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Dearborn County, IN

Lawrenceburg

RANK #83 / 996 NAT  ·  #5 / 28 IN  ·  POP 50,709

1YR FORECAST: +3.6%

5YR OUTLOOK: +37%

#43 Best for Families
Our model projects Dearborn County's housing market to grow +3.6% over the next year, significantly outpacing the national average.

[01] Why Dearborn County?

The Ohio River shapes Dearborn County, Indiana, both geographically and culturally, with the Dearborn Trail offering a paved pathway along its banks for walking, running, and cycling between the towns of Aurora, Lawrenceburg, and Greendale. Located in the southeastern corner of Indiana, the county borders Ohio and Kentucky, placing it within the Cincinnati metropolitan area. This proximity means a commute of about 20 minutes to Cincinnati and 15 minutes to the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. The community maintains a blend of rural character and historic architecture alongside suburban development.

Life in Dearborn County often involves a commute, with many residents traveling to Ohio or Kentucky for work. The county's public schools are generally rated above average. Recent economic activity includes investments in healthcare, with a new campus and cancer center in Greendale, and ongoing development in various sectors. The area also benefits from its natural setting, providing opportunities for outdoor recreation in its parks and along river valleys.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
5.7x

Above national median (4.7x)

GDP Growth
+0.4%

Well below national median

Home Prices
+4.7%

Outpacing national median

Climate & Terrain
-2.0

Below-average climate & terrain

Price/Rent
20x

Prices detached from rents

Housing is fairly valued at 5.7x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Top Employers

  1. 1
    Hollywood Casino Hospitality
  2. 2
    Matthews Aurora Funeral Solutions Manufacturing
  3. 3
    Perfect North Slopes Hospitality
  4. 4
    Dearborn County Hospital Healthcare
  5. 5
    Dearborn County Government Government
  6. 6
    Walmart Supercenter Retail
  7. 7
    Kroger Retail
  8. 8
    Waters of Ross Manor Healthcare
  9. 9
    Pri Pak, Inc. Manufacturing
  10. 10
    Ivy Tech Community College Education

Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Dearborn County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
50,709
+0.43% YoY
Median Household Income
$80,352
Median Home Value
$210,800
+4.71% 12mo
Median Rent
$863
Average Annual Pay
$50,978
+6.0% YoY
Employment
14,586
+0.3% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.3812
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
1.25%
of pop. from another state
Bachelor's Degree+
24.7%
of residents (national avg: 33%)

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$342,500
Days on Market
34
Active market
Months of Supply
2.3
Seller's market
Sale-to-List Ratio
96.9%
Negotiation room for buyers
Sold Above List
28.1%
Listings w/ Price Drops
28.0%
Building Permits (2024)
120
Single-Family Permits
120

Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →

[05] Crime & Safety

B
SAFETY
GRADE
Homicide Rate
3.1
per 100K · nat avg 6.3
Firearm Fatalities
10.4
per 100K · nat avg 14.8
Injury Deaths
83.3
per 100K · nat avg 76.3
vs National Average
Well below national avg
based on homicide rate

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 →

[06] Capital Investment

$1,456M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
Linea Energy Solar Farm (Proposed)
Linea Energy
$1,200M Proposed
St. Elizabeth Healthcare Campus
St. Elizabeth Healthcare
$230M Under Construction
South Dearborn Regional Sewer District Treatment Plant Modernization
South Dearborn Regional Sewer District
$26M Completed

Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.

[07] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +0.4% 10 percentile
Population Growth +0.4% 49 percentile
Income Growth +10.6% 87 percentile
Vacancy Rate 0.3% 100 percentile
Home Price Change +4.7% 88 percentile
Price/Rent 20x 7 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[08] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Dearborn County, IN a good place to move to?

Dearborn County ranks #83 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 92/100, placing it in the top tier nationally. Median household income is $80,352 and the underlying growth metrics (housing, migration, income) hold up against peer counties.

Is Dearborn County affordable?

By national standards, Dearborn County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $210,800, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.38 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $863/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.

Is Dearborn County growing or shrinking?

Population and employment in Dearborn County are both close to flat — population +0.4% YoY and jobs +0.3%. Home values shifted +4.7% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.

Are many people relocating to Dearborn County?

Not particularly — 1.25% of Dearborn County's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.

[09] Similar Counties by Size & Score

Kosciusko County, IN 92 Madison County, IN 91 Delaware County, IN 94 Vanderburgh County, IN 90 Wayne County, IN 97 Grant County, IN 85 Cass County, MI 92 Ashland County, OH 92