Universal, Indiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Universal, Indiana had a total population of 173, the 754th largest town in Indiana, with a median household income of $53,750, which is 25% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.2x.
Universal Quick Facts
How Universal 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 | 273 | 173 | -36.6% |
| Median household income | $63,250 | $53,750 | -15.0% |
| Median home value | $70,500 | $64,300 | -8.8% |
How Universal 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+)
Universal Rankings in Indiana
Explore Indiana Rankings
Other Cities in Vermillion County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clinton | 4,794 | $42,922 | 21.4% | $101,600 |
| Fairview Park | 1,470 | $62,778 | 11.6% | $104,800 |
| Cayuga | 1,064 | $50,872 | 13.2% | $79,800 |
| Dana | 652 | $52,791 | 21.9% | $55,500 |
| Perrysville | 607 | $86,094 | 18.1% | $100,000 |
| St. Bernice | 554 | N/A | 3.8% | $92,700 |
| Newport | 330 | $56,875 | 12.7% | $84,000 |
| Blanford | 281 | N/A | 20.3% | $50,300 |
Cities Similar to Universal
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cree Lake | 173 | N/A | $223,300 | 10.7% | 33.5% |
| Decker | 174 | N/A | $34,700 | 18.2% | 12.1% |
| Roll | 169 | N/A | N/A | 0.0% | 0.0% |
| Greensboro | 178 | N/A | $104,600 | 9.6% | 2.8% |
| Blountsville | 170 | $52,375 | $70,600 | 12.8% | 22.4% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 173, Universal'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
Universal is a small community located in Indiana, within Vermillion County. The total population is 173. It ranks as the 754th most populous out of 967 Census-designated places in Indiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Universal is 46.2 years. This is 21% higher than the state median of 38.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Universal is $53,750. This is 25% lower than the state median of $71,957. It is also 33% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.3%. This is 41% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.3%. The unemployment rate is 7.2%. This is 69% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $64,300. Housing costs are 71% lower than the state median of $218,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.2x, Universal is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 81.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 15% higher than the state average of 70.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Universal has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 0.6%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 8.6%.
Education
10.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 65% 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 90.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Universal, 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 Universal, Indiana?
Universal, Indiana has a population of 173 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Universal, IN?
The median household income in Universal is $53,750, which is 33% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Universal, IN?
The poverty rate in Universal is 17.3%. This means approximately 30 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Universal, Indiana?
Universal's population is 95.4% White, 0.0% Black, 0.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Universal, IN?
The median home value in Universal is $64,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.2x.
How educated is Universal, Indiana?
10.3% of adults (25+) in Universal hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.