Paragon, Indiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Paragon, Indiana had a total population of 537, the 495th largest town in Indiana, with a median household income of $73,750, which is 2% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 2.1% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x.
- Unemployment rate of 13.5% is notably above the national average.
Paragon Quick Facts
How Paragon 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 | 564 | 537 | -4.8% |
| Median home value | $90,700 | $104,100 | +14.8% |
How Paragon 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+)
Paragon Rankings in Indiana
Explore Indiana Rankings
Other Cities in Morgan County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Martinsville | 11,933 | $60,177 | 12.9% | $163,400 |
| Mooresville | 9,751 | $68,983 | 13.1% | $206,400 |
| Brooklyn | 2,570 | $58,176 | 18.1% | $119,000 |
| Monrovia | 2,055 | $92,344 | 6.4% | $233,200 |
| Morgantown | 1,308 | $54,007 | 15.0% | $133,600 |
| Painted Hills | 948 | $93,838 | 4.2% | $305,200 |
| Bethany | 67 | N/A | 3.0% | $210,700 |
Cities Similar to Paragon
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Eliza | 545 | N/A | $173,000 | 5.6% | 10.3% |
| St. Bernice | 554 | N/A | $92,700 | 0.0% | 3.8% |
| Lewis | 560 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 73.8% |
| Chalmers | 526 | $70,500 | $162,500 | 17.3% | 8.0% |
| Michigantown | 514 | $74,375 | $147,200 | 16.6% | 16.9% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 537, Paragon'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
Paragon is a small community located in Indiana, within Morgan County. The total population is 537. It ranks as the 495th most populous out of 967 Census-designated places in Indiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Paragon is 45.6 years. This is 20% higher than the state median of 38.1 years. Only 13.6% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Paragon is $73,750. This is 2% higher than the state median of $71,957. It is also 9% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 24.7%. This is 100% 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 13.5%. This is 215% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $104,100. Housing costs are 52% lower than the state median of $218,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.4x, Paragon is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 84.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% higher than the state average of 70.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Paragon has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.2% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 0.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 8.6%.
Education
2.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 93% 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 78.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Paragon, 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 Paragon, Indiana?
Paragon, Indiana has a population of 537 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Paragon, IN?
The median household income in Paragon is $73,750, which is 9% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Paragon, IN?
The poverty rate in Paragon is 24.7%. This means approximately 132 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Paragon, Indiana?
Paragon's population is 95.2% White, 0.0% Black, 0.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Paragon, IN?
The median home value in Paragon is $104,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.4x.
How educated is Paragon, Indiana?
2.1% of adults (25+) in Paragon hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.