New Castle, Indiana?
New Castle, Indiana has a population of 17,367 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in New Castle, IN?
The median household income in New Castle is $51,606, which is 36% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in New Castle, IN?
The poverty rate in New Castle is 20.1%. This means approximately 3,423 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of New Castle, Indiana?
New Castle's population is 89.2% White, 3.5% Black, 2.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in New Castle, IN?
The median home value in New Castle is $98,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.9x.
How educated is New Castle, Indiana?
13.3% of adults (25+) in New Castle hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.