Shoals, Indiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Shoals, Indiana had a total population of 679, the 440th largest town in Indiana, with a median household income of $38,333, which is 47% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 47% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Only 9.2% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.7%.
Shoals Quick Facts
How Shoals 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 | 700 | 679 | -3.0% |
| Median household income | $43,304 | $38,333 | -11.5% |
| Median home value | $114,300 | $151,500 | +32.5% |
How Shoals 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+)
Shoals Rankings in Indiana
Explore Indiana Rankings
Other Cities in Martin County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loogootee | 2,853 | $50,000 | 26.4% | $148,500 |
| Crane | 260 | $46,719 | 27.7% | $103,600 |
| Burns City | 139 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Dover Hill | 71 | N/A | 7.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Shoals
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Van Bibber Lake | 658 | $37,315 | $65,500 | 3.4% | 14.3% |
| Mount Summit | 713 | N/A | $214,100 | 17.2% | 4.9% |
| San Pierre | 727 | N/A | $193,600 | 9.3% | 1.8% |
| Fairland | 660 | $42,083 | $186,600 | 15.1% | 11.4% |
| Kingman | 693 | $33,393 | $112,500 | 11.8% | 28.4% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 679, Shoals'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
Shoals is a small community located in Indiana, within Martin County. The total population is 679. It ranks as the 440th most populous out of 967 Census-designated places in Indiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Shoals is 43.4 years. This is 14% higher than the state median of 38.1 years. 11.9% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Shoals is $38,333. This is 47% lower than the state median of $71,957. It is also 53% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.5%. This is 66% 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 0.7%. This is 84% lower than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $151,500. Housing costs are 31% lower than the state median of $218,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x. 61.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 70.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Shoals has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.5% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 1.6%. The Black or African American population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 9.1%. The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 2.6%.
Education
9.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 69% 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 88.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Shoals, 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 Shoals, Indiana?
Shoals, Indiana has a population of 679 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Shoals, IN?
The median household income in Shoals is $38,333, which is 53% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Shoals, IN?
The poverty rate in Shoals is 20.5%. This means approximately 129 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Shoals, Indiana?
Shoals's population is 94.5% White, 1.6% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Shoals, IN?
The median home value in Shoals is $151,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.0x.
How educated is Shoals, Indiana?
9.2% of adults (25+) in Shoals hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.