Wabash County

County Overview

Welcome to an Indiana county brimming with spirit, color and the hardworking Midwestern workforce. Home to festivals that celebrate tulips, strawberries and covered bridges, Wabash County is primed to offer you the quality of life you crave. And, with two colleges within this Indiana county, more than 10 others within bordering counties and a workforce that is largely employed by and trained in specialty industries such as manufacturing and healthcare, Wabash is also primed for your business’ success.

Economic Development in Wabash County
In 2009, Wabash County was host to two new companies and three expansions, which generated a total of $40.6 million dollars of new investment and 42 new jobs.

Population
Total Population, 2009
32,558
Projected Population 2015
33,166
Total Households, 2006-08
13,317
Median Age, 2009
41.6
Population Breakdown by Age, 2009
0-13 years
16.5%
14-17 years
5.7%
18-24 years
9.8%
25-44 years
22.4%
45-64 years
27.6%
65-84 years
14.8%
85+ years
3.2%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Household Income
Year
Median HHI
PCI
2000
$40,413
$24,826
2008
$46,192
$31,657
Source: U.S. Census Bureau and BEA
Labor Participation
Labor Force
16,405
Employed
14,321
Unemployed
2,084
Unemployment Rate
12.7%
Source: BLS LAUS, 2009 Annual
Commuting, 2008
Commuting INTO Wabash County
2,524
Commuting OUT of Wabash County
4,148
Source: STATS Indiana
Housing, 2006-08
Total Housing Units
14,446
Total Occupied Housing Units
13,317
Owner Occupied
10,269
77.1%
Rental
3,048
22.9%
Seasonal or Recreational, 2000
87
Median Value for Owner Occupied Housing
$100,200
Median Gross Rent
$568
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Educational Attainment, 2006-08
Level
Total
%
Less than High School
3,408
15.2%
High School Graduate
9,744
43.5%
Some College
3,947
17.6%
Associate's Degree
1,339
6.0%
Bachelor's Degree
2,571
11.5%
Master's, PhD, and/or Professional Degree
1,392
6.2%
Note: Data applies to the population 25 and older
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Largest Private Employers
Ford Meter Box Co. Inc
Manchester College
Peabody Retirement Community
Wabash County Hospital
Wabash Alloys
Whites Residential & Family Services
Paperworks Industries
HF Group (Heckman Bindery) 
Harvey-Industries
Timbercrest
Source: Community Research Institute
Announced Jobs & Investments, 2009
New Companies
2
Expanding Companies
3
Financial Investment
$40.6 Million
Jobs Created
42
Private Average Annual Wage & Employment By Industry - Preliminary 2009
Industry
Avg. Annual Wage
Emp.
% Emp.
Total - All Covered
$29,722
11,525
 
Total - Private
$29,101
9,538
 
Natural Resources & Mining
$33,519
378
4.0%
Construction
$32,828
423
4.4%
Manufacturing
$41,114
2,481
26.0%
Trade, Transportation, Utilities
$26,292
1,813
19.0%
Information
$28,032
80
0.8%
Financial Activities
$36,565
484
5.1%
Professional and Business Services
$26,403
529
5.5%
Education and Health Services
$24,873
2,048
21.5%
Leisure and Hospitality
$11,291
1,060
11.1%
Other Services
$18,705
242
2.5%
Source: BLS QCEW
Direct County Contact
Mr. Bill Konyha
Economic Development Group of Wabash County 
214 S. Wabash St.
Wabash, IN 46992

Phone: 877-509-9919
Fax: 260-563-6920