Waveland, IN

Indiana

Waveland is a small town in Indiana with a population of 431. Residents earn $60,956 per year, which is 19% below the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
431 Population 1,390/sq mi density
$60,956 Median Income $22,406 per capita
$96,800 Home Value $226,231 Zillow
$920 Median Rent
52°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.7 / 5.0
$60,956 median income, 3.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$96,800 home value, $920/mo rent
D
Education
2.0 / 5.0
12.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $60,956
19% lower than US avg
Home Value $96,800
66% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 12.3%
64% lower than US avg
Median Rent $920
21% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 36.8%
15% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.7%
3% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 10.9%
12% lower than US avg

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

People

Population431
Median Age27.2 yrs
Density1,390/mi²
Male / Female56% / 44%
Largest GroupWhite 97%

Economy

B+
Median Income$60,956
Per Capita$22,406
Unemployment3.7%
Poverty10.9%
County GDP$534M
Commute29 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$96,800
Rent$920
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$226,231

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity36.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression26.7%
Heart Disease5.2%

Climate

Avg Temp52°F
AQI41 (Good)
Rain47.4 in/yr
Elevation778 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+12.3%
High School+91.3%
School Score6.01

Community

2024 VoteR 78% / D 21%
Commute29 min
Libraries2

Is Waveland a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Waveland receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include affordable housing. Waveland offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Waveland is $60,956, 19% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.7%, indicating a healthy job market. 10.9% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Waveland is $96,800, 66% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $920 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

12.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 91.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 6/10.

Climate & Weather

Waveland experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 52°F. Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 47.4 inches, including 13.0 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Waveland has a population of 431 with a density of 1,390 people per square mile. The median age is 27.2 years, 30% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (97.4%), with 1.4% Hispanic.

Population

431
Total Population
1,390
People / sq mi
27.2yrs
Median Age
30% below US avg
0.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 56.1%
Female 43.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Waveland vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.4%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.6%
96% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Waveland vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Waveland is $60,956, which is 19% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.7% (above the 3.6% US average). 10.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Income: Waveland vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$60,956
19% below US avg
Per Capita Income$22,406
Avg Weekly Wage$817
IRS Avg AGI$61,905

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.7%
3% above US avg
Poverty Rate10.9%
12% below US avg
Establishments (County)326
County GDP$534M

Business (County)

Restaurants28
Healthcare18
Retail48
Manufacturing15

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,225
36% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.30%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time28.7 min
Work from Home1.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Waveland is $96,800, 66% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $920 (21% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $226,231.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$96,800
66% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$226,231

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$920
21% 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-Occupied84.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,225
36% below US avg
Effective Rate2.30%
In Waveland, 36.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 26.7% report depression. 22.2% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity36.8%
15% above US avg
Diabetes9.4%
Heart Disease5.2%
High Blood Pressure32.4%
Asthma11.0%
COPD6.3%
Stroke2.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking18.9%
Physical Inactivity22.2%
Depression26.7%
Mental Distress17.9%
Physical Distress12.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate91.5%
Checkup Rate78.7%
Premature Death7,682/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.5/10
Exercise Access47.0%
Healthcare Facilities18

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Waveland has an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 27°F in January while summers reach 74°F in July. Annual precipitation is 47.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 41.

Temperature

27°F Jan (-3°C) 74°F Jul (23°C)
Annual Average52.0°F
4% below US avg
January Average27°F (-3°C)
July Average74°F (23°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall47.4 inches
25% above US avg
Snowfall13.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median41.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation778 ft (237 m)
Area0.3 sq mi (0.8 km²)
Population Density1,390/sq mi
Coordinates39.8776°N, 87.0455°W
County FIPS18121
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 12.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (64% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 56.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 77.5%
D 20.6%

Winner: Republican by 56.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+12.3%
64% below US avg
High School+91.3%
School Test Score6.01
D Education Grade (2.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density1,390/sq mi
Total Area0.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities18
Restaurants28
Retail Stores48

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute28.7 min
Work from Home1.7%

Nearby Cities

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