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Lake Bruce, IN

Indiana

Lake Bruce is a small town in Indiana with a population of 196. Residents earn $29,643 per year, which is 61% below the national average.

2.2 /5.0
C Fair
196 Population 332/sq mi density
$29,643 Median Income $43,461 per capita
$179,600 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
D
Economy
1.8 / 5.0
$29,643 median income, 31.2% unemployment
B
Affordability
3.3 / 5.0
$179,600 home value
D
Education
1.6 / 5.0
8.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $29,643
61% lower than US avg
Home Value $179,600
36% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 8.0%
76% lower than US avg
Unemployment 31.2%
767% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 17.1%
38% higher than US avg

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

People

Population196
Median Age58.1 yrs
Density332/mi²
Male / Female54% / 46%
Largest GroupWhite 81%
Veterans7.4%

Economy

D
Median Income$29,643
Per Capita$43,461
Unemployment31.2%
Poverty17.1%
County GDP$905M
Commute44 min

Housing

B
Home Value$179,600
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A
Housing Units256
Rent Burden26.4%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F (10°C)
AQI41 (Good)
Rain40.8 in/yr
Sunny Days275/yr
Elevation725 ft (221 m)

Education

D
Bachelor's+8.0%
High School+100.0%
Graduate+0.0%
School Score6.01

Community

2024 VoteR 75% / D 24%
Commute44 min
Broadband75.4%
Libraries5

Is Lake Bruce a Good Place to Live?

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

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Lake Bruce is $29,643, 61% below the national average of $75,149. At 31.2%, unemployment is notably high. The poverty rate of 17.1% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 44 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Lake Bruce is $179,600, 36% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. The price-to-income ratio of 6.1x means housing costs are stretched relative to local earnings.

Education

8.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 100.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 6/10.

Climate & Weather

Lake Bruce experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 25°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 40.8 inches, including 30.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Lake Bruce has a population of 196 with a density of 332 people per square mile. The median age is 58.1 years, 49% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (81.1%), with 13.8% Black.

Population

196
Total Population
332
People / sq mi
58.1yrs
Median Age
49% above US avg
0.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 54.1%
Female 45.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Lake Bruce vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.6%
23% above US avg
Spanish3.4%
75% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Lake Bruce vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Lake Bruce is $29,643, which is 61% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 31.2% (above the 3.6% US average). 17.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 44 minutes.

Income: Lake Bruce vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$29,643
61% below US avg
Per Capita Income$43,461
Avg Weekly Wage$933
IRS Avg AGI$63,511

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment31.2%
767% above US avg
Poverty Rate17.1%
38% above US avg
Establishments (County)476
County GDP$905M

Business (County)

Restaurants47
Healthcare45
Retail94
Manufacturing35

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,817
20% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.57%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time44.2 min
Drive Alone72.7%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Lake Bruce is $179,600, 36% below the national average.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$179,600
36% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Rent Burden26.4%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied89.0%
Housing Units256
Median Year Built1960

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,817
20% below US avg
Effective Rate1.57%
Lake Bruce 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 40.8 inches. The area enjoys 275 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

25°F Jan (-4°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average50.2°F
7% below US avg
January Average25°F (-4°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)
Sunny Days275 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall40.8 inches
7% above US avg
Snowfall30.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation725 ft (221 m)
Area0.6 sq mi (1.5 km²)
Population Density332/sq mi
Coordinates41.0735°N, 86.4652°W
TimezoneAmerica/Indiana/Indianapolis
County FIPS18049
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 8.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (76% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 51.3-point margin. 75.4% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 74.9%
D 23.7%

Winner: Republican by 51.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+8.0%
76% below US avg
High School+100.0%
Graduate Degree+0.0%
School Test Score6.01
D Education Grade (1.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density332/sq mi
Total Area0.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access75.4%
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities45
Restaurants47
Retail Stores94

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)3

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute44.2 min
Drive Alone72.7%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

Winamac, IN 2,445 pop · 7.3 mi Culver, IN 1,346 pop · 10.1 mi Bass Lake, IN 1,067 pop · 12.4 mi Rochester, IN 6,244 pop · 13.9 mi Argos, IN 1,822 pop · 15.8 mi Knox, IN 3,843 pop · 17.1 mi North Judson, IN 2,094 pop · 19.0 mi Plymouth, IN 10,506 pop · 20.5 mi Akron, IN 1,061 pop · 23.1 mi Logansport, IN 17,766 pop · 23.2 mi Koontz Lake, IN 1,217 pop · 23.4 mi Bourbon, IN 1,816 pop · 23.9 mi Mexico, IN 1,122 pop · 25.8 mi Monon, IN 1,764 pop · 26.0 mi
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