RANK #548 / 1001 NAT · #19 / 28 IN · POP 189,071
1YR FORECAST: +0.9%
5YR OUTLOOK: +27%
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.
Tippecanoe County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +1.9% YoY, population +0.9%, wages +1.5%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 7.9x — 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
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 1001 counties.
Tippecanoe County scores 45/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 1001 U.S. counties (#548). Median household income is $60,636 and job growth is running at -0.9%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Housing in Tippecanoe County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $239,300 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.25, with rents averaging $1,124/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Tippecanoe County's population is growing — up +0.9% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of -0.9%). Home values shifted +1.9% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.9% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Tippecanoe County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.