RANK #507 / 996 · POP 186,955 · IN
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.7%
Tippecanoe County, Indiana, is perhaps best known as home to Purdue University, a major institution that shapes the character of West Lafayette. The county, located in west-central Indiana, sits less than 50 miles from Indianapolis, with an average commute time of 16.7 minutes, shorter than the national average. The Wabash River flows through the county, offering scenic views and recreational opportunities like hiking along the Wabash Heritage Trail. The area maintains a blend of urban amenities and rural charm, with parks and natural areas providing outdoor recreation.
Life in Tippecanoe County offers a mix of family-friendly towns and access to educational institutions. Public schools in the county are highly rated. The economy is largely driven by its two largest cities, Lafayette and West Lafayette, with Purdue University being the largest employer. Beyond education, manufacturing and healthcare are also significant employment sectors. Recent economic developments include state funding aimed at supporting the growing technology sector and improving quality of life initiatives.
Above national median
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 3.3x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Rainbow Trout Solar
RWE
|
$120M | Proposed |
|
Purdue Research Park (Phases 3 & 4)
Purdue Research Foundation / Duke Energy
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Greater Lafayette Region READI 2.0 Program
State of Indiana / Greater Lafayette Commerce
|
$35M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Tippecanoe County has a Boom Town Index score of 49/100, ranking #507 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.2% and a median household income of $55,728, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Tippecanoe County is $199,300 with median rent at $1,020/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2796, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.5% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.2%. Home values changed +2.0% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 5.04% of Tippecanoe County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.