County · Indiana
St. Joseph County, Indiana
St. Joseph County, Indiana. St. Joseph County had 272,861 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, about level with 2020, slower than Indiana (+2.8%). It holds 28 places (9 cities, villages and boroughs, 13 towns and townships and 6 census-designated) and 82 census tracts. GEOID 18141.
St. Joseph County is one of the 2 counties of the South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
272,861
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 272,912 · ACS 2020-2024: 273,040
Median household income
$66,868
±$1,255 (90% margin)
Indiana: $71,957
Median home value
$192,800
±$3,481 (90% margin)
Indiana: $218,200
Median gross rent
$1,062
±$22 (90% margin)
Indiana: $1,062
How many people live in St. Joseph County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 272,912 residents in St. Joseph County. The Census Bureau estimates 272,861 for July 1, 2025, about level with 2020, slower than Indiana (+2.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 273,040 over 458 square miles of land.
| Measure | St. Joseph County | Indiana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 273,040 | 6,851,073 | +2,824 |
| Households | 107,252±645 | 2,716,009 | +5,380 |
| Average household size | 2.44±0.01 | 2.46 | −0.09 |
| Housing units | 118,580±134 | 2,976,568 | +1,867 |
St. Joseph County's population since 2000
From 265,559 in 2000 to 272,861 in 2025: up 2.7%. 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 St. Joseph County?
St. Joseph County holds 28 places: 9 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 13 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 6 census-designated places. The largest is South Bend with 103,201 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| South Bend | 103,453 | $55,786 |
|---|---|---|
| Portage Township, St. Joseph County | 94,571 | $52,872 |
| Penn Township, St. Joseph County | 68,698 | $65,544 |
| Mishawaka | 51,063 | $54,291 |
| Clay Township, St. Joseph County | 34,235 | $72,406 |
| Granger | 30,337 | $123,318 |
| Harris Township | 24,397 | $112,056 |
| Centre Township | 14,368 | $79,120 |
| German Township, St. Joseph County | 10,001 | $74,918 |
| Warren Township, St. Joseph County | 7,821 | $89,958 |
| Notre Dame | 7,234 | $19,886 |
| Olive Township, St. Joseph County | 4,364 | $78,964 |
| Union Township, St. Joseph County | 3,478 | $76,636 |
| Liberty Township, St. Joseph County | 3,416 | $76,418 |
| Greene Township, St. Joseph County | 2,909 | $74,587 |
| Lincoln Township, St. Joseph County | 2,859 | $66,622 |
| Osceola | 2,590 | $66,503 |
| Walkerton | 2,096 | $65,340 |
| New Carlisle | 1,891 | $66,824 |
| Ardmore | – | $47,069 |
| Madison Township, St. Joseph County | 1,795 | $100,804 |
| North Liberty | 1,623 | $75,047 |
| Gilmer ParkGEOID 1827720 | – | $76,818 |
| Lakeville | 879 | $62,772 |
| Roseland | 854 | $47,917 |
| Chain-O-LakesGEOID 1811926 | – | $88,018 |
| Indian VillageGEOID 1836306 | 118 | $81,875 |
| WyattGEOID 1885724 | – | $63,438 |
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 St. Joseph County?
The median resident of St. Joseph County is 36.7 years old; 23.2% are under 18 and 16.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 68.9%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 12.3%. 6.9% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | St. Joseph County | Indiana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.7±0.2 | 38.1 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 23.2%±0.1 pts | 23.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 16.9%±0.1 pts | 16.8% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 10.5% | 8.6% | +1.8 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 68.9%±0.2 pts | 75.4% | −3.7 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 12.3%±0.4 pts | 9.1% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.7%±0.1 pts | 2.6% | +0.3 pts |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 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 | 4.9%±0.5 pts | 3.8% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 6.9%±0.4 pts | 6.3% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 11.1%±0.5 pts | 10.3% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.5%±0.3 pts | 6.3% | – |
| With a disability | 13.4%±0.6 pts | 14.2% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.1%±0.5 pts | 7.4% | −1.1 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 91.5%±0.6 pts | 90.4% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 33.5%±0.9 pts | 29.5% | +3.9 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 13.4%±0.8 pts | 10.8% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 3.4%±0.4 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 St. Joseph County earn?
Half of St. Joseph County's 107,252 households earn less than $66,868 a year (±$1,255), against $71,957 in Indiana. In 2015-2019 it was $64,942 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 14.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | St. Joseph County | Indiana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $66,868±$1,255 | $71,957 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $92,212±$2,974 | $95,247 | – |
| Per capita income | $36,834±$1,061 | $38,351 | +$2,110 |
| People below the poverty line | 14.2%±0.9 pts | 12.3% | −1.3 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 19.7%±2.0 pts | 16.0% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 9.8%±0.8 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 90.3%±0.7 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 St. Joseph County?
Owners occupy 69.0% of St. Joseph County's occupied homes and renters 31.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $192,800 by its owner (±$3,481). The median renter pays $1,062 a month including utilities, and 39.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | St. Joseph County | Indiana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $192,800±$3,481 | $218,200 | +$34,040 |
| Median gross rent | $1,062±$22 | $1,062 | +$86 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 39.9%±2.5 pts | 38.9% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,291±$25 | $1,404 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 69.0%±1.0 pts | 70.6% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 118,580±134 | 2,976,568 | +1,867 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.7%±0.3 pts | 0.8% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.1%±1.1 pts | 5.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 73.8%±0.8 pts | 72.6% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.6%±0.3 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.0%±0.2 pts | 1.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 19.3%±0.8 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 St. Joseph County building?
Builders took permits for 611 new housing units across St. Joseph County in 2025 (377 single-family), 2.2 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 St. Joseph County get to work?
74.7% of St. Joseph County's workers drive alone and 10.7% work from home. The average trip to work takes 21.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 5.2%.
| Measure | St. Joseph County | Indiana | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 63.3%±0.8 pts | 63.8% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 5.2%±0.5 pts | 4.3% | +0.7 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 74.7%±0.9 pts | 76.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.5%±0.7 pts | 9.1% | – |
| Public transportation | 1.0%±0.3 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 3.3%±0.3 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 10.7%±0.8 pts | 10.7% | +6.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 21.1 min±0.4 | 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 St. Joseph County's census tracts?
St. Joseph County is divided into 82 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $23,750 (Tract 4) to $161,520 (Tract 114.04).
All 82 census tracts of St. Joseph County, with their figures
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does St. Joseph County compare with Indiana's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 5th of 92 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 73rd of 92 |
| Residents per square mile | 5th of 92 |
| Median household income | 51st of 92 |
| Median home value | 41st of 92 |
| Median gross rent | 13th of 92 |
| Poverty rate | 23rd of 92 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 11th of 92 |
| Median age | 81st 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 St. Joseph 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.