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Hamilton County, IN

RANK #541 / 996  ·  POP 349,527  ·  IN

PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.5%

Hamilton County shows below-average economic momentum. Growth signals are flat or softening.

[01] Why Hamilton County?

Carmel, a notable town in Hamilton County, Indiana, is recognized for its urban planning and has received accolades as a desirable place to live. Located directly north of Indianapolis, Hamilton County offers a blend of suburban living with access to urban amenities. Commuting to Indianapolis is facilitated by major interstates and local transportation options like carpooling services and the Hamilton County Express. The county features extensive outdoor recreation, including the Monon Trail, a 24-mile paved path for walking, running, and cycling that connects several towns and extends into downtown Indianapolis. Additionally, Strawtown Koteewi Park offers 750 acres with hiking and equestrian trails.

Life in Hamilton County often appeals to families and young professionals, drawn by highly-rated public schools such as Carmel Clay Schools and Hamilton Southeastern Schools. The local economy is diverse, with growth in sectors like healthcare, professional services, and technology. Recent economic developments include investments in infrastructure and energy, contributing to job growth that is projected to surpass regional and national rates. The county also offers various public transportation services, including options for seniors and individuals with disabilities, enhancing connectivity within the area.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
4.9x

Above national median (4.7x)

GDP Growth
+5.5%

Well above national median

Home Prices
+2.5%

Outpacing national median

Climate & Terrain
-2.5

Below-average climate & terrain

Price/Rent
16x

Above national median (13x)

Housing is fairly valued at 4.9x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Hamilton County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
349,527
+2.32% YoY
Median Household Income
$114,866
Median Home Value
$350,900
+2.51% 12mo
Median Rent
$1,412
Average Annual Pay
$74,787
+10.7% YoY
Employment
163,937
+1.8% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.3273
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
3.72%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$420,000
Days on Market
56
Moderate pace
Months of Supply
1.9
Seller's market
Sale-to-List Ratio
98.3%
Near asking price
Sold Above List
13.5%
Listings w/ Price Drops
32.9%
Building Permits (2024)
4,561
Single-Family Permits
2,887

Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →

[05] Capital Investment

$515M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
Noblesville Solar Project
Doral Renewables
$200M Planned
Kingfisher Reserve Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)
Aypa Power
$200M Rejected
Hamilton County Government and Judicial Center Expansion
Hamilton County
$65M Planned
RWE Clean Energy Wind/Solar Project
RWE Clean Energy
$50M Proposed

Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +5.5% 87 percentile
Population Growth +2.3% 91 percentile
Income Growth +9.5% 74 percentile
Vacancy Rate 1.2% 38 percentile
Home Price Change +2.5% 66 percentile
Rent Growth +2.9% 47 percentile
Price/Rent 16x 22 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Hamilton County, IN a good place to move to?

Hamilton County has a Boom Town Index score of 46/100, ranking #541 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.8% and a median household income of $114,866, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.

Is Hamilton County affordable?

The median home value in Hamilton County is $350,900 with median rent at $1,412/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3273, which is more affordable than the national average.

Is Hamilton County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: +2.3% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.8%. Home values changed +2.5% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to Hamilton County?

Yes — 3.72% of Hamilton County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.

[08] Similar Metros

Oldham County, KY 56 Wicomico County, MD 56 Anderson County, TX 56 Rutland County, VT 56 Skagit County, WA 56 New Castle County, DE 56 Houston County, GA 56 Woodbury County, IA 56