RANK #261 / 996 · POP 206,841 · IN
PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.7%
Elkhart County, Indiana, is widely recognized as the "RV Capital of the World," with a significant portion of North American recreational vehicles manufactured there. Located in northern Indiana, about 20 miles east of South Bend and 1.5 hours east of Chicago, the county offers a blend of small-town charm and diverse communities like Elkhart and Goshen. The area features rolling hills in its northeast, shaped by glaciers, and is home to the St. Joseph and Elkhart Rivers, providing opportunities for kayaking, canoeing, and fishing. Residents and visitors can explore numerous parks, trails like the Pumpkinvine Nature Trail, and the Wellfield Botanic Gardens. Commuting within the county is generally efficient, with an average one-way commute of 19.5 minutes, and public transportation options like the Interurban Trolley connect key areas.
Life in Elkhart County offers a family-friendly environment with a leisurely pace, attracting a mix of families and retirees. The public schools in the county are generally above average. The economy is largely driven by its prominent manufacturing sector, particularly the recreational vehicle industry, which continues to see investment and growth. Beyond RVs, the county also has a history as a center for band instrument manufacturing and has a growing tourism and hospitality industry, supported by attractions like the Quilt Gardens and various festivals.
Well below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 2.1x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Takanock Goshen Data Center
Takanock
|
$1,500M | Planned |
|
Undisclosed Data Center Campus (The Province Group)
The Province Group (for an undisclosed tech company)
|
$1,000M | Proposed |
|
Elkhart County Solar Project
Savion / Elkhart County Solar Project, LLC
|
$100M | Planned |
|
Amazon Robotic Fulfillment Center
Amazon
|
$100M | Operating |
|
Elkhart Amphitheater Project
Elkhart AMP Group, Lerner Theater, City of Elkhart
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Boulder Run Subdivision (86 new homes)
Undisclosed Developer (with City of Elkhart TIF support)
|
$26M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Elkhart County has a Boom Town Index score of 74/100, ranking #261 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -3.2% and a median household income of $63,978, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Elkhart County is $181,800 with median rent at $945/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3519, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.3% year-over-year. Job growth: -3.2%. Home values changed +5.0% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.24% of Elkhart County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.