County profile · Indiana
Jay County, IN market data
Population, household spending and competition for 56 business types in Jay County, each scored against other counties.
- Population, 2025
- 20,118
- −1.8% since 2020
- Households
- 7,807
- Median household income
- $54,969
- +15.3% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Median home value
- $117,500
- Jobs located here
- 6,619
- Highest market score
- 55
- Dentists and orthodontists, #740 of 1,886 scored counties
A site report maps the competitors on map listings around any address in Jay County by name and distance, and the households and spending within reach. Or open the report at the center of Jay County. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardSurvey estimates 2020–2024 · population estimates 2025 · official business counts 2023 · map listings September 2026 · Data credits · How we measure
What this means
An estimated 20,118 people live in Jay County, in 7,807 households. Population estimates put the population change in Jay County from 2020 to 2025 at −1.8%, against +3.1% for the U.S. The median household income in Jay County is $54,969 a year, 32% below the U.S. median of $80,734. That rose 15.3% from the 2015–2019 survey, before inflation.
Set against the U.S., households in Jay County spend the most on vehicle maintenance and repairs (an index of 113, where 100 is the U.S. average) and the least on child care and other personal services (49).
The highest Groundwork market scores in Jay County are for dentists and orthodontists (55), restaurants and cafes (54) and pizza places (52). Jay County ranks #740 of 1,886 scored counties for dentists and orthodontists.
For its number of households, Jay County has the most map listings, relative to the U.S., for convenience stores (60% above the U.S. rate) and the fewest for real estate businesses (57% below the U.S. rate).
All 56 business types in Jay County
Highest Groundwork market score first. Each score compares Jay County with other counties for that business type, from 0 to 100. Spending per listing divides a whole spending line (all vehicle repairs, all eating out) by one type’s listings: the demand for each competitor, not a business’s revenue. Compare it across markets with its index, where 100 is the U.S. figure for the same type; the real estate types, whose line is all housing costs, show the index only. How the score works.
| Business type | Score | Rank among counties | Listings | Per 10k households | Spending per listing | Spending per listing vs. U.S. (100) | Official establishments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dentists and orthodontists | 55 | #740 of 1,886 | 5 | 6.4 | $1.9M | 192 | 6 |
| Restaurants and cafes | 54 | #999 of 2,405 | 57 | 73.0 | $442K | 119 | 21 |
| Pizza | 52 | #941 of 2,090 | 5 | 6.4 | $5M | 99 | 9 |
| Fast food and sandwich shops | 52 | #1,064 of 2,222 | 8 | 10.2 | $3.1M | 103 | 9 |
| Doctors, dentists and clinics | 51 | #1,115 of 2,394 | 37 | 47.4 | $255K | 167 | 18 |
| Sit-down restaurants | 51 | #1,117 of 2,405 | 28 | 35.9 | $899K | 136 | 11 |
| Home repair trades | 47 | #1,163 of 2,057 | 6 | 7.7 | $3M | 124 | 11 |
| Clothing and shoe stores | 44 | #1,240 of 2,087 | 7 | 9.0 | $1.9M | 147 | Under 3 |
| Gas stations | 44 | #1,437 of 2,358 | 13 | 16.7 | $1.7M | 71 | 7 |
| Clothing, shoes and laundry | 43 | #1,364 of 2,210 | 10 | 12.8 | $1.3M | 148 | Under 3 |
| Real estate agents and brokers | 42 | #1,453 of 2,176 | 8 | 10.2 | Index only | 221 | Under 3 |
| Bakeries and dessert shops | 40 | #1,278 of 1,889 | 5 | 6.4 | $5M | 122 | Under 3 |
| Gyms, studios and classes | 40 | #1,475 of 2,088 | 7 | 9.0 | $700K | 106 | Under 3 |
| Salons, barbers and spas | 39 | #1,761 of 2,385 | 25 | 32.0 | $262K | 123 | Under 3 |
| Auto repair shops | 34 | #1,870 of 2,378 | 21 | 26.9 | $404K | 91 | 12 |
| Pet businesses | 33 | #1,787 of 2,200 | 10 | 12.8 | $538K | 61 | 3 |
| Auto repair and car care | 33 | #1,915 of 2,401 | 37 | 47.4 | $229K | 85 | 15 |
| Real estate | 33 | #1,960 of 2,229 | 13 | 16.7 | Index only | 171 | Under 3 |
| Coffee shops and cafes | 29 | #1,772 of 2,063 | 7 | 9.0 | $3.6M | 97 | Under 3 |
| Grocery and convenience stores | 28 | #2,003 of 2,402 | 18 | 23.1 | $2.4M | 70 | Under 3 |
| Chiropractors | 27 | #1,333 of 1,490 | 6 | 7.7 | $1.6M | 66 | 3 |
| Hair salons | 27 | #2,096 of 2,339 | 17 | 21.8 | $386K | 90 | Under 3 |
| Convenience stores | 23 | #1,971 of 2,261 | 10 | 12.8 | $4.3M | 54 | Under 3 |
| Funeral homes | 19 | #1,412 of 1,472 | 8 | 10.2 | $149K | 22 | 3 |
| Insurance agencies | 17 | #2,135 of 2,272 | 16 | 20.5 | $847K | 67 | 10 |
| Child care and preschools | 14 | #1,557 of 1,611 | 6 | 7.7 | $369K | 37 | 5 |
| HVAC and plumbing | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 5.1 | $4.5M | 95 | 6 |
| Lawn, cleaning and pest control | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 5.1 | $2.1M | 123 | 4 |
| Martial arts and dance studios | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 5.1 | $1.2M | 61 | Under 3 |
| Physical therapy | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 5.1 | $2.4M | 98 | Under 3 |
| Spas and skin care | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 5.1 | $1.6M | 187 | Under 3 |
| Veterinarians | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 5.1 | $1.3M | 49 | 3 |
| Gyms | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 3.8 | $1.6M | 126 | Under 3 |
| Landscaping and lawn care | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 3.8 | $2.8M | 94 | 4 |
| Pet stores | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 3.8 | $1.8M | 40 | Under 3 |
| Primary care and pediatrics | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 3.8 | $3.1M | 177 | 9 |
| Property management | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 3.8 | Index only | 58 | Under 3 |
| Barbershops | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 2.6 | $3.3M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Car washes and detailing | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 2.6 | $4.2M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Collision repair and body shops | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 2.6 | $4.2M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Home inspectors | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 2.6 | Index only | Too few | Under 3 |
| Nail salons | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 2.6 | $3.3M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Electricians | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.3 | $18.1M | Too few | 5 |
| Grocery stores | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.3 | $42.7M | Too few | Under 3 |
| House cleaning | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.3 | $8.3M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Laundromats | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.3 | $13.1M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Oil change and quick lube | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.3 | $8.5M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Optometrists and eye care | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.3 | $9.4M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Roofing and gutters | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.3 | $18.1M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Tire shops | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 1.3 | $8.5M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Dry cleaners | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Mortgage brokers and lenders | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Pest control | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Pet grooming and boarding | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Urgent care and walk-in clinics | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Yoga, Pilates and fitness studios | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
Household spending in Jay County
What households here spend in a year on each line, in total and per household, with the index against the U.S. average (100).
| Spending line | A year, all households | Per household | Index vs. U.S. (100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle maintenance and repairs | $8.5M | $1,086 | 113 |
| Gasoline and other fuels | $22.2M | $2,839 | 109 |
| Food away from home | $25.2M | $3,225 | 79 |
| Groceries | $42.7M | $5,464 | 86 |
| Personal care products and services | $6.6M | $840 | 84 |
| Child care and other personal services | $2.2M | $283 | 49 |
| Memberships, classes and admissions | $4.9M | $628 | 64 |
| Medical and dental services | $9.4M | $1,208 | 94 |
| Pets | $5.4M | $689 | 76 |
| Clothing, shoes and related services | $13.1M | $1,673 | 81 |
| Vehicle insurance | $13.6M | $1,736 | 89 |
| Home repairs, maintenance and insurance | $18.1M | $2,314 | 77 |
| Lawn care, cleaning and other household services | $8.3M | $1,060 | 75 |
| Rent and homeowner costs | $96.4M | $12,351 | 74 |
Household spending is estimated from the incomes of the households in each neighborhood, using what households at each income spent nationally in 2024, adjusted for the region. It counts what residents spend, wherever they spend it.
Population and households in Jay County
- Population, 2025 estimate
- 20,118−1.8% since 2020
- Households
- 7,807
- Median age
- 38.4
- Homes lived in by their owners
- 80%
- Vehicles per household
- 1.9
- Land area
- 384 sq. mi.
- People per square mile
- 53
- Median household income
- $54,969+15.3% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Average household income
- $70,490
- Median home value
- $117,500
- Jobs located here
- 6,619
- Daytime population
- 18,014Residents who don’t work, plus everyone whose job is here
Looking at a specific site in Jay County?
These figures cover the whole county. A site report draws rings around one address and counts what’s inside them: households, spending, jobs, and the competitors on map listings by name and distance, for any of the 56 business types.
Or open the report at the center of Jay County. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardRelated markets
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- Delaware County, IN112,280 people
- Wells County, IN28,420 people
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- Huntington County, IN36,798 people
- Henry County, IN48,970 people
Questions
How fast is Jay County, IN growing?
Population estimates put Jay County at 20,118 people in 2025, down 1.8% since 2020, against +3.1% for the U.S. It has 7,807 households. Against the 2015–2019 survey, median household income rose 15.3%, before inflation.
How much do households in Jay County, IN spend?
Households in Jay County spend about $96.4M a year on rent and homeowner costs, $42.7M on groceries and $25.2M on food away from home. Relative to the U.S., household spending in Jay County runs highest on vehicle maintenance and repairs (an index of 113, where 100 is the U.S. average) and lowest on child care and other personal services (49).
Which business types have the highest market scores in Jay County, IN?
Of the business types scored in Jay County, dentists and orthodontists (55), restaurants and cafes (54) and pizza places (52) have the highest Groundwork market scores. For dentists and orthodontists, that ranks #740 of 1,886 scored counties.
How does Jay County, IN compare with the U.S.?
Median household income in Jay County is $54,969, 32% below the U.S. median of $80,734. The population fell 1.8% from 2020 to 2025, against +3.1% for the U.S. The median home value is $117,500, against $332,700 for the U.S. Against the U.S., map listings per household run highest for convenience stores (60% above the U.S. rate) and lowest for real estate businesses (57% below the U.S. rate).
What is the Groundwork market score?
The Groundwork market score runs from 0 to 100 and compares a market with others of its kind for one business type: states with states, metro areas with metro areas, small-town markets and counties with their own. It weighs household spending per competitor (35%), households per business with payroll (25%), population growth (20%) and spending power (20%), each ranked against those peers. A higher score means that, taken together, the market has more household spending and more households for each business already there, faster population growth and more spending per household than similar markets. It describes a market, not any one site or deal. 26 of the 56 business types have a score in Jay County, each ranked against other counties.
How can I see the market around a specific site?
Run a Groundwork site report on an address in Jay County. It maps the competitors on map listings near the site and sizes the households and spending within the distance you choose. New accounts get 10 actions over 3 days, no card.
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Screening a site or an acquisition in Jay County?
A site report maps the competitors on map listings near an address and sizes the households and spending around it.
The button opens the report at the center of Jay County. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Figures are estimates for research only. Not investment or real estate advice.