South Bend, IN

Indiana · Metropolitan Area

South Bend is a large city in Indiana with a population of 102,866. Residents earn $52,512 per year, which is 30% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
102,866 Population 2,455/sq mi density
$52,512 Median Income $29,511 per capita
$124,500 Home Value $186,070 Zillow
$1,000 Median Rent
52°F Avg Temperature 248 sunny days/yr
685 Violent Crime/100K 4,704 property/100K
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.2 / 5.0
$52,512 median income, 3.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$124,500 home value, $1,000/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
685 violent crimes/100K (80% above avg)
B
Education
3.4 / 5.0
29.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $52,512
30% lower than US avg
Home Value $124,500
56% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 685/100K
80% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 29.4%
13% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,000
14% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.1%
25% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.8%
6% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 17.0%
37% higher than US avg

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

People

Population102,866
Median Age33.9 yrs
Density2,455/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 54%

Economy

B
Median Income$52,512
Per Capita$29,511
Unemployment3.8%
Poverty17.0%
County GDP$19,493M
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$124,500
Rent$1,000
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$186,070

Crime

F
Violent685/100K
Property4,704/100K
Murder16.9/100K
Assault233/100K
Burglary1,212/100K

Health

Obesity40.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.4%
Heart Disease6.4%

Climate

Avg Temp52°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain43.6 in/yr
Sunny Days248/yr
Elevation725 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+29.4%
High School+87.7%
School Score6.01

Community

2024 VoteR 49% / D 50%
Commute20 min
EV Stations18
Libraries15

Is South Bend a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, South Bend receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing, abundant sunshine. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. South Bend offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in South Bend is $52,512, 30% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.8%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 17.0% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in South Bend is $124,500, 56% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,000 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

With 685 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 4,704 per 100,000, 140% above the national average.

Education

29.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 87.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 6/10.

Climate & Weather

South Bend experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 52°F. Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. The area gets 248 sunny days per year. Annual precipitation totals 43.6 inches, including 30.1 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

South Bend has a population of 102,866 with a density of 2,455 people per square mile. The median age is 33.9 years, 13% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (54.1%), with 1.5% Hispanic, 24.4% Black.

Population

102,866
Total Population
2,455
People / sq mi
33.9yrs
Median Age
13% below US avg
41.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.7%
Female 52.3%

Race & Ethnicity

South Bend vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only84.9%
8% above US avg
Spanish15.1%
13% above US avg

Social Characteristics

South Bend vs U.S. Average

The median household income in South Bend is $52,512, which is 30% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.8% (above the 3.6% US average). 17.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: South Bend vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$52,512
30% below US avg
Per Capita Income$29,511
Avg Weekly Wage$1,140
IRS Avg AGI$73,799

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.8%
6% above US avg
Poverty Rate17.0%
37% above US avg
Establishments (County)6,539
County GDP$19,493M

Business (County)

Restaurants630
Healthcare722
Retail895
Manufacturing315

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,800
37% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.86%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time20.0 min
Work from Home10.0%

Walkability

The median home value in South Bend is $124,500, 56% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,000 (14% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $186,070.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$124,500
56% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$186,070
Median List Price$195,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$195,000
$/Sq Ft$108
Homes Sold82
Sale-to-List Ratio97.1%
Price Drops27.4%
Inventory179

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,000
14% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,329

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied58.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,800
37% above US avg
Effective Rate3.86%
In South Bend, 40.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 27.4% report depression. 31.6% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: South Bend vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.1%
25% above US avg
Diabetes14.6%
Heart Disease6.4%
High Blood Pressure38.8%
Asthma11.9%
COPD8.6%
Stroke3.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.6%
Physical Inactivity31.6%
Depression27.4%
Mental Distress20.5%
Physical Distress15.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate91.1%
Checkup Rate79.4%
Premature Death9,846/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.5/10
Exercise Access85.0%
Healthcare Facilities722
South Bend has a violent crime rate of 685 per 100,000 residents, 80% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 4,704 per 100,000 (140% above US avg). The murder rate is 16.9 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent685.2/100K
80% above US avg
Murder16.9/100K
168% above US avg
Rape97.2/100K
Robbery338.1/100K
Assault233.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property4,703.9/100K
140% above US avg
Burglary1,211.7/100K
Theft3,163.0/100K
Vehicle Theft329.2/100K
Arson29.8/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)23

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
South Bend has an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 33°F in January while summers reach 72°F in July. Annual precipitation is 43.6 inches. The area enjoys 248 sunny days per year. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

33°F Jan (0°C) 72°F Jul (22°C)
Annual Average52.1°F
4% below US avg
January Average33°F (0°C)
July Average72°F (22°C)
Sunny Days248 days/yr

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall43.6 inches
15% above US avg
Snowfall30.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation725 ft (221 m)
Area41.9 sq mi (108.5 km²)
Population Density2,455/sq mi
Coordinates41.6766°N, 86.2688°W
County FIPS18141
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 29.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (13% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 1.5-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 48.5%
D 50%

Winner: Democrat by 1.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+29.4%
13% below US avg
High School+87.7%
School Test Score6.01
B Education Grade (3.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density2,455/sq mi
Total Area41.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations18
Alt Fuel Stations27
Public Libraries15
Healthcare Facilities722
Restaurants630
Retail Stores895

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)23
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute20.0 min
Work from Home10.0%

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