Rensselaer, IN

Indiana · Metropolitan Area

Rensselaer is a small city in Indiana with a population of 5,369. Residents earn $61,648 per year, which is 18% below the national average.

3.2 /5.0
B Good
5,369 Population 751/sq mi density
$61,648 Median Income $31,288 per capita
$149,100 Home Value $237,864 Zillow
$868 Median Rent
51°F Avg Temperature
340 Violent Crime/100K 4,205 property/100K
B
Overall
3.2 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.2 / 5.0
$61,648 median income, 2.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$149,100 home value, $868/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
340 violent crimes/100K (10% below avg)
C
Education
2.4 / 5.0
17.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $61,648
18% lower than US avg
Home Value $149,100
47% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 340/100K
10% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 17.7%
47% lower than US avg
Median Rent $868
25% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.8%
27% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.3%
36% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 3.9%
69% lower than US avg

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

People

Population5,369
Median Age36.4 yrs
Density751/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 86%

Economy

A
Median Income$61,648
Per Capita$31,288
Unemployment2.3%
Poverty3.9%
County GDP$504M
Commute18 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$149,100
Rent$868
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$237,864

Crime

F
Violent340/100K
Property4,205/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault255/100K
Burglary306/100K

Health

Obesity40.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression26.6%
Heart Disease5.8%

Climate

Avg Temp51°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain40.1 in/yr
Elevation661 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+17.7%
High School+89.8%
School Score6.01

Community

2024 VoteR 78% / D 21%
Commute18 min
Libraries6

Is Rensselaer a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Rensselaer receives an overall livability score of 3.2 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high obesity rates. Rensselaer offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Rensselaer is $61,648, 18% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.3%. Only 3.9% 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 Rensselaer is $149,100, 47% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $868 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

Violent crime in Rensselaer is below the national average at 340 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 4,205 per 100,000, 115% above the national average.

Education

17.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 89.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 6/10.

Climate & Weather

Rensselaer experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 51°F. Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 40.1 inches, including 25.3 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Rensselaer has a population of 5,369 with a density of 751 people per square mile. The median age is 36.4 years, 6% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (85.9%), with 1.5% Black.

Population

5,369
Total Population
751
People / sq mi
36.4yrs
Median Age
6% below US avg
7.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.1%
Female 52.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Rensselaer vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.3%
23% above US avg
Spanish3.7%
72% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Rensselaer vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Rensselaer is $61,648, which is 18% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.3% (below the 3.6% US average). 3.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 18 minutes.

Income: Rensselaer vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$61,648
18% below US avg
Per Capita Income$31,288
Avg Weekly Wage$936
IRS Avg AGI$63,377

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.3%
36% below US avg
Poverty Rate3.9%
69% below US avg
Establishments (County)291
County GDP$504M

Business (County)

Restaurants25
Healthcare12
Retail40
Manufacturing13

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,950
16% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.98%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time17.8 min
Work from Home3.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Rensselaer is $149,100, 47% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $868 (25% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $237,864.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$149,100
47% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$237,864
Median List Price$179,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$179,900
$/Sq Ft$152
Homes Sold9
Sale-to-List Ratio95.7%
Price Drops38.5%
Inventory13

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$868
25% 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-Occupied66.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,950
16% below US avg
Effective Rate1.98%
In Rensselaer, 40.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 26.6% report depression. 24.9% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.8%
27% above US avg
Diabetes10.7%
Heart Disease5.8%
High Blood Pressure34.1%
Asthma11.4%
COPD7.5%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.4%
Physical Inactivity24.9%
Depression26.6%
Mental Distress19.2%
Physical Distress14.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.0%
Checkup Rate75.8%
Premature Death10,914/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.6/10
Exercise Access19.1%
Healthcare Facilities12
Rensselaer has a violent crime rate of 340 per 100,000 residents, 10% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 4,205 per 100,000 (115% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent340.5/100K
10% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape51.1/100K
Robbery34.1/100K
Assault255.4/100K

Property Crime

Total Property4,205.0/100K
115% above US avg
Burglary306.4/100K
Theft3,898.5/100K
Vehicle Theft0.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Rensselaer has an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 40.1 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-4°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average50.5°F
6% below US avg
January Average24°F (-4°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall40.1 inches
6% above US avg
Snowfall25.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation661 ft (201 m)
Area7.2 sq mi (18.5 km²)
Population Density751/sq mi
Coordinates40.9396°N, 87.1687°W
County FIPS18111
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 17.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (47% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 57-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 77.7%
D 20.8%

Winner: Republican by 57 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+17.7%
47% below US avg
High School+89.8%
School Test Score6.01
C Education Grade (2.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density751/sq mi
Total Area7.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations3
Public Libraries6
Healthcare Facilities12
Restaurants25
Retail Stores40

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute17.8 min
Work from Home3.2%

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