1st Advantage MortgageMedian rent in Marshall County is $938 a month against a median household income of $71,808, about 16% of income (ACS 2020-24). Borrow only what the expense needs, pick the shortest affordable term, and walk away from any lender asking a Marshall County applicant for an upfront fee.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Marshall County
- What stands out in Marshall County
- What it costs to live in Marshall County
- Where Marshall County works
- Paychecks and income spread in Marshall County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Census places in Marshall County
- Borrowing situations common in Marshall County
- More Marshall County figures
- Debt-to-income, Marshall County edition
- A Marshall County borrower's checklist
- Lender oversight for Marshall County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Marshall County
Roughly 46,284 residents live in Marshall County, Indiana, 32nd by population among the state's 92 counties and county equivalents. Packed into 444 square miles, that is close to 104 residents for every square mile of land. No metropolitan area includes Marshall County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Largest place: Plymouth, about 10,664 residents (23% of Marshall County); 6 Census places in all.
What stands out in Marshall County
Out of every Indiana county, Marshall County is most unusual on these measures.
- Few Indiana counties match Marshall County on the share of renters paying 30% or more of income for rent: 33% here, 48% for the state, ranking 7th lowest of 92. Lower rent burdens mean more renters have slack, but test your own numbers.
- The uninsured rate: 12.9% in Marshall County. Only 6 of 92 Indiana counties are higher. Hospital payment plans are usually interest-free; compare before a loan.
- On the ACS unemployment rate, Marshall County sits near the bottom of Indiana at 2.6%, 12th lowest of 92. A tight job market helps steady income, but lenders still verify it.
What it costs to live in Marshall County
A typical Marshall County rental runs $938 a month including utilities, which is 12% below Indiana. About 3 in 10 Marshall County renters pay 30% or more of income for rent. With a median value of $204,900, a typical Marshall County house costs 2.9 times what the median household earns in a year. 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.
| Home costs | Marshall County | Indiana | Compared with Indiana |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent-burdened renters | 33% | 48% | -15.0 pts |
| Owners | 76% | 71% | +5.8 pts |
| Vacant units | 12% | 9% | +2.9 pts |
| Mobile homes | 6.0% | 4.4% | +1.6 pts |
| Median gross rent | $938/mo | $1,062/mo | 12% lower |
| Burdened owners | 20% | 20% | -0.6 pts |
| Median home value | $204,900 | $218,200 | 6% lower |
Marshall County owners: get one secured and one unsecured quote, then compare the total cost and what you would put up as collateral (side by side).
Where Marshall County works
Top Marshall County industry by residents employed: manufacturing, 29%; second, education and health care, 21%. Manufacturing stands out: 29% of workers here, versus 18% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Marshall County averages 2.6% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.3%). Commutes of 45 minutes-plus: 14%; under 15 minutes: 39%. No car: 6.6% of Marshall County households.
| Industry | Share of Marshall County workers | vs Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 29.0% | +10.9 pts |
| Education and health care | 20.6% | -2.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.8% | -1.0 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.4% | -1.9 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.1% | -0.7 pts |
| Construction | 7.1% | +0.5 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Paychecks and income spread in Marshall County
Marshall County households have a median income of $71,808 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 32nd of 92 in Indiana.
| Yearly household income | Marshall County | Gap to Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 19.5% | -3.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 49.3% | +5.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 26.1% | +0.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.2% | -3.0 pts |
On the low end, 19% of Marshall County households report under $35,000; at the top, 31% report $100,000-plus. Census counts 11.7% of Marshall County residents in poverty, against 12.3% across Indiana. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.418 (0 is perfect equality). For a borrower in Marshall 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.
Neighboring counties at a glance
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (19 to 29 miles). Richest neighbor: Kosciusko County, $75,317. Poorest: Fulton County, $61,360. Marshall County: $71,808.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marshall County | - | $71,808 | $938/mo | 76% |
| Fulton County, IN | 19 mi | $61,360 | $839/mo | 80% |
| Starke County, IN | 20 mi | $63,960 | $712/mo | 83% |
| St. Joseph County, IN | 20 mi | $66,868 | $1,062/mo | 69% |
| Kosciusko County, IN | 22 mi | $75,317 | $1,043/mo | 77% |
| Elkhart County, IN | 28 mi | $68,561 | $1,047/mo | 72% |
| LaPorte County, IN | 29 mi | $71,055 | $976/mo | 75% |
Census places in Marshall County
6 Census places fall mainly inside Marshall County; the 6 biggest are below. They account for 20,736 residents, leaving about 55% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $42,857 in Culver to $73,510 in Bourbon. From Plymouth to the smallest crossroads, Marshall County residents share this guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plymouth | city | 10,664 | $58,623 | $957 | 3 mi |
| Bremen | town | 4,642 | $68,429 | $933 | 11 mi |
| Argos | town | 1,802 | $61,667 | $946 | 6 mi |
| Bourbon | town | 1,760 | $73,510 | $891 | 8 mi |
| Culver | town | 1,392 | $42,857 | $649 | 11 mi |
| La Paz | town | 476 | $77,972 | $698 | 9 mi |
Borrowing situations common in Marshall County
A few patterns in the Marshall County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Care without coverage. About 5,961 Marshall County residents lack insurance; check charity care before a loan (how).
- Consolidating cards in Marshall County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
- Check your file. An error fixed before you apply can change the offers a Marshall County borrower sees (free reports).
More Marshall County figures
Bachelor's degree or higher: 21% of Marshall County adults. About 13% go without health insurance.
| Marshall County | vs Indiana | vs U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 20.9% | -8.5 pts | -1.2 pts |
| No health insurance | 12.9% | +5.5 pts | +5.0 pts |
| No high school diploma | 14.6% | +4.9 pts | n/a |
| Work from home | 5.8% | -4.9 pts | -2.9 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 2.6% | -1.7 pts | -1.8 pts |
| Median age | 39.8 | +1.7 yrs | -1.7 yrs |
| Poverty rate | 11.7% | -0.7 pts | -1.5 pts |
| No vehicle | 6.6% | +0.4 pts | +1.2 pts |
| One-way commute | Share of Marshall County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 39.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 29.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 17.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.7% |
| 60+ min | 5.9% |
Debt-to-income, Marshall County edition
How much room does a median Marshall County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Median income divided by twelve: $5,984 before taxes
- Housing at the median rent of $938 uses 16%
- $1,156: what a 35% ratio leaves once rent is paid
- $1,755: what a 45% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
A Marshall County borrower's checklist
A short checklist for Marshall County borrowers:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Marshall County.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Lender oversight for Marshall County
Marshall County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Indiana Department of Financial Institutions. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. More on Indiana: Indiana personal loans.
Related local guides
Statewide:
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Marshall County earn?
The median is $71,808; 31% earn $100,000 or more and 19% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How does Marshall County rent compare with Indiana?
$938 locally versus $1,062 for the state, 12% below.
Can Marshall County owners borrow against a $204,900 home?
Many can, through a home equity loan or line. It is secured by the house, so compare it with an unsecured personal loan before choosing.
I live in a small Marshall County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Plymouth, Bremen, Argos, Bourbon, Culver and 1 more.
Is the fit check different in Marshall County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.