County · Indiana
Brown County, Indiana
Brown County, Indiana. Brown County had 15,777 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 2.0% since 2020, slower than Indiana (+2.8%). It holds 7 places (1 city, village or borough, 4 towns and townships and 2 census-designated) and 5 census tracts. GEOID 18013.
Brown County is one of the 11 counties of the Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood, IN metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
15,777
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 15,475 · ACS 2020-2024: 15,606
Median household income
$78,528
±$8,503 (90% margin)
Indiana: $71,957
Median home value
$269,100
±$26,786 (90% margin)
Indiana: $218,200
Median gross rent
$895
±$68 (90% margin)
Indiana: $1,062
How many people live in Brown County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 15,475 residents in Brown County. The Census Bureau estimates 15,777 for July 1, 2025, up 2.0% since 2020, slower than Indiana (+2.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 15,606 over 312 square miles of land.
| Measure | Brown County | Indiana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 15,606 | 6,851,073 | +542 |
| Households | 6,781±234 | 2,716,009 | +592 |
| Average household size | 2.28±0.08 | 2.46 | −0.13 |
| Housing units | 8,577±45 | 2,976,568 | −109 |
Brown County's population since 2000
From 14,957 in 2000 to 15,777 in 2025: up 5.5%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Brown County?
Brown County holds 7 places: 1 city, village or borough (an incorporated place), 4 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 2 census-designated places. The largest is Washington Township, Brown County with 5,238 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Washington Township, Brown County | 5,164 | $66,793 |
|---|---|---|
| Hamblen Township | 4,470 | $87,159 |
| Jackson Township, Brown County | 3,938 | $74,020 |
| Van Buren Township, Brown County | 1,903 | $93,664 |
| Cordry Sweetwater LakesGEOID 1815115 | 1,274 | $94,583 |
| Nashville | 1,256 | $51,638 |
| HelmsburgGEOID 1832944 | – | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Brown County?
The median resident of Brown County is 51.0 years old; 16.6% are under 18 and 26.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 94.2%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 2.3%. 2.0% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Brown County | Indiana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 51.0±0.9 | 38.1 | +1.0 |
| Under 18 years | 16.6%±0.5 pts | 23.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 26.6%±0.4 pts | 16.8% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.9% | 8.6% | +0.2 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 94.2%±0.4 pts | 75.4% | −1.5 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.4 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.2 pts | 2.6% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.3 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 2.3%±0.6 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.3 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.0%±0.7 pts | 6.3% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.4%±0.6 pts | 10.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 10.4%±1.6 pts | 6.3% | – |
| With a disability | 15.5%±2.3 pts | 14.2% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.3%±1.3 pts | 7.4% | −4.6 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.2%±1.3 pts | 90.4% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 26.4%±2.9 pts | 29.5% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 11.6%±2.1 pts | 10.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.0%±0.6 pts | 2.1% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Brown County earn?
Half of Brown County's 6,781 households earn less than $78,528 a year (±$8,503), against $71,957 in Indiana. In 2015-2019 it was $75,109 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 7.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Brown County | Indiana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $78,528±$8,503 | $71,957 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $101,604±$10,807 | $95,247 | – |
| Per capita income | $44,749±$3,854 | $38,351 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 7.8%±2.3 pts | 12.3% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 8.2%±5.4 pts | 16.0% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 4.9%±1.9 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 88.1%±2.8 pts | 89.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Brown County?
Owners occupy 86.6% of Brown County's occupied homes and renters 13.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $269,100 by its owner (±$26,786). The median renter pays $895 a month including utilities, and 48.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Brown County | Indiana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $269,100±$26,786 | $218,200 | +$33,176 |
| Median gross rent | $895±$68 | $1,062 | −$140 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 48.7%±12.6 pts | 38.9% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,380±$89 | $1,404 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 86.6%±2.6 pts | 70.6% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 8,577±45 | 2,976,568 | −109 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.4%±0.4 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.7%±5.0 pts | 5.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 86.5%±2.3 pts | 72.6% | – |
| Mobile homes | 6.9%±2.3 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.8%±0.5 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 8.8%±2.2 pts | 16.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Brown County building?
Builders took permits for 59 new housing units across Brown County in 2025 (59 single-family), 3.7 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Brown County get to work?
78.7% of Brown County's workers drive alone and 13.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 36.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.2%.
| Measure | Brown County | Indiana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 59.2%±3.1 pts | 63.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.2%±1.2 pts | 4.3% | −2.3 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 78.7%±4.0 pts | 76.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 5.7%±2.2 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 1.6%±1.1 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 13.6%±2.9 pts | 10.7% | +7.9 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 36.0 min±2.5 | 24.1 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Brown County's census tracts?
Brown County is divided into 5 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $69,645 (Tract 9747) to $90,300 (Tract 9749.02).
| Tract 974618013974600 | 3,083±258 | $76,599 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 974718013974700 | 3,365±386 | $69,645 |
| Tract 974818013974800 | 4,045±434 | $86,603 |
| Tract 9749.0118013974901 | 1,825±219 | $77,994 |
| Tract 9749.0218013974902 | 3,288±491 | $90,300 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Brown County compare with Indiana's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 79th of 92 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 31st of 92 |
| Residents per square mile | 78th of 92 |
| Median household income | 14th of 92 |
| Median home value | 8th of 92 |
| Median gross rent | 39th of 92 |
| Poverty rate | 80th of 92 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 17th of 92 |
| Median age | 1st of 92 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Brown County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.