Concord
RANK #1 / 996 NAT · #1 / 28 IN · POP 206,841
1YR FORECAST: +3.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +50%
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.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
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 |
|---|---|---|
|
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 ranks #1 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 100/100. The composite score reflects long-term strength — housing, income, and migration patterns — but near-term hiring is soft (employment is down 3.2% year-over-year). Median household income here is $63,978.
By national standards, Elkhart County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $181,800, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.35 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $945/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Elkhart County's job market is contracting (-3.2% YoY) while population is roughly stable (+0.3% change). Home values are +5.0% over the past 12 months. Hiring headwinds without an offsetting exodus — residents are staying, but local employers are shedding payroll.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.24% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Elkhart County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.