1st Advantage MortgageMedian rent in Wabash County is $762 a month against a median household income of $66,806, about 14% of income (ACS 2020-24). 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
- Population and place: Wabash County
- Labor force snapshot: Wabash County
- The Wabash County housing market in figures
- Wabash County at the extremes
- Income in Wabash County compared with Indiana
- Wabash County, Miami County and other neighbors
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Wabash County
- People and households in Wabash County
- Debt-to-income, Wabash County edition
- Local borrowing considerations for Wabash County
- Indiana lender licensing
- Four steps for Wabash County borrowers
- Keep exploring
- Frequently asked questions
Population and place: Wabash County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Wabash County's population at 30,844; only 53 of Indiana's 92 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 413 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 75 per square mile. Wabash County is classed as nonmetropolitan in the OMB's July 2023 list. Largest place: Wabash, about 10,358 residents (34% of Wabash County); 7 Census places in all.
Labor force snapshot: Wabash County
Manufacturing (28%), education and health care (24%) and retail trade (8%) lead Wabash County's job mix. Manufacturing stands out: 28% of workers here, versus 18% statewide. 3.4% of Wabash County's labor force reported being unemployed, averaged across 2020 to 2024. 14% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 6% work from home. Households without a car make up 4.5% of the total (6.2% statewide).
| Where residents work | Wabash County | Difference from Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 28.3% | +10.3 pts |
| Education and health care | 23.6% | +0.2 pts |
| Retail trade | 8.4% | -2.3 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.2% | -1.6 pts |
| Construction | 5.9% | -0.7 pts |
| Other services | 5.9% | +1.3 pts |
Self-employed in Wabash County? Two years of tax returns usually stand in for pay stubs.
The Wabash County housing market in figures
A typical Wabash County rental runs $762 a month including utilities, which is 28% below Indiana. By the Census definition, 39% of Wabash County renters are cost-burdened. Median value $157,200; median income $66,806; ratio 2.4. Homeowners 80%, renters 20%. The median home was built in 1959, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Measure | Wabash County | Indiana | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $762/mo | $1,062/mo | 28% lower |
| Median home value | $157,200 | $218,200 | 28% lower |
| Owners | 80% | 71% | +9.9 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 39% | 48% | -8.6 pts |
| Burdened owners | 21% | 20% | +1.1 pts |
| Mobile homes | 4.5% | 4.4% | +0.1 pts |
With 80% of Wabash County homes owner-occupied, equity is a real alternative for many readers; just remember a missed HELOC payment puts the home at risk.
Wabash County at the extremes
The 2 Wabash County numbers that rank furthest from typical in Indiana, and what each means for a borrower:
- Wabash County ranks 13th lowest of 92 Indiana counties for median gross rent: $762/mo, against $1,062/mo statewide. Cheaper housing gives many renters more slack in a budget.
- Wabash County ranks 17th lowest of 92 Indiana counties for the uninsured rate: 4.8%, against 7.4% statewide. Even insured households face deductibles; ask the provider about a payment plan.
Income in Wabash County compared with Indiana
$66,806 is the median household income for Wabash County, set against $71,957 for Indiana. Only 51 Indiana counties post a higher median.
| Household income | Wabash County | vs Indiana |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 24.6% | +2.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.6% | +1.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 26.1% | +0.2 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 4.8% | -3.4 pts |
25% under $35,000 and 31% at $100,000 or more: that is the Wabash County income split. 11.1% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 12.3%). A household earning below the $66,806 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Wabash County, Miami County and other neighbors
Miami County is closest, 14 miles from center to center; the sixth, Fulton County, is 28 miles off. Income ranges from $53,522 in Grant County to $78,083 in Whitley County; 2 of these neighbors top Wabash County's median.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wabash County | - | $66,806 | $762/mo | 80% |
| Miami County, IN | 14 mi | $61,139 | $838/mo | 76% |
| Huntington County, IN | 17 mi | $66,301 | $879/mo | 77% |
| Grant County, IN | 24 mi | $53,522 | $853/mo | 73% |
| Whitley County, IN | 25 mi | $78,083 | $934/mo | 82% |
| Kosciusko County, IN | 28 mi | $75,317 | $1,043/mo | 77% |
| Fulton County, IN | 28 mi | $61,360 | $839/mo | 80% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Wabash County
Here are the 7 most populous of the county's 7 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 57% of Wabash County residents live in one of the 7. North Manchester has the highest median household income on the list ($61,296) and La Fontaine the lowest ($49,464), counting places with at least 500 residents. Rent is cheapest in North Manchester ($660) and steepest in Wabash ($739). Live in one of these Wabash County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wabash | city | 10,358 | $53,410 | $739 | 3 mi |
| North Manchester | town | 4,819 | $61,296 | $660 | 11 mi |
| La Fontaine | town | 837 | $49,464 | $675 | 12 mi |
| Roann | town | 479 | $58,542 | $825 | 8 mi |
| Laketon | CDP | 460 | $60,104 | n/a | 10 mi |
| Lagro | town | 330 | $58,958 | $988 | 4 mi |
| Somerset | CDP | 221 | $86,161 | $668 | 12 mi |
People and households in Wabash County
23% of Wabash County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. The uninsured rate is 4.8%, against 7.4% for Indiana.
| Residents | Wabash County | Difference from Indiana | Difference from middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 23.1% | -6.4 pts | +0.9 pts |
| Median age | 42.7 | +4.6 yrs | +1.2 yrs |
| Work from home | 6.3% | -4.4 pts | -2.4 pts |
| No health insurance | 4.8% | -2.6 pts | -3.0 pts |
| No vehicle | 4.5% | -1.7 pts | -0.9 pts |
| Poverty rate | 11.1% | -1.2 pts | -2.1 pts |
| No high school diploma | 8.4% | -1.2 pts | n/a |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.4% | -0.8 pts | -1.0 pts |
| Minutes to work | Wabash County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 41.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 30.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 14.2% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.5% |
| 60+ min | 5.0% |
Debt-to-income, Wabash County edition
Wabash County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Start: $5,567 gross per month ($66,806 / 12)
- Median rent: $762, or 14 cents of every gross dollar
- With a 36% ceiling, about $1,242 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- Under a 43% cap, $2,394 total minus rent leaves $1,632
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Wabash County's.
Local borrowing considerations for Wabash County
What the Wabash County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Advance-fee offers. No legitimate lender asks a Wabash County borrower to pay first (scam signs).
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
Indiana lender licensing
Wabash County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by the Indiana Department of Financial Institutions. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. See the Indiana state guide for the statewide picture.
Four steps for Wabash County borrowers
Steps that save money for Wabash County residents:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in Indiana.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Keep exploring
For statewide rules and data, see the Indiana guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Wabash County earn?
The median is $66,806; 31% earn $100,000 or more and 25% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How much is rent in Wabash County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $762 a month; 39% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
How many towns are in Wabash County?
The Census Bureau counts 7 places mainly in the county, led by Wabash, North Manchester, La Fontaine, Roann, Laketon.
Are Wabash 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.
How do I know a lender is legitimate in Wabash County?
Look it up with the Indiana Department of Financial Institutions, read the written offer, and refuse any fee before funding.