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COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Jay County

Indiana · 20,478 residents · 383.905 sq mi
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The short version

Jay County has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $45,864. Population has declined 6% since 2000. 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value is $90,800.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 39.9
US median: 38.8
Less educated
13% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
More affordable
home values down 9%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
20,478
−6%since 2000
from 21,806 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
53 / sq mi
−6%since 2000
from 57 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
39.9
+9%since 2000
from 36.7 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
20K21K21K21K22K1990201020202024Jay County
202420K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$45,864
−15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $35,700 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$24,165
+45%since 2000
from $16,686 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
26.7%
+8.8 ptssince 2009
from 18.0% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
14.5%
+5.4 ptssince 2000
from 9.1% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade32.2%
US avg: 10%
Information8.5%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade7.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing5.9%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction5.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Finance & insurance4.4%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical4.1%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services2.4%
US avg: 6.6%
Transportation & warehousing1.9%
US avg: 2.5%
Public administration1.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food0.6%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.3%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0.2%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$90,800
−9%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $66,100 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$685
+18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $387 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
74.6%
−3.2 ptssince 2000
from 77.7% in 2000
25.4% rent
Afford Score
2.0
+7%since 2000
from 1.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Jay County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic96.9%(21,131)
Black0.2%(54)
Hispanic / Latino1.8%(390)
Asian0.3%(74)
Other0%
Diversity Score5.9%(1,279)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic92.3%(18,892)
Black0.3%(53)
Hispanic / Latino4.6%(944)
Asian0.3%(64)
Other1.3%(265)
Diversity Score15.6%(3,187)
Segregation Score28.6%(5,860)
Diversity Score
16
+165%since 2000
from 6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
29
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
12.5%
+2.6 ptssince 2000
from 9.9% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
88.2%
+9.6 ptssince 2000
from 78.5% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
4.2%
+0.1 ptssince 2000
from 4.1% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.0 min
+41%since 2000
from 15.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
78.5%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 80.0% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
8.3%
+3.4 ptssince 2009
from 4.9% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.3%
−6.5 ptssince 2011
from 9.8% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
61.7%
−4.8 ptssince 2011
from 66.5% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
25.8%
−32.2 ptssince 2009
from 58.0% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.1%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 49.3% in 2009
Female
49.9%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 50.7% in 2009
Foreign born
1.3%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.0% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
10.3%
−76.8 ptssince 2013
from 87.1% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Jay County

Yell County
Pop 19,956
Conway County
Pop 21,393
Columbia County
Pop 21,894
Mitchell County
Pop 20,467
Places similar to Jay County
Head to head

Compare Jay County to nearby counties

JAY COUNTY VS
Blackford County
Income$51,326+12%
Home value$107,500+18%
Population11,730−42%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
JAY COUNTY VS
Randolph County
Income$60,791+33%
Home value$113,400+25%
Population24,438+21%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
JAY COUNTY VS
Mercer County
Income$76,782+67%
Home value$210,600+132%
Population42,737+112%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
JAY COUNTY VS
Adams County
Income$65,289+42%
Home value$178,400+96%
Population36,650+82%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Jay County, Indiana?

Jay County, Indiana has about 20,478 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Jay County, Indiana?

The typical household in Jay County, Indiana earns about $45,864 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Jay County, Indiana expensive?

In Jay County, Indiana, the median home is worth about $90,800, and the typical rent is about $685 a month.

How educated are people in Jay County, Indiana?

About 12.5% of adults age 25 and over in Jay County, Indiana hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Jay County, Indiana?

About 14.5% of people in Jay County, Indiana live below the federal poverty line.

Has Jay County, Indiana grown since 1990?

Yes, Jay County, Indiana has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 1,034 residents, a change of about -5 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

7 census tracts
Census Tract 9631Census Tract 9627Census Tract 9628Census Tract 9629Census Tract 9632Census Tract 9630Census Tract 9633
6 ZIP codes
ZIP 47371ZIP 47336ZIP 47373ZIP 47326ZIP 47369ZIP 47381
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →