City profile · Indiana · Census ACS 2023

Anderson, IN

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Anderson - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

54,930
Residents
$47,221
Median income
$104,300
Median home
$1,206
Median rent (state)

Anderson - the verdict

Anderson ranks in the 15th percentile for household income and the 20th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

15th
percentile, household income
11th
percentile, home value
37th
percentile, median rent
20th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Anderson, IN

Anderson is a small city in Indiana, home to 54,930 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Anderson brings in $47,221 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 16.1%. Anderson's housing stock carries a median value of $104,300, and the median resident age is 38.2 years. About 16.1% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 52.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 56 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Stable), down 3% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 2675.4 incidents per 100,000 residents, near the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Indiana run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Indiana at 93.3 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Below Average). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,206 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Indiana's average monthly utility costs around $235 (state average). Workers in Anderson report an average commute of 23.3 minutes, with 74.1% driving alone and 8.4% working from home. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 77.3 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (High).

Population

54,930 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Indiana

Median Household Income

$47,221 /yr

Poverty 16.1%

Cost of Living Index (state)

93.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Indiana average

How does Anderson compare to other US cities?

Where Anderson sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 15% higher than other cities
Home value 11% pricier than other cities
Median rent 37% pricier than other cities
Safety 20% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Indiana alone, Anderson ranks #96 of 109 Indiana cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Anderson against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Indiana only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Indiana-relative analysis

Poverty Rate places Anderson toward the top of Indiana's cities

Among the 849 Indiana cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Anderson ranks #134 - the 84th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Anderson only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#641 of 766
16th percentile in Indiana
Median Gross Rent
#224 of 850
72nd percentile in Indiana
Median Home Value
#553 of 771
28th percentile in Indiana
Poverty Rate
#134 of 849
84th percentile in Indiana
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#392 of 850
54th percentile in Indiana

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Indiana only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

15thIncome percentile
20thSafety percentile

15th percentile nationally for median household income · 20th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Anderson's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Anderson's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 37 Avg. percentile National median
Anderson's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Anderson's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$104,300 Among the most affordable more affordable than 89% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). This entry sits in this band. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Anderson $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Anderson, IN Anderson, IN's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Anderson, IN-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Anderson, IN median $47,221/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Anderson, IN's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Anderson, IN. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 16.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 16.1%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 52.9%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
54,930
Median Income
$47,221
Median Home Value
$104,300
Median Age
38.2
Poverty Rate
16.1%
Labor force participation
52.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
16.1%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2675.4
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
419.1
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2256.3
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
13
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
54,500 residents55,000 residents55,500 residents56,000 residents56,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 54,795 residents 56,153 residents ▲ +2.5%
Anderson's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

🏗️ Stable
Total Permits (2024)
56
housing units authorized
Single-Family
56
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 58
2020 62
2021 67
2022 54
2023 50
2024 56

Permit volume decreased 3% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
23.3 minutes
Drive Alone
74.1%
Carpool
12.2%
Public Transit
0.7%
Walk
2.3%
Work from Home
8.4%
Other
2.3%

Based on 22,944 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Indiana - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$110
avg/month
Natural Gas
$80
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$45
avg/month
Total Utilities
$235
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Indiana state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Indiana state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Anderson sits in

Cost of Living Index
93.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,206/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
77.3 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Indiana

Elkhart
53,726 people
Terre Haute
58,491 people
Westfield
51,109 people
Columbus
51,104 people
Mishawaka
50,907 people
Kokomo
59,375 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Anderson's 54,930 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Hacienda Heights, CA
54,956 people
Tinley Park, IL
55,007 people
Bonita Springs, FL
54,830 people
Bozeman, MT
55,042 people
Beaumont, CA
54,817 people
Smyrna, TN
55,066 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Anderson's $47,221 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Hugo, CO
$47,222 median income
Buckner, IL
$47,222 median income
Hardtner, KS
$47,222 median income
Johnson, OK
$47,223 median income
Honey Grove, TX
$47,225 median income
Omaha, TX
$47,216 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Anderson, IN Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Anderson, IN - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 76.1% 12.0% 8.3% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 8.4% White 76.1% Black or African American 12.0% Asian 0.5% American Indian 0.5% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 2.6% Two or more races 8.3% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Anderson compares to nearby Indiana cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Anderson (this city) 54,930 $47,221
Elkhart 53,726 $47,885
Terre Haute 58,491 $41,960
Westfield 51,109 $119,598
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IN FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Anderson, IN?

What is the population of Anderson, IN? +

Anderson, IN counts 54,930 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Anderson, IN? +

Median annual household income in Anderson runs $47,221, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Anderson? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Anderson; the closest available measure is the Indiana state average, a cost of living index of 93.3 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Indiana vary by metro area.

Is Anderson, IN safe? +

Anderson has a total crime rate of 2675.4 per 100,000 residents, which is near the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Anderson, IN? +

The median home value in Anderson is $104,300, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.