City profile
Fort Wayne, IN
Affordable mid-size Indiana city with a revitalized riverfront and very low cost of living.
Climate
Climate type
Four seasons
Winter avg
26°F
Summer avg
73°F
Sunny days / yr
175
Home prices & cost of living
Median home price
$230,000
Typical monthly housing
$1,501
Cost of living (100 = U.S.)
84
Taxes
- Property tax
- 0.81%
- State income tax (top)
- 3%
- Social Security
- Not taxed
- Pensions
- Partly exempt
- Sales tax (state + avg. local)
- 7.00%
FEMA natural hazard risk
Relatively Moderate · county score 91/100
Top hazards: Strong wind, Tornado, Riverine flooding
Nearest major airport
112 mi to Indianapolis International Airport (IND)
Political lean (2024 county vote)
Leans Republican · 42% Democratic / 56% Republican
Demographics (Census ACS)
Population (2024)
268,589
Growth since 2019
+1.1%
Median age
35.0
Residents 65+
14.9%
Median household income
$61,422
Income growth since 2019
+24.3%
Black household income
$39,448
Home ownership
61.9%
Poverty rate
16.0%
Poverty rate, 65+
9.8%
Race & ethnicity: Black 14.0% · White 63.2% · Hispanic 10.6% · Asian 6.1% · Other 6.1%
Crime (per 100,000 residents, 2025)
Violent crime
276 · 16% below the national average
Property crime
1,868 · 20% above the national average
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer, Fort Wayne Police Department. State average: violent 300, property 1,249.
2025–2026 trends
2026 market trends
- ▸Home prices are still rising in 2026 — good for long-term value, less room to negotiate
- ▸Climate/cost risks to check: tornadoes
Highlights
- Very affordable
- Revitalized Promenade Park riverfront
- Low traffic
Trade-offs
- Cold winters
- Limited Black cultural institutions
Figures are estimates from public sources (see How we match). Verify before making decisions.