Pulaski County, IN: personal loan guide and local data

A quick profile of Pulaski County

The latest five-year Census estimate puts Pulaski County's population at 12,441; only 82 of Indiana's 92 county-level areas are larger. Spread over 434 square miles, that works out to roughly 28.7 residents per square mile. Pulaski County is classed as nonmetropolitan in the OMB's July 2023 list. Of the 5 Census places inside Pulaski County, Winamac leads by population with about 2,473; 4 of the 5 are incorporated.

Rent, home values and ownership in Pulaski County

Half of Pulaski County renters pay more than $772 a month and half pay less; the Indiana midpoint is $1,062. Cost-burdened renters, paying 30%-plus of income: 44% in Pulaski County, 48% statewide. With a median value of $156,400, a typical Pulaski County house costs 2.5 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 75%. Half the housing stock was built before 1970.

Because most Pulaski County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.

Work, industries and travel time in Pulaski County

Education and health care employs 25% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 22%. The sharpest difference from the state is in agriculture, forestry and mining, at 8% locally and 1% for Indiana. Averaged over the five survey years, 1.8% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 34% of Pulaski County workers get to work in under 15 minutes, while 20% need 45 or more. No car: 6.0% of Pulaski County households.

A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.

Income in Pulaski County compared with Indiana

At $62,792, the typical Pulaski County household income is 4% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). That places it 70th among Indiana's 92 county-level areas.

24% under $35,000 and 28% at $100,000 or more: that is the Pulaski County income split. Poverty rate, Pulaski County: 12.1%; Indiana: 12.3%. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.

Pulaski County's most unusual numbers

Out of every Indiana county, Pulaski County is most unusual on these measures.

• The ACS unemployment rate: 1.8% in Pulaski County. Only 3 of 92 Indiana counties are lower. A tight job market helps steady income, but lenders still verify it.
• On the share of adults with a bachelor's degree, Pulaski County sits near the bottom of Indiana at 14%, 8th lowest of 92. Lenders weigh income and credit, not schooling.
• Pulaski County ranks 10th lowest of 92 Indiana counties for population: 12,441, against 6,851,073 statewide. With few local branches, online lenders and statewide credit unions widen the choice.

Census places in Pulaski County

4,677 of Pulaski County's 12,441 residents live in its 5 Census places (38%); the 5 largest are listed. Medaryville has the highest median household income on the list ($80,375) and Winamac the lowest ($47,083), counting places with at least 500 residents. Median rent ranges from $742 in Winamac to $961 in Francesville. From Winamac to the smallest crossroads, Pulaski County residents share this guide.

Regional comparison for Pulaski County

Six nearby counties, 17 to 29 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Richest neighbor: Jasper County, $77,314. Poorest: Cass County, $56,403. Pulaski County: $62,792.

Room for a loan payment in Pulaski County

DTI math using Pulaski County medians ($62,792 income, $772 rent):

• $62,792 a year is $5,233 of gross monthly income
• Median rent: $772, or 15 cents of every gross dollar
• $1,059: what a 35% ratio leaves once rent is paid
• $1,583: what a 45% ratio leaves once rent is paid

Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.

Before borrowing in Pulaski County

Where the Pulaski County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:

• Car trouble. For Pulaski County drivers (20% with 45-minute-plus trips), price the repair against the car's value first.
• Scams. A fee demanded before funding is a red flag; report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (spotting scams).
• Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).

People and households in Pulaski County

In Pulaski County, 14% of adults have at least a four-year degree (29% in Indiana). Health coverage gaps: 7.0% of Pulaski County residents are uninsured.

Checklist for Pulaski County applicants

Quick steps for Pulaski County:

• Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
• Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
• A Indiana license check takes minutes; do it first.
• Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.

Indiana lender licensing

Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Pulaski County borrowers answers to the Indiana Department of Financial Institutions. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. See the Indiana state guide for the statewide picture.

Beyond Pulaski County

Next step up from Pulaski County:

• Indiana state guide