Lifestyle and housing changes revealed by Census in Indiana
The latest 2010 Census data released for Indiana last week portray a state where the white population is much older than the state's growing minority groups and where home ownership is in retreat, particularly among younger Hoosiers.
In addition, the nature of Indiana families is changing as the number of husband-and-wife families has declined, while the number of unmarried-partner households -- including same-sex couples -- is on the rise.
These are a few of the headlines to emerge from the latest release from the Census 2010, according to the Indiana Business Research Center at Indiana University's Kelley School of Business
The Census 2010 Summary File 1 provides detailed information for Indiana's population, including data on families and household relationships, housing, age, race and Hispanic origin, and group quarters. Below are some of the key findings from this release.
Aging patterns differ by race and ethnicity
With a 2010 median age of 37.0, Indiana's population is slightly younger than the U.S. average of 37.2. Indiana's overall median age masks wide age disparities among different race and ethnic groups, however.
The state's non-Hispanic white population, which accounts for 82 percent of the state total, has a median age of 39.6. By contrast, many of the Indiana's minority groups are far younger such as the black population, which had a median age of 30.7; the Asian population, 30.1; and the rapidly growing Hispanic population, 24.1.
Home Ownership Trends
Indiana's home ownership rate dropped over the last decade from 71.4 percent in 2000 to 69.9 percent in 2010. The decline in home ownership was particularly sharp among those under the age of 65.
The home ownership rate for Hoosiers aged 15 to 34 slipped from 47.0 percent in 2000 to 43.2 percent in 2010 and the rate for residents between 35 and 54 fell from 76.7 percent to 72.6 percent. The home ownership rate for the 55 to 64 age group was down 2.9 percentage points to 81.3 percent while the share of Indiana seniors that owned their home increased slightly to 80.6 percent.
"These data underscore the toll that the recent housing slump and economic downturn have taken on home ownership," said Matt Kinghorn, economic research analyst at the IBRC. "Under normal conditions, we would have expected Indiana's home ownership rate to rise simply because the state is growing older and homeownership increases with age.
"Indiana's rate dropped in spite of its aging population, however, indicating that the dip in home ownership is even more severe than previously thought," Kinghorn added.
There are also large differences in Indiana's homeownership rate by race and ethnicity. The home ownership rate for the state's non-Hispanic white population stood at 74.2 percent in 2010 compared to 40.6 percent for Indiana's black residents, 50.7 percent for Asians and 52.2 percent for Hispanics.
Compared to 2000, the non-Hispanic white population's homeownership rate declined by six-tenths of a percentage point and the rate for black residents dropped by 4.6 percentage points. The homeownership rates for the state's Asian and Hispanic populations improved over the decade.
The Changing Hoosier Household
The number of family households in Indiana increased by nearly 72,000 between 2000 and 2010, yet the number of husband-and-wife-led households dropped by more than 10,000 to 1.24 million. Family households led by females alone increased by nearly 51,000 while households led by males alone grew by 31,000.
There were nearly 173,000 unmarried-partner households in 2010, up 38 percent over the Census 2000 count. Roughly 72,000 (or 42 percent) of these unmarried couples were raising children in 2010.
There were 16,400 Hoosier households led by same-sex partners in 2010, a 61 percent increase over the decade. Of these households, 4,300 (26 percent) are raising children.
"It is difficult to know how much of the change in same-sex partner households is true growth and how much reflects an increased willingness for couples to report their relationship status," Kinghorn observed.
Group Quarters Populations
The number of Hoosiers living in group quarters -- such as correctional facilities, college dormitories and nursing homes -- increased by 5 percent since 2000 to 187,000 in 2010.
The number of adults in correctional facilities grew by 14,000 to reach 48,700. Also of note, the Census data show that the population living in nursing facilities declined from 48,700 in 2000 to 41,200 in 2010.
The Census 2010 provides detailed demographic profiles down to the city/town and township levels. Complete data can be found at the Census Bureau's American FactFinder website.
The Indiana Business Research Center is part of a national network of State Data Centers and acts as the state's official representative to the Census Bureau on matters relating to the census and population estimates, with support from the Indiana Department of Workforce Development. The IBRC also develops and maintains STATS Indiana, the award-winning Web service (www.stats.indiana.edu) where Census data and much more may be found.
