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Population Review

Rush County, Indiana Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 76th-largest in Indiana

The population of Rush County, Indiana is 16,734 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 76th-largest county in Indiana. The median household income is $64,393, the median home value is $155,900, and the median age is 42.7.

The population of Rush County has declined 3.6% since 2010 (17,383 → 16,759), a -0.26% annualized rate.

Rush County within Indiana · Source: US Census TIGER/Line via us-atlas

16,734

Population

-0.26%

Annual growth

41

People / sq mi

$64,393

Median Income

$155,900

Median Home Value

Rush County covers 408 sq mi of land at 41.0 people per square mile.

About Rush County, IN

Rush County is a county in Indiana with a population of 16,734. It ranks #76 among counties in Indiana by population. The median age is 42.7, older than the national median. The population is 49.8% male and 50.2% female.

The median household income in Rush County is $64,393, below the US median of $74,580. 8.7% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $155,900, with monthly rent averaging $831. The homeownership rate of 73.4% is higher than the national rate of 64.8%.

Educational attainment in Rush County reflects 16.8% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 5.6% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 26.9 minutes each way.

Rush County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Rush County had a population of 17,383 in 2010 and 16,759 in 2024, a -3.6% growth over 14 years. The peak was 17,383 in 2010. Average annual growth rate: -0.26%.

2010 · 17K20102024

16,759

Population (2024)

17,383

Population (2010)

17,383

Peak (2010)

-0.26%

Avg Annual Growth

YearPopulation
201017,383
201117,284
201217,106
201316,998
201416,846
201516,709
201616,628
201716,642
201816,635
201916,605
202016,769
202116,689
202216,661
202316,815
202416,759

Race & Ethnicity

White96.0%
Black or African American0.7%
Asian0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)0.7%
Two or More Races0.0%

Age & Sex

42.7

Median Age

50.2%

Female

49.8%

Male

18.9%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5
5.6%
5–9
5.9%
10–14
6.2%
15–19
6.8%
20–24
5.1%
25–34
11.5%
35–44
12.0%
45–54
12.5%
55–59
7.6%
60–64
7.8%
65–74
10.8%
75–84
5.7%
85+
2.4%

Children (under 15): 17.7% · Seniors (65+): 18.9%

Income & Poverty

Median household income$64,393$-5,658 vs state
Mean household income$74,837
Per-capita income$30,233
Poverty rate8.7%+0.3% vs state
Unemployment rate3.4%
Employment-to-population56.9%

Top Industries by Employment

Manufacturing
25.1%
Professional & business services
19.0%
Finance & real estate
8.2%
Construction
8.1%
Education & health care
7.8%
Retail trade
6.9%
Information
4.5%
Arts, entertainment & food
4.2%

The largest employment sector in Rush County is manufacturing, accounting for 25.1% of workers.

How residents commute

0.3%

Drive alone

1.3%

Carpool

82.2%

Public transit

5.6%

Work from home

26.9 min

Avg commute

Housing

$155,900$-45,700 vs state

Median home value

$831

Median rent

73.4%

Homeownership rate

7,364

Total housing units

90.3%

Occupied

9.7%

Vacant

26.6%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

92.1%

With health insurance

92.0%

With broadband internet

12.3%

Foreign-born

7.5%

Veterans (18+)

16.6%

With a disability

96.3%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

90.8%

High School+

16.8%

Bachelor's+

Largest cities in Indiana

Other counties in Indiana

Part of Indiana

Metro areas in Indiana

County rankings

Frequently Asked Questions

Rush County, Indiana has a population of 16,734 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 76th-largest county in Indiana. Population density is 41 people per square mile.

The population of Rush County has declined 3.6% since 2010 (17,383 → 16,759), a -0.26% annualized rate.

The median household income in Rush County, Indiana is $64,393, with mean (average) household income of $74,837 and per-capita income of $30,233. 8.7% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Rush County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are White (96.0%), Black or African American (0.7%), Hispanic or Latino (0.7%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Rush County, Indiana is 42.7 years. Residents are 50.2% female and 49.8% male.

The median home value in Rush County is $155,900 and median monthly rent is $831. 73.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 7,364 total housing units, 9.7% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Rush County, Indiana is manufacturing, employing 25.1% of workers. The unemployment rate is 3.4%.

Indianapolis is among the largest cities associated with Rush County, Indiana, with a population of 882,043.

Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.