1st Advantage MortgageVanderburgh County households have a median income of $61,648 and median rent of $985 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Vanderburgh County, IN: the basics
- Employment and commuting in Vanderburgh County
- Paychecks and income spread in Vanderburgh County
- What it costs to live in Vanderburgh County
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Vanderburgh County
- The counties around Vanderburgh County
- Budget math at the Vanderburgh County median
- Vanderburgh County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Borrowing situations common in Vanderburgh County
- Who licenses lenders for Vanderburgh County residents
- Four steps for Vanderburgh County borrowers
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Vanderburgh County, IN: the basics
Vanderburgh County is home to about 180,117 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 9th most populous of 92 county-level areas in Indiana. It covers 233 square miles of land, or about 772 people per square mile. It is one of the counties that make up the Evansville, IN metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). Of the 4 Census places inside Vanderburgh County, Evansville leads by population with about 116,116; 2 of the 4 are incorporated.
Employment and commuting in Vanderburgh County
By the Census industry count, 24% of employed Vanderburgh County residents work in education and health care and 17% in manufacturing. Retail trade stands out: 13% of workers here, versus 11% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 4.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 80% drive to work alone and 7% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Households without a car make up 8.0% of the total (6.2% statewide).
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Vanderburgh County | Gap to Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.8% | +0.3 pts |
| Manufacturing | 16.8% | -1.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.4% | +2.7 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.5% | +1.7 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.3% | -0.9 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 5.8% | +0.5 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Paychecks and income spread in Vanderburgh County
Half of Vanderburgh County households take in less than $61,648 a year and half take in more, 14% below the Indiana median of $71,957.
| Band | Vanderburgh County | Compared with Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 25.9% | +3.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 46.8% | +3.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.4% | -4.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.8% | -2.4 pts |
About 26% of households earn under $35,000, while 27% clear $100,000. 14.3% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 12.3%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.463 here. 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 Vanderburgh County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $985 in Vanderburgh County versus $1,062 statewide. 48% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 24% spend half or more. Home values center on $184,000, or 3.0 years of median income. The ownership rate is 65%.
| Home costs | Vanderburgh County | Indiana | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $985/mo | $1,062/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $184,000 | $218,200 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 65% | 71% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 48% | 48% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 20% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 2.5% | 4.4% | n/a |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Vanderburgh County
4 Census places fall mainly inside Vanderburgh County; the 4 biggest are below. They account for 125,981 residents, leaving about 30% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Darmstadt has the highest median household income on the list ($107,188) and Evansville the lowest ($53,387), counting places with at least 500 residents. Median rent ranges from $975 in Evansville to $1,695 in Highland. This guide covers each of the 4 places and the rural areas around them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Evansville | city | 116,116 | $53,387 | $975 | 4 mi |
| Highland | CDP | 5,114 | $98,002 | $1,695 | 2 mi |
| Melody Hill | CDP | 3,243 | $93,906 | $1,091 | 4 mi |
| Darmstadt | town | 1,508 | $107,188 | n/a | 5 mi |
The counties around Vanderburgh County
Posey County is closest, 15 miles from center to center; the sixth, Union County, is 32 miles off. 4 of the six report a higher median household income than Vanderburgh County; Warrick County is highest at $89,844 and Henderson County lowest at $58,851. Some neighbors are in Kentucky. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Vanderburgh County resident follows Indiana rules.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanderburgh County | - | $61,648 | $985/mo | 65% |
| Posey County, IN | 15 mi | $78,129 | $782/mo | 82% |
| Henderson County, KY | 16 mi | $58,851 | $777/mo | 65% |
| Warrick County, IN | 18 mi | $89,844 | $1,061/mo | 82% |
| Gibson County, IN | 21 mi | $67,573 | $935/mo | 77% |
| Spencer County, IN | 31 mi | $74,506 | $751/mo | 81% |
| Union County, KY | 32 mi | $60,327 | $790/mo | 70% |
Budget math at the Vanderburgh County median
How much room does a median Vanderburgh County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- $5,137 a month: gross income for a household at the Vanderburgh County median
- 19% goes to median rent ($985)
- With a 43% ceiling, about $1,224 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Vanderburgh County's.
Vanderburgh County residents: age, schooling, coverage
28% of Vanderburgh County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 6.9% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | Vanderburgh County | Indiana statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.7 | 38.1 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 27.8% | 29.5% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 8.5% | 9.6% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 6.9% | 7.4% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 8.0% | 6.2% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.7% | 10.7% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 14.3% | 12.3% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.2% | 4.3% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Vanderburgh County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 39.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 40.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 12.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 3.6% |
| 60+ min | 3.4% |
Borrowing situations common in Vanderburgh County
Based on the Vanderburgh County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Tight rental budgets. With 48% of Vanderburgh County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
- Check your file. An error fixed before you apply can change the offers a Vanderburgh County borrower sees (free reports).
- Scams. A fee demanded before funding is a red flag; report it at ReportFraud.ftc.gov (spotting scams).
Who licenses lenders for Vanderburgh County residents
Consumer lenders serving Vanderburgh County are licensed by the state, not the county; in Indiana that is the Indiana Department of Financial Institutions. Problems with a lender can also go to the CFPB. The Indiana guide covers state rules in more detail.
Four steps for Vanderburgh County borrowers
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Nearby and statewide guides
The Indiana guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Vanderburgh County household make?
About $61,648 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 14% below the Indiana median.
Is Vanderburgh County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $985 against $1,062 statewide, and 48% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Does this page cover Evansville?
Yes, along with the other 3 Census places in Vanderburgh County, such as Highland, Melody Hill, Darmstadt.
Can Vanderburgh 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.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Vanderburgh County?
Start with the Indiana Department of Financial Institutions, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.