Most Americans have never been to small town Indiana. However, as the Hoosier who live there know, small town Indiana is an awesome place to call home.
But is it all roses? Definitely not. Just like any other state, Indiana has its trouble spots. This article aims to determine, using Saturday Night Science, the absolute worst small towns to live in the Hoosier State. Don’t freak out, we will use data to show which places have high crime, poverty, and unemployment.
After analyzing more than 212 of Indiana’s smallest cities, we came up with this list as the 10 worst small towns in Indiana where you’d never want to live:
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
These are the worst small towns in Indiana for 2024:
- Country Squire Lakes
- Paoli
- Union City
- Jasonville
- Cannelton
- Worthington
- Veedersburg
- Kentland
- Redkey
- Monon
So what is the worst small town to call home in Indiana for 2024? According to the most recent census data, Country Squire Lakes is the worst small town to live in Indiana.
While many of these small towns have seen better days, they have wonderful communities and people. This report in no way means to knock the folks that call towns like Country Squire Lakes home. Everyone
Read on below to see how we crunched the numbers, or scroll to the bottom to see how your town ranked.
And if you already know about the small towns, check out the best places to live in Indiana or the worst places to live in Indiana.
If you’re looking for something more national, check out the worst cities in America or the worst states in America.
The 10 Worst Small Towns In Indiana For 2024
1. Country Squire Lakes
/10
Population: 3,021
Median Home Value: $34,959
Median Income: $50,078
Unemployment Rate: 14.6%
2. Paoli
/10
Population: 3,286
Median Home Value: $160,112
Median Income: $36,858
Unemployment Rate: 4.1%
3. Union City
/10
Population: 3,511
Median Home Value: $109,295
Median Income: $36,250
Unemployment Rate: 10.0%
4. Jasonville
/10
Population: 1,979
Median Home Value: $70,524
Median Income: $37,866
Unemployment Rate: 10.3%
5. Cannelton
/10
Population: 1,481
Median Home Value: $144,233
Median Income: $38,047
Unemployment Rate: 14.9%
6. Worthington
/10
Population: 1,710
Median Home Value: $161,282
Median Income: $42,955
Unemployment Rate: 7.2%
7. Veedersburg
/10
Population: 1,948
Median Home Value: $155,413
Median Income: $48,750
Unemployment Rate: 9.0%
8. Kentland
/10
Population: 1,810
Median Home Value: $160,873
Median Income: $55,329
Unemployment Rate: 20.0%
9. Redkey
/10
Population: 1,547
Median Home Value: $104,961
Median Income: $33,846
Unemployment Rate: 4.8%
10. Monon
/10
Population: 1,764
Median Home Value: $153,119
Median Income: $52,596
Unemployment Rate: 9.9%
Methodology: How do you decide if a small place in Indiana is lousy or not?
To rank the worst small towns to live in Indiana, we had to determine what criteria people like or dislike about a place. Assuming that people like low crime, solid education, things to do, and a stable economy isn’t a stretch.
We then analyzed the criteria using Saturday Night Science, the thinking you’d use at a bar. It seems like even your crazy Uncle would agree that a town with high crime is worse than a town with low crime; all else the same.
Using FBI crime data and the Census’s 2018-2022 American Community Survey, this is the criteria we used:
- Population Density (The lower, the worse)
- Highest Unemployment Rates
- Low housing costs (meaning there’s no demand)
- Adjusted Median Income (Median income adjusted for the cost of living)
- Education (Number of high school dropouts)
- High Crime
We looked at cities with populations between 1,000 and 5,000 people, of which there were many – 212 to be exact.
We get the crime numbers from the FBI, which gets them from the cities. Dropout numbers are based on the adult population, not just the current graduation rates of teenagers.
We base all our research on facts, which is meant as infotainment. We updated this article for 2024, which is our tenth time ranking the worst small places to live in Indiana.
There You Have It – The Worst Small Towns In Indiana
If you’re analyzing teeny places in the Hoosier State with the worst economic situations, where there’s high crime and there’s not a lot to do, this is an accurate list.
The worst small towns in Indiana are Country Squire Lakes, Paoli, Union City, Jasonville, Cannelton, Worthington, Veedersburg, Kentland, Redkey, and Monon.
If you’re curious enough, here are the best small towns to live in Indiana, according to science:
- Shorewood Forest (Pop. 3,215)
- Aberdeen (Pop. 1,756)
- Haubstadt (Pop. 1,891)
For more Indiana reading, check out:
Worst Small Towns In Indiana
| Rank | Town | Population | Unemployment Rate | Home Value | Median Income |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Country Squire Lakes | 3,021 | 14.6% | $34,959 | $50,078 |
| 2 | Paoli | 3,286 | 4.1% | $160,112 | $36,858 |
| 3 | Union City | 3,511 | 10.0% | $109,295 | $36,250 |
| 4 | Jasonville | 1,979 | 10.3% | $70,524 | $37,866 |
| 5 | Cannelton | 1,481 | 14.9% | $144,233 | $38,047 |
| 6 | Worthington | 1,710 | 7.2% | $161,282 | $42,955 |
| 7 | Veedersburg | 1,948 | 9.0% | $155,413 | $48,750 |
| 8 | Kentland | 1,810 | 20.0% | $160,873 | $55,329 |
| 9 | Redkey | 1,547 | 4.8% | $104,961 | $33,846 |
| 10 | Monon | 1,764 | 9.9% | $153,119 | $52,596 |
| 11 | West Terre Haute | 2,064 | 7.9% | $150,368 | $46,875 |
| 12 | Butler | 2,746 | 4.0% | $174,267 | $53,233 |
| 13 | Osgood | 1,672 | 5.3% | $142,353 | $49,167 |
| 14 | Mitchell | 3,947 | 5.8% | $169,321 | $51,025 |
| 15 | English | 1,101 | 3.0% | $179,800 | $26,599 |
| 16 | Shelburn | 1,278 | 1.8% | $77,653 | $42,679 |
| 17 | Fairmount | 2,582 | 7.3% | $138,300 | $48,235 |
| 18 | Argos | 1,762 | 8.4% | $192,073 | $57,283 |
| 19 | Rockville | 2,537 | 8.7% | $193,649 | $50,625 |
| 20 | Montpelier | 1,470 | 5.1% | $125,858 | $47,734 |
| 21 | Delphi | 2,985 | 5.0% | $194,452 | $47,688 |
| 22 | New Chicago | 2,111 | 9.3% | $147,459 | $56,761 |
| 23 | New Pekin | 1,224 | 4.5% | $153,966 | $49,444 |
| 24 | Winchester | 4,654 | 6.1% | $128,943 | $60,022 |
| 25 | Oakland City | 2,421 | 7.2% | $147,566 | $46,981 |
| 26 | Pierceton | 1,344 | 2.5% | $149,394 | $54,962 |
| 27 | Centerville | 2,760 | 5.2% | $176,411 | $51,071 |
| 28 | Versailles | 1,672 | 4.1% | $230,792 | $45,114 |
| 29 | Cambridge City | 1,476 | 6.7% | $117,315 | $46,694 |
| 30 | Knox | 3,847 | 2.7% | $191,950 | $47,967 |
| 31 | Edinburgh | 4,144 | 8.1% | $198,850 | $51,496 |
| 32 | Wolcottville | 1,140 | 6.1% | $337,926 | $56,106 |
| 33 | Vevay | 1,889 | 3.9% | $199,406 | $47,528 |
| 34 | Eaton | 1,687 | 4.8% | $137,029 | $46,048 |
| 35 | Mulberry | 1,282 | 10.0% | $215,472 | $47,917 |
| 36 | Akron | 1,062 | 10.9% | $188,768 | $58,958 |
| 37 | Attica | 3,066 | 7.3% | $163,800 | $60,694 |
| 38 | Oxford | 1,561 | 5.9% | $175,344 | $45,833 |
| 39 | Lagrange | 2,783 | 6.0% | $263,197 | $48,611 |
| 40 | Clinton | 4,821 | 13.1% | $109,987 | $42,092 |
| 41 | Whiting | 4,574 | 8.9% | $192,015 | $59,740 |
| 42 | North Judson | 2,100 | 5.3% | $185,120 | $51,071 |
| 43 | South Whitley | 1,273 | 7.6% | $211,634 | $55,000 |
| 44 | Chesterfield | 2,588 | 7.8% | $131,499 | $49,211 |
| 45 | Spencer | 2,240 | 6.0% | $228,204 | $45,536 |
| 46 | Lynn | 1,120 | 9.0% | $153,748 | $43,864 |
| 47 | Grissom Afb | 2,619 | 3.6% | $100,366 | $53,542 |
| 48 | Austin | 3,596 | 3.8% | $145,007 | $29,880 |
| 49 | Westport | 1,613 | 7.7% | $210,755 | $48,088 |
| 50 | Summitville | 1,117 | 4.2% | $167,709 | $54,583 |
| 51 | Kingsford Heights | 1,391 | 2.2% | $119,896 | $54,387 |
| 52 | Fremont | 2,170 | 12.3% | $182,126 | $57,500 |
| 53 | Palmyra | 1,323 | 0.0% | $208,331 | $47,500 |
| 54 | Topeka | 1,132 | 6.4% | $378,687 | $59,559 |
| 55 | Clay City | 1,135 | 2.3% | $151,286 | $56,250 |
| 56 | Cloverdale | 2,201 | 6.6% | $222,218 | $46,354 |
| 57 | Waterloo | 2,136 | 6.5% | $209,240 | $59,519 |
| 58 | Rockport | 2,183 | 5.3% | $193,790 | $42,585 |
| 59 | Daleville | 1,426 | 8.2% | $134,089 | $54,519 |
| 60 | Bloomfield | 2,337 | 9.1% | $195,573 | $50,063 |
| 61 | Morocco | 1,107 | 8.2% | $173,970 | $53,472 |
| 62 | Milan | 1,981 | 3.7% | $246,087 | $53,047 |
| 63 | Aurora | 3,301 | 4.1% | $237,422 | $44,636 |
| 64 | Petersburg | 2,126 | 2.1% | $152,533 | $44,891 |
| 65 | Morga | 1,293 | 19.0% | $153,995 | $50,257 |
| 66 | Knight | 2,175 | 7.1% | $136,578 | $53,375 |
| 67 | Dillsboro | 1,737 | 3.1% | $249,011 | $46,510 |
| 68 | Winamac | 2,543 | 1.5% | $172,077 | $43,507 |
| 69 | Jonesboro | 1,541 | 5.9% | $125,210 | $42,500 |
| 70 | Cayuga | 1,158 | 2.5% | $115,569 | $49,449 |
| 71 | Morristown | 1,083 | 1.7% | $234,038 | $49,702 |
| 72 | Bass Lake | 1,018 | 11.0% | $213,388 | $70,110 |
| 73 | Dunkirk | 1,792 | 4.7% | $116,814 | $42,857 |
| 74 | Crothersville | 1,796 | 1.8% | $177,758 | $50,875 |
| 75 | Sullivan | 4,243 | 4.6% | $146,775 | $44,227 |
| 76 | Wakarusa | 2,488 | 11.0% | $284,201 | $78,583 |
| 77 | Roselawn | 3,007 | 8.9% | $224,164 | $76,563 |
| 78 | Geneva | 1,282 | 4.4% | $221,332 | $57,500 |
| 79 | Orleans | 2,228 | 3.8% | $175,186 | $60,873 |
| 80 | Loogootee | 2,567 | 5.4% | $221,839 | $46,136 |
| 81 | Middl | 2,201 | 5.3% | $121,667 | $56,090 |
| 82 | Farmland | 1,298 | 4.7% | $154,002 | $39,639 |
| 83 | Lynnville | 1,021 | 7.2% | $154,278 | $63,958 |
| 84 | French Lick | 1,752 | 1.0% | $170,952 | $55,074 |
| 85 | Dale | 1,427 | 2.5% | $178,991 | $52,596 |
| 86 | Poseyville | 1,156 | 4.9% | $192,844 | $65,833 |
| 87 | Ligonier | 4,397 | 4.0% | $213,872 | $54,701 |
| 88 | Liberty | 2,085 | 3.4% | $197,214 | $57,754 |
| 89 | Sheridan | 3,464 | 7.6% | $283,566 | $58,021 |
| 90 | Galveston | 1,349 | 6.1% | $170,331 | $53,955 |
| 91 | Bicknell | 2,818 | 2.1% | $72,807 | $49,420 |
| 92 | Parker City | 1,187 | 5.0% | $149,459 | $54,417 |
| 93 | Oolitic | 1,494 | 4.3% | $159,274 | $58,750 |
| 94 | Markle | 1,305 | 2.8% | $240,345 | $59,500 |
| 95 | Culver | 1,230 | 6.9% | $315,401 | $40,556 |
| 96 | Fairview Park | 1,393 | 1.7% | $143,032 | $48,750 |
| 97 | Woodburn | 1,228 | 5.0% | $236,878 | $59,038 |
| 98 | Albany | 2,854 | 3.8% | $166,519 | $53,246 |
| 99 | Nashville | 1,528 | 4.4% | $312,275 | $51,042 |
| 100 | Chandler | 3,726 | 9.8% | $184,337 | $63,500 |
I do one of lagro’s paper routes iv never seen any of the so called crime. It’s a laid back sleepy little town. It’s got 1 gas station and a few restaurants, a church, fire/police depot and that’s about it. There’s only about a dosen or so family’s that live in town limits. in addition I’m guessing the crimes rates are reflectant of crimes that have happen at salamonie state campgrounds is included and some terrible things have happened out there and we’re committed by non lagro residence. But the nearest town would be lagro. The majority is a just hard working people. Yes there are some occasionally family’s fighting but its usually settled quickly or some teens being deliquints. Other than that it’s a quite little town.
My sister has always ran around in Lagro and all I can say is Major Druggies !
I liked Lagro, it was a quiet town!! Haven’t lived there in yrs, but I know plenty of people who still live there!
Saltillo #1 lol what a great small town this is. I live 4 mile away and have friends and family that live there. It is a warm little town where everyone knows everyone
And you can leave your doors and windows down unlocked. I think you should maybe do a little more research. No there are not any factories in this town or places to work but we drive a few miles to work everyday. You make the people here seem uneducated and freeloaders.that is not the case!
As someone that grew up in Washington County and lived there for most of the first 33 years of my life I have laugh when people in Washington County brag about their community because there are places a whole lot better than Saltillo, Campbellsburg, Livonia, New Pekin, Hardinsburg, and even the county seat Salem. Washington County is a cesspool for meth heads, lazy losers, thieves, higher levels of unemployment than other surrounding counties. Not to mention a corrupt local justice system that lets off drug dealers and pushers and habitual users that steal from other people. Most of the small towns above are dying because of lack of jobs and economics and the place looks like it as well. Washington County could do so much better with different people running things but instead the scum rises to the top. As far as dangerous it’s not all that dangerous although in a recent year something like 8 people were murdered in a county of population at 28,000. However, there are countless deadbeats, freeloaders, and uneducated morons that bring down the other half of the decent people in the county
I’m sorry, but your “data” sucks, Lagro is a small community, yes but but people that live there are not dangerous or trashy, it’s one community that pulls together when someone is in need, and if you want to post a picture of Main St, then that you should, don’t post a picture of a freakin ally and call it main street! You could have snapped a more flattering picture of Lagro than that!
AGREED! !!
Even through the naive writer’s tone of quippish sarcasm, articles such as this serve no purpose other than to belittle and demean families who live in small rural communities; a significant element in the demographics of the State.
My guess would be the author is a member of the Millennial generation who, like most of his peers, is focused on immediate convenience, rather than appreciating the effort required to live in a rural setting.
To devalue life in a small town shows little knowledge of diversity, the value of agriculture, and small town camaraderie.
Obviously, you fail to appreciate the joy and value of an authentic home-cooked meal, prairie picnics, summer crickets singing an evening lullaby, easily-attained local organic whole foods, natural tans, the smell of fresh country air, and friendly neighbors.
Lest I forget to mention, how the absence of traffic jams in rural areas make the commute to work, school or shopping, less time-consuming than you “city folk.”
By the way, Bud Tapman, *All* communities contain a percentage of poverty-level inhabitants, high school drop-outs, and crime.
Even that big city where you live, wherever it may be.
Any “creative” person can take a bunch of data and use it to make just about any point they want. Data doesn’t “prove” if a place is “best” or “worst” by any means, it’s PEOPLE and what THEY think and feel about the area that make it great or not.
I live in Washington County Indiana, home of #1 Saltillo and #4 Campbellsburg. There are several large employers close by and one IN Campbellsburg. While these area’s may not have a lot of money and the educational attainment rate may not be as high, you won’t find folks with bigger hearts anywhere else. They care about each other and they help their neighbors! While some homes might not cost $100,000, they owners care about them and take pride in what they have.
Just give some of US data on your hometowns and I bet we can prove the same thing! It’s all a numbers game and so unfair to represent them as being worst places to live!! I was proud to be the HR Manager at the large factory in Campbellsburg – some of the finest folks I’ve EVER worked with!!! I have the NUMBERS to prove it too!
Living “in the sticks” makes it bad? Densely populated makes it good? You call this scientific? I noticed my grandparents and mother’s hometown in the top 100, a town where the neighbors are always there to help one another. Many towns listed in the 100 are very nice communities
Just by the words this “author” chooses tells me A LOT about his true nature. “Infotainment” and, “don’t freak out”, gives off an incredible “teen” vibe. IF he even that old at all. Pity . . . Such a pity.
Medora is on the list in the picture shows the front of my old store in the left corner
Saltillo,Campbellsburg area information is totally wrong. Saltillo is working,self employed and retired people. Your crime rate stats are just laughable. As a Campbellsburg resident, I like living in a small town community where you know your neighbors, people help one another and show respect. I live 4 miles from my job as others here drive a short distance to theirs. If you want accurate stats, talk to the people, get to know them a little, then you would have a total different attitude toward small town country folks.
Washington County is full uneducated white trash bottom feeding people and has been for decades. Until one actually leaves Washington County and then comes back and you see the filth, drug abuse, alcoholics everywhere, wife beaters and the sad thing is that I grew up in Washington County until I was just past thirty. I know a lot of these people in Campbellsburg, Pekin, Saltillo, Livonia, Salem, Hardinsburg. Stick it in your ear regarding their so called small town values. I also lived in a larger city for a few years but I’ve never seen a place like Washington County when it comes to mass stupidity of its population. That’s why its full of small businesses and small factories that don’t pay their employees more than just bare subsistence wages. I had to leave there again but its become such a laughingstock where there’s a whole lot of corruption in the local government but also law enforcement. It’s all about who you know and who gets paid off with the local judges. Not to mention the corruption of the local law enforcement community. Values……pfffft……you all have a very warped sense of values and I grew up around serious people who were religious but yet people with common sense and decency and most OF Washington County lacks that these days. That’s why the young people are leaving your towns to get better jobs and opportunities rather than live in one of the meth and heroin capitals of Indiana which is what Salem and surrounding communities really are all about these days. Add in the fact that Salem area residents in Washington are very uneducated as well.
Bicknell should be on several of these lists