1st Advantage MortgageThe median Decatur County household earns $69,783, and 10% 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
- Getting oriented in Decatur County
- Labor force snapshot: Decatur County
- Decatur County against other Indiana counties
- Homes and rents, Decatur County
- Household income in Decatur County
- Decatur County towns compared
- Decatur County and the counties next door
- Decatur County households compared
- Budget math at the Decatur County median
- Local borrowing considerations for Decatur County
- Four steps for Decatur County borrowers
- Who licenses lenders for Decatur County residents
- Beyond Decatur County
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Decatur County
With an estimated 26,422 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Decatur County ranks 59th of 92 in Indiana for population. Land area is 373 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 71 per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Greensburg (12,229 people) heads the county's list of 7 Census places, 5 incorporated and 2 census-designated.
Labor force snapshot: Decatur County
Top Decatur County industry by residents employed: manufacturing, 30%; second, education and health care, 18%. The sharpest difference from the state is in manufacturing, at 30% locally and 18% for Indiana. Unemployment in Decatur County, ACS five-year: 2.7%; Indiana: 4.3%. About 79% drive to work alone and 13% have trips of 45 minutes or more. 347 Decatur County households, 3.2%, have no vehicle.
| Sector | Decatur County | Compared with Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 30.3% | +12.3 pts |
| Education and health care | 18.3% | -5.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.3% | +0.6 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.5% | -1.3 pts |
| Construction | 5.6% | -1.0 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 5.5% | +0.3 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Decatur County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Decatur County against other Indiana counties
The 4 Decatur County numbers that rank furthest from typical in Indiana, and what each means for a borrower:
- Few Indiana counties match Decatur County on the uninsured rate: 3.9% here, 7.4% for the state, ranking 6th lowest of 92. Lower uninsured rates still leave deductibles; check what a plan covers first.
- On the share of renters paying 30% or more of income for rent, Decatur County sits near the bottom of Indiana at 36%, 10th lowest of 92. Lower rent burdens mean more renters have slack, but test your own numbers.
- Decatur County ranks 14th lowest of 92 Indiana counties for households without a vehicle: 3.2%, against 6.2% statewide. Nearly every household has a vehicle, so repair costs are a common reason to borrow.
- Few Indiana counties match Decatur County on the share of workers who work from home: 10.9% here, 10.7% for the state, ranking 15th highest of 92. Remote workers should have W-2s or contracts ready to show income.
Homes and rents, Decatur County
Renters in Decatur County pay a median of $861 a month, 19% below the Indiana figure of $1,062. Cost-burdened renters, paying 30%-plus of income: 36% in Decatur County, 48% statewide. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $199,100, about 2.9 times the median household income. Owners occupy 76% of homes. The median home was built in 1973, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills. Against the median U.S. county, Decatur County rent is 2% below.
| Measure | Decatur County | Indiana | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $861/mo | $1,062/mo | 19% lower |
| Median home value | $199,100 | $218,200 | 9% lower |
| Owners | 76% | 71% | +5.5 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 36% | 48% | -12.3 pts |
| Burdened owners | 16% | 20% | -4.2 pts |
Because most Decatur County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
Household income in Decatur County
$69,783 is the median household income for Decatur County, set against $71,957 for Indiana.
| Band | Decatur County | Compared with Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 20.8% | -1.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 47.8% | +4.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 23.2% | -2.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 8.2% | 0.0 pts |
Six-figure households (31%) outnumber those under $35,000 (21%) in Decatur County. The poverty rate is 10.2%, 2 points lower than the state's 12.3%. Decatur County scores 0.435 on the Gini index, where higher means more unequal incomes. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Decatur County towns compared
Places, by size: the top 7 of 7. Roughly 39% of Decatur County lives outside all of them, in open country or unnamed settlements. Incomes vary by place: $158,140 at the median in Lake Santee, $49,129 in Westport. Median rent ranges from $705 in Westport to $938 in St. Paul. Live in one of these Decatur County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greensburg | city | 12,229 | $62,655 | $859 | 3 mi |
| Westport | town | 1,651 | $49,129 | $705 | 10 mi |
| St. Paul | town | 887 | $60,938 | $938 | 11 mi |
| Lake Santee | CDP | 820 | $158,140 | n/a | 13 mi |
| Millhousen | town | 227 | n/a | n/a | 7 mi |
| New Point | town | 201 | $60,000 | $1,219 | 9 mi |
| Clarksburg | CDP | 76 | n/a | n/a | 12 mi |
Decatur County and the counties next door
Ripley County is closest, 19 miles from center to center; the sixth, Franklin County, is 24 miles off. 4 of the six report a higher median household income than Decatur County; Bartholomew County is highest at $79,901 and Rush County lowest at $66,473.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Decatur County | - | $69,783 | $861/mo | 76% |
| Ripley County, IN | 19 mi | $70,573 | $839/mo | 77% |
| Shelby County, IN | 22 mi | $72,190 | $987/mo | 72% |
| Rush County, IN | 22 mi | $66,473 | $873/mo | 75% |
| Bartholomew County, IN | 22 mi | $79,901 | $1,127/mo | 69% |
| Jennings County, IN | 22 mi | $69,322 | $988/mo | 79% |
| Franklin County, IN | 24 mi | $78,074 | $870/mo | 82% |
Decatur County households compared
College graduates make up 20% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 3.9%, against 7.4% for Indiana.
| Measure | Decatur County | Gap to Indiana | Gap to typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.8 | +1.7 yrs | -1.7 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 20.0% | -9.5 pts | -2.2 pts |
| No high school diploma | 9.2% | -0.4 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 3.9% | -3.4 pts | -3.9 pts |
| No vehicle | 3.2% | -3.0 pts | -2.2 pts |
| Work from home | 10.9% | +0.2 pts | +2.2 pts |
| Poverty rate | 10.2% | -2.1 pts | -3.0 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.7% | -1.6 pts | -1.8 pts |
| Commute length | Decatur County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 38.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 31.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 17.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.6% |
| 60+ min | 7.6% |
Budget math at the Decatur County median
DTI math using Decatur County medians ($69,783 income, $861 rent):
- Median income divided by twelve: $5,815 before taxes
- 15% goes to median rent ($861)
- At 35%, room after rent is $1,174 a month
- With a 45% ceiling, about $1,756 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Homeowners in Decatur County should swap in their mortgage, taxes and insurance for rent.
Local borrowing considerations for Decatur County
Where the Decatur County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Scams. A fee demanded before funding is a red flag; report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (spotting scams).
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
Four steps for Decatur County borrowers
Steps that save money for Decatur County residents:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Indiana.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Who licenses lenders for Decatur County residents
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Decatur County borrowers answers to the Indiana Department of Financial Institutions. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response.
Beyond Decatur County
No city in Decatur County has its own guide yet; the state page is next up.
Frequently asked questions
Is $69,783 a good income in Decatur County?
It is the county median, so half of Decatur County households earn more and half less; 31% earn $100,000 or more.
How much is rent in Decatur County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $861 a month; 36% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
What are the biggest places in Decatur County?
By population: Greensburg, Westport, St. Paul, Lake Santee, Millhousen. The county has 7 Census places in all.
Can Decatur County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Indiana county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
What agency protects Decatur County borrowers?
The Indiana Department of Financial Institutions at the state level and the CFPB federally.