Bluffton, IN

Indiana · Metropolitan Area

Bluffton is a small city in Indiana with a population of 10,539. Residents earn $57,929 per year, which is 23% below the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
10,539 Population 1,236/sq mi density
$57,929 Median Income $30,105 per capita
$136,800 Home Value $178,916 Zillow
$816 Median Rent
50°F Avg Temperature
10 Violent Crime/100K 3,504 property/100K
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.2 / 5.0
$57,929 median income, 1.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$136,800 home value, $816/mo rent
D
Safety
1.8 / 5.0
10 violent crimes/100K (97% below avg)
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
16.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $57,929
23% lower than US avg
Home Value $136,800
51% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 10/100K
97% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 16.5%
51% lower than US avg
Median Rent $816
30% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 42.8%
33% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.9%
47% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 4.8%
61% lower than US avg

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

People

Population10,539
Median Age38.9 yrs
Density1,236/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 91%

Economy

A
Median Income$57,929
Per Capita$30,105
Unemployment1.9%
Poverty4.8%
County GDP$1,577M
Commute18 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$136,800
Rent$816
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$178,916

Crime

D
Violent10/100K
Property3,504/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault0/100K
Burglary452/100K

Health

Obesity42.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.4%
Heart Disease5.8%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain40.0 in/yr
Elevation814 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+16.5%
High School+92.4%
School Score6.01

Community

2024 VoteR 78% / D 20%
Commute18 min
EV Stations1
Libraries2

Is Bluffton a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Bluffton receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Bluffton offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Bluffton is $57,929, 23% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.9%. Only 4.8% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Bluffton is $136,800, 51% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $816 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Bluffton is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 10 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,504 per 100,000, 79% above the national average.

Education

16.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 92.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 6/10.

Climate & Weather

Bluffton experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 40.0 inches, including 23.3 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Bluffton has a population of 10,539 with a density of 1,236 people per square mile. The median age is 38.9 years, 0% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (90.9%), with 2.2% Black.

Population

10,539
Total Population
1,236
People / sq mi
38.9yrs
Median Age
0% below US avg
8.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.3%
Female 52.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Bluffton vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.8%
22% above US avg
Spanish4.2%
69% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Bluffton vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Bluffton is $57,929, which is 23% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.9% (below the 3.6% US average). 4.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes.

Income: Bluffton vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$57,929
23% below US avg
Per Capita Income$30,105
Avg Weekly Wage$962
IRS Avg AGI$70,980

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.9%
47% below US avg
Poverty Rate4.8%
61% below US avg
Establishments (County)706
County GDP$1,577M

Business (County)

Restaurants41
Healthcare63
Retail88
Manufacturing56

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,911
17% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.13%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time18.0 min
Work from Home4.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Bluffton is $136,800, 51% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $816 (30% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $178,916.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$136,800
51% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$178,916
Median List Price$230,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$230,000
$/Sq Ft$118
Homes Sold4
Sale-to-List Ratio93.0%
Price Drops41.7%
Inventory12

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$816
30% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied63.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,911
17% below US avg
Effective Rate2.13%
In Bluffton, 42.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 27.4% report depression. 25.5% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Bluffton vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity42.8%
33% above US avg
Diabetes10.9%
Heart Disease5.8%
High Blood Pressure34.9%
Asthma11.4%
COPD7.7%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.7%
Physical Inactivity25.5%
Depression27.4%
Mental Distress19.4%
Physical Distress13.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate91.3%
Checkup Rate77.1%
Premature Death7,314/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.7/10
Exercise Access48.0%
Healthcare Facilities63
Bluffton has a violent crime rate of 10 per 100,000 residents, 97% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,504 per 100,000 (79% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Bluffton vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent10.0/100K
97% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape10.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault0.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property3,504.4/100K
79% above US avg
Burglary451.9/100K
Theft2,952.1/100K
Vehicle Theft100.4/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Safety Score

Safety GradeD
Safety Score1.8 / 5.0
Bluffton has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 40.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

25°F Jan (-4°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average50.1°F
7% below US avg
January Average25°F (-4°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall40.0 inches
5% above US avg
Snowfall23.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation814 ft (248 m)
Area8.5 sq mi (22.1 km²)
Population Density1,236/sq mi
Coordinates40.7435°N, 85.1721°W
County FIPS18179
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 16.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (51% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 57.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 78.1%
D 20.2%

Winner: Republican by 57.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+16.5%
51% below US avg
High School+92.4%
School Test Score6.01
C Education Grade (2.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density1,236/sq mi
Total Area8.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities63
Restaurants41
Retail Stores88

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2
D Safety Grade (1.8/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute18.0 min
Work from Home4.0%

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