1st Advantage MortgageIn Indiana County, Pennsylvania, the typical household earns $60,208 a year and the typical rent is $800. Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Indiana County
- Jobs and commutes in Indiana County
- Household income in Indiana County
- Housing costs in Indiana County
- Regional comparison for Indiana County
- The communities that make up Indiana County
- Who lives in Indiana County, in numbers
- Before borrowing in Indiana County
- Debt-to-income at Indiana County's medians
- Licensing and complaints for Indiana County
- Before you sign
- More guides for Indiana County
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Indiana County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Indiana County's population at 83,042; only 33 of Pennsylvania's 67 county-level areas are larger. Packed into 827 square miles, that is close to 100 residents for every square mile of land. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. The Census Bureau counts 26 places in the county (14 incorporated, 12 census-designated); the largest is Indiana, with about 14,212 residents, or 17% of the county.
Jobs and commutes in Indiana County
The biggest employer of Indiana County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 25% of workers, followed by retail trade (16%). Compared with Pennsylvania, the county leans toward retail trade (16% against 11%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 6.7% in Indiana County. Long commutes are common here: 16% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Top industries | Indiana County share | +/- vs Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.5% | -1.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 16.1% | +5.1 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 11.0% | +3.6 pts |
| Manufacturing | 8.5% | -2.9 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.0% | -4.3 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.0% | -0.1 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Household income in Indiana County
Half of Indiana County households take in less than $60,208 a year and half take in more, 23% below the Pennsylvania median of $77,971. In the state ranking that is 59th of 67.
| Households earning | Indiana County | +/- vs Pennsylvania |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 30.2% | +8.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.2% | +5.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 20.9% | -6.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.7% | -7.1 pts |
About 30% of households earn under $35,000, while 26% clear $100,000. Census counts 14.0% of Indiana County residents in poverty, against 11.7% across Pennsylvania. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.451 here. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Housing costs in Indiana County
Renters in Indiana County pay a median of $800 a month, 34% below the Pennsylvania figure of $1,209. 49% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 25% spend half or more. With a median value of $152,800, a typical Indiana County house costs 2.5 times what the median household earns in a year. 72% of Indiana County households own their home and 28% rent.
| Cost | Indiana County | Pennsylvania figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $800/mo | $1,209/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $152,800 | $254,500 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 72% | 69% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 49% | 48% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 24% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 8.7% | 3.5% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
Regional comparison for Indiana County
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (22 to 42 miles). Income ranges from $58,418 in Cambria County to $74,109 in Westmoreland County; 4 of these neighbors top Indiana County's median.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana County | - | $60,208 | $800/mo | 72% |
| Cambria County, PA | 22 mi | $58,418 | $739/mo | 76% |
| Armstrong County, PA | 23 mi | $65,008 | $785/mo | 79% |
| Westmoreland County, PA | 31 mi | $74,109 | $879/mo | 78% |
| Jefferson County, PA | 34 mi | $58,686 | $750/mo | 75% |
| Clearfield County, PA | 40 mi | $62,152 | $791/mo | 79% |
| Clarion County, PA | 42 mi | $62,649 | $798/mo | 72% |
The communities that make up Indiana County
The table lists the 14 largest of 26 Census places in Indiana County, by population. Together all 26 hold about 29,029 people, so roughly 65% of residents live outside any named place. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $33,234 in Black Lick to $76,250 in Rossiter. None of the 26 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana | borough | 14,212 | $40,857 | $849 | 4 mi |
| Blairsville | borough | 3,215 | $56,337 | $758 | 18 mi |
| Homer City | borough | 1,778 | $65,129 | $706 | 9 mi |
| Clymer | borough | 1,106 | $44,044 | $761 | 4 mi |
| Chevy Chase Heights | CDP | 1,101 | $51,930 | $825 | 3 mi |
| Black Lick | CDP | 899 | $33,234 | $445 | 14 mi |
| Dixonville | CDP | 756 | n/a | n/a | 6 mi |
| Saltsburg | borough | 738 | $63,750 | $829 | 22 mi |
| Jacksonville | CDP | 680 | $62,000 | $1,083 | 13 mi |
| Rossiter | CDP | 652 | $76,250 | $1,039 | 19 mi |
| Lucerne Mines | CDP | 615 | $70,644 | n/a | 7 mi |
| Robinson | CDP | 526 | $58,750 | $1,036 | 17 mi |
| Marion Center | borough | 436 | $43,125 | $846 | 8 mi |
| Ernest | borough | 366 | $68,125 | $906 | 5 mi |
Who lives in Indiana County, in numbers
Degree holders: 27% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 7.2%, against 5.6% for Pennsylvania.
| Indiana County | Pennsylvania | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.0 | 40.9 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 27.0% | 35.2% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 7.5% | 7.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 7.2% | 5.6% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 7.5% | 10.4% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 9.5% | 15.6% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 14.0% | 11.7% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.7% | 5.3% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 35.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 33.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 15.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.7% |
| 60+ min | 9.9% |
Before borrowing in Indiana County
Where the Indiana County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- 49% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
- Consolidating cards in Indiana County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
- Know your credit. Review all three bureau reports for free (AnnualCreditReport.com).
Debt-to-income at Indiana County's medians
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Indiana County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Start: $5,017 gross per month ($60,208 / 12)
- Rent at the median, $800, takes 16% of that
- At 36%, room after rent is $1,006 a month
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Indiana County's.
Licensing and complaints for Indiana County
The Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities is the place to verify any lender's Pennsylvania license. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. More on Pennsylvania: Pennsylvania personal loans.
Before you sign
A short checklist for Indiana County borrowers:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
More guides for Indiana County
The Pennsylvania guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Indiana County?
$60,208 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $77,971 for Pennsylvania. It ranks 59th of 67 in the state.
How much is rent in Indiana County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $800 a month; 49% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Which towns does the Indiana County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 26 Census places: Indiana, Blairsville, Homer City, Clymer, Chevy Chase Heights.
Will a Indiana County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming Pennsylvania as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.
Where can someone in Indiana County check a lender's license?
With the Pennsylvania Department of Banking and Securities. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.