1st Advantage MortgageThe median Blackford County household earns $51,326, and 16% of residents live below the poverty line. Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- Blackford County at a glance
- Blackford County housing compared with Indiana
- Household income in Blackford County
- Work, industries and travel time in Blackford County
- Towns and communities in Blackford County
- Counties near Blackford County
- What a median Blackford County budget can carry
- Blackford County households compared
- Before borrowing in Blackford County
- A Blackford County borrower's checklist
- Indiana rules that apply in Blackford County
- More guides for Blackford County
- Frequently asked questions
Blackford County at a glance
With an estimated 11,950 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Blackford County ranks 85th of 92 in Indiana for population. It covers 165 square miles of land, or about 72 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Blackford County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 4 Census places inside Blackford County, Hartford City leads by population with about 5,794; 4 of the 4 are incorporated.
Blackford County housing compared with Indiana
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $699 in Blackford County versus $1,062 statewide. 46% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 15% spend half or more. With a median value of $107,500, a typical Blackford County house costs 2.1 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 74%.
| Measure | Blackford County | Indiana | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $699/mo | $1,062/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $107,500 | $218,200 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 74% | 71% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 46% | 48% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 18% | 20% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Blackford County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.
Household income in Blackford County
Blackford County households have a median income of $51,326 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 91st of 92 in Indiana.
| Household income | Blackford County | vs Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 32.9% | +10.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.2% | -0.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 20.7% | -5.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.2% | -5.1 pts |
About 33% of households earn under $35,000, while 24% clear $100,000. 16.2% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 12.3%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.460 here. A household earning below the $51,326 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Work, industries and travel time in Blackford County
The biggest employer of Blackford County residents, by industry, is manufacturing at 29% of workers, followed by education and health care (14%). Compared with Indiana, the county leans toward manufacturing (29% against 18%). The survey's unemployment rate for Blackford County averages 3.7% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.3%). Long commutes are common here: 18% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Top industries | Blackford County share | +/- vs Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 28.8% | +10.8 pts |
| Education and health care | 13.7% | -9.8 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 11.1% | +1.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.5% | -1.3 pts |
| Construction | 9.2% | +2.6 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.6% | -1.2 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Towns and communities in Blackford County
4 Census places fall mainly inside Blackford County; the 4 biggest are below. They account for 9,405 residents, leaving about 21% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Dunkirk has the highest median household income on the list ($46,339) and Hartford City the lowest ($41,752), counting places with at least 500 residents. Rent is cheapest in Montpelier ($641) and steepest in Hartford City ($730). None of the 4 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hartford City | city | 5,794 | $41,752 | $730 | 3 mi |
| Dunkirk | city | 1,861 | $46,339 | $700 | 9 mi |
| Montpelier | city | 1,533 | $45,250 | $641 | 6 mi |
| Shamrock Lakes | town | 217 | $93,125 | n/a | 7 mi |
Counties near Blackford County
Six nearby counties, 17 to 27 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Wells County leads the group on income ($71,957), Grant County trails ($53,522), and Blackford County out-earns 0 of the six.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Blackford County | - | $51,326 | $699/mo | 74% |
| Jay County, IN | 17 mi | $54,969 | $770/mo | 80% |
| Delaware County, IN | 17 mi | $58,127 | $906/mo | 66% |
| Grant County, IN | 18 mi | $53,522 | $853/mo | 73% |
| Wells County, IN | 19 mi | $71,957 | $813/mo | 76% |
| Huntington County, IN | 26 mi | $66,301 | $879/mo | 77% |
| Randolph County, IN | 27 mi | $60,791 | $723/mo | 77% |
What a median Blackford County budget can carry
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Blackford County's medians:
- $4,277 a month: gross income for a household at the Blackford County median
- Median rent: $699, or 16 cents of every gross dollar
- At 40%, room after rent is $1,012 a month
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Blackford County's.
Blackford County households compared
15% of Blackford County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 8% go without health insurance.
| Residents | Blackford County | Indiana | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.1 | 38.1 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 14.5% | 29.5% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 9.7% | 9.6% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 7.5% | 7.4% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 9.5% | 6.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 10.1% | 10.7% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 16.2% | 12.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.7% | 4.3% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 37.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 23.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 20.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.5% |
| 60+ min | 10.8% |
Before borrowing in Blackford County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Blackford County borrowers.
- Commuter costs. 18% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- Tight rental budgets. With 46% of Blackford County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
A Blackford County borrower's checklist
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Indiana.
- Ask a Blackford County credit union about member loans.
Indiana rules that apply in Blackford County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Blackford County resident can confirm its license with the Indiana Department of Financial Institutions. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. The Indiana guide covers state rules in more detail.
More guides for Blackford County
The Indiana guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Blackford County household make?
About $51,326 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 29% below the Indiana median.
What do renters pay in Blackford County?
$699 a month at the median, about 16% of median household income.
I own my home in Blackford County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 74% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Which towns does the Blackford County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 4 Census places: Hartford City, Dunkirk, Montpelier, Shamrock Lakes.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Blackford County or elsewhere in Indiana, the same rules apply.