Population 15,606 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Brown County
Household size in Brown County
| Period | Brown County | Indianapolis area | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.60 | 2.60 | 2.57 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.52 | 2.63 | 2.59 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.43 | 2.63 | 2.57 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.36 | 2.59 | 2.54 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.23 | −0.01 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
Households in Brown County are small: just 2.36 people on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. That is typical of places where many people live alone or as couples, and fewer have children at home. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 2.60, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Brown County
| Period | Brown County | Indianapolis area | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 44.8 | 36.3 | 37.5 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 47.9 | 37.0 | 38.4 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 49.3 | 37.7 | 39.1 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 49.1 | 38.2 | 39.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | +4.4 | +1.9 | +1.7 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 49.1, Brown County is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 44.8, in line with the national trend. No other Indiana county is older.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Brown County
| Period | Brown County | Indianapolis area | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.2% | 12.7% | 11.8% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 11.0% | 12.8% | 12.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 9.9% | 12.0% | 11.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.5% | 11.8% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −0.7 pts | −0.9 pts | −0.1 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Brown County: 6.5% of households, against 11.6% nationally. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has edged down 0.7 points, mirroring the country. Only one other Indiana county has a lower share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Brown County
Renters in Brown County
| Period | Brown County | Indianapolis area | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.3% | 31.4% | 28.5% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 19.1% | 34.2% | 30.5% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 15.6% | 34.8% | 30.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 13.4% | 33.2% | 29.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.9 pts | +1.8 pts | +1.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Brown County is overwhelmingly a place of homeowners: only 13.4% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Since 2006–10, the renter share has fallen 1.9 points, even as the national share rose. Only one other Indiana county has a lower share of renters.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Brown County
| Period | Brown County | Indianapolis area | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 23.4% | 11.2% | 11.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 26.8% | 10.6% | 11.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 25.1% | 9.6% | 10.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 18.9% | 8.0% | 9.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | −4.5 pts | −3.2 pts | −2.0 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 18.9% of the housing in Brown County, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy is down 4.5 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Brown County
| Period | Brown County | Indianapolis area | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1978 | 1978 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1979 | 1979 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1984 | 1980 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1984 | 1982 | 1977 | 1980 |
| Change | +6 | +5 | +5 | +6 |
The housing in Brown County is a little younger than the country's: half of it was built after 1984, against 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1978 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the south, while the west has the oldest housing.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Brown County
| Period | Brown County | Indianapolis area | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $812 | $877 | $763 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $945 | $946 | $819 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $955 | $1,060 | $903 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $975 | $1,368 | $1,146 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$163 | +$492 | +$384 | +$606 |
The median renter in Brown County pays $975 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $163 a month since 2006–10, up 20%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 35.2% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched. The priciest rents are in the northwest; the most affordable are in the southwest.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Brown County
Bachelor's degrees in Brown County
| Period | Brown County | Indianapolis area | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.2% | 30.9% | 23.8% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 21.1% | 31.8% | 24.6% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 28.8% | 35.2% | 27.1% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 26.2% | 38.6% | 30.0% | 35.6% |
| Change | +5.0 pts | +7.7 pts | +6.2 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are less common in Brown County than nationally: 26.2% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 5.0 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. College graduates are most concentrated in the center and least in the north.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Brown County
| Period | Brown County | Indianapolis area | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 86.9% | 88.1% | 86.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 87.9% | 88.9% | 87.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 91.8% | 89.6% | 88.7% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 94.4% | 90.8% | 89.9% | 89.3% |
| Change | +7.5 pts | +2.8 pts | +3.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Brown County: 94.4% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma has risen 7.5 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. Only four of Indiana's 92 counties have a higher share of high school graduates.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Brown County
| Period | Brown County | Indianapolis area | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.0% | 7.9% | 8.4% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 8.4% | 9.0% | 8.9% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.5% | 4.9% | 4.9% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.2% | 4.1% | 4.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −6.8 pts | −3.7 pts | −4.1 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Brown County has been low: just 2.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Only five of Indiana's 92 counties have lower unemployment. Unemployment is down 6.8 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Brown County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brown County | 2.36 | 49.1 | 6.5% | 13.4% | 18.9% | 1984 | $975 | 26.2% | 94.4% | 2.2% |
| Bartholomew County | 2.53 | 39.2 | 10.7% | 30.7% | 7.6% | 1981 | $1,154 | 33.4% | 91.7% | 4.1% |
| Monroe County | 2.17 | 35.9 | 8.1% | 46.0% | 10.6% | 1983 | $1,190 | 52.8% | 95.1% | 5.4% |
| Owen County | 2.51 | 44.9 | 10.4% | 18.6% | 12.5% | 1982 | $854 | 16.7% | 87.7% | 2.9% |
| Decatur County | 2.43 | 40.9 | 10.2% | 23.9% | 9.3% | 1973 | $881 | 20.0% | 91.2% | 2.4% |
| Ripley County | 2.53 | 41.3 | 10.9% | 23.2% | 8.5% | 1977 | $863 | 20.9% | 90.7% | 3.1% |
| Franklin County | 2.53 | 43.4 | 9.8% | 18.5% | 7.2% | 1980 | $869 | 20.2% | 91.0% | 3.7% |
| Sullivan County | 2.43 | 42.7 | 10.3% | 23.6% | 11.4% | 1973 | $881 | 15.1% | 89.9% | 5.2% |
| Dearborn County | 2.56 | 43.6 | 8.4% | 14.8% | 4.7% | 1982 | $922 | 25.0% | 92.7% | 2.1% |
| Clark County | 2.36 | 43.1 | 13.9% | 19.7% | 12.1% | 1970 | $886 | 25.1% | 92.6% | 3.5% |
| Hamilton County | 2.38 | 38.7 | 12.3% | 40.7% | 8.0% | 1964 | $1,250 | 41.2% | 92.5% | 5.3% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Santa Isabel Municipio, PR · Shannon County, MO · Carbon County, WY · Caribou County, ID · Seward County, KS · Carroll County, IL · Sevier County, UT · Sequatchie County, TN · Montgomery County, AR · Screven County, GA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Brown County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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