Petroleum, Indiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Petroleum, Indiana had a total population of 34, the 938th largest community in Indiana. The poverty rate is 26.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (26.5%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 0.0% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
Petroleum Quick Facts
How Petroleum 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 | 83 | 34 | -59.0% |
How Petroleum 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+)
Petroleum Rankings in Indiana
Explore Indiana Rankings
Cities Similar to Petroleum
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elizaville | 35 | N/A | N/A | 71.4% | 0.0% |
| Teegarden | 35 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Jerome | 33 | N/A | N/A | N/A | 0.0% |
| Pulaski | 33 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Judson | 32 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 100.0% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 34, Petroleum'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
Petroleum is a small community located in Indiana. The total population is 34. It ranks as the 938th most populous out of 967 Census-designated places in Indiana.
Age Demographics
73.5% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The poverty rate stands at 26.5%. This is 115% 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 survey records no unemployed residents in Petroleum, which reflects the size of the sample rather than a labor market without joblessness. 100.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 42% higher than the state average of 70.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Every resident counted in Petroleum 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
0.0% 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. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 26.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Petroleum, 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 Petroleum, Indiana?
Petroleum, Indiana has a population of 34 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Petroleum, IN?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median household income estimate for Petroleum — the community is too small for the ACS sample. The national median is $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Petroleum, IN?
The poverty rate in Petroleum is 26.5%. This means approximately 9 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Petroleum, Indiana?
Petroleum's population is 100.0% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Petroleum, IN?
The Census Bureau does not publish a reliable median home value estimate for Petroleum — there are too few owner-occupied homes in the ACS sample. The national median is $332,700.
How educated is Petroleum, Indiana?
0.0% of adults (25+) in Petroleum hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.