RANK #771 / 1001 NAT · #26 / 28 IN · POP 74,718
1YR FORECAST: +1.7%
5YR OUTLOOK: +24%
Boone County, Indiana, northwest of Indianapolis, offers a blend of rural charm and suburban convenience, with Zionsville's brick Main Street and boutique shops often cited by locals as a point of distinction. The county seat, Lebanon, features a historic courthouse square. Commuters have direct access to Indianapolis via Interstate 65. Outdoor recreation is available through the Big-4 Rail Trail, which connects several communities and provides opportunities for walking and biking, alongside various parks and nature preserves like Starkey Nature Park.
Life in Boone County appeals to families and professionals, many of whom commute to nearby Indianapolis. The public school systems, including Zionsville Community Schools and Lebanon Community Schools, are highly rated. The economy is experiencing growth, driven by investments in sectors such as advanced manufacturing, data centers, and logistics, transforming the area while maintaining its agricultural roots. Tourism also contributes to the local economy, supporting businesses and generating tax revenue.
Boone County is one of 43 U.S. counties in this market profile — near the profile average on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +4.5% runs above the profile's typical -0.0%.
See all 43 Sun Belt Exurban Boom counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Harsh climate or flat terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 10.0x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Meta Data Center Campus (LEAP Innovation and Research District)
Meta Platforms
|
$10,000M | Under Construction |
|
Eli Lilly Manufacturing Facilities (LEAP Innovation Park)
Eli Lilly and Co.
|
$2,100M | Under Construction |
|
Brickyard Solar Project
NextEra Energy Resources
|
$210M | Planned |
|
LEAP Innovation District Land Acquisition & Infrastructure
Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC)
|
$164M | Under Construction |
|
SR 32 New Alignment and Widening
Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT)
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Amazon Same-Day Delivery Facility
Amazon
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
At 22/100, Boone County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 1001 counties we track. Median income of $111,250 combined with job growth of +5.4% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Housing in Boone County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $376,200 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.30, with rents averaging $1,359/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Boone County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +2.6% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +5.4% clip — and home values reflect that momentum, rising +4.5% over the past 12 months.
In significant numbers — 5.81% of Boone County's current population relocated from another state, well above the national norm. That level of in-migration usually signals a county where jobs, affordability, or quality of life are pulling people in from elsewhere.