1st Advantage Mortgage30% of Fulton County households earn $100,000 or more; the median is $61,360 (ACS 2020-24). County medians do not set your terms. Shop at least three lenders, including a credit union serving Fulton County, and confirm each one's Indiana license.
On this page
- A quick profile of Fulton County
- How Fulton County residents earn a living
- What stands out in Fulton County
- Earnings across Fulton County households
- What it costs to live in Fulton County
- Places inside Fulton County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- What a median Fulton County budget can carry
- Age, degrees and coverage in Fulton County
- Before borrowing in Fulton County
- Checking a lender's license in Indiana
- Steps before you apply in Fulton County
- Other Indiana guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Fulton County
Roughly 20,312 residents live in Fulton County, Indiana, 71st by population among the state's 92 counties and county equivalents. Density: about 55.1 residents per square mile across 368 square miles of land. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Fulton County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 4 Census places inside Fulton County, Rochester leads by population with about 6,215; 4 of the 4 are incorporated.
How Fulton County residents earn a living
The biggest employer of Fulton County residents, by industry, is manufacturing at 26% of workers, followed by education and health care (19%). Compared with Indiana, the county leans toward manufacturing (26% against 18%). The survey's unemployment rate for Fulton County averages 6.8% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.3%). Commutes of 45 minutes-plus: 17%; under 15 minutes: 41%. Only 6.0% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Where residents work | Fulton County | Difference from Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 25.5% | +7.5 pts |
| Education and health care | 18.7% | -4.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.0% | +1.3 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.0% | -1.2 pts |
| Construction | 7.8% | +1.2 pts |
| Public administration | 5.0% | +1.5 pts |
Where long drives are the norm, a car repair is one of the most common surprise bills. A small repair fund can keep a breakdown from turning into a loan.
What stands out in Fulton County
The 3 Fulton County numbers that rank furthest from typical in Indiana, and what each means for a borrower:
- On the ACS unemployment rate, Fulton County sits near the top of Indiana at 6.8%, 2nd highest of 92. Job gaps can make income hard to document; gather records first.
- The housing vacancy rate: 16% in Fulton County. Only 7 of 92 Indiana counties are higher. High vacancy often reflects seasonal or second homes.
- Few Indiana counties match Fulton County on the uninsured rate: 8.9% here, 7.4% for the state, ranking 14th highest of 92. Hospital payment plans are usually interest-free; compare before a loan.
Earnings across Fulton County households
The median household income in Fulton County is $61,360; statewide it is $71,957, so Fulton County runs 15% below Indiana as a whole. Only 74 Indiana counties post a higher median.
| Households earning | Fulton County | +/- vs Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 27.1% | +4.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.0% | -0.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.4% | -1.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.5% | -2.7 pts |
About 27% of households earn under $35,000, while 30% clear $100,000. 15.3% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 12.3%). A household earning below the $61,360 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
What it costs to live in Fulton County
A typical Fulton County rental runs $839 a month including utilities, which is 21% below Indiana. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 41% of renter households here. Median value $156,500; median income $61,360; ratio 2.6. The ownership rate is 80%. Half the housing stock was built before 1966. Against the median U.S. county, Fulton County rent is 4% below.
| Cost | Fulton County | Indiana figure | Higher or lower |
|---|---|---|---|
| Owners | 80% | 71% | +9.5 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 41% | 48% | -7.4 pts |
| Median home value | $156,500 | $218,200 | 28% lower |
| Median gross rent | $839/mo | $1,062/mo | 21% lower |
| Burdened owners | 19% | 20% | -1.6 pts |
With 80% of Fulton County homes owner-occupied, equity is a real alternative for many readers; just remember a missed HELOC payment puts the home at risk.
Places inside Fulton County
The table lists the 4 largest of 4 Census places in Fulton County, by population. Together all 4 hold about 7,958 people, so roughly 61% of residents live outside any named place. Incomes vary by place: $58,636 at the median in Akron, $36,528 in Kewanna. This guide covers each of the 4 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rochester | city | 6,215 | $57,008 | $867 | 4 mi |
| Akron | town | 954 | $58,636 | $929 | 13 mi |
| Kewanna | town | 533 | $36,528 | n/a | 8 mi |
| Fulton | town | 256 | $54,750 | $817 | 7 mi |
Neighboring counties at a glance
Marshall County is closest, 19 miles from center to center; the sixth, Starke County, is 26 miles off. Richest neighbor: Kosciusko County, $75,317. Poorest: Cass County, $56,403. Fulton County: $61,360.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fulton County | - | $61,360 | $839/mo | 80% |
| Marshall County, IN | 19 mi | $71,808 | $938/mo | 76% |
| Cass County, IN | 21 mi | $56,403 | $783/mo | 74% |
| Pulaski County, IN | 22 mi | $62,792 | $772/mo | 75% |
| Miami County, IN | 22 mi | $61,139 | $838/mo | 76% |
| Kosciusko County, IN | 25 mi | $75,317 | $1,043/mo | 77% |
| Starke County, IN | 26 mi | $63,960 | $712/mo | 83% |
What a median Fulton County budget can carry
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Fulton County's medians:
- $5,113 a month: gross income for a household at the Fulton County median
- Median rent: $839, or 16 cents of every gross dollar
- 43% debt-to-income limit: $1,360 left for all other debt payments
Two-income households and single earners in Fulton County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Age, degrees and coverage in Fulton County
In Fulton County, 17% of adults have at least a four-year degree (29% in Indiana). About 9% go without health insurance.
| Fulton County | vs Indiana | vs U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 16.9% | -12.5 pts | -5.2 pts |
| Work from home | 5.1% | -5.6 pts | -3.6 pts |
| Median age | 42.3 | +4.2 yrs | +0.8 yrs |
| Poverty rate | 15.3% | +2.9 pts | +2.1 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.8% | +2.5 pts | +2.4 pts |
| No high school diploma | 11.9% | +2.3 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 8.9% | +1.6 pts | +1.1 pts |
| No vehicle | 6.0% | -0.3 pts | +0.6 pts |
| Minutes to work | Fulton County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 40.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 23.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 18.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 9.7% |
| 60+ min | 7.4% |
Before borrowing in Fulton County
What the Fulton County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
- Consolidating cards in Fulton County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
- Advance-fee offers. No legitimate lender asks a Fulton County borrower to pay first (scam signs).
Checking a lender's license in Indiana
Fulton County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Indiana Department of Financial Institutions. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. Statewide data and rules: Indiana guide.
Steps before you apply in Fulton County
Quick steps for Fulton County:
- Price the Fulton County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- A Indiana license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Other Indiana guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Indiana guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Fulton County earn?
The median is $61,360; 30% earn $100,000 or more and 27% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
What do renters pay in Fulton County?
$839 a month at the median, about 16% of median household income.
Is home equity cheaper than a personal loan in Fulton County?
Often, because the home secures it. With 80% of Fulton County homes owner-occupied, weigh that lower cost against the risk to the house.
Does this page cover Rochester?
Yes, along with the other 3 Census places in Fulton County, such as Akron, Kewanna, Fulton.
Does living in Fulton County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Fulton County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.