City profile · Indiana · Census ACS 2023

Muncie, IN

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

64,739
Residents
$43,395
Median income
$92,000
Median home
$1,043
Median rent (state)

Muncie - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Muncie places in the 11th percentile for household income and the 17th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

11th
percentile, household income
7th
percentile, home value
24th
percentile, median rent
17th
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: Muncie, IN

Muncie is a small city in Indiana, home to 64,739 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Muncie brings in $43,395 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 17.5%. Muncie's housing stock carries a median value of $92,000, and the median resident age is 29.5 years. 25.7% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 53.0% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 103 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 348% from five years earlier. Muncie's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 2859.9 in FBI UCR data, above the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Indiana run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Indiana scores 93.3 (Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,043 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Indiana run around $235, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Workers in Muncie report an average commute of 17.9 minutes, with 72.4% driving alone and 5.8% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 76.3 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (High).

Population

64,739 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Indiana

Median Household Income

$43,395 /yr

Poverty 17.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

93.3 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Indiana average

How does Muncie compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 11% higher than other cities
Home value 7% pricier than other cities
Median rent 24% pricier than other cities
Safety 17% 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, Muncie ranks #102 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 Muncie 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 Muncie toward the top of Indiana's cities

Among the 849 Indiana cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Muncie ranks #110 - the 87th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Muncie only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#699 of 766
9th percentile in Indiana
Median Gross Rent
#407 of 850
51st percentile in Indiana
Median Home Value
#638 of 771
17th percentile in Indiana
Poverty Rate
#110 of 849
87th percentile in Indiana
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#189 of 850
78th 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.

11thIncome percentile
17thSafety percentile

11th percentile nationally for median household income · 17th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Muncie's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Muncie'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 38 Avg. percentile National median
Muncie'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 Muncie's home value compares nationally

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

$92,000 Among the most affordable more affordable than 93% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Above this entry. $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. Muncie $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 - Muncie, IN Muncie, IN's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Muncie, 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 Muncie, IN median $43,395/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%
Muncie, 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 Muncie, IN. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 25.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 17.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 53.0%

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

Population
64,739
Median Income
$43,395
Median Home Value
$92,000
Median Age
29.5
Poverty Rate
17.5%
Labor force participation
53.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
25.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2859.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
602.4
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2257.5
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
20
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
65,000 residents65,200 residents65,400 residents65,600 residents 202020212022202320242025 65,105 residents 65,466 residents ▲ +0.6%
Muncie's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
103
housing units authorized
Single-Family
39
detached homes
Multifamily
64
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.6
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 23
2020 87
2021 18
2022 53
2023 14
2024 103

Permit volume increased 348% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
17.9 minutes
Drive Alone
72.4%
Carpool
12.4%
Public Transit
1.9%
Walk
6.1%
Work from Home
5.8%
Other
1.4%

Based on 28,954 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 Muncie sits in

Cost of Living Index
93.3
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,043/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
76.3 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Indiana

Greenwood
64,237 people
Gary
68,604 people
Kokomo
59,375 people
Lafayette
70,650 people
Terre Haute
58,491 people
Noblesville
71,940 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Muncie's 64,739 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Waltham, MA
64,723 people
Commerce City, CO
64,640 people
Brentwood, CA
64,609 people
Ocala, FL
64,903 people
Port Charlotte, FL
64,971 people
North Little Rock, AR
64,504 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Muncie's $43,395 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Napier Field, AL
$43,393 median income
Sun River Terrace, IL
$43,393 median income
Erie, PA
$43,397 median income
Wenden, AZ
$43,400 median income
White Sulphur Springs, WV
$43,388 median income
Bryson City, NC
$43,387 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Muncie, 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 Muncie, IN - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 80.7% 8.3% 7.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 4.3% White 80.7% Black or African American 8.3% Asian 2.5% American Indian 0.3% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.2% Two or more races 7.0% 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 Muncie 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
Muncie (this city) 64,739 $43,395
Greenwood 64,237 $78,765
Gary 68,604 $37,380
Kokomo 59,375 $54,195
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IN FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Muncie, IN?

What is the population of Muncie, IN? +

64,739 people live in Muncie, IN according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Muncie is $43,395 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Muncie? +

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

Muncie has a total crime rate of 2859.9 per 100,000 residents, which is above 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 Muncie, IN? +

The median home value in Muncie is $92,000, 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.