Wabash
RANK #231 / 996 NAT · #13 / 28 IN · POP 186,955
1YR FORECAST: +1.2%
5YR OUTLOOK: +31%
Tippecanoe County, Indiana, is perhaps best known as home to Purdue University, a major institution that shapes the character of West Lafayette. The county, located in west-central Indiana, sits less than 50 miles from Indianapolis, with an average commute time of 16.7 minutes, shorter than the national average. The Wabash River flows through the county, offering scenic views and recreational opportunities like hiking along the Wabash Heritage Trail. The area maintains a blend of urban amenities and rural charm, with parks and natural areas providing outdoor recreation.
Life in Tippecanoe County offers a mix of family-friendly towns and access to educational institutions. Public schools in the county are highly rated. The economy is largely driven by its two largest cities, Lafayette and West Lafayette, with Purdue University being the largest employer. Beyond education, manufacturing and healthcare are also significant employment sectors. Recent economic developments include state funding aimed at supporting the growing technology sector and improving quality of life initiatives.
Above national median
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 3.3x — 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Rainbow Trout Solar
RWE
|
$120M | Proposed |
|
Purdue Research Park (Phases 3 & 4)
Purdue Research Foundation / Duke Energy
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Greater Lafayette Region READI 2.0 Program
State of Indiana / Greater Lafayette Commerce
|
$35M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 77/100, Tippecanoe County sits in the upper half of all 996 ranked counties. and median household income stands at $55,728 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in IN.
Housing in Tippecanoe County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $199,300 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.28, with rents averaging $1,020/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Tippecanoe County's population is growing — up +0.5% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +0.2%). Home values shifted +2.0% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
In significant numbers — 5.04% of Tippecanoe 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.