RANK #257 / 1001 NAT · #12 / 28 IN · POP 106,109
1YR FORECAST: +0.5%
5YR OUTLOOK: +32%
Vigo County, Indiana, is often recognized for Terre Haute's nickname, "The Crossroads of America," stemming from the intersection of U.S. Highways 40 and 41. This western Indiana county, with Terre Haute as its seat, sits along the Wabash River, approximately 75 miles west of Indianapolis. The community offers extensive outdoor recreation, boasting more parks per capita than any other city in Indiana, including places like Griffin Bike Park, Fowler Park, and the Wabashiki Fish and Wildlife Area, which provide opportunities for hiking, kayaking, and birdwatching. The overall feel is one of a smaller city with a focus on local amenities and a manageable average commute time of around 20 minutes.
Life in Vigo County is shaped by its educational institutions, including Indiana State University and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, which contribute to the local workforce and rental market. The economy is driven by sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, and logistics, with major employers including Union Health and the Vigo County School Corporation. While the county faces challenges in health rankings and poverty rates, efforts are underway to improve public safety and quality of life, with a focus on enhancing schools and attracting new businesses. The area's affordability and community-oriented atmosphere appeal to families and young professionals.
Vigo County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices -0.1% YoY, population -0.1%, wages +3.4%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Below national median (11.3x)
Prices declining
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing is fairly valued at 6.1x 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 →
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 74/100, Vigo County sits in the upper half of all 1001 ranked counties. Employment is expanding at +1.6%, and median household income stands at $52,976 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in IN.
By national standards, Vigo County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $148,500, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.36 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $924/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Employers in Vigo County are hiring — job growth of +1.6% — but the population is close to flat (-0.1% YoY). Home values moved -0.1% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.62% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Vigo County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.