1st Advantage MortgageVigo County households have a median income of $52,976 and median rent of $924 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Use those as context only. A lender looks at your own documented income and debts; compare APR and total repaid on every Vigo County offer.
On this page
- Who lives in Vigo County
- Income in Vigo County compared with Indiana
- What it costs to live in Vigo County
- Employment and commuting in Vigo County
- What stands out in Vigo County
- Vigo County communities by population
- Vigo County and the counties next door
- Vigo County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- What a median Vigo County budget can carry
- Before borrowing in Vigo County
- Four steps for Vigo County borrowers
- Indiana lender licensing
- Keep exploring
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Vigo County
With an estimated 106,109 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Vigo County ranks 17th of 92 in Indiana for population. Vigo County spans 404 square miles; with 106,109 people, that is 262.9 per square mile. It is one of the counties that make up the Terre Haute, IN metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). Of the 12 Census places inside Vigo County, Terre Haute leads by population with about 58,427; 4 of the 12 are incorporated.
Income in Vigo County compared with Indiana
At $52,976, the typical Vigo County household income is 19% below the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Income band | Share in Vigo County | Difference from Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 34.2% | +11.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.7% | -0.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 18.5% | -7.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.7% | -3.5 pts |
Some 34% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 23% have six-figure incomes. Poverty rate, Vigo County: 19.2%; Indiana: 12.3%. 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 Vigo County
Vigo County rent at the median: $924 a month, utilities in ($1,062 in Indiana). Cost-burdened renters, paying 30%-plus of income: 57% in Vigo County, 48% statewide. Median value $148,500; median income $52,976; ratio 2.8. In Vigo County, 62% of occupied homes are owned by the people living in them. The median home was built in 1968, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Housing | Vigo County | Indiana statewide | Vigo County vs state |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $924/mo | $1,062/mo | 13% lower |
| Median home value | $148,500 | $218,200 | 32% lower |
| Owners | 62% | 71% | -8.8 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 57% | 48% | +8.4 pts |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 20% | +2.6 pts |
| Mobile homes | 2.6% | 4.4% | -1.7 pts |
When half or more of renters are already stretched, a new payment needs a stress test: what happens if a paycheck is a week late?
Employment and commuting in Vigo County
By the Census industry count, 27% of employed Vigo County residents work in education and health care and 14% in manufacturing. The sharpest difference from the state is in education and health care, at 27% locally and 23% for Indiana. Averaged over the five survey years, 5.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 8% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 6% work from home.
| Top industries | Vigo County share | +/- vs Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 27.3% | +3.8 pts |
| Manufacturing | 14.2% | -3.8 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.7% | +2.0 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 10.6% | +2.8 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.7% | -2.5 pts |
| Construction | 6.7% | +0.1 pts |
Seasonal work is common in many Vigo County industries; if that is you, show a full year of income rather than one strong month.
What stands out in Vigo County
Where Vigo County lands at the extremes of Indiana's county rankings:
- On homeownership, Vigo County sits near the bottom of Indiana at 62%, 4th lowest of 92. Many renters means few borrowers have home equity to fall back on.
- On median household income, Vigo County sits near the bottom of Indiana at $52,976, 3rd lowest of 92. A lean local median makes the size of the loan the most important choice.
- Vigo County ranks 4th highest of 92 Indiana counties for the share of renters paying 30% or more of income for rent: 57%, against 48% statewide. Make sure a consolidation loan lowers what you pay each month.
- Few Indiana counties match Vigo County on the poverty rate: 19.2% here, 12.3% for the state, ranking 6th highest of 92. Free help, such as utility and rent assistance, should come before any loan.
Vigo County communities by population
12 Census places fall mainly inside Vigo County; the 12 biggest are below. They account for 69,065 residents, leaving about 35% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Tecumseh ($91,750) and St. Mary of the Woods ($28,114) mark the top and bottom of Vigo County's income range among larger places. Rent is cheapest in St. Mary of the Woods ($490) and steepest in Terre Haute ($922). Terre Haute and every other Vigo County community use this county guide.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Terre Haute | city | 58,427 | $43,126 | $922 | 2 mi |
| North Terre Haute | CDP | 4,534 | $54,640 | $695 | 7 mi |
| West Terre Haute | town | 2,092 | $53,676 | $819 | 4 mi |
| Seelyville | town | 986 | $56,994 | $821 | 8 mi |
| St. Mary of the Woods | CDP | 959 | $28,114 | $490 | 7 mi |
| Tecumseh | CDP | 638 | $91,750 | n/a | 10 mi |
| New Goshen | CDP | 526 | $68,214 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Riley | town | 441 | $77,083 | $864 | 6 mi |
| Toad Hop | CDP | 257 | $90,938 | n/a | 4 mi |
| Shepardsville | CDP | 115 | n/a | n/a | 12 mi |
| Fontanet | CDP | 63 | n/a | n/a | 12 mi |
| Dresser | CDP | 27 | n/a | n/a | 3 mi |
Vigo County and the counties next door
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Vigo County's, from 15 to 29 miles away. Clark County leads the group on income ($72,927), Sullivan County trails ($56,204), and Vigo County out-earns 0 of the six. Some neighbors are in Illinois. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Vigo County resident follows Indiana rules.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vigo County | - | $52,976 | $924/mo | 62% |
| Clay County, IN | 15 mi | $70,010 | $873/mo | 81% |
| Clark County, IL | 22 mi | $72,927 | $861/mo | 80% |
| Sullivan County, IN | 24 mi | $56,204 | $829/mo | 76% |
| Edgar County, IL | 26 mi | $59,941 | $775/mo | 73% |
| Parke County, IN | 26 mi | $68,485 | $704/mo | 82% |
| Vermillion County, IN | 29 mi | $60,200 | $750/mo | 75% |
Vigo County residents: age, schooling, coverage
Bachelor's degree or higher: 26% of Vigo County adults. Uninsured, Vigo County: 7.9%; Indiana: 7.4%.
| Measure | Vigo County | Gap to Indiana | Gap to typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poverty rate | 19.2% | +6.8 pts | +6.0 pts |
| Work from home | 5.5% | -5.2 pts | -3.2 pts |
| Bachelor's or higher | 26.3% | -3.2 pts | +4.1 pts |
| Median age | 36.3 | -1.8 yrs | -5.2 yrs |
| No vehicle | 7.9% | +1.7 pts | +2.5 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.7% | +1.4 pts | +1.3 pts |
| No health insurance | 7.9% | +0.5 pts | +0.1 pts |
| No high school diploma | 9.3% | -0.3 pts | n/a |
| Minutes to work | Vigo County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 40.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 40.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 10.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 2.8% |
| 60+ min | 5.4% |
What a median Vigo County budget can carry
Vigo County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Monthly gross at the median, Vigo County: $4,415
- 21% goes to median rent ($924)
- 36% debt-to-income limit: $665 left for all other debt payments
Two-income households and single earners in Vigo County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Before borrowing in Vigo County
- Before borrowing. At 19.2% poverty, Vigo County has local aid programs worth checking (options).
- Renters under pressure. When 57% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
- Consolidating cards in Vigo County. Compare the total repaid, not the monthly figure (how).
Four steps for Vigo County borrowers
Steps that save money for Vigo County residents:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Vigo County-area credit union.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Indiana lender licensing
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Vigo County, check the Indiana Department of Financial Institutions. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. See the Indiana state guide for the statewide picture.
Keep exploring
No city in Vigo County has its own guide yet; the state page is next up.
Frequently asked questions
Is $52,976 a good income in Vigo County?
It is the county median, so half of Vigo County households earn more and half less; 23% earn $100,000 or more.
How much is rent in Vigo County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $924 a month; 57% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Does this page cover Terre Haute?
Yes, along with the other 11 Census places in Vigo County, such as North Terre Haute, West Terre Haute, Seelyville.
Does living in Vigo County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Vigo County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Where can someone in Vigo 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.