South Bend city, Indiana Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

South Bend city is a major urban center located in Indiana. The total population is 102,866. It ranks as the 4th most populous out of 967 cities and towns in Indiana.

Age Demographics

The median age in South Bend city is 33.9 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 38.0 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in South Bend city is $52,512. This is 25% lower than the state median of $70,051. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 33% lower. The poverty rate stands at 22.6%. This is 85% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.2%. 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 6.0%. This is 40% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $124,500. Housing costs are 38% lower than the state median of $201,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.4x, South Bend city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 58.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% lower than the state average of 70.3%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in South Bend city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 50.7% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 24.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (24.1% vs 9.1%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (17.3% vs 8.4%).

Education

29.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 2% higher than the state rate of 28.8%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 87.7%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for South Bend city, Indiana is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. 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. For official data, visit data.census.gov.