Elections
Pike County, IN had 9,876 registered voters as of 2023. The county holds primary, general, and local elections, with the 2022 General Election seeing a 58% turnout. Four polling locations, including the Courthouse Annex in Petersburg, serve voters. Recent ballots addressed school funding and infrastructure issues. Election administration is managed by the Pike County Clerk. In 2022, Republicans received 70% of the vote, Democrats 28%, and Libertarians 2%. Voter registration deadline is 29 days before Election Day. The county's elections are conducted in accordance with Indiana state laws and regulations.
Education, Employment and Housing
Pike County, Indiana, has five public schools, including Pike Central High School. The graduation rate is approximately 90%, but only 11% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, below the state average. School safety is emphasized, with reported incidents well below state norms. Average standardized test scores hover around the state median. Pike County offers career and technical education programs at the high school level, while adult education is available through the local WorkOne center. Efforts are ongoing to improve educational attainment and expand post-secondary and vocational pathways for residents.
As of 2022, Pike County, IN had an employment rate of approximately 56.5%. The largest industries were manufacturing (25.3%), health care and social assistance (16.5%), and retail trade (10.8%). The top occupation types included production (17.4%) and office/administrative support (11.9%). Around 68% of workers commute outside Pike County for work, with most traveling to surrounding areas like Gibson and Dubois counties. The median commute time was about 28 minutes, and the unemployment rate in 2023 was approximately 3.4%.
Pike County, IN, has a homeownership rate of about 81%, with median home values around $127,000 and median monthly rents near $700. Property values have risen approximately 9% over the past year. The housing landscape is dominated by single-family homes, particularly in towns like Petersburg and Otwell. Rental options are limited, mainly small multi-family units or converted houses. Property taxes average 0.7% of assessed value, keeping homeowner costs moderate. Neighborhoods are generally quiet and rural, with communities clustered along major highways. Housing is affordable compared to state averages, making the area attractive for families and retirees.
Demographics
As of the 2020 Census, Pike County, Indiana, had a population of 12,250. The median age is 43.7 years, with 49.8% female and 50.2% male. Racially, the county is predominantly White (95.1%), with Black or African American residents at 0.4%, Asian 0.3%, Native American 0.2%, and those of two or more races comprising 3.2%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity accounts for about 1.5% of the population.
County Crime & Safety
Pike County, IN, reports relatively low crime rates compared to state averages. In 2022, the county saw a total crime rate of 736 incidents per 100,000 residents, significantly below Indiana’s average of 2,041. Violent crime is rare, with fewer than 3 incidents per 1,000 residents annually, and property crime rates stand at approximately 10 incidents per 1,000. Local law enforcement maintains active reporting and community outreach programs, ensuring public safety remains a priority. Residents generally consider Pike County a safe place to live.
Popular names
- John Copeland
- Amanda Jones
- James Copeland
- Dustin Morton
- Michael Smith
- Russell Henson
- Brittany Gayhart
- Carla Knight
- Chainy Watson
- Christopher Willis
- Danny Bartley
- Donald Hayes
- Dustin Willis
- James Jones
- Jason Mills
- Jennifer Copeland
- Jerrell Grubb
- Jimmy Warner
- Joe Cummings
- Judy Foust
- Kevin Kluemper
- Levi King
- Morgan Dillon
- Peter Bradley
- Phillip Sisk
- Robert Bolin
- Ronald Wilson
- Steven Slunder
- Tina Willis
- Adam Traylor
- Alycia Church
- Ana Alvarado
- Andrew Haire
- Angelica Merkley
- Ann Blackwell
- Anthony Kendall
- Anthony Miller
- April Loveless
- Apryl Bowling
- Ashley Fields
- Ashley Ramsey
- Ashley White
- Austin Dixon
- Barbara Miller
- Barry Whitehead
- Bonnie Wagner
- Brad Smith
- Braden Henson
- Bradley Smith
- Brandy Bennett
- Brenda Hamm
- Brenda Loveless
- Brian Shover
- Brittney Mccandless
- Carol Austin
- Charles Seifrig
- Charles Steltenpohl
- Christian Stepanek
- Christina Hornby
- Christina Scales
Other Counties in Indiana
- Adams
- Allen
- Bartholomew
- Benton
- Blackford
- Boone
- Brown
- Carroll
- Cass
- Clark
- Clay
- Clinton
- Crawford
- Daviess
- De Kalb
- Dearborn
- Decatur
- Delaware
- Dubois
- Elkhart
- Fayette
- Floyd
- Fountain
- Franklin
- Fulton
- Gibson
- Grant
- Greene
- Hamilton
- Hancock
- Harrison
- Hendricks
- Henry
- Howard
- Huntington
- Jackson
- Jasper
- Jay
- Jefferson
- Jennings
- Johnson
- Knox
- Kosciusko
- La Porte
- Lagrange
- Lake
- Lawrence
- Madison
- Marion
- Marshall
- Martin