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Bear Lake, IN

Indiana

Bear Lake is a small town in Indiana with a population of 118.

2.2 /5.0
C Fair
118 Population 590/sq mi density
$65,000 Home Value
50°F Avg Temperature 275 sunny days/yr
C
Overall
2.2 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
14.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Home Value $65,000
77% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 14.4%
57% lower than US avg
Unemployment 22.9%
536% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 22.9%
85% higher than US avg

How Bear Lake Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population118
Median Age59.1 yrs
Density590/mi²
Male / Female68% / 32%
Largest GroupWhite 92%
Veterans0.0%

Economy

Median IncomeN/A
Per Capita$28,108
Unemployment22.9%
Poverty22.9%
County GDP$2,553M
Commute37 min

Housing

Home Value$65,000
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units120

Climate

Avg Temp50°F (10°C)
AQI41 (Good)
Rain39.8 in/yr
Sunny Days275/yr
Elevation902 ft (275 m)

Education

C
Bachelor's+14.4%
High School+89.0%
Graduate+6.0%
School Score6.01

Community

2024 VoteR 75% / D 24%
Commute37 min
Broadband66.0%
Libraries6

Is Bear Lake a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Bear Lake receives an overall livability score of 2.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate, long commute times. Bear Lake has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

At 22.9%, unemployment is notably high. The poverty rate of 22.9% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 37 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Bear Lake is $65,000, 77% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership.

Education

14.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 89.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 6/10.

Climate & Weather

Bear Lake experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. With 275 sunny days per year, residents enjoy well above the national average of sunshine. Annual precipitation totals 39.8 inches, including 47.3 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Bear Lake has a population of 118 with a density of 590 people per square mile. The median age is 59.1 years, 52% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (92.4%).

Population

118
Total Population
590
People / sq mi
59.1yrs
Median Age
52% above US avg
0.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 67.8%
Female 32.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Bear Lake vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Bear Lake vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Bear Lake is N/A. The unemployment rate is 22.9% (above the 3.6% US average). 22.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 37 minutes.

Income: Bear Lake vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Per Capita Income$28,108
Avg Weekly Wage$971
IRS Avg AGI$64,905

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment22.9%
536% above US avg
Poverty Rate22.9%
85% above US avg
Establishments (County)983
County GDP$2,553M

Business (County)

Restaurants73
Healthcare82
Retail133
Manufacturing127

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,487
0% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate5.36%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time37.0 min
Drive Alone47.7%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Bear Lake is $65,000, 77% below the national average.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$65,000
77% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$816
1 Bedroom$882
2 Bedrooms$1,096
3 Bedrooms$1,391
4 Bedrooms$1,590

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied100.0%
Housing Units120
Median Year Built1954

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,487
0% below US avg
Effective Rate5.36%
Bear Lake has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 39.8 inches. The area enjoys 275 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-4°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average50.1°F
7% below US avg
January Average24°F (-4°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall39.8 inches
5% above US avg
Snowfall47.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation902 ft (275 m)
Area0.2 sq mi (0.5 km²)
Population Density590/sq mi
Coordinates41.3260°N, 85.5141°W
TimezoneAmerica/Indiana/Indianapolis
County FIPS18113
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 14.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (57% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 51.4-point margin. 66.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 74.9%
D 23.5%

Winner: Republican by 51.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+14.4%
57% below US avg
High School+89.0%
Graduate Degree+6.0%
School Test Score6.01
C Education Grade (2.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density590/sq mi
Total Area0.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access66.0%
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities82
Restaurants73
Retail Stores133

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)6

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute37.0 min
Drive Alone47.7%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

Tri-Lakes, IN 1,070 pop · 6.1 mi Albion, IN 2,680 pop · 7.0 mi Ligonier, IN 4,263 pop · 10.3 mi Barbee, IN 1,298 pop · 10.8 mi Columbia City, IN 9,975 pop · 11.4 mi Churubusco, IN 1,894 pop · 12.0 mi Pierceton, IN 1,349 pop · 13.2 mi Rome City, IN 1,271 pop · 13.9 mi Syracuse, IN 3,232 pop · 13.9 mi Topeka, IN 1,037 pop · 14.9 mi Avilla, IN 2,637 pop · 14.9 mi Kendallville, IN 10,094 pop · 15.6 mi Wolcottville, IN 1,126 pop · 15.8 mi Winona Lake, IN 5,073 pop · 17.3 mi
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