Whitley County, Indiana Demographics 2026
Whitley County, Indiana has a population of 34,618, the 47th most populous county in Indiana. The median household income is $78,083 and the median home value is $219,400. The poverty rate is 9.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Whitley County Quick Facts
How Whitley County 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 | 34,388 | 34,618 | +0.7% |
| Median household income | $75,790 | $78,083 | +3.0% |
| Median home value | $205,200 | $219,400 | +6.9% |
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+)
Cities & Places in Whitley County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Columbia City | 9,897 | $68,089 | 13.6% | $189,100 |
| Churubusco | 1,757 | $65,086 | 9.2% | $152,300 |
| South Whitley | 1,660 | $58,068 | 13.9% | $134,100 |
| Tri-Lakes | 1,025 | $115,250 | 4.7% | $323,500 |
| Larwill | 425 | $56,528 | 15.6% | $101,400 |
Explore Indiana Rankings
Population Overview
Whitley County is located in Indiana with a total population of 34,618. It is the 47th most populous county out of 92 in Indiana. The county encompasses 5 Census-designated places.
Age Demographics
The median age in Whitley County is 41.3 years. This is 8% higher than the state median of 38.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Whitley County is $78,083. This is 9% higher than the state median of $71,957. It is also 3% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.9%. This is 20% lower than the state poverty rate of 12.3%. The unemployment rate is 3.3%. This is 23% lower than the state rate of 4.3%. The median home value is $219,400. Housing costs are about the same as the state median of $218,200. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.8x, Whitley County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 81.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% higher than the state average of 70.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
Whitley County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.9% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.8%. The Black or African American population (0.2%) is well below the state average of 9.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.8%) is well below the state average of 8.6%. The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 2.6%.
Education
23.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 20% 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 93.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All figures for Whitley 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 Whitley County, Indiana?
Whitley County has a population of 34,618, making it the 47th most populous county in Indiana.
What is the median income in Whitley County?
The median household income in Whitley County is $78,083 with a poverty rate of 9.9%.
How many cities are in Whitley County, Indiana?
Whitley County contains 5 Census-designated places.