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St. Joseph County, Indiana Demographics 2026

St. Joseph County, Indiana has a population of 273,040, the 5th most populous county in Indiana. The median household income is $66,868 and the median home value is $192,800. The poverty rate is 14.2%.

Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes

St. Joseph County Quick Facts

Population 273,040
Median Household Income $66,868
Median Home Value $192,800
Poverty Rate 14.2%
Unemployment Rate 5.2%
Median Age 36.7 years
Homeownership Rate 69.0%
Affordability Ratio 2.9x
Bachelor's Degree+ 33.5%
High School Graduation 91.5%
Cities/Places 11
Population 273,040 5th of 92
Median Income $66,868 7% lower than state
Poverty Rate 14.2%
Unemployment 5.2%

How St. Joseph County Changed

Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.

Metric2019–20232020–2024Change
Population272,574273,040+0.2%
Median household income$64,885$66,868+3.1%
Median home value$179,800$192,800+7.2%

Economy & Housing

Household Income Distribution

Under $25K 15.9%
$25K-$50K 21.2%
$50K-$100K 31.6%
$100K+ 31.2%
Detailed income brackets
Under $10K
5.1%
$10K-$15K
4.0%
$15K-$20K
3.4%
$20K-$25K
3.4%
$25K-$30K
4.5%
$30K-$35K
4.2%
$35K-$40K
4.7%
$40K-$45K
3.5%
$45K-$50K
4.3%
$50K-$60K
7.8%
$60K-$75K
11.0%
$75K-$100K
12.9%
$100K-$125K
9.7%
$125K-$150K
6.5%
$150K-$200K
7.5%
$200K+
7.6%

Employment

5.2% Unemployment Rate State: 4.3%|National: 5.2%
63.3% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 69.0%
Renter 31.0%
Affordability Index Very Affordable
2.9x home value to income ratio
Median gross rent $1,062/mo 19.1% of median household income annually

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

50out of 100
Moderate Diversity

Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.

State average: 41 | National average: 61

Education

Cities & Places in St. Joseph County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
South Bend103,085$55,78620.8%$140,400
Mishawaka51,021$54,29116.4%$155,500
Granger30,321$123,3184.7%$331,100
Notre Dame6,890$19,88649.2%N/A
Osceola2,593$66,50314.5%$196,900
Walkerton2,115$65,3406.4%$149,200
New Carlisle1,998$66,8244.5%$186,700
North Liberty1,775$75,0478.3%$162,100
Roseland1,175$47,91728.8%$122,500
Lakeville735$62,77217.5%$136,500
Indian Village97$81,87510.3%$190,600

Population Overview

St. Joseph County is located in Indiana with a total population of 273,040. It is the 5th most populous county out of 92 in Indiana. The county encompasses 11 Census-designated places.

Age Demographics

The median age in St. Joseph County is 36.7 years. This is 4% lower than the state median of 38.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in St. Joseph County is $66,868. This is 7% lower than the state median of $71,957. It is also 17% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.2%. This is 15% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.3%. The unemployment rate is 5.2%. This is 22% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $192,800. Housing costs are 12% lower than the state median of $218,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, St. Joseph County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 69.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 70.5%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in St. Joseph County is White (non-Hispanic), making up 68.9% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 12.3%.

Education

33.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 14% higher 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 91.5%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All figures for St. Joseph County come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates, with comparisons drawn against Indiana and national averages from the same dataset. See our methodology page for how each metric is defined, or data.census.gov for official tables with margins of error.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of St. Joseph County, Indiana?

St. Joseph County has a population of 273,040, making it the 5th most populous county in Indiana.

What is the median income in St. Joseph County?

The median household income in St. Joseph County is $66,868 with a poverty rate of 14.2%.

How many cities are in St. Joseph County, Indiana?

St. Joseph County contains 11 Census-designated places.