1st Advantage MortgageMiami County households have a median income of $61,139 and median rent of $838 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Borrow only what the expense needs, pick the shortest affordable term, and walk away from any lender asking a Miami County applicant for an upfront fee.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Miami County
- Earnings across Miami County households
- What stands out in Miami County
- Where Miami County households live
- Employment and commuting in Miami County
- Peru and the rest of Miami County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- What a median Miami County budget can carry
- People and households in Miami County
- Reading the Miami County data as a borrower
- Who licenses lenders for Miami County residents
- Before you sign
- Keep exploring
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Miami County
Miami County is home to about 35,712 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 45th most populous of 92 county-level areas in Indiana. Land area is 374 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 96 per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Peru (10,901 people) heads the county's list of 7 Census places, 5 incorporated and 2 census-designated.
Earnings across Miami County households
Median household income in Miami County: $61,139 (15% below Indiana, $71,957). That places it 78th among Indiana's 92 county-level areas.
| Yearly household income | Miami County | Gap to Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 26.2% | +3.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 49.9% | +6.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 19.6% | -6.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.3% | -4.0 pts |
26% under $35,000 and 24% at $100,000 or more: that is the Miami County income split. Poverty rate, Miami County: 15.1%; Indiana: 12.3%. Miami County scores 0.423 on the Gini index, where higher means more unequal incomes. For a borrower in Miami 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.
What stands out in Miami County
Ranked against the other 91 county-level areas in Indiana, these are the Miami County figures furthest from the middle.
- On the ACS unemployment rate, Miami County sits near the top of Indiana at 6.6%, 3rd highest of 92. If work is uncertain, keep any loan small and the term short.
- Few Indiana counties match Miami County on median home value: $126,200 here, $218,200 for the state, ranking 7th lowest of 92. With modest home values, equity borrowing is rarely large.
- Miami County ranks 11th lowest of 92 Indiana counties for the share of workers who work from home: 4.9%, against 10.7% statewide. Few remote jobs means most pay stubs come from local employers.
Where Miami County households live
Renters in Miami County pay a median of $838 a month, 21% below the Indiana figure of $1,062. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 40% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $126,200, about 2.1 times the median household income. 76% of Miami County households own their home and 24% rent. Half the housing stock was built before 1961.
| Miami County | Indiana | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $838/mo | $1,062/mo | 21% lower |
| Median home value | $126,200 | $218,200 | 42% lower |
| Owners | 76% | 71% | +5.6 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 40% | 48% | -7.7 pts |
| Burdened owners | 22% | 20% | +1.4 pts |
| Vacant units | 11% | 9% | +2.2 pts |
At a $126,200 median value, many Miami County owners hold equity. Using it lowers cost only if you can carry the risk (equity vs. unsecured).
Employment and commuting in Miami County
Manufacturing (25%), education and health care (19%) and retail trade (13%) lead Miami County's job mix. Compared with Indiana, the county leans toward manufacturing (25% against 18%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 6.6% in Miami County. About 83% drive to work alone and 14% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Top industries | Miami County share | +/- vs Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 24.6% | +6.6 pts |
| Education and health care | 18.7% | -4.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.8% | +2.1 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.5% | -0.3 pts |
| Construction | 6.6% | 0.0 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 6.3% | 0.0 pts |
Self-employed in Miami County? Two years of tax returns usually stand in for pay stubs.
Peru and the rest of Miami County
7 Census places fall mainly inside Miami County; the 7 biggest are below. They account for 16,814 residents, leaving about 53% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $46,159 in Peru to $87,635 in Mexico. From Peru to the smallest crossroads, Miami County residents share this guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Peru | city | 10,901 | $46,159 | $826 | 2 mi |
| Grissom AFB | CDP | 2,977 | $55,104 | $878 | 10 mi |
| Bunker Hill | town | 940 | $52,973 | $686 | 8 mi |
| Mexico | CDP | 906 | $87,635 | n/a | 4 mi |
| Denver | town | 553 | $61,591 | $675 | 7 mi |
| Amboy | town | 338 | $51,667 | $800 | 13 mi |
| Macy | town | 199 | $49,643 | $736 | 14 mi |
Neighboring counties at a glance
Six nearby counties, 14 to 30 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. 4 of the six report a higher median household income than Miami County; Wabash County is highest at $66,806 and Grant County lowest at $53,522.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Miami County | - | $61,139 | $838/mo | 76% |
| Wabash County, IN | 14 mi | $66,806 | $762/mo | 80% |
| Cass County, IN | 16 mi | $56,403 | $783/mo | 74% |
| Howard County, IN | 20 mi | $64,027 | $937/mo | 71% |
| Fulton County, IN | 22 mi | $61,360 | $839/mo | 80% |
| Grant County, IN | 27 mi | $53,522 | $853/mo | 73% |
| Huntington County, IN | 30 mi | $66,301 | $879/mo | 77% |
What a median Miami County budget can carry
Miami County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Median income divided by twelve: $5,095 before taxes
- Median rent: $838, or 16 cents of every gross dollar
- At 36%, room after rent is $996 a month
- With a 43% ceiling, about $1,353 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Homeowners in Miami County should swap in their mortgage, taxes and insurance for rent.
People and households in Miami County
16% of Miami County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. Health coverage gaps: 6.9% of Miami County residents are uninsured.
| Miami County | vs Indiana | vs U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.5 | +3.4 yrs | +0.0 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 16.1% | -13.4 pts | -6.1 pts |
| No high school diploma | 11.4% | +1.8 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.9% | -0.5 pts | -0.9 pts |
| No vehicle | 5.1% | -1.1 pts | -0.3 pts |
| Work from home | 4.9% | -5.8 pts | -3.8 pts |
| Poverty rate | 15.1% | +2.8 pts | +1.9 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.6% | +2.3 pts | +2.1 pts |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 32.4% |
| 15 to 29 min | 37.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 16.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.1% |
| 60+ min | 8.8% |
Reading the Miami County data as a borrower
What the Miami County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Advance-fee offers. No legitimate lender asks a Miami County borrower to pay first (scam signs).
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
Who licenses lenders for Miami County residents
Consumer lenders serving Miami County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Indiana that is the Indiana Department of Financial Institutions. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. More on Indiana: Indiana personal loans.
Before you sign
Before you apply, wherever you live in Miami County:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Indiana.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Keep exploring
The Indiana guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
Where does Miami County rank on income in Indiana?
78th of 92, with a median of $61,139. The state median is $71,957.
What is the median rent in Miami County, IN?
$838 a month, utilities included, or $10,056 a year.
I live in a small Miami County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Peru, Grissom AFB, Bunker Hill, Mexico, Denver and 2 more.
Does living in Miami 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 Miami County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Who regulates personal lenders for Miami County residents?
The Indiana Department of Financial Institutions licenses consumer lenders in Indiana; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.