City profile · Indiana · Census ACS 2023

Bluffton, IN

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

10,539
Residents
$57,929
Median income
$136,800
Median home
$991
Median rent (state)

Bluffton - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Bluffton lands in the 32nd percentile for household income and the 67th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

32nd
percentile, household income
23rd
percentile, home value
19th
percentile, median rent
67th
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: Bluffton, IN

Indiana's Bluffton is a small town, with 10,539 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Median household income here is $57,929 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 4.8%. Typical homes in Bluffton are valued around $136,800, and the median resident age is 38.9 years. 16.5% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 65.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Bluffton reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR figures show 912.6 crimes per 100,000 residents, below the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 50.1°F with 40.0 inches of precipitation per year and 23.3 inches of snowfall.

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 $991 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Indiana's average monthly utility costs around $235 (state average). On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 22.8 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very Low).

Population

10,539 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Indiana

Median Household Income

$57,929 /yr

Poverty 4.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

93.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Indiana average

How does Bluffton compare to other US cities?

Here's how Bluffton stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 32% higher than other cities
Home value 23% pricier than other cities
Median rent 19% pricier than other cities
Safety 67% safer than other cities

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

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Indiana, Bluffton ranks #50 of 109 Indiana cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

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

Indiana-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent sits close to the middle of Indiana's city distribution

Among the 850 Indiana cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Bluffton ranks #505 - the 40th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Bluffton only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#465 of 766
39th percentile in Indiana
Median Gross Rent
#505 of 850
40th percentile in Indiana
Median Home Value
#364 of 771
53rd percentile in Indiana
Poverty Rate
#499 of 849
40th percentile in Indiana
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#377 of 850
55th 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.

32ndIncome percentile
67thSafety percentile

32nd percentile nationally for median household income · 67th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Bluffton's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Bluffton'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 59 Avg. percentile National median
Bluffton'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 Bluffton's home value compares nationally

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

$136,800 Among the most affordable more affordable than 77% 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%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Bluffton $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 - Bluffton, IN Bluffton, IN's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Bluffton, 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 Bluffton, IN median $57,929/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%
Bluffton, 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 Bluffton, IN. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 16.5%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 4.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 65.4%

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

Population
10,539
Median Income
$57,929
Median Home Value
$136,800
Median Age
38.9
Poverty Rate
4.8%
Labor force participation
65.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
16.5%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
912.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
180.6
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
732.0
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.

Climate

Avg Temperature
50.1°F
Annual Precipitation
40.0"
Annual Snowfall
23.3"

Schools

Total Schools
4
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
10,200 residents10,300 residents10,400 residents10,500 residents10,600 residents10,700 residents 202020212022202320242025 10,308 residents 10,583 residents ▲ +2.7%
Bluffton's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
82.6%
Carpool
9.5%
Public Transit
0.5%
Walk
1.9%
Work from Home
4.0%
Other
1.5%

Based on 5,335 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 Bluffton sits in

Cost of Living Index
93.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$991/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
22.8 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Indiana

Plymouth
10,506 people
Wabash
10,378 people
Peru
10,835 people
Sellersburg
10,215 people
Lowell
10,911 people
Bargersville
10,163 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Bluffton's 10,539 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Bogalusa, LA
10,539 people
Canandaigua, NY
10,542 people
Scotchtown, NY
10,544 people
Linthicum, MD
10,545 people
Heath, OH
10,545 people
Little Canada, MN
10,546 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Bluffton's $57,929 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Pocatello, ID
$57,931 median income
Belvedere, SC
$57,933 median income
Woodside East, DE
$57,938 median income
Caseyville, IL
$57,919 median income
Tyonek, AK
$57,917 median income
Paxton, FL
$57,917 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Bluffton, 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 Bluffton, IN - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 90.9% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 5.0% White 90.9% Black or African American 2.2% Asian 0.2% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 3.1% Two or more races 3.4% 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 Bluffton 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
Bluffton (this city) 10,539 $57,929
Plymouth 10,506 $53,115
Wabash 10,378 $54,199
Peru 10,835 $46,180
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IN FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Bluffton, IN?

What is the population of Bluffton, IN? +

Bluffton, IN has a population of 10,539 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Bluffton is $57,929 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Bluffton? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Bluffton; 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 Bluffton, IN safe? +

Bluffton has a total crime rate of 912.6 per 100,000 residents, which is below 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 Bluffton, IN? +

Bluffton's median home value sits at $136,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Bluffton? +

Climate normals put Bluffton's yearly average temperature at 50.1°F, 40.0 inches of precipitation, and 23.3 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, 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.