Wakarusa, Indiana Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Wakarusa, Indiana had a total population of 2,282, the 208th largest town in Indiana, with a median household income of $74,464, which is 3% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Unemployment rate of 10.1% is notably above the national average.
Wakarusa Quick Facts
How Wakarusa 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 | 2,519 | 2,282 | -9.4% |
| Median household income | $76,008 | $74,464 | -2.0% |
| Median home value | $202,400 | $207,200 | +2.4% |
How Wakarusa 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+)
Wakarusa Rankings in Indiana
Explore Indiana Rankings
Other Cities in Elkhart County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Elkhart | 53,733 | $51,028 | 18.2% | $139,500 |
| Goshen | 34,420 | $59,184 | 17.1% | $184,900 |
| Nappanee | 6,815 | $68,892 | 9.1% | $238,600 |
| Dunlap | 6,109 | $87,039 | 8.4% | $222,200 |
| Simonton Lake | 4,248 | $75,673 | 11.5% | $266,800 |
| Middlebury | 3,700 | $75,236 | 14.6% | $243,700 |
| Syracuse | 3,233 | $71,833 | 4.2% | $199,400 |
| Bristol | 2,128 | $77,188 | 7.4% | $229,500 |
| New Paris | 1,549 | $74,663 | 10.5% | $223,700 |
| Millersburg | 1,077 | $65,833 | 23.1% | $186,400 |
Cities Similar to Wakarusa
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trail Creek | 2,351 | $77,635 | $191,800 | 23.4% | 6.6% |
| Kouts | 2,372 | $77,607 | $235,400 | 25.7% | 4.2% |
| Ferdinand | 2,351 | $70,000 | $187,900 | 31.6% | 11.0% |
| Orleans | 2,235 | $65,330 | $117,500 | 11.0% | 13.9% |
| Bristol | 2,128 | $77,188 | $229,500 | 20.8% | 7.4% |
Population Overview
Wakarusa is a small community located in Indiana, within Elkhart County. The total population is 2,282. It ranks as the 208th most populous out of 967 Census-designated places in Indiana.
Age Demographics
The median age in Wakarusa is 39.4 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 38.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Wakarusa is $74,464. This is 3% higher than the state median of $71,957. It is also 8% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.6%. This is 31% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.3%. The unemployment rate is 10.1%. This is 135% higher than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $207,200. Housing costs are 5% lower than the state median of $218,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Wakarusa is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 85.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% higher than the state average of 70.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Wakarusa is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.8%. The Black or African American population (2.9%) is well below the state average of 9.1%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (4.0% vs 2.6%).
Education
30.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 3% 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 85.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Wakarusa, 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 Wakarusa, Indiana?
Wakarusa, Indiana has a population of 2,282 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Wakarusa, IN?
The median household income in Wakarusa is $74,464, which is 8% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Wakarusa, IN?
The poverty rate in Wakarusa is 8.6%. This means approximately 184 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Wakarusa, Indiana?
Wakarusa's population is 80.8% White, 2.9% Black, 7.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Wakarusa, IN?
The median home value in Wakarusa is $207,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.8x.
How educated is Wakarusa, Indiana?
30.2% of adults (25+) in Wakarusa hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.