Education, Employment and Housing
Spencer County, Indiana, hosts around 10 public schools, including three high schools. The graduation rate is approximately 92%, while about 16% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. Schools such as Heritage Hills High score 7/10 on state report cards. Safety measures are a priority, with security protocols and resource officers present. Educational programs include Advanced Placement and dual-credit courses. Adult education is supported through local community college partnerships.
As of 2022, Spencer County, Indiana, had an unemployment rate of approximately 2.9%. Major industries include manufacturing (28.2% of employment), health care and social assistance (12.6%), and retail trade (9.8%). The most common occupations are production (19.6%), office/administrative support (10.1%), and management (9.4%). About 80% of residents commute by car, with an average commute time of 22 minutes, and roughly 62% work outside the county, primarily in Warrick, Vanderburgh, and Dubois counties.
Spencer County, IN, has a homeownership rate of around 81%, with median home values near $146,000 in 2023. Rental occupancy is about 19%, and median gross rent hovers at $720 per month. Housing types are predominantly single-family homes, with some multifamily units in towns like Rockport and Santa Claus. The market has seen steady value appreciation of roughly 5% annually. Property taxes average 0.65% of assessed value, among Indiana’s lower rates. Neighborhoods are family-friendly and suburban to rural, offering affordable options and proximity to schools and parks.
Elections
Spencer County, IN, has approximately 15,400 registered voters as of 2024. Voters participate in primary, general, and special elections, with recent turnout around 55%. In the 2020 general election, Republicans received 68% of votes for president, Democrats 30%, others 2%. The county has 16 polling locations managed by the Spencer County Election Board. Key issues include school funding and infrastructure. Administration is bipartisan, with Republican and Democratic Party representatives. Recent elections saw the GOP maintaining majorities in county offices. Voter registration is open year-round, except 29 days before elections.
Demographics
As of the 2020 Census, Spencer County, IN, had a population of 19,810. The median age was about 42.7 years. Gender distribution is roughly even, with 49.7% male and 50.3% female. Racially, the county is predominantly White (95.2%), with smaller populations of Hispanic or Latino (2.8%), Black or African American (0.6%), Asian (0.3%), and other races/multiracial (1.1%).
County Crime & Safety
Spencer County, IN, maintains a relatively low crime rate compared to national averages. According to recent data, the county’s violent crime rate is approximately 1.5 per 1,000 residents, while property crime stands at about 8.3 per 1,000 residents. The Spencer County Sheriff’s Department regularly reports crime statistics and prioritizes community engagement for safety. From 2022 to 2023, reported crimes have decreased by nearly 7%. Most incidents involve minor theft or vandalism, and major crimes are rare, contributing to a generally safe environment for residents.
Popular names
- James Hagan
- Amanda Davis
- Jeffery Bryant
- John Johnson
- Kevin Groves
- Lisa Schaefer
- Richard Harris
- Richard Schmidt
- Robert Mosby
- Aaron Blanford
- Adam Jones
- Anthony Cronin
- Barbara Lynne
- Barbara Miller
- Brenda Johnson
- Bruce Rose
- Camilla Ayer
- Carl Bittel
- Christen Corr
- David Maddox
- David Smith
- Davy Walden
- Edward Bryant
- Frank Kamuf
- Gary Brown
- Harold Curtis
- Jacob Winkler
- James Adams
- James Harris
- James Pike
- Jefferson Lindsey
- Jennifer Gibbs
- Jennifer Newton
- John Brown
- John Nelson
- John Smith
- John Williams
- Joseph Smith
- Jurgen Turner
- Kenneth Gibbs
- Kevin Dilger
- Larry Gogel
- Lisa Jackson
- Matthew Benton
- Michael Johnson
- Michael Toler
- Michael Young
- Misty Bolen
- Robert Gardner
- Robert Hardy
- Robert Jones
- Rodger Green
- Ryan Vaal
- Shane Oxford
- Shannon Walker
- Thomas Barrett
- Travis Newton
- Tyler Ayer
- Tyler Ward
- Whitney Marshall
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