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CITY

Universal

Indiana · 285 residents (2025 est.) · 0.36 sq mi
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The short version

Universal has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $53,750. Population has fallen 59% since 2000, a loss of 246 residents. 10% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $64,300. With a median age of 46.2, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 25% less than the Indiana median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 46.2
US median: 38.9
Less educated
10% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
More affordable
home values down 18%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
173
−59%since 2000
from 419 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
481 / sq mi
−40%since 2009
from 794 / sq mi in 2009
US average: 281
Median age
46.2
+26%since 2000
from 36.7 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:285 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1442303174034891990201020202024Universal
2024173
1990201020202024
Age distribution, 2024
Under 510.4%(18)
US avg: 5.6%
5 to 94.6%(8)
US avg: 6%
10 to 148.1%(14)
US avg: 6.4%
15 to 194%(7)
US avg: 6.6%
20 to 240%(0)
US avg: 6.5%
25 to 344.6%(8)
US avg: 13.7%
35 to 4413.3%(23)
US avg: 13.2%
45 to 5411.6%(20)
US avg: 12.2%
55 to 6420.8%(36)
US avg: 12.7%
65 to 7416.8%(29)
US avg: 10.2%
75 to 845.8%(10)
US avg: 5.1%
85 and over0%(0)
US avg: 1.9%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$53,750
−18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $36,042 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$24,578
+37%since 2000
from $17,930 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
32.4%
+16.7 ptssince 2009
from 15.8% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
17.3%
+8.1 ptssince 2000
from 9.3% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.295
−11%since 2010
from 0.332 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information48.4%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade17.2%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade3.1%
US avg: 6.9%
Transportation & warehousing1.6%
US avg: 2.2%
Finance & insurance1.6%
US avg: 5.9%
Education & health services1.6%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Professional, scientific, technical0%
US avg: 5.1%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
Other services0%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.8%
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$64,300
−18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $42,800 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$567
−27%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $425 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
81.1%
−4.2 ptssince 2000
from 85.3% in 2000
18.9% rent
Vacancy rate
14.9%
−7.0 ptssince 2009
from 21.9% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
10.0%
−29.8 ptssince 2009
from 39.8% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
57.1%
+42.0 ptssince 2009
from 15.2% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.2
−36%since 2009
from 1.9 in 2009
2009 – 2024
Our index: median home value divided by median household income. Lower is more affordable.
Gentrification Score
32
Our index, 0 to 100. Higher means faster recent growth in incomes, home values, and college degrees.
RELATED:See current rent listings in Universal on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic98.6%(413)
Black0.2%(1)
Hispanic / Latino1%(4)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
2024
White, non-Hispanic95.4%(165)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0.6%(1)
Asian0%(0)
Other4%(7)
Diversity Score
11
+2%since 2009
from 11 in 2009
2009 – 2024
Our index, 0 to 100. Higher means a more even mix of racial and ethnic groups.
Section 04 · Origins

Detailed origins & ancestry

Hispanic origin
Mexican0.6%(1)
Ancestry
German16.8%(29)
American5.2%(9)
Irish4.6%(8)
English3.5%(6)
Italian1.7%(3)
Polish1.2%(2)
Welsh1.2%(2)
Scottish0.6%(1)
RANKED:Largest German population · Largest American population · Largest Irish population · Largest English population · Largest Italian population
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
10.3%
+5.8 ptssince 2000
from 4.5% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
90.5%
+10.8 ptssince 2000
from 79.7% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
4.0%
+2.6 ptssince 2000
from 1.4% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
14.5 min
+6%since 2000
from 13.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
83.9%
−8.6 ptssince 2009
from 92.5% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
6.5%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 5.4% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
9.7%
+7.6 ptssince 2009
from 2.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
1.4%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.2%
−9.3 ptssince 2011
from 16.5% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
51.9%
−23.3 ptssince 2011
from 75.2% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
3.1%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 4.7% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
35.9%
−15.5 ptssince 2009
from 51.5% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
37.0%
−8.5 ptssince 2009
from 45.5% in 2009
Female
63.0%
+8.5 ptssince 2009
from 54.5% in 2009
Foreign born
0.6%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
11.3%
−33.7 ptssince 2009
from 45.0% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
24.9%
+13.0 ptssince 2012
from 11.9% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
4.0%
−67.4 ptssince 2013
from 71.4% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
87.8%
+33.3 ptssince 2017
from 54.5% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
100.0%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 100.0% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 0.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Marital status
Men 15+
Never married7.4%(4)
Married72.2%(39)
Widowed1.9%(1)
Divorced18.5%(10)
Women 15+
Never married30.4%(24)
Married46.8%(37)
Widowed5.1%(4)
Divorced17.7%(14)
SHARE WITHIN EACH SEX · POPULATION 15 AND OVER · 2024
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Universal, Indiana?

Universal, Indiana has about 173 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Universal, Indiana?

The typical household in Universal, Indiana earns about $53,750 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Universal, Indiana expensive?

In Universal, Indiana, the median home is worth about $64,300, and the typical rent is about $567 a month.

How educated are people in Universal, Indiana?

About 10.3% of adults age 25 and over in Universal, Indiana hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Universal, Indiana?

About 17.3% of people in Universal, Indiana live below the federal poverty line.

Has Universal, Indiana grown since 1990?

Yes, Universal, Indiana has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 219 residents, a change of about -56 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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