Knight
RANK #98 / 996 NAT · #7 / 28 IN · POP 179,900
1YR FORECAST: +2.7%
5YR OUTLOOK: +36%
Vanderburgh County, Indiana, is home to Evansville, which features Bosse Field, the third-oldest ballpark used for professional baseball in the United States. Only Boston's Fenway Park and Chicago's Wrigley Field are older. Located in southwestern Indiana, Vanderburgh County is the state's eighth-smallest county by area, covering 236 square miles. The county seat, Evansville, sits on the Ohio River. Commuting within the county is generally efficient, with an average travel time of under 20 minutes. The Metropolitan Evansville Transit System (METS) provides fixed-route bus service and an on-demand rideshare option. The community offers access to outdoor recreation, including Wesselman Woods Nature Preserve, a large urban old-growth forest with nearly six miles of trails.
Vanderburgh County's quality of life is shaped by its community atmosphere and access to amenities. The Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation serves the county with public schools that are rated above average. The local economy is diverse, with a strong manufacturing base and a growing presence in the medical and finance sectors. Recent economic developments include strategic investments in infrastructure and job creation across the region. These efforts aim to enhance the quality of life for residents and attract new businesses. The area is seeing growth in high-income households, contributing to a shifting economic landscape.
Below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing looks undervalued at 2.4x — 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
I-69 Ohio River Crossing
State of Indiana (INDOT)
|
$1,140M | Under Construction |
|
Elliot BESS (Battery Energy Storage System)
RWE Americas
|
$300M | Proposed |
|
Bluegrass Creek Solar Project
Orion Renewable Energy Group
|
$200M | Proposed |
|
Southwest Indiana READI 2.0 Grant Funding
Southwest Indiana Regional Development Authority
|
$45M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Vanderburgh County ranks #98 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 90/100, placing it in the top tier nationally. Median household income is $58,839 and the underlying growth metrics (housing, migration, income) hold up against peer counties.
By national standards, Vanderburgh County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $162,800, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.36 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $930/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Population and employment in Vanderburgh County are both close to flat — population +0.1% YoY and jobs -0.5%. Home values shifted +3.5% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.71% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Vanderburgh County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.