Unemployment in White County, Indiana, is lower than in 79% of U.S. counties
In White County, 3.2% of the labor force was out of work, on average. That is lower than in 79% of U.S. counties.
Less distressed than 66% of U.S. counties.
What drives White County's score
In White County, collections and bankruptcy is the highest-scoring part, at 56.2. Jobs are the lowest part, at 23.2.
The County Distress Index looks at five parts of household money trouble in White County: jobs, late payments on loans, income and the safety net, collections and bankruptcy, and housing costs. Each part is scored from 0 to 100, and a higher score means worse off than other counties.
White County isn't among the worst-off quarter of U.S. counties on any measure.
A longer bar means more trouble. See how the county score works.
- 56.2 of 100
Collections and bankruptcy
Biggest factorCredit records, August 2025; bankruptcy filings, 2025
- People with unpaid debt sent to a collector21.4% · August 202543rd percentile
- Bankruptcy filings per 100,000 people176.6 · 202569th percentile
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- 43.3 of 100
Housing costs
Renters, 2020–24 Census survey; HUD's fair market rents, fiscal year 2027
- Renters paying half their income or more in rent17.6% · 2020 to 202447th percentile
- Rent on a two-bedroom as a share of the median income19.8% · fiscal year 202739th percentile
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- 39.8 of 100
Income and safety net
Poverty and income, 2024; disability and insurance, 2020–24 Census survey
- People below the poverty line12.1% · 202440th percentile
- Children below the poverty line15.6% · 202442nd percentile
- People with a disability13.7% · 2020 to 202428th percentile
- People without health insurance7.2% · 2020 to 202444th percentile
- Median household income (lower income, longer bar)$68,828 · 202443rd percentile
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- 38.2 of 100
Late payments
Credit records, August 2025; credit scores, second quarter of 2026
- People with a credit card behind4.1% · August 202527th percentile
- People with a car or retail loan behind4.6% · August 202541st percentile
- People with a subprime credit score39.1% · second quarter of 202645th percentile
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- 23.2 of 100
Jobs
Unemployment through Sep 2026; adults not working, 2020–24 Census survey
- Unemployment rate, average over the latest year3.2% · Oct 2025 to Sep 202619th percentile
- Adults 25 to 54 not working16.9% · 2020 to 202426th percentile
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Sources: Urban Institute, Debt in America; Equifax via the St. Louis Fed; Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, Table F-5A; U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey; U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Fair Market Rents and Census income; 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 Sep 2026.
Where the money in White County comes from
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 White County, 21.2% of residents are 65 or older (Census Bureau, 2024), against 17.2% nationally that year.
Cents of every dollar of income, 2024
White County
Indiana
United States
- Pay from work
- Investments and rent
- Benefit checks
In White County, benefit checks' share of income has tripled since 1969, reaching 26.8% in 2024, but pay from work still brings in twice as much as benefit checks
In White County, Indiana, benefit checks' share of income tripled from 1969 to 2024, reaching 26.8%; pay from work is plotted alongside. Every fifth year and 2024 are shown.
- Benefit checks
- Pay from work
The share of households in White County getting SNAP food aid had its largest drop, from 7.0% in 2020 to 5.7% in 2021.
The share of households in White County getting SNAP food aid was at its highest on the chart in 2017 and has since fallen by about a third
Low on the chart: 5.4% in 2022. Households getting SNAP, every year; each bar is a five-year survey estimate ending that year, so neighboring bars share most of their data, White County, Indiana.
How White County has changed
White County's population had its largest rise, from 21,989 in 1974 to 23,371 in 1979.
White County's population rose by about a fifth from 1969 to 2024, reaching 24,833
High on the chart: 25,332 in 1999. Residents, yearly estimate, every fifth year and 2024, White County, Indiana.
The number of jobs located in White County had its largest rise, from 8,670 in 1990 to 11,266 in 1995.
The number of jobs located in White County was at its highest on the chart in 1995 and has since fallen by about a fifth
High on the chart: 11,266 in 1995. Yearly average of jobs covered by unemployment insurance, every fifth year and 2025, White County, Indiana.
| Measure | Then | Now |
|---|---|---|
| Unemployment rateBLS LAUS | 1990 5.7% | 2025 3.6% |
| People below the poverty lineCensus SAIPE | 1989 6.1% | 2024 12.1% |
| Median household incomeCensus SAIPE | 1989 $26,946 | 2024 $68,828 |
The table uses 3.6% for 2025; the score uses 3.2% for the latest year (Oct 2025 to Sep 2026), both from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Figures are as each agency published them, not adjusted for prices.
Dated events in White County's history
1834
February 1, 1834 (authorized). Wikipedia
1974
A tornado in April 1974 killed 10 people. NOAA Storm Events Database
2000
The county's largest recorded population was the 2000 Census count of 25,267. The 2020 Census counted 24,688, 98% of the peak. Census Bureau
2008
A flash flood in January 2008 did $2 million in property damage. NOAA Storm Events Database
2009
A flash flood in March 2009 did $1 million in property damage. NOAA Storm Events Database
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Since 1974
18 federal disaster and emergency declarations have covered White County, 7 of them for flooding. FEMA
White County beside its neighbors
Of the six counties that border White County, three score higher. For the share of income from benefit checks, White County ranks 2nd of the seven; Cass County is highest, at 31.9%.
| County | Score | Poverty | Benefit checks |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cass County, IN | 58 | 13.7% | 31.9% |
| Benton County, IN | 52 | 9.8% | 24.6% |
| Tippecanoe County, IN | 42 | 16.8% | 17.8% |
| White County, IN | 33 | 12.1% | 26.8% |
| Pulaski County, IN | 32 | 12.0% | 25.7% |
| Jasper County, IN | 32 | 10.1% | 22.9% |
| Carroll County, IN | 18 | 9.0% | 21.8% |
Distress score: American Default Research, County Distress Index, data through Sep 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 White County the poorest county in Indiana?
No, White County's poverty rate was 12.1% in 2024, 39th 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, White County ranks 54th of 92 in the state.
If you're behind on your mortgage in White County
Housing counselors approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development work at nonprofit agencies. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau describes free foreclosure-avoidance counseling, including help with mortgage-company conversations and available options Source CFPB.
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Indiana Legal Services (ILS)
Legal aid
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Neighborhood Christian Legal Clinic
Legal aid
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HUD-approved housing counselors
Our help directory lists 1,010 agencies approved for foreclosure counseling, by state.
The score, its 14 measures and their sources, in one file. Free to use with credit to American Default Research.
Sources and method
- American Default Research · County Distress Index Data through Sep 2026, built from Urban Institute, Debt in America; Equifax via the St. Louis Fed; U.S. Courts, Table F-5A; Census Bureau, American Community Survey; HUD Fair Market Rents and Census income; Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics; Census Bureau, Small Area Income and Poverty Estimates. The County Distress Index is American Default Research's own calculation; the Urban Institute does not produce or endorse it. Our methodology
- Urban Institute · Debt in America Breno Braga, Signe-Mary McKernan, Samantha Atherton, and Kassandra Martinchek, "Debt in America," last updated November 20, 2025, https://datacatalog.urban.org/dataset/debt-america-2025. Licensed under ODC-By 1.0.
- Rent on a two-bedroom and household income The rent share compares HUD fair market rent for fiscal year 2027 with Census Bureau median household income for 2024. The page calls this the typical household's income.
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional Economic Accounts (CAINC4) · income shares Where the money in White County comes from, 2024.
- History The agencies named in each row and the linked records above.