Population 28,420 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Wells County
Household size in Wells County
| Period | Wells County | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.54 | 2.57 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.50 | 2.59 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.52 | 2.57 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.46 | 2.54 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.09 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
The average household in Wells County has 2.46 people, under the U.S. average of 2.65. Household size has edged down from 2.54 in 2006–10, as it has nationally. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the southeast.
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 Wells County
| Period | Wells County | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 40.8 | 37.5 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 41.5 | 38.4 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 41.9 | 39.1 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 40.1 | 39.3 | 40.1 |
| Change | −0.7 | +1.7 | +2.3 |
At 40.1, the median age in Wells County is the same as the national median, so its age mix looks much like the country's. The median age has edged down from 40.8 in 2006–10, even as the national median rose. The youngest areas are in the center, the oldest in the northwest.
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 Wells County
| Period | Wells County | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.3% | 11.8% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 11.1% | 12.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 10.1% | 11.6% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.4% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.9 pts | −0.1 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 8.4% of households in Wells County, well below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has fallen 1.9 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Wells County has a lower share of single-parent households than at least four in five Indiana counties.
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 Wells County
Renters in Wells County
| Period | Wells County | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 22.0% | 28.5% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 20.6% | 30.5% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 21.1% | 30.9% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 24.4% | 29.4% | 34.8% |
| Change | +2.4 pts | +1.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Wells County is largely a place of homeowners: only 24.4% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Among homeowners, 39.7% have no mortgage at all, about the same as nationally. The renter share has risen 2.4 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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 Wells County
| Period | Wells County | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.9% | 11.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 7.5% | 11.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 9.2% | 10.9% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 5.6% | 9.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | −3.4 pts | −2.0 pts | −1.8 pts |
Empty homes are scarce in Wells County: just 5.6% sit vacant, compared with 9.6% nationally, a sign of a tight housing market. Vacancy has fallen 3.4 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. Of Indiana's 92 counties, only three have a lower vacancy rate.
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 Wells County
| Period | Wells County | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1961 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1964 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1965 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1970 | 1977 | 1980 |
| Change | +10 | +5 | +6 |
Wells County is a place of older homes: half were built before 1970, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. The median year built has moved up from 1961 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the north, the oldest in the center.
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 Wells County
| Period | Wells County | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $579 | $763 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $666 | $819 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $749 | $903 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $838 | $1,146 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$259 | +$384 | +$606 |
The median renter in Wells County pays $838 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $259 a month since 2006–10, up 45%, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 25.1% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Rents run highest in the north and lowest 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 Wells County
Bachelor's degrees in Wells County
| Period | Wells County | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.1% | 23.8% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 16.8% | 24.6% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 17.8% | 27.1% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 19.3% | 30.0% | 35.6% |
| Change | +5.1 pts | +6.2 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Wells County have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 19.3%, against 35.6% nationally. The share with a degree has risen 5.1 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. College graduates are most concentrated in the north and least in the southwest.
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 Wells County
| Period | Wells County | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 89.3% | 86.5% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 89.5% | 87.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 92.3% | 88.7% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 92.8% | 89.9% | 89.3% |
| Change | +3.5 pts | +3.4 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Wells County is above the national rate: 92.8% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. The share with a diploma is up 3.5 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Wells County has a higher share of high school graduates than the great majority of Indiana counties.
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 Wells County
| Period | Wells County | Indiana | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.2% | 8.4% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 5.3% | 8.9% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 2.9% | 4.9% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.7% | 4.3% | 5.4% |
| Change | −6.5 pts | −4.1 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in Wells County has been strong: just 2.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 6.5 points, as it has nationally. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
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).
Wells 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wells County | 2.46 | 40.1 | 8.4% | 24.4% | 5.6% | 1970 | $838 | 19.3% | 92.8% | 2.7% |
| Adams County | 3.19 | 34.4 | 10.0% | 16.5% | 7.9% | 1969 | $866 | 15.7% | 86.3% | 2.6% |
| Huntington County | 2.34 | 41.5 | 10.4% | 22.6% | 6.8% | 1966 | $862 | 21.3% | 92.7% | 3.9% |
| Wabash County | 2.39 | 44.2 | 8.4% | 19.5% | 12.6% | 1958 | $777 | 23.3% | 90.2% | 3.5% |
| Van Wert County | 2.47 | 42.2 | 10.0% | 17.9% | 8.8% | 1962 | $792 | 16.7% | 93.7% | 3.6% |
| Miami County | 2.58 | 41.5 | 15.7% | 23.8% | 10.0% | 1962 | $813 | 14.6% | 89.0% | 6.4% |
| Allen County | 2.44 | 40.5 | 13.7% | 32.3% | 8.9% | 1964 | $930 | 20.4% | 92.5% | 5.6% |
| Cass County | 2.52 | 41.8 | 14.2% | 25.7% | 9.7% | 1957 | $799 | 17.0% | 85.8% | 4.4% |
| Hardin County | 2.50 | 37.6 | 8.7% | 25.3% | 11.0% | 1965 | $830 | 21.7% | 92.3% | 4.5% |
| White County | 2.44 | 42.6 | 10.8% | 19.0% | 16.4% | 1965 | $879 | 19.9% | 89.9% | 3.3% |
| Wyandot County | 2.40 | 44.1 | 9.1% | 25.9% | 9.1% | 1961 | $825 | 19.9% | 95.0% | 1.9% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Saline County, IL · Charlevoix County, MI · Chattooga County, GA · Cheboygan County, MI · Cherokee County, AL · Cherokee County, KS · Churchill County, NV · Clark County, AR · Coahoma County, MS · Salinas Municipio, PR
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 Wells 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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