South Bend, Indiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, South Bend, Indiana had a total population of 103,085, the 4th largest city in Indiana, with a median household income of $55,786, which is 22% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 20.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- South Bend is the 4th largest city in Indiana with a population of 103,085.
South Bend Quick Facts
How South Bend 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 | 102,866 | 103,085 | +0.2% |
| Median household income | $52,512 | $55,786 | +6.2% |
| Median home value | $124,500 | $140,400 | +12.8% |
How South Bend 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 41 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
South Bend Rankings in Indiana
Explore Indiana Rankings
Other Cities in St. Joseph County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mishawaka | 51,021 | $54,291 | 16.4% | $155,500 |
| Granger | 30,321 | $123,318 | 4.7% | $331,100 |
| Notre Dame | 6,890 | $19,886 | 49.2% | N/A |
| Osceola | 2,593 | $66,503 | 14.5% | $196,900 |
| Walkerton | 2,115 | $65,340 | 6.4% | $149,200 |
| New Carlisle | 1,998 | $66,824 | 4.5% | $186,700 |
| North Liberty | 1,775 | $75,047 | 8.3% | $162,100 |
| Roseland | 1,175 | $47,917 | 28.8% | $122,500 |
| Lakeville | 735 | $62,772 | 17.5% | $136,500 |
| Indian Village | 97 | $81,875 | 10.3% | $190,600 |
Cities Similar to South Bend
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evansville | 116,116 | $53,387 | $143,100 | 22.8% | 18.4% |
| Hammond | 76,768 | $55,504 | $159,900 | 17.4% | 19.1% |
| Bloomington | 80,049 | $50,465 | $321,400 | 58.8% | 29.8% |
| Lafayette | 71,159 | $53,716 | $172,800 | 27.9% | 17.8% |
| Fishers | 102,337 | $130,203 | $391,000 | 66.5% | 4.0% |
Population Overview
South Bend is a major urban center located in Indiana, within St. Joseph County. The total population is 103,085. It ranks as the 4th most populous out of 967 Census-designated places in Indiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in South Bend is 34.8 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 38.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in South Bend is $55,786. This is 22% lower than the state median of $71,957. It is also 31% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 20.8%. This is 69% 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 6.5%. This is 51% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $140,400. Housing costs are 36% lower than the state median of $218,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, South Bend is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 60.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% lower than the state average of 70.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in South Bend is White (non-Hispanic), making up 50.9% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 22.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (22.4% vs 9.1%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (17.8% vs 8.6%).
Education
29.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is about the same as 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 87.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for South Bend, 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 South Bend, Indiana?
South Bend, Indiana has a population of 103,085 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in South Bend, IN?
The median household income in South Bend is $55,786, which is 31% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in South Bend, IN?
The poverty rate in South Bend is 20.8%. This means approximately 21,013 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of South Bend, Indiana?
South Bend's population is 50.9% White, 22.4% Black, 17.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in South Bend, IN?
The median home value in South Bend is $140,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is South Bend, Indiana?
29.3% of adults (25+) in South Bend hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.