County profile · Indiana
Wells County, IN market data
How Wells County compares with other counties for 56 business types: competitors, household spending, official counts and growth.
- Population, 2025
- 28,883
- +2.6% since 2020
- Households
- 11,546
- Median household income
- $71,957
- +21.5% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Median home value
- $197,600
- Jobs located here
- 11,127
- Highest market score
- 77
- Sit-down restaurants, #192 of 2,405 scored counties
A site report maps the competitors on map listings around any address in Wells County by name and distance, and the households and spending within reach. Or open the report at the center of Wells 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
Wells County has an estimated 28,883 people and 11,546 households. Population estimates show Wells County grew 2.6% from 2020 to 2025, slower than the U.S. (+3.1%). Median household income in Wells County is $71,957, 11% below the U.S. median of $80,734. Against the 2015–2019 survey, the median rose 21.5%, before inflation.
Relative to the U.S., household spending in Wells County runs highest on vehicle maintenance and repairs (an index of 118, where 100 is the U.S. average) and lowest on child care and other personal services (60).
Of the business types scored in Wells County, sit-down restaurants (77); clothing, shoe and laundry businesses (76); and clothing and shoe stores (75) have the highest Groundwork market scores. For sit-down restaurants, that ranks #192 of 2,405 scored counties.
Wells County is part of the Fort Wayne metro area. Against the U.S., map listings per household run highest for pizza places (41% above the U.S. rate) and lowest for salons, barbers and spas (45% below the U.S. rate).
All 56 business types in Wells County
Highest Groundwork market score first. Each score compares Wells 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sit-down restaurants | 77 | #192 of 2,405 | 40 | 34.6 | $1M | 158 | 10 |
| Clothing, shoes and laundry | 76 | #205 of 2,210 | 9 | 7.8 | $2.4M | 269 | 4 |
| Clothing and shoe stores | 75 | #227 of 2,087 | 6 | 5.2 | $3.5M | 279 | 4 |
| Convenience stores | 74 | #312 of 2,261 | 6 | 5.2 | $11.2M | 143 | Under 3 |
| Restaurants and cafes | 73 | #309 of 2,405 | 83 | 71.9 | $505K | 136 | 33 |
| Grocery and convenience stores | 72 | #385 of 2,402 | 16 | 13.9 | $4.2M | 125 | Under 3 |
| Fast food and sandwich shops | 70 | #367 of 2,222 | 12 | 10.4 | $3.5M | 114 | 15 |
| Dentists and orthodontists | 68 | #315 of 1,886 | 10 | 8.7 | $1.6M | 158 | 7 |
| Salons, barbers and spas | 68 | #335 of 2,385 | 30 | 26.0 | $360K | 169 | 8 |
| Doctors, dentists and clinics | 68 | #422 of 2,394 | 63 | 54.6 | $246K | 161 | 19 |
| Grocery stores | 66 | #506 of 2,070 | 6 | 5.2 | $11.2M | 121 | Under 3 |
| Gas stations | 60 | #757 of 2,358 | 15 | 13.0 | $2.2M | 94 | 12 |
| Coffee shops and cafes | 59 | #649 of 2,063 | 9 | 7.8 | $4.7M | 126 | 6 |
| Hair salons | 58 | #790 of 2,339 | 24 | 20.8 | $450K | 105 | 5 |
| Bakeries and dessert shops | 56 | #700 of 1,889 | 9 | 7.8 | $4.7M | 112 | 6 |
| Home repair trades | 53 | #873 of 2,057 | 9 | 7.8 | $3.3M | 136 | 27 |
| Gyms, studios and classes | 53 | #909 of 2,088 | 14 | 12.1 | $636K | 96 | Under 3 |
| Pizza | 53 | #921 of 2,090 | 13 | 11.3 | $3.2M | 63 | 15 |
| Gyms | 52 | #843 of 1,792 | 8 | 6.9 | $1.1M | 85 | Under 3 |
| Chiropractors | 50 | #745 of 1,490 | 8 | 6.9 | $1.9M | 81 | Under 3 |
| Auto repair shops | 50 | #1,185 of 2,378 | 29 | 25.1 | $450K | 101 | 17 |
| Auto repair and car care | 50 | #1,240 of 2,401 | 51 | 44.2 | $256K | 95 | 21 |
| HVAC and plumbing | 49 | #882 of 1,707 | 5 | 4.3 | $5.9M | 125 | 17 |
| Lawn, cleaning and pest control | 49 | #884 of 1,771 | 7 | 6.1 | $1.9M | 114 | 20 |
| Insurance agencies | 45 | #1,292 of 2,272 | 16 | 13.9 | $1.3M | 102 | 10 |
| Real estate agents and brokers | 44 | #1,374 of 2,176 | 21 | 18.2 | Index only | 135 | 9 |
| Collision repair and body shops | 43 | #819 of 1,327 | 5 | 4.3 | $2.6M | 85 | 6 |
| Real estate | 43 | #1,455 of 2,229 | 26 | 22.5 | Index only | 137 | 16 |
| Martial arts and dance studios | 39 | #972 of 1,334 | 6 | 5.2 | $1.5M | 74 | Under 3 |
| Pet businesses | 39 | #1,574 of 2,200 | 17 | 14.7 | $533K | 61 | Under 3 |
| Pet grooming and boarding | 32 | #1,152 of 1,461 | 7 | 6.1 | $1.3M | 51 | Under 3 |
| Landscaping and lawn care | 31 | #1,246 of 1,493 | 7 | 6.1 | $1.9M | 66 | 15 |
| Car washes and detailing | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 3.5 | $3.3M | 129 | Under 3 |
| Optometrists and eye care | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 3.5 | $3.9M | 124 | 4 |
| Primary care and pediatrics | Not scored | Not scored | 4 | 3.5 | $3.9M | 218 | 8 |
| Child care and preschools | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 2.6 | $1.3M | 133 | Under 3 |
| Funeral homes | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 2.6 | $603K | 89 | 3 |
| Mortgage brokers and lenders | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 2.6 | Index only | 132 | Under 3 |
| Oil change and quick lube | Not scored | Not scored | 3 | 2.6 | $4.3M | 32 | 3 |
| Barbershops | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 1.7 | $5.4M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Electricians | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 1.7 | $14.9M | Too few | 10 |
| Nail salons | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 1.7 | $5.4M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Pet stores | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 1.7 | $4.5M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Roofing and gutters | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 1.7 | $14.9M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Spas and skin care | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 1.7 | $5.4M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Veterinarians | Not scored | Not scored | 2 | 1.7 | $4.5M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Home inspectors | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 0.9 | Index only | Too few | Under 3 |
| Laundromats | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 0.9 | $21.3M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Physical therapy | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 0.9 | $15.5M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Property management | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 0.9 | Index only | Too few | Under 3 |
| Urgent care and walk-in clinics | Not scored | Not scored | 1 | 0.9 | $15.5M | Too few | Under 3 |
| Dry cleaners | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| House cleaning | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | 5 |
| Pest control | Not scored | Not scored | 0 | 0.0 | None listed | None listed | Under 3 |
| Tire shops | 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 Wells 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 | $13M | $1,129 | 118 |
| Gasoline and other fuels | $33.5M | $2,902 | 112 |
| Food away from home | $41.9M | $3,630 | 89 |
| Groceries | $67.5M | $5,845 | 93 |
| Personal care products and services | $10.8M | $935 | 93 |
| Child care and other personal services | $4M | $346 | 60 |
| Memberships, classes and admissions | $8.9M | $771 | 78 |
| Medical and dental services | $15.5M | $1,343 | 104 |
| Pets | $9.1M | $785 | 86 |
| Clothing, shoes and related services | $21.3M | $1,842 | 90 |
| Vehicle insurance | $20.4M | $1,769 | 90 |
| Home repairs, maintenance and insurance | $29.7M | $2,576 | 85 |
| Lawn care, cleaning and other household services | $13.5M | $1,165 | 82 |
| Rent and homeowner costs | $154.8M | $13,407 | 80 |
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 Wells County
- Population, 2025 estimate
- 28,883+2.6% since 2020
- Households
- 11,546
- Median age
- 39.9
- Homes lived in by their owners
- 76%
- Vehicles per household
- 2.0
- Land area
- 368 sq. mi.
- People per square mile
- 77
- Median household income
- $71,957+21.5% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Average household income
- $88,952
- Median home value
- $197,600
- Jobs located here
- 11,127
- Daytime population
- 26,173Residents who don’t work, plus everyone whose job is here
Looking at a specific site in Wells 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 Wells 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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Questions
How fast is Wells County, IN growing?
Population estimates put Wells County at 28,883 people in 2025, up 2.6% since 2020, slower than the U.S. (+3.1%). It has 11,546 households. Median household income rose 21.5% from the 2015–2019 survey, before inflation.
How much do households in Wells County, IN spend?
Households in Wells County spend about $154.8M a year on rent and homeowner costs, $67.5M on groceries and $41.9M on food away from home. Set against the U.S., households in Wells County spend the most on vehicle maintenance and repairs (an index of 118, where 100 is the U.S. average) and the least on child care and other personal services (60).
Which business types have the highest market scores in Wells County, IN?
The highest Groundwork market scores in Wells County are for sit-down restaurants (77); clothing, shoe and laundry businesses (76); and clothing and shoe stores (75). Wells County ranks #192 of 2,405 scored counties for sit-down restaurants.
How does Wells County, IN compare with the U.S.?
The median household income in Wells County is $71,957 a year, 11% below the U.S. median of $80,734. The population rose 2.6% from 2020 to 2025, against +3.1% for the U.S. The median home value is $197,600, against $332,700 for the U.S. For its number of households, Wells County has the most map listings, relative to the U.S., for pizza places (41% above the U.S. rate) and the fewest for salons, barbers and spas (45% 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. 32 of the 56 business types have a score in Wells 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 Wells 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 Wells 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 Wells 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.