Van Buren, IN

Indiana

Van Buren is a small town in Indiana with a population of 858. Residents earn $49,000 per year, which is 35% below the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
858 Population 1,479/sq mi density
$49,000 Median Income $25,041 per capita
$65,600 Home Value $151,434 Zillow
$763 Median Rent 19.6% income on rent
51°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.9 / 5.0
$49,000 median income, 4.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$65,600 home value, $763/mo rent
D
Education
1.9 / 5.0
11.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $49,000
35% lower than US avg
Home Value $65,600
77% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 11.0%
67% lower than US avg
Median Rent $763
34% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.6%
23% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.4%
22% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 19.9%
60% higher than US avg

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

People

Population858
Median Age49.2 yrs
Density1,479/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 92%
Veterans10.4%

Economy

C+
Median Income$49,000
Per Capita$25,041
Unemployment4.4%
Poverty19.9%
County GDP$3,220M
Commute25 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$65,600
Rent$763
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$151,434
Rent Burden19.6%

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity39.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression29.3%
Heart Disease5.8%

Climate

Avg Temp51°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain41.8 in/yr
Elevation844 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+11.0%
High School+89.5%
School Score6.01

Community

2024 VoteR 70% / D 28%
Commute25 min
Broadband81.1%
Libraries8

Is Van Buren a Good Place to Live?

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

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Van Buren is $49,000, 35% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.4%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 19.9% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Van Buren is $65,600, 77% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $763 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

11.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 89.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 6/10.

Climate & Weather

Van Buren experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 51°F. Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 41.8 inches, including 24.5 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Van Buren has a population of 858 with a density of 1,479 people per square mile. The median age is 49.2 years, 26% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (92.3%), with 5.9% Hispanic.

Population

858
Total Population
1,479
People / sq mi
49.2yrs
Median Age
26% above US avg
0.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.8%
Female 49.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Van Buren vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.3%
25% above US avg
Spanish1.7%
87% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Van Buren vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Van Buren is $49,000, which is 35% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.4% (above the 3.6% US average). 19.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Income: Van Buren vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$49,000
35% below US avg
Per Capita Income$25,041
Avg Weekly Wage$979
IRS Avg AGI$53,014

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.4%
22% above US avg
Poverty Rate19.9%
60% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,280
County GDP$3,220M

Business (County)

Restaurants132
Healthcare170
Retail215
Manufacturing58

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,512
28% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.83%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time25.0 min
Drive Alone80.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home2.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Van Buren is $65,600, 77% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $763 (34% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $151,434.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$65,600
77% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$151,434

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$763
34% below US avg
Rent Burden19.6%

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied80.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,512
28% below US avg
Effective Rate3.83%
In Van Buren, 39.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 29.3% report depression. 24.8% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Van Buren vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.6%
23% above US avg
Diabetes11.1%
Heart Disease5.8%
High Blood Pressure34.6%
Asthma11.6%
COPD7.9%
Stroke3.0%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.7%
Physical Inactivity24.8%
Depression29.3%
Mental Distress19.8%
Physical Distress13.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate85.7%
Checkup Rate78.5%
Premature Death14,895/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.9/10
Exercise Access74.0%
Healthcare Facilities170

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10

Safety Score

Van Buren has an average annual temperature of 51°F (10°C). Winters average 25°F in January while summers reach 73°F in July. Annual precipitation is 41.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

25°F Jan (-4°C) 73°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average50.5°F
6% below US avg
January Average25°F (-4°C)
July Average73°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall41.8 inches
10% above US avg
Snowfall24.5 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation844 ft (257 m)
Area0.6 sq mi (1.5 km²)
Population Density1,479/sq mi
Coordinates40.6158°N, 85.5039°W
County FIPS18053
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 11.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (67% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 41.8-point margin. 81.1% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 70%
D 28.2%

Winner: Republican by 41.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+11.0%
67% below US avg
High School+89.5%
School Test Score6.01
D Education Grade (1.9/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density1,479/sq mi
Total Area0.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access81.1%
Public Libraries8
Healthcare Facilities170
Restaurants132
Retail Stores215

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute25.0 min
Drive Alone80.3%
Public Transit0.0%
Work from Home2.7%

Nearby Cities

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