Fort Wayne, IN Local Data & Statistics

State: IN

Total population: 268,589 Household income: $61,422 Rent: $999

Overview

Total population

268,589

Rent

$999

Year built

1972

Household income

$61,422

Per capita income

$33,812

Poverty rate

16%

Unemployment rate

4.0%

Household size

2.4 persons

Rent over 30% of income

44.1%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Data are sourced from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates, 2024 release — the latest dataset currently available, with the exception of the unemployment rate, which is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). ACS 5-year estimates are published annually, about 6–12 months after the end of each reference year.

Demographics

State

Indiana

Total population

268,589

Adults over 25

175,804

Total households

110,929

Household size

2.4 persons

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Income & Poverty

Household income

$61,422

Per capita income

$33,812

Poverty rate

16%

Unemployment rate

4.0%

Rent over 30% of income

44.1%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Housing

Rent

$999

Year built

1972

Households that rent

38.1%

Households that own

61.9%

Rooms per home (all homes)

5.8

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Race

White

64.9%

Black

14.1%

Asian

6.1%

Two or more races

9.2%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Ethnicity

Hispanic or Latino

10.6%

Not Hispanic or Latino

89.4%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Commute

Commute rate

91%

Commute time to work

21 mins

Work from home

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Education

Less than high school

30.7%

High school graduate or GED

28.9%

Some college or associate degree

11.4%

Bachelor’s degree or higher

29%

Note: Rent, income, and year built are shown as median values, while household size is shown as an average (see explanations below).

Comparison of Fort Wayne, IN with: Indiana United States

Fort Wayne, IN

Total population268,589

Rent$999

Year built1972

Household income$61,422

Per capita income$33,812

Poverty rate16%

Unemployment rate4.0%

Indiana State

Total population6,851,073

Rent$1,062

Year built1976

Household income$71,957

Per capita income$38,351

Poverty rate12.3%

Unemployment rate4.2%

United States

Total population334,922,499

Rent$1,413

Year built1980

Household income$80,734

Per capita income$44,673

Poverty rate12.5%

Unemployment rate4%

Metric	CityFort Wayne, IN	StateIndiana	CountryUnited States
Total population	268,589	6,851,073	334,922,499
Rent	$999	$1,062	$1,413
Year built	1972	1976	1980
Household income	$61,422	$71,957	$80,734
Per capita income	$33,812	$38,351	$44,673
Poverty rate	16%	12.3%	12.5%
Unemployment rate	4.0%	4.2%	4%

View the complete comparison of Fort Wayne, IN, Indiana and United States →

Summary for Fort Wayne, IN

Fort Wayne is located in Indiana.

Rent & Income

In Fort Wayne, the typical monthly rent is $999 and the typical household income is $61,422. Rent here is lower than in both Indiana and the U.S., and household income is also lower than in both. The estimated poverty rate is 16%, which is higher than in both Indiana and national.

Housing & Affordability

This area is primarily owner-occupied, with renters accounting for about 38.1% of households. About 44.1% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing, indicating high cost burden.

Education & Employment

Educational attainment is moderate, with about 29% of adults holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. The local unemployment rate is 4.0%, which is similar to both Indiana and the national rate.

Fort Wayne, IN — Rent vs Household Income

Fort Wayne, IN — Poverty vs Unemployment

How Fort Wayne, IN compares in Indiana (21 places)

Metric	This place	Rank	Starts from	Statewide range
Rent	$999	7 / 21	from lower rent	$904 – $1,712
Household income	$61,422	9 / 21	from higher income	$38,731 – $141,505
Poverty rate	16%	9 / 21	from lower poverty	3.6% – 33.1%
Unemployment rate	4%	9 / 21	from lower unemployment	3% – 9.2%

Rankings are calculated among cities and communities in Indiana with total population > 50,000 (year 2024).

Detailed Ranking Explanation for Fort Wayne, IN

Rent

Fort Wayne ranks 7th out of 21 large places in Indiana for rent. Statewide rents range from $904 in Muncie, IN to $1,712 in Carmel, IN.

Household income

Looking at household income, Fort Wayne places 9th out of 21 significant areas. Incomes across Indiana range between $38,731 in Gary, IN and $141,505 in Carmel, IN.

Poverty rate

For poverty rates, Fort Wayne is ranked 9th among 21 major areas. Across Indiana, poverty runs from 3.6% in Westfield, IN to 33.1% in Gary, IN.

Unemployment rate

In terms of unemployment, Fort Wayne is ranked 9th out of 21 major areas. Across Indiana, rates go from 3% in Fishers, IN up to 9.2% in Gary, IN.

💰 Rent in Fort Wayne, IN (with Utilities)

Estimated Monthly Rent: $999 ℹ️ What’s Included:
✅ Base rent, electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuels
❌ Not included: internet, cable TV, renter's insurance, parking

💡 What does this rent estimate mean?

Explanation: This estimate shows what renters typically pay each month for housing, including the apartment or home and essential utilities such as heat, water, and electricity. Even when utilities are billed separately, an estimated average cost for utilities is included, in line with the U.S. Census Bureau’s (ACS) definition of gross rent.

Included in this number: Rent plus electricity, gas, water/sewer, and heating fuel.

Not included: Internet, cable, parking, renter’s insurance, or furniture rental.

Note: This cost does not depend on the number of people living in the home.

👨‍👧‍👦 Household Income in Fort Wayne, IN

Annual Household Income: $61,422

💡 What does Household Income mean?

Definition: This represents the middle value of all household incomes in this area — half of households earn less, and half earn more.

Includes: wages, salaries, self-employment income, Social Security, pensions, investments, unemployment, public assistance, and rental income.

Does NOT include: capital gains, non-cash benefits (like food stamps), or tax refunds.

Household = any group of people (or a single person) living in the same housing unit.

Example: A couple earning $40,000 and $30,000 together have a household income of $70,000. If that's in the middle of all local incomes, it's the value shown here.

📉 Poverty Rate in Fort Wayne, IN

Estimated Rate: 16%

💡 What does the Poverty Rate represent?

Definition: The percentage of people in this area living below the federal poverty threshold.

How it works: The threshold is a dollar amount set by the U.S. Census Bureau that varies by family size and age. If a household's income is below that level, everyone in it is included in this rate.

Example: In a town of 10,000 people, if 1,500 have incomes below the poverty line, the poverty rate is 15%.

Note: This statistic only includes people living in households; it does not count those in student housing, military barracks, or nursing homes.

🏘️ Renter vs. Owner Households in Fort Wayne, IN

In Fort Wayne, IN, households that rent: 42,288 (38.1%)

📊 What does the renter household percentage reveal about this area?

Household Type	Count	Share
Renter-Occupied	42,288	38.1%
Owner-Occupied	68,641	61.9%

Definition: This is the percentage of households that rent their home rather than own it. It includes only occupied housing units.

Why it matters: Areas with a high share of renter households often have younger populations, higher mobility, and different housing needs compared to mostly owner-occupied areas.

Example: If 65% of homes in an area are renter-occupied, it means 65 out of every 100 households rent their home.

📉 Renters Spending Over 30% of Income on Rent in Fort Wayne, IN

In Fort Wayne, IN, cost-burdened renters (households spending over 30% of income on housing): 18,668 (44.1%)

🏚️ What Does It Mean When Renters Spend Over 30% of Their Income on Housing?

Household Group	Households	Share
Cost-burdened renters (over 30%)	18,668	44.1%
Other renter households	23,620	55.9%
Total renter households	42,288	100%

Shares are calculated as a percentage of renter households.

This shows how many renters in this area are considered cost-burdened — meaning they spend more than 30% of their income on housing (rent and basic utilities).

It’s a sign that housing might be unaffordable in the area or that lower-income residents may be struggling with rent.

Data comes from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.

📊 Education Levels in Fort Wayne, IN

Less than High School: 53,925 people (30.7%)

Includes adults who did not complete high school.

High School Graduate or GED: 50,810 people (28.9%)

Includes adults whose highest education is a high school diploma or GED.

Some College or Associate Degree: 20,086 people (11.4%)

Includes adults who attended college without completing a bachelor’s degree (some college or associate degree).

Bachelor’s Degree or Higher: 50,983 people (29%)

Includes adults with a bachelor’s degree or higher (bachelor’s, master’s, professional, or doctoral degree).

👥 Total Adults (25+): 175,804

📊 Unemployment Rate in Fort Wayne, IN

Estimated Rate: 4.0%

💡 What does Unemployment Rate mean?

Definition: The unemployment rate is the percentage of people in the labor force who do not have a job but are actively looking for one.

Labor Force = Employed + Unemployed (aged 16+ and actively participating in the workforce).

Formula: (Unemployed ÷ Labor Force) × 100

Does NOT include: People who are retired, students not looking for work, homemakers, or otherwise not seeking employment.

Example: If there are 1000 people in the labor force and 80 are unemployed, then the unemployment rate is 8%.

Similar Population

Toledo, OH268,461 Reno, NV268,959 North Las Vegas, NV270,773 Gilbert, AZ271,118 Chula Vista, CA275,030 Madison, WI275,568 Lubbock, TX261,078 Buffalo, NY276,397 St. Petersburg, FL260,646 Chandler, AZ278,123

ℹ️ Have questions about how these statistics are calculated? See our data methodology & FAQs

Source: ACS 5-Year Estimates (U.S. Census Bureau) — unemployment rate from BLS. Some values are derived metrics.