1st Advantage MortgageJay County households have a median income of $54,969 and median rent of $770 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). 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
- Jay County by the numbers
- Income in Jay County compared with Indiana
- What it costs to live in Jay County
- Employment and commuting in Jay County
- The counties around Jay County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Jay County
- Debt-to-income at Jay County's medians
- Jay County households compared
- Borrowing situations common in Jay County
- Steps before you apply in Jay County
- Licensing and complaints for Jay County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Jay County by the numbers
With an estimated 20,229 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Jay County ranks 72nd of 92 in Indiana for population. Packed into 384 square miles, that is close to 53 residents for every square mile of land. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Jay County is not part of any metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 5 places in the county (5 incorporated, 0 census-designated); the largest is Portland, with about 6,416 residents, or 32% of the county.
Income in Jay County compared with Indiana
At $54,969, the typical Jay County household income is 16% below the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Yearly household income | Jay County | Gap to Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 30.0% | +7.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 47.3% | +3.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 20.2% | -5.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.5% | -5.7 pts |
About 30% of households earn under $35,000, while 23% clear $100,000. 14.4% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 12.3%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.411 (0 is perfect equality). A household earning below the $54,969 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 Jay County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $770 in Jay County versus $1,062 statewide. By the Census definition, 52% of Jay County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $117,500, or 2.1 years of median income. 80% of Jay County households own their home and 20% rent. Half the housing stock was built before 1959.
| Cost | Jay County | Indiana figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $770/mo | $1,062/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $117,500 | $218,200 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 80% | 71% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 52% | 48% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 20% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 12% | 9% | n/a |
Because most Jay 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. When half or more of renters are already stretched, a new payment needs a stress test: what happens if a paycheck is a week late?
Employment and commuting in Jay County
The biggest employer of Jay County residents, by industry, is manufacturing at 30% of workers, followed by education and health care (16%). Compared with Indiana, the county leans toward manufacturing (30% against 18%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 4.4% in Jay County. 12% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 8% work from home.
| Sector | Jay County | Compared with Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 30.2% | +12.1 pts |
| Education and health care | 16.2% | -7.2 pts |
| Construction | 10.4% | +3.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 7.8% | -3.0 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.6% | -1.2 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 5.8% | -0.4 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Jay County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
The counties around Jay County
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Jay County's, from 17 to 25 miles away. Income ranges from $51,326 in Blackford County to $76,782 in Mercer County; 5 of these neighbors top Jay County's median. The list crosses into Ohio, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jay County | - | $54,969 | $770/mo | 80% |
| Blackford County, IN | 17 mi | $51,326 | $699/mo | 74% |
| Randolph County, IN | 19 mi | $60,791 | $723/mo | 77% |
| Mercer County, OH | 21 mi | $76,782 | $804/mo | 80% |
| Adams County, IN | 22 mi | $65,289 | $833/mo | 83% |
| Wells County, IN | 24 mi | $71,957 | $813/mo | 76% |
| Delaware County, IN | 25 mi | $58,127 | $906/mo | 66% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Jay County
Here are the 5 most populous of the county's 5 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 44% of Jay County residents live in one of the 5. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $42,986 in Redkey to $51,513 in Portland. Rent is cheapest in Portland ($763) and steepest in Pennville ($936). Live in one of these Jay County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland | city | 6,416 | $51,513 | $763 | 1 mi |
| Redkey | town | 1,332 | $42,986 | $905 | 10 mi |
| Pennville | town | 619 | $50,388 | $936 | 9 mi |
| Bryant | town | 258 | $58,295 | $950 | 7 mi |
| Salamonia | town | 218 | $44,464 | $1,286 | 8 mi |
Debt-to-income at Jay County's medians
How much room does a median Jay County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Monthly gross at the median, Jay County: $4,581
- 17% goes to median rent ($770)
- Under a 40% cap, $1,832 total minus rent leaves $1,062
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Jay County households compared
Degree holders: 13% of adults over 25. The uninsured rate is 10.8%, against 7.4% for Indiana.
| People and households | Jay County | Indiana | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.5 | 38.1 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 13.3% | 29.5% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 14.0% | 9.6% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 10.8% | 7.4% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 8.2% | 6.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.7% | 10.7% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 14.4% | 12.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.4% | 4.3% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 43.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 27.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 16.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.0% |
| 60+ min | 7.5% |
Borrowing situations common in Jay County
The county's numbers point to a few situations that come up often for Jay County borrowers.
- Hospital bills in Jay County. For the 11% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- Rent squeeze. 52% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
Steps before you apply in Jay County
Steps that save money for Jay County residents:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Verify the Indiana license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Licensing and complaints for Jay County
The Indiana Department of Financial Institutions is the place to verify any lender's Indiana license. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. More on Indiana: Indiana personal loans.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Indiana guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Jay County earn?
The median is $54,969; 23% earn $100,000 or more and 30% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How much is rent in Jay County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $770 a month; 52% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Which towns does the Jay County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 5 Census places: Portland, Redkey, Pennville, Bryant, Salamonia.
Are Jay County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.
Where can someone in Jay County check a lender's license?
With the Indiana Department of Financial Institutions. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.