1st Advantage MortgageIn Jefferson County, Indiana, the typical household earns $64,577 a year and the typical rent is $890. Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in Indiana before sharing details.
On this page
- 32,998 residents: Jefferson County basics
- Jefferson County's most unusual numbers
- Jefferson County industries and commutes
- What Jefferson County households earn
- Rent, home values and ownership in Jefferson County
- Madison and the rest of Jefferson County
- Jefferson County, Trimble County and other neighbors
- A Jefferson County household budget, worked through
- Local borrowing considerations for Jefferson County
- Jefferson County households compared
- Lender oversight for Jefferson County
- Before you sign
- More guides for Jefferson County
- Frequently asked questions
32,998 residents: Jefferson County basics
Roughly 32,998 residents live in Jefferson County, Indiana, 51st by population among the state's 92 counties and county equivalents. Land area is 361 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 91 per square mile. Jefferson County is classed as nonmetropolitan in the OMB's July 2023 list. Madison (12,223 people) heads the county's list of 7 Census places, 4 incorporated and 3 census-designated.
Jefferson County's most unusual numbers
The 2 Jefferson County numbers that rank furthest from typical in Indiana, and what each means for a borrower:
- Few Indiana counties match Jefferson County on homeownership: 72% here, 71% for the state, ranking 17th lowest of 92. Many renters means few borrowers have home equity to fall back on.
- On households without a vehicle, Jefferson County sits near the bottom of Indiana at 3.4%, 18th lowest of 92. Nearly every household has a vehicle, so repair costs are a common reason to borrow.
Jefferson County industries and commutes
By the Census industry count, 24% of employed Jefferson County residents work in education and health care and 23% in manufacturing. Jefferson County over-indexes on manufacturing: 23% versus 18% in Indiana. 4.4% of Jefferson County's labor force reported being unemployed, averaged across 2020 to 2024. About 82% drive to work alone and 19% have trips of 45 minutes or more. No car: 3.4% of Jefferson County households.
| Sector | Jefferson County | Compared with Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.5% | 0.0 pts |
| Manufacturing | 23.0% | +5.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.0% | +1.3 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.0% | -0.8 pts |
| Other services | 5.9% | +1.4 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 5.8% | -3.5 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 Jefferson County households earn
Half of Jefferson County households take in less than $64,577 a year and half take in more, 10% below the Indiana median of $71,957. In the state ranking that is 65th of 92.
| Income band | Share in Jefferson County | Difference from Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 24.9% | +2.3 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 46.2% | +2.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 23.5% | -2.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.4% | -2.8 pts |
About 25% of households earn under $35,000, while 29% clear $100,000. Poverty rate, Jefferson County: 12.3%; Indiana: 12.3%. For a borrower in Jefferson County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Rent, home values and ownership in Jefferson County
Jefferson County rent at the median: $890 a month, utilities in ($1,062 in Indiana). 39% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 15% spend half or more. With a median value of $194,600, a typical Jefferson County house costs 3.0 times what the median household earns in a year. Homeowners 72%, renters 28%. Median construction year: 1973. Nationally, Jefferson County's $890 rent is about level with the middle county.
| Home costs | Jefferson County | Indiana | Compared with Indiana |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent-burdened renters | 39% | 48% | -8.8 pts |
| Mobile homes | 10.8% | 4.4% | +6.4 pts |
| Median gross rent | $890/mo | $1,062/mo | 16% lower |
| Owners | 72% | 71% | +1.3 pts |
| Median home value | $194,600 | $218,200 | 11% lower |
| Burdened owners | 21% | 20% | +1.0 pts |
Madison and the rest of Jefferson County
Here are the 7 most populous of the county's 7 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 49% of Jefferson County residents live in one of the 7. No Jefferson County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 7.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Madison | city | 12,223 | $61,183 | $820 | 3 mi |
| Hanover | town | 3,554 | $53,929 | $900 | 5 mi |
| Dupont | town | 279 | $64,338 | $1,000 | 9 mi |
| Canaan | CDP | 120 | n/a | n/a | 9 mi |
| Brooksburg | town | 111 | $39,167 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Deputy | CDP | 37 | n/a | n/a | 11 mi |
| Kent | CDP | 0 | n/a | n/a | 6 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
Jefferson County, Trimble County and other neighbors
Distances run center to center, from Trimble County at 12 miles out to Ripley County at 24. 4 of the six report a higher median household income than Jefferson County; Ripley County is highest at $70,573 and Scott County lowest at $56,352. Some neighbors are in Kentucky. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Jefferson County resident follows Indiana rules.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson County | - | $64,577 | $890/mo | 72% |
| Trimble County, KY | 12 mi | $66,027 | $863/mo | 80% |
| Jennings County, IN | 18 mi | $69,322 | $988/mo | 79% |
| Scott County, IN | 18 mi | $56,352 | $822/mo | 71% |
| Carroll County, KY | 19 mi | $56,466 | $910/mo | 66% |
| Switzerland County, IN | 22 mi | $65,343 | $758/mo | 79% |
| Ripley County, IN | 24 mi | $70,573 | $839/mo | 77% |
A Jefferson County household budget, worked through
Jefferson County's $64,577 median income, run through a debt-to-income check:
- $5,381 a month: gross income for a household at the Jefferson County median
- Rent at the median, $890, takes 17% of that
- At 36%, room after rent is $1,047 a month
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Local borrowing considerations for Jefferson County
A few patterns in the Jefferson County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Car trouble. For Jefferson County drivers (19% with 45-minute-plus trips), price the repair against the car's value first.
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
Jefferson County households compared
In Jefferson County, 20% of adults have at least a four-year degree (29% in Indiana). About 8% go without health insurance.
| Measure | Jefferson County | Gap to Indiana | Gap to typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 19.8% | -9.7 pts | -2.4 pts |
| Work from home | 5.8% | -4.9 pts | -2.9 pts |
| Median age | 41.8 | +3.7 yrs | +0.3 yrs |
| No vehicle | 3.4% | -2.8 pts | -2.0 pts |
| No high school diploma | 10.0% | +0.4 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 7.6% | +0.2 pts | -0.3 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.4% | +0.1 pts | 0.0 pts |
| Poverty rate | 12.3% | 0.0 pts | -0.8 pts |
| Commute length | Jefferson County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 43.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 27.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 10.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 11.1% |
| 60+ min | 7.6% |
Lender oversight for Jefferson County
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Jefferson County, check the Indiana Department of Financial Institutions. Nationally, Jefferson County residents can file with the CFPB.
Before you sign
Quick steps for Jefferson County:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Jefferson County.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- A Indiana license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
More guides for Jefferson County
No city in Jefferson County has its own guide yet; the state page is next up.
Frequently asked questions
Is Jefferson County a high-income county?
Its $64,577 median ranks 65th of 92 Indiana counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How does Jefferson County rent compare with Indiana?
$890 locally versus $1,062 for the state, 16% below.
Is home equity cheaper than a personal loan in Jefferson County?
Often, because the home secures it. With 72% of Jefferson County homes owner-occupied, weigh that lower cost against the risk to the house.
Does this page cover Madison?
Yes, along with the other 6 Census places in Jefferson County, such as Hanover, Dupont, Canaan.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Jefferson County or elsewhere in Indiana, the same rules apply.