In Marion County, Indiana, rent on a two-bedroom takes about one in four dollars of the typical household's income
In Marion County, 27.4% of the median household's income would go to rent on a two-bedroom at HUD's fair market rent (HUD and Census Bureau, HUD rent fiscal year 2027; household income 2024). That is higher than in 91% of U.S. counties.
More distressed than 83% of U.S. counties.
What drives Marion County's score
In Marion County, housing costs weigh most: the score for housing costs is 89.3. Rent on a two-bedroom takes 27.4% of the median household's income (fiscal year 2027), higher than in 91% of U.S. counties. Late payments on loans come next, at 86.6.
The County Distress Index combines five things we measure for every county: jobs, late payments on loans, income and the safety net, collections and bankruptcy, and housing costs. Each gets a score from 0 to 100; the higher the score, the worse off the county is compared with others.
Marion County does better than most counties on two measures: unemployment rate, 12-month average (3.4%, Sep 2025 to Aug 2026) and people with a disability (13.9%, 2020 to 2024).
The five parts count equally; together they hold 14 measures. Under each part, a bar shows where Marion County ranks among all 3,144 U.S. counties on that measure, as a percentile: the share of counties it is higher than. A longer bar means more trouble.
- 89.4 of 100
Housing costs
Biggest factorHUD's fair market rents, fiscal year 2027; renters, 2020–24 Census survey
- Rent on a two-bedroom as a share of the median income27.4% · fiscal year 202791st percentile
- Renters paying half their income or more in rent25.1% · 2020 to 202486th percentile
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- 86.6 of 100
Late payments
Credit records, August 2025; credit scores, Q4 2025
- People with a car or retail loan behind9.0% · August 202588th percentile
- People with a credit card behind8.2% · August 202586th percentile
- People with a subprime credit score33.9% · Q4 202585th percentile
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- 86.2 of 100
Collections and bankruptcy
Credit records, August 2025; bankruptcy filings, 2025
- People with unpaid debt sent to a collector31.2% · August 202577th percentile
- Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 people368.2 · 202594th percentile
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- 56.5 of 100
Income and safety net
Poverty and income, 2024; disability and insurance, 2020–24 Census survey
- Children below the poverty line23.3% · 202476th percentile
- People with a disability13.9% · 2020 to 202430th percentile
- Median household income (lower income, longer bar)$67,368 · 202448th percentile
- People below the poverty line15.8% · 202469th percentile
- People without health insurance8.8% · 2020 to 202457th percentile
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- 31.0 of 100
Jobs
Adults not working, 2020–24 Census survey; unemployment through Aug 2026
- Adults 25 to 54 not working18.4% · 2020 to 202435th percentile
- Unemployment rate, 12-month average3.4% · Sep 2025 to Aug 202626th percentile
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Sources: U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Fair Market Rents and U.S. Census Bureau income; Census Bureau, American Community Survey; Urban Institute, Debt in America; Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, Table F-5A; Equifax via the St. Louis Fed; U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates. County Distress Index by American Default Research, from data through Aug 2026.
Where the money in Marion County comes from
The Bureau of Economic Analysis adds up all the income that reaches the people of a county and splits it three ways: pay from work, income from investments and rent, and benefit checks.
Cents of every dollar of income, 2024
Marion County
Indiana
United States
- Pay from work
- Investments and rent
- Benefit checks
In Marion County in 2024, pay from work was 70 cents of every dollar of income. Income from investments and rentals was 14 cents. Benefit checks were 16 cents. Across the country, pay is 61 cents of the dollar and benefit checks are 18.
Benefit checks have grown from 6 cents of every dollar in 1969, but pay from work still brings in more.
In Marion County, benefit checks rose from 6 to 16 cents of every dollar
Benefit checks and pay from work as shares of all personal income, Marion County, Indiana: 16.3% and 69.8% in 2024. Yearly, 1969–2024.
Use this chart Free to use with credit
The quote: In 2024, benefit checks made up 16.3% of all personal income in Marion County, Indiana (U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, CAINC4).
Benefit checks are Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid paid on people's behalf, veterans' benefits, and food and income support, so a high share usually means an older population, low pay, or both. In Marion County, 13.2% of residents are 65 or older (Census Bureau, 2024), against 17.2% nationally.
How Marion County has changed
The number of people living in Marion County grew by about 25% between 1969 and 2024, from 782,988 to 981,628. The number of jobs located there grew by about 21% from 1990 to 2024.
Unemployment rose from 3.6% in 1990 to 3.7% in 2025.
| Measure | Then | Now |
|---|---|---|
| People living in the countyBEA | 1969 782,988 | 2024 981,628 |
| Jobs located in the countyBLS QCEW | 1990 517,348 | 2024 625,533 |
| Unemployment rateBLS LAUS | 1990 3.6% | 2025 3.7% |
| People below the poverty lineCensus SAIPE | 1989 13.2% | 2024 15.8% |
| Median household income (not adjusted for prices)Census SAIPE | 1989 $27,725 | 2024 $67,368 |
| Share of income from benefit checksBEA | 1969 5.8% | 2024 16.3% |
Figures are as each agency published them, not adjusted for prices. We don't chart the distress score over time because it compares counties at one moment.
Dated events in Marion County's history
Largest decennial census count
The county's largest recorded population was the 2020 Census count of 977,203, which is also its most recent census. Census Bureau
1822
Marion County was created on April 1, 1822, from part of the New Purchase lands. Wikipedia
2002
Tornado: $40 million in property damage. NOAA Storm Events Database
2004
Tornado: $19 million in property damage. NOAA Storm Events Database
2008
Tornado: $29 million in property damage. NOAA Storm Events Database
2011
Thunderstorm wind: seven deaths. NOAA Storm Events Database
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Since 1991
20 federal disaster and emergency declarations have covered Marion County, 11 of them for flooding. FEMA
Storms are listed if they did $1 million or more in damage or killed someone.
Marion County beside its neighbors
Marion County scores higher than all seven counties that border it. For the share of income from benefit checks, Marion County ranks 5th of the eight; Shelby County is highest, at 25.0%.
| County | Score | Poverty | Benefit checks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marion County, IN | 83 | 15.8% | 16.3% |
| Shelby County, IN | 51 | 10.9% | 25.0% |
| Morgan County, IN | 50 | 9.4% | 23.1% |
| Johnson County, IN | 26 | 7.3% | 17.3% |
| Hendricks County, IN | 22 | 5.6% | 14.5% |
| Hancock County, IN | 14 | 5.8% | 17.5% |
| Boone County, IN | 6 | 5.6% | 9.9% |
| Hamilton County, IN | 2 | 4.7% | 8.5% |
Distress score: American Default Research, County Distress Index, data through Aug 2026; each county scored against all 3,144. Poverty rate: Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates, 2024. Benefit checks: Bureau of Economic Analysis, 2024. Neighbors share a border, from Census county maps.
Is Marion County the poorest county in Indiana?
No, Marion County's poverty rate was 15.8% in 2024, 9th highest of 92 in Indiana (U.S. Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates). By that measure the poorest county in the state is Delaware County, at 20.5%. On our distress index, which counts more than poverty, Marion County ranks 3rd of 92 in the state.
Marion County in photographs
Places in Marion County from Wikimedia Commons, each captioned in its photographer's own words.
This photo depicts the City-County Building, Indianapolis, Indiana, USA.
Photo: Momoneymoproblemz via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Marion County, Indiana: common questions
What is the poverty rate in Marion County, Indiana?
15.8% in 2024, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates: about one in six people. Among children it was 23.3%.
Is Marion County the poorest county in Indiana?
No, Marion County's poverty rate was 15.8% in 2024, 9th highest of 92 in Indiana (U.S. Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates). By that measure the poorest county in the state is Delaware County, at 20.5%. On our distress index, which counts more than poverty, Marion County ranks 3rd of 92 in the state.
What is the population of Marion County, Indiana?
About 981,628 people in 2024, by the Bureau of Economic Analysis's count. The 2020 Census counted 977,203, the most of any census.
How is the County Distress Index calculated?
We rank every U.S. county on 14 federal measures of money trouble, grouped into five equally weighted parts, and average them. The published score is the share of the other 3,143 counties with a lower average. The methodology lists every measure and its source.
If you're behind on your mortgage in Marion County
A U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-approved housing counselor works at a nonprofit agency approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The counseling to avoid foreclosure is free, and a counselor can help you talk to your mortgage company and understand what it offers, according to the Consumer Financial Protection BureauSourceCFPB.
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Habitat for Humanity of Greater Indianapolis
HUD-approved housing counselor
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Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership
HUD-approved housing counselor
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Indianapolis Neighborhood Housing Partnership Homeownership Center at Glendale
HUD-approved housing counselor
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Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic
Legal aid
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Indiana Legal Services (ILS)
Legal aid
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HUD-approved housing counselors
Counseling to avoid foreclosure is free. Our help directory lists 1,313 approved agencies by state.
The score, its 14 measures and their sources, in one file. Free to use with credit to American Default Research.
Download the CSV for Marion County · Every U.S. county (CSV)
Sources and method
- American Default Research · County Distress Index Data through Aug 2026, built from HUD Fair Market Rents and Census income; Census Bureau, American Community Survey; Urban Institute, Debt in America; U.S. Courts, Table F-5A; Equifax via the St. Louis Fed; Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates. Our methodology
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Economic Accounts (CAINC4) · income shares Where the money in Marion County comes from, 2024.
- History The agencies named in each row and the linked records above.