1st Advantage MortgageParke County households have a median income of $68,485 and median rent of $704 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
- First look: Parke County, IN
- Parke County income bands
- What it costs to live in Parke County
- Parke County industries and commutes
- Where Parke County differs from the rest of Indiana
- The counties around Parke County
- Census places in Parke County
- $5,707 a month: the Parke County median budget
- People and households in Parke County
- What the numbers mean for Parke County borrowers
- Four steps for Parke County borrowers
- Verifying a lender from Parke County
- Beyond Parke County
- Frequently asked questions
First look: Parke County, IN
Parke County is home to about 16,406 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 78th most populous of 92 county-level areas in Indiana. Spread over 445 square miles, that works out to roughly 36.9 residents per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Parke County is not part of any metropolitan area. Rockville is the biggest of its 6 Census places, at roughly 2,559 people (16% of the county total).
Parke County income bands
Half of Parke County households take in less than $68,485 a year and half take in more, 5% below the Indiana median of $71,957.
| Income band | Share in Parke County | Difference from Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 24.8% | +2.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 48.5% | +5.1 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.8% | -4.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.9% | -3.4 pts |
Six-figure households (27%) outnumber those under $35,000 (25%) in Parke County. 16.2% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 12.3%). Parke County scores 0.419 on the Gini index, where higher means more unequal incomes. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
What it costs to live in Parke County
Renters in Parke County pay a median of $704 a month, 34% below the Indiana figure of $1,062. 38% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 21% spend half or more. Parke County homes are worth $151,200 at the median, a 2.2-to-1 ratio to income. The ownership rate is 82%. Median construction year: 1972. Against the median U.S. county, Parke County rent is 20% below.
| Cost | Parke County | Indiana figure | Higher or lower |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $704/mo | $1,062/mo | 34% lower |
| Median home value | $151,200 | $218,200 | 31% lower |
| Owners | 82% | 71% | +11.9 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 38% | 48% | -10.5 pts |
| Burdened owners | 20% | 20% | +0.3 pts |
In an owner-heavy county like Parke 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.
Parke County industries and commutes
Manufacturing employs 24% of working residents, the largest share; education and health care is next with 19%. Manufacturing stands out: 24% of workers here, versus 18% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 4.4% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Long commutes are common here: 25% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work. Households without a car make up 8.5% of the total (6.2% statewide).
| Sector | Parke County | Compared with Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 24.2% | +6.2 pts |
| Education and health care | 19.4% | -4.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.8% | +1.0 pts |
| Construction | 7.3% | +0.7 pts |
| Agriculture, forestry and mining | 6.4% | +5.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 5.2% | -2.6 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Where Parke County differs from the rest of Indiana
Out of every Indiana county, Parke County is most unusual on these measures.
- Few Indiana counties match Parke County on the uninsured rate: 14.9% here, 7.4% for the state, ranking 4th highest of 92. Ask any provider about financial assistance before borrowing for care.
- Parke County ranks 5th lowest of 92 Indiana counties for median gross rent: $704/mo, against $1,062/mo statewide. Lower rent can leave more room for a payment.
- Few Indiana counties match Parke County on the housing vacancy rate: 20% here, 9% for the state, ranking 6th highest of 92. High vacancy often reflects seasonal or second homes.
The counties around Parke County
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Parke County's, from 15 to 27 miles away. 3 of the six report a higher median household income than Parke County; Putnam County is highest at $78,378 and Vigo County lowest at $52,976.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Parke County | - | $68,485 | $704/mo | 82% |
| Vermillion County, IN | 15 mi | $60,200 | $750/mo | 75% |
| Putnam County, IN | 20 mi | $78,378 | $884/mo | 75% |
| Fountain County, IN | 24 mi | $62,542 | $843/mo | 75% |
| Montgomery County, IN | 24 mi | $71,479 | $858/mo | 80% |
| Vigo County, IN | 26 mi | $52,976 | $924/mo | 62% |
| Clay County, IN | 27 mi | $70,010 | $873/mo | 81% |
Census places in Parke County
Places, by size: the top 6 of 6. Roughly 68% of Parke County lives outside all of them, in open country or unnamed settlements. Incomes vary by place: $57,083 at the median in Rockville, $39,926 in Mecca. Median rent ranges from $589 in Mecca to $959 in Montezuma. Rockville and every other Parke County community use this county guide.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rockville | town | 2,559 | $57,083 | $731 | 2 mi |
| Montezuma | town | 881 | $56,974 | $959 | 9 mi |
| Rosedale | town | 609 | $50,655 | $658 | 11 mi |
| Mecca | town | 607 | $39,926 | $589 | 8 mi |
| Bloomingdale | town | 324 | $58,500 | $478 | 5 mi |
| Marshall | town | 266 | $65,625 | $788 | 5 mi |
$5,707 a month: the Parke County median budget
Parke County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- $68,485 a year is $5,707 of gross monthly income
- Less median rent of $704, which is 12% of it
- With a 36% ceiling, about $1,351 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
A household below the $68,485 median has less room than this, often none.
People and households in Parke County
Bachelor's degree or higher: 15% of Parke County adults. About 15% go without health insurance.
| Parke County | vs Indiana | vs U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.6 | +3.5 yrs | +0.1 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 15.4% | -14.1 pts | -6.7 pts |
| No high school diploma | 17.0% | +7.4 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 14.9% | +7.5 pts | +7.1 pts |
| No vehicle | 8.5% | +2.3 pts | +3.1 pts |
| Work from home | 11.7% | +1.0 pts | +3.0 pts |
| Poverty rate | 16.2% | +3.8 pts | +3.0 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.4% | +0.1 pts | -0.1 pts |
| One-way commute | Share of Parke County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 25.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 27.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 22.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 14.3% |
| 60+ min | 10.4% |
What the numbers mean for Parke County borrowers
- Hospital bills in Parke County. For the 15% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- Long drives. With 25% of commutes over 45 minutes, tires and repairs are fixed costs in many Parke County budgets.
- Mobile home upkeep. 13% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
Four steps for Parke County borrowers
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Get a written quote for whatever you are paying for in Parke County.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Parke County-area credit union.
- Verify the Indiana license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Verifying a lender from Parke County
Parke County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Indiana Department of Financial Institutions. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response.
Beyond Parke County
The Indiana guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Parke County?
$68,485 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $71,957 for Indiana. It ranks 48th of 92 in the state.
Can a Parke County renter afford a loan payment?
At the $704 median rent and $5,707 median monthly income, rent alone uses 12%; add other debts before a new payment.
Is home equity cheaper than a personal loan in Parke County?
Often, because the home secures it. With 82% of Parke County homes owner-occupied, weigh that lower cost against the risk to the house.
I live in a small Parke County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Rockville, Montezuma, Rosedale, Mecca, Bloomingdale and 1 more.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Parke County or elsewhere in Indiana, the same rules apply.