1st Advantage MortgageOrange County households have a median income of $65,873 and median rent of $855 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). 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
- Orange County by the numbers
- How much Orange County households make
- Employment and commuting in Orange County
- Orange County housing compared with Indiana
- Places inside Orange County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- A Orange County household budget, worked through
- Local borrowing considerations for Orange County
- People and households in Orange County
- Who licenses lenders for Orange County residents
- Steps before you apply in Orange County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Orange County by the numbers
Orange County is home to about 19,767 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 74th most populous of 92 county-level areas in Indiana. Land area is 398 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 50 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Orange County is not part of any metropolitan area. Paoli is the biggest of its 4 Census places, at roughly 3,125 people (16% of the county total).
How much Orange County households make
Orange County households have a median income of $65,873 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 58th of 92 in Indiana.
| Household income | Orange County | vs Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 30.0% | +7.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 39.9% | -3.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 26.4% | +0.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.7% | -4.6 pts |
About 30% of households earn under $35,000, while 30% clear $100,000. 13.4% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 12.3%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.464 here. None of these numbers decides a Orange County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Employment and commuting in Orange County
Education and health care employs 23% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 18%. Compared with Indiana, the county leans toward arts, lodging and food service (13% against 8%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 3.1% in Orange County. About 78% drive to work alone and 18% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Households without a car make up 6.7% of the total (6.2% statewide).
| Where residents work | Orange County | Difference from Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.2% | -0.3 pts |
| Manufacturing | 18.0% | 0.0 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 13.1% | +5.3 pts |
| Construction | 11.0% | +4.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.2% | -1.6 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 5.4% | -0.8 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Orange County housing compared with Indiana
Renters in Orange County pay a median of $855 a month, 19% below the Indiana figure of $1,062. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 48% of renter households here. Home values center on $158,700, or 2.4 years of median income. 79% of Orange County households own their home and 21% rent. Half the housing stock was built before 1980.
| Cost | Orange County | Indiana figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $855/mo | $1,062/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $158,700 | $218,200 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 79% | 71% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 48% | 48% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 19% | 20% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Orange County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.
Places inside Orange County
Here are the 4 most populous of the county's 4 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 39% of Orange County residents live in one of the 4. Orleans has the highest median household income on the list ($65,330) and West Baden Springs the lowest ($42,857), counting places with at least 500 residents. Rent is cheapest in Paoli ($799) and steepest in Orleans ($850). This guide covers each of the 4 places and the rural areas around them.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paoli | town | 3,125 | $42,906 | $799 | 1 mi |
| Orleans | town | 2,235 | $65,330 | $850 | 8 mi |
| French Lick | town | 1,828 | $54,519 | $828 | 7 mi |
| West Baden Springs | town | 543 | $42,857 | $817 | 7 mi |
Neighboring counties at a glance
Crawford County is closest, 18 miles from center to center; the sixth, Harrison County, is 33 miles off. 4 of the six report a higher median household income than Orange County; Dubois County is highest at $75,979 and Crawford County lowest at $49,640.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orange County | - | $65,873 | $855/mo | 79% |
| Crawford County, IN | 18 mi | $49,640 | $686/mo | 81% |
| Martin County, IN | 20 mi | $68,594 | $697/mo | 79% |
| Lawrence County, IN | 20 mi | $66,468 | $845/mo | 81% |
| Washington County, IN | 21 mi | $64,641 | $780/mo | 82% |
| Dubois County, IN | 24 mi | $75,979 | $834/mo | 75% |
| Harrison County, IN | 33 mi | $74,475 | $836/mo | 84% |
A Orange County household budget, worked through
Here is the Orange County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Median income divided by twelve: $5,489 before taxes
- Less median rent of $855, which is 16% of it
- At 43%, room after rent is $1,505 a month
If your rent is above $855, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Local borrowing considerations for Orange County
A few patterns in the Orange County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Manufactured homes. 16% of Orange County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Renters under pressure. When 48% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
- Scams. A fee demanded before funding is a red flag; report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (spotting scams).
People and households in Orange County
Degree holders: 16% of adults over 25. About 7% go without health insurance.
| Measure | Orange County | Indiana statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.7 | 38.1 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 16.1% | 29.5% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 14.2% | 9.6% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 7.4% | 7.4% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.7% | 6.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.1% | 10.7% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 13.4% | 12.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.1% | 4.3% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 35.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 31.5% |
| 30 to 44 min | 15.5% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.0% |
| 60+ min | 10.0% |
Who licenses lenders for Orange County residents
The Indiana Department of Financial Institutions is the place to verify any lender's Indiana license. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. More on Indiana: Indiana personal loans.
Steps before you apply in Orange County
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Price the Orange County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Verify the Indiana license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Related local guides
The Indiana guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Orange County?
$65,873 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $71,957 for Indiana. It ranks 58th of 92 in the state.
How much is rent in Orange County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $855 a month; 48% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Does this page cover Paoli?
Yes, along with the other 3 Census places in Orange County, such as Orleans, French Lick, West Baden Springs.
Can Orange County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every Indiana county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
Where can someone in Orange 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.