New Castle, IN

Indiana

New Castle is a small city in Indiana with a population of 17,356. Residents earn $48,977 per year, which is 35% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
17,356 Population 2,371/sq mi density
$48,977 Median Income $28,016 per capita
$95,100 Home Value $162,096 Zillow
$797 Median Rent
50°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.3 / 5.0
$48,977 median income, 3.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$95,100 home value, $797/mo rent
C
Education
2.1 / 5.0
13.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $48,977
35% lower than US avg
Home Value $95,100
66% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 13.9%
59% lower than US avg
Median Rent $797
31% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 45.4%
41% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.3%
8% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 14.8%
19% higher than US avg

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

People

Population17,356
Median Age41.1 yrs
Density2,371/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 89%

Economy

B
Median Income$48,977
Per Capita$28,016
Unemployment3.3%
Poverty14.8%
County GDP$2,018M
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$95,100
Rent$797
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$162,096

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity45.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression29.9%
Heart Disease6.7%

Climate

Avg Temp50°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain44.4 in/yr
Elevation1,067 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+13.9%
High School+88.1%
School Score6.01

Community

2024 VoteR 73% / D 25%
Commute20 min
EV Stations1
Libraries5

Is New Castle a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, New Castle receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. New Castle offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in New Castle is $48,977, 35% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.3%, indicating a healthy job market. 14.8% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in New Castle is $95,100, 66% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $797 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.9x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

13.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 88.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 6/10.

Climate & Weather

New Castle experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 50°F. Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 44.4 inches, including 24.8 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

New Castle has a population of 17,356 with a density of 2,371 people per square mile. The median age is 41.1 years, 6% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (89.1%), with 3.8% Black.

Population

17,356
Total Population
2,371
People / sq mi
41.1yrs
Median Age
6% above US avg
7.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.9%
Female 49.1%

Race & Ethnicity

New Castle vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.4%
25% above US avg
Spanish1.6%
88% below US avg

Social Characteristics

New Castle vs U.S. Average

The median household income in New Castle is $48,977, which is 35% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 14.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: New Castle vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$48,977
35% below US avg
Per Capita Income$28,016
Avg Weekly Wage$926
IRS Avg AGI$58,262

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.3%
8% below US avg
Poverty Rate14.8%
19% above US avg
Establishments (County)893
County GDP$2,018M

Business (County)

Restaurants80
Healthcare95
Retail138
Manufacturing51

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,909
17% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.06%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time19.7 min
Work from Home7.4%

Walkability

The median home value in New Castle is $95,100, 66% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $797 (31% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $162,096.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$95,100
66% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$162,096
Median List Price$141,200

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$141,200
$/Sq Ft$71
Homes Sold16
Sale-to-List Ratio92.8%
Price Drops29.6%
Inventory44

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$797
31% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$878

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied62.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,909
17% below US avg
Effective Rate3.06%
In New Castle, 45.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 29.9% report depression. 30.8% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: New Castle vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity45.4%
41% above US avg
Diabetes12.2%
Heart Disease6.7%
High Blood Pressure37.2%
Asthma12.3%
COPD9.6%
Stroke3.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.0%
Physical Inactivity30.8%
Depression29.9%
Mental Distress21.5%
Physical Distress15.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate91.4%
Checkup Rate77.1%
Premature Death10,369/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.4/10
Exercise Access77.6%
Healthcare Facilities95

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)8

Safety Score

New Castle has an average annual temperature of 50°F (10°C). Winters average 26°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 44.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

26°F Jan (-4°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average50.4°F
7% below US avg
January Average26°F (-4°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall44.4 inches
17% above US avg
Snowfall24.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation1,067 ft (325 m)
Area7.3 sq mi (19.0 km²)
Population Density2,371/sq mi
Coordinates39.9198°N, 85.3701°W
County FIPS18065
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 13.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (59% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 47.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 73%
D 25.3%

Winner: Republican by 47.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+13.9%
59% below US avg
High School+88.1%
School Test Score6.01
C Education Grade (2.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density2,371/sq mi
Total Area7.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities95
Restaurants80
Retail Stores138

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)8

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute19.7 min
Work from Home7.4%

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