1st Advantage MortgageStarke County households have a median income of $63,960 and median rent of $712 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- Starke County by the numbers
- What Starke County households earn
- Employment and commuting in Starke County
- Rent, home values and ownership in Starke County
- Starke County towns compared
- Starke County and the counties next door
- Starke County households compared
- Before borrowing in Starke County
- A Starke County household budget, worked through
- Before you sign
- Indiana rules that apply in Starke County
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Starke County by the numbers
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Starke County's population at 23,365; only 64 of Indiana's 92 county-level areas are larger. It covers 309 square miles of land, or about 76 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Starke County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 6 Census places inside Starke County, Knox leads by population with about 3,479; 3 of the 6 are incorporated.
What Starke County households earn
Half of Starke County households take in less than $63,960 a year and half take in more, 11% below the Indiana median of $71,957. In the state ranking that is 67th of 92.
| Income band | Share in Starke County | Difference from Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 26.9% | +4.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 48.1% | +4.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 22.9% | -2.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.1% | -6.1 pts |
About 27% of households earn under $35,000, while 25% clear $100,000. 13.4% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 12.3%). Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Employment and commuting in Starke County
By the Census industry count, 23% of employed Starke County residents work in manufacturing and 19% in education and health care. The sharpest difference from the state is in manufacturing, at 23% locally and 18% for Indiana. Averaged over the five survey years, 3.4% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 82% drive to work alone and 24% have trips of 45 minutes or more. 6.6% of households have no vehicle.
| Sector | Starke County | Compared with Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 23.2% | +5.2 pts |
| Education and health care | 19.2% | -4.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.1% | +0.4 pts |
| Construction | 10.0% | +3.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.2% | +0.4 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.5% | +1.3 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Rent, home values and ownership in Starke County
A typical Starke County rental runs $712 a month including utilities, which is 33% below Indiana. By the Census definition, 37% of Starke County renters are cost-burdened. Home values center on $157,700, or 2.5 years of median income. 83% of Starke County households own their home and 17% rent.
| Housing | Starke County | Indiana statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $712/mo | $1,062/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $157,700 | $218,200 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 83% | 71% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 37% | 48% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 20% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 9.4% | 4.4% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 20% | 9% | n/a |
Because most Starke 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.
Starke County towns compared
6 Census places fall mainly inside Starke County; the 6 biggest are below. They account for 9,233 residents, leaving about 60% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Incomes vary by place: $80,538 at the median in Koontz Lake, $48,931 in Knox. Median rent ranges from $540 in Knox to $1,278 in Bass Lake. None of the 6 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Knox | city | 3,479 | $48,931 | $540 | 1 mi |
| North Judson | town | 1,823 | $55,086 | $769 | 8 mi |
| Koontz Lake | CDP | 1,182 | $80,538 | $663 | 12 mi |
| Hamlet | town | 1,039 | $73,542 | $895 | 7 mi |
| Bass Lake | CDP | 983 | $73,086 | $1,278 | 5 mi |
| San Pierre | CDP | 727 | n/a | n/a | 14 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
Starke County and the counties next door
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (17 to 30 miles). 4 of the six report a higher median household income than Starke County; Porter County is highest at $87,972 and Fulton County lowest at $61,360.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starke County | - | $63,960 | $712/mo | 83% |
| Pulaski County, IN | 17 mi | $62,792 | $772/mo | 75% |
| LaPorte County, IN | 19 mi | $71,055 | $976/mo | 75% |
| Marshall County, IN | 20 mi | $71,808 | $938/mo | 76% |
| Fulton County, IN | 26 mi | $61,360 | $839/mo | 80% |
| Porter County, IN | 27 mi | $87,972 | $1,219/mo | 78% |
| St. Joseph County, IN | 30 mi | $66,868 | $1,062/mo | 69% |
Starke County households compared
13% of Starke County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 7.8% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Starke County | Indiana | Middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.1 | 38.1 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 12.5% | 29.5% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 13.0% | 9.6% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 7.8% | 7.4% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 6.6% | 6.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 4.8% | 10.7% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 13.4% | 12.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.4% | 4.3% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Starke County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 30.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 24.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 21.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 11.9% |
| 60+ min | 11.9% |
Before borrowing in Starke County
Based on the Starke County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Vehicle repairs. 24% of Starke County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- Debt consolidation. One fixed payment can save money only if the written APR and fees beat what you pay now (guide).
- Scams. A fee demanded before funding is a red flag; report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (spotting scams).
A Starke County household budget, worked through
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Starke County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- $63,960 a year is $5,330 of gross monthly income
- Less median rent of $712, which is 13% of it
- With a 35% ceiling, about $1,153 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- Under a 45% cap, $2,398 total minus rent leaves $1,686
If your rent is above $712, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Before you sign
Quick steps for Starke County:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- A Indiana license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Indiana rules that apply in Starke County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Starke 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.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the Indiana guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Starke County earn?
The median is $63,960; 25% earn $100,000 or more and 27% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
Is Starke County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $712 against $1,062 statewide, and 37% of renter households are cost-burdened.
What are the biggest places in Starke County?
By population: Knox, North Judson, Koontz Lake, Hamlet, Bass Lake. The county has 6 Census places in all.
Are Starke County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.
Where can someone in Starke 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.