Starke County Public RecordsIndiana

As of the 2020 Census, Starke County, Indiana, had a population of approximately 23,371. The median age is 42.6 years, with 49.5% male and 50.5% female residents. Racially, the county is predominantly White (93.7%), with smaller populations of African American (0.7%), Native American (0.3%), Asian (0.2%), and those of two or more races (3.8%). Hispanic or Latino ethnicity accounts for 4.7% of the population.

Starke County, IN has 7 public schools, including 3 high schools. The high school graduation rate is approximately 85%. Around 8.5% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, below the national average. Schools average a GreatSchools rating of 4/10. Educational programs include advanced placement and vocational training. School safety measures are in place, with incidents below state averages. Adult education opportunities are available through local partnerships and Ivy Tech Community College.

Starke County, IN, reported an unemployment rate of approximately 3.8% in early 2024. The largest employment sectors are manufacturing (22%), health care and social assistance (16%), and retail trade (11%). Major occupation types include production (18%) and office/administrative (14%). Around 77% of residents commute outside the county for work, with an average commute time of 27 minutes. Key employment locations include Knox and nearby counties such as Porter and St. Joseph.

Starke County, IN, has a homeownership rate of about 80%, with median home values near $140,000 as of 2023. Rental rates average $900 monthly, and around 20% of housing is renter-occupied. Housing types include mostly single-family homes, with some mobile and multi-unit residences, especially in North Judson and Knox—the county’s largest towns. Property values have risen modestly by 5% over the past year, reflecting steady demand. Key neighborhoods cluster around Bass Lake and Knox. The typical property tax rate is approximately $0.86 per $100 of assessed value, making ownership relatively affordable in the region.

Starke County, IN, had about 17,500 residents in 2020, with approximately 13,000 registered voters as of 2022. Elections include primaries, generals, and referendums, with recent general election turnout around 55%. The Starke County Election Board oversees voting and administration, with polling locations in Knox, North Judson, and Hamlet. Republicans have dominated recent races, winning 70% of countywide votes in the 2022 general election. Key local issues include school funding and public safety. Both Democratic and Republican parties are active, with minor third-party presence.

Starke County, IN, reports a crime rate of approximately 18.5 incidents per 1,000 residents annually, according to recent FBI data. The property crime rate stands at 15.2 per 1,000, while violent crime is lower at 3.3 per 1,000 residents. Crime reports are handled by the Starke County Sheriff's Department and local police. Compared to Indiana’s state averages, Starke County’s overall crime rate is moderately lower, indicating relatively safer conditions, though residents are advised to maintain standard safety precautions and report suspicious activities promptly.