Most rural counties in Indiana

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July 25, 2022
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Most rural counties in Indiana

A surprising number of U.S. counties have 100% rural land-702, in fact. compiled a list of the most rural counties in Indiana using data from the . Counties are ranked by the percent of land area that is rural, as of the 2010 Census, with ties broken by residents per square mile, according to 2020 5-year population estimates.

According to the Census Bureau, rural land encompasses any land that isn't an urban area. To be considered an urban area, a place has to have a densely settled core of census tracts or blocks and count at least 2,500 people, at least 1,500 of whom must be residents of non-institutional buildings. Areas with 50,000 people or more are considered urbanized areas, while areas with between 2,500 and 50,000 people are considered urban clusters.

#50. Blackford County

- Rural area: 97.3% (161 square miles)
- Urban area: 2.7% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 165 square miles
--- #89 largest county in state, #3,045 nationwide

- Population density: 72.2 people / square mile (11,926 residents)
--- #36 lowest density county in state, #2,004 nationwide

#49. Marshall County

- Rural area: 97.4% (432 square miles)
- Urban area: 2.6% (11 square miles)
- Total land area: 444 square miles
--- #24 largest county in state, #2,293 nationwide

- Population density: 104.4 people / square mile (46,336 residents)
--- #56 lowest density county in state, #2,290 nationwide

#48. Knox County

- Rural area: 97.6% (503 square miles)
- Urban area: 2.4% (13 square miles)
- Total land area: 516 square miles
--- #6 largest county in state, #2,020 nationwide

- Population density: 71.4 people / square mile (36,833 residents)
--- #35 lowest density county in state, #1,997 nationwide

#47. Montgomery County

- Rural area: 97.6% (493 square miles)
- Urban area: 2.4% (12 square miles)
- Total land area: 505 square miles
--- #10 largest county in state, #2,058 nationwide

- Population density: 75.9 people / square mile (38,295 residents)
--- #41 lowest density county in state, #2,048 nationwide

#46. Wells County

- Rural area: 97.7% (359 square miles)
- Urban area: 2.4% (9 square miles)
- Total land area: 368 square miles
--- #66 largest county in state, #2,639 nationwide

- Population density: 76.1 people / square mile (28,010 residents)
--- #42 lowest density county in state, #2,050 nationwide

#45. Jennings County

- Rural area: 97.8% (368 square miles)
- Urban area: 2.2% (8 square miles)
- Total land area: 377 square miles
--- #60 largest county in state, #2,615 nationwide

- Population density: 73.4 people / square mile (27,639 residents)
--- #38 lowest density county in state, #2,018 nationwide

#44. Posey County

- Rural area: 97.8% (401 square miles)
- Urban area: 2.2% (9 square miles)
- Total land area: 410 square miles
--- #35 largest county in state, #2,465 nationwide

- Population density: 62.2 people / square mile (25,480 residents)
--- #30 lowest density county in state, #1,872 nationwide

#43. Whitley County

- Rural area: 98.0% (329 square miles)
- Urban area: 2.0% (7 square miles)
- Total land area: 336 square miles
--- #73 largest county in state, #2,724 nationwide

- Population density: 101.0 people / square mile (33,899 residents)
--- #53 lowest density county in state, #2,259 nationwide

#42. Clinton County

- Rural area: 98.1% (397 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.9% (8 square miles)
- Total land area: 405 square miles
--- #40 largest county in state, #2,500 nationwide

- Population density: 79.5 people / square mile (32,186 residents)
--- #45 lowest density county in state, #2,095 nationwide

#41. Noble County

- Rural area: 98.2% (403 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.8% (7 square miles)
- Total land area: 411 square miles
--- #34 largest county in state, #2,461 nationwide

- Population density: 116.0 people / square mile (47,640 residents)
--- #61 lowest density county in state, #2,350 nationwide

#40. Wabash County

- Rural area: 98.2% (405 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.8% (7 square miles)
- Total land area: 412 square miles
--- #31 largest county in state, #2,450 nationwide

- Population density: 75.6 people / square mile (31,198 residents)
--- #40 lowest density county in state, #2,045 nationwide

#39. Decatur County

- Rural area: 98.2% (366 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.8% (7 square miles)
- Total land area: 373 square miles
--- #63 largest county in state, #2,625 nationwide

- Population density: 71.4 people / square mile (26,587 residents)
--- #34 lowest density county in state, #1,996 nationwide

#38. Clay County

- Rural area: 98.4% (352 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.6% (6 square miles)
- Total land area: 358 square miles
--- #70 largest county in state, #2,664 nationwide

- Population density: 73.4 people / square mile (26,231 residents)
--- #37 lowest density county in state, #2,017 nationwide

#37. Daviess County

- Rural area: 98.4% (423 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.6% (7 square miles)
- Total land area: 429 square miles
--- #26 largest county in state, #2,367 nationwide

- Population density: 77.5 people / square mile (33,277 residents)
--- #43 lowest density county in state, #2,065 nationwide

#36. Vermillion County

- Rural area: 98.5% (253 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.5% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 257 square miles
--- #84 largest county in state, #2,893 nationwide

- Population density: 60.3 people / square mile (15,485 residents)
--- #29 lowest density county in state, #1,851 nationwide

#35. Putnam County

- Rural area: 98.5% (473 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.5% (7 square miles)
- Total land area: 481 square miles
--- #15 largest county in state, #2,154 nationwide

- Population density: 77.9 people / square mile (37,419 residents)
--- #44 lowest density county in state, #2,069 nationwide

#34. Gibson County

- Rural area: 98.6% (481 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.4% (7 square miles)
- Total land area: 487 square miles
--- #13 largest county in state, #2,133 nationwide

- Population density: 69.2 people / square mile (33,711 residents)
--- #33 lowest density county in state, #1,967 nationwide

#33. Jay County

- Rural area: 98.7% (379 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.3% (5 square miles)
- Total land area: 384 square miles
--- #56 largest county in state, #2,590 nationwide

- Population density: 53.9 people / square mile (20,697 residents)
--- #19 lowest density county in state, #1,754 nationwide

#32. Perry County

- Rural area: 98.8% (377 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.2% (5 square miles)
- Total land area: 382 square miles
--- #58 largest county in state, #2,594 nationwide

- Population density: 50.0 people / square mile (19,091 residents)
--- #17 lowest density county in state, #1,694 nationwide

#31. Tipton County

- Rural area: 98.8% (257 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.2% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 261 square miles
--- #83 largest county in state, #2,884 nationwide

- Population density: 58.2 people / square mile (15,154 residents)
--- #25 lowest density county in state, #1,819 nationwide

#30. Fulton County

- Rural area: 98.8% (364 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.2% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 368 square miles
--- #65 largest county in state, #2,636 nationwide

- Population density: 54.5 people / square mile (20,069 residents)
--- #23 lowest density county in state, #1,770 nationwide

#29. White County

- Rural area: 98.8% (499 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.2% (6 square miles)
- Total land area: 505 square miles
--- #9 largest county in state, #2,055 nationwide

- Population density: 47.8 people / square mile (24,163 residents)
--- #13 lowest density county in state, #1,649 nationwide

#28. Jasper County

- Rural area: 98.9% (553 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.2% (6 square miles)
- Total land area: 560 square miles
--- #3 largest county in state, #1,857 nationwide

- Population density: 59.7 people / square mile (33,433 residents)
--- #28 lowest density county in state, #1,846 nationwide

#27. Greene County

- Rural area: 98.9% (536 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.1% (6 square miles)
- Total land area: 542 square miles
--- #4 largest county in state, #1,922 nationwide

- Population density: 59.3 people / square mile (32,174 residents)
--- #27 lowest density county in state, #1,838 nationwide

#26. Randolph County

- Rural area: 98.9% (447 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.1% (5 square miles)
- Total land area: 452 square miles
--- #18 largest county in state, #2,261 nationwide

- Population density: 54.6 people / square mile (24,694 residents)
--- #24 lowest density county in state, #1,773 nationwide

#25. Parke County

- Rural area: 99.0% (440 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.0% (5 square miles)
- Total land area: 445 square miles
--- #23 largest county in state, #2,289 nationwide

- Population density: 38.0 people / square mile (16,912 residents)
--- #8 lowest density county in state, #1,424 nationwide

#24. Rush County

- Rural area: 99.0% (404 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.0% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 408 square miles
--- #36 largest county in state, #2,478 nationwide

- Population density: 40.8 people / square mile (16,632 residents)
--- #9 lowest density county in state, #1,490 nationwide

#23. Starke County

- Rural area: 99.1% (306 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.9% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 309 square miles
--- #77 largest county in state, #2,786 nationwide

- Population density: 74.4 people / square mile (22,996 residents)
--- #39 lowest density county in state, #2,029 nationwide

#22. Harrison County

- Rural area: 99.2% (481 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.8% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 485 square miles
--- #14 largest county in state, #2,141 nationwide

- Population density: 82.9 people / square mile (40,164 residents)
--- #46 lowest density county in state, #2,119 nationwide

#21. Washington County

- Rural area: 99.3% (510 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.8% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 514 square miles
--- #7 largest county in state, #2,027 nationwide

- Population density: 54.4 people / square mile (27,942 residents)
--- #22 lowest density county in state, #1,766 nationwide

#20. Franklin County

- Rural area: 99.3% (382 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.7% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 384 square miles
--- #55 largest county in state, #2,588 nationwide

- Population density: 59.2 people / square mile (22,750 residents)
--- #26 lowest density county in state, #1,836 nationwide

#19. Fountain County

- Rural area: 99.3% (393 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.7% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 396 square miles
--- #48 largest county in state, #2,547 nationwide

- Population density: 41.6 people / square mile (16,456 residents)
--- #10 lowest density county in state, #1,509 nationwide

#18. Ripley County

- Rural area: 99.4% (444 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.6% (3 square miles)
- Total land area: 446 square miles
--- #22 largest county in state, #2,283 nationwide

- Population density: 63.7 people / square mile (28,457 residents)
--- #31 lowest density county in state, #1,901 nationwide

#17. Warren County

- Rural area: 99.4% (362 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.6% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 365 square miles
--- #67 largest county in state, #2,643 nationwide

- Population density: 22.5 people / square mile (8,219 residents)
--- #2 lowest density county in state, #982 nationwide

#16. Carroll County

- Rural area: 99.4% (370 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.6% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 372 square miles
--- #64 largest county in state, #2,626 nationwide

- Population density: 54.1 people / square mile (20,137 residents)
--- #20 lowest density county in state, #1,756 nationwide

#15. Orange County

- Rural area: 99.4% (396 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.6% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 398 square miles
--- #45 largest county in state, #2,534 nationwide

- Population density: 49.1 people / square mile (19,552 residents)
--- #16 lowest density county in state, #1,676 nationwide

#14. LaGrange County

- Rural area: 99.4% (377 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.6% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 380 square miles
--- #59 largest county in state, #2,605 nationwide

- Population density: 104.1 people / square mile (39,537 residents)
--- #55 lowest density county in state, #2,286 nationwide

#13. Sullivan County

- Rural area: 99.5% (445 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.5% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 447 square miles
--- #21 largest county in state, #2,282 nationwide

- Population density: 46.2 people / square mile (20,647 residents)
--- #12 lowest density county in state, #1,612 nationwide

#12. Martin County

- Rural area: 99.5% (334 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.5% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 336 square miles
--- #72 largest county in state, #2,723 nationwide

- Population density: 30.3 people / square mile (10,169 residents)
--- #4 lowest density county in state, #1,219 nationwide

#11. Pulaski County

- Rural area: 99.7% (432 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.3% (1 square miles)
- Total land area: 434 square miles
--- #25 largest county in state, #2,342 nationwide

- Population density: 28.8 people / square mile (12,482 residents)
--- #3 lowest density county in state, #1,176 nationwide

#10. Ohio County

- Rural area: 100.0% (86 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 86 square miles
--- #92 largest county in state, #3,090 nationwide

- Population density: 68.4 people / square mile (5,890 residents)
--- #32 lowest density county in state, #1,953 nationwide

#9. Owen County

- Rural area: 100.0% (385 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 385 square miles
--- #53 largest county in state, #2,582 nationwide

- Population density: 54.1 people / square mile (20,854 residents)
--- #21 lowest density county in state, #1,759 nationwide

#8. Spencer County

- Rural area: 100.0% (397 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 397 square miles
--- #46 largest county in state, #2,541 nationwide

- Population density: 51.3 people / square mile (20,364 residents)
--- #18 lowest density county in state, #1,717 nationwide

#7. Switzerland County

- Rural area: 100.0% (221 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 221 square miles
--- #86 largest county in state, #2,969 nationwide

- Population density: 48.6 people / square mile (10,727 residents)
--- #15 lowest density county in state, #1,667 nationwide

#6. Brown County

- Rural area: 100.0% (312 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 312 square miles
--- #76 largest county in state, #2,782 nationwide

- Population density: 48.4 people / square mile (15,093 residents)
--- #14 lowest density county in state, #1,661 nationwide

#5. Union County

- Rural area: 100.0% (161 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 161 square miles
--- #90 largest county in state, #3,048 nationwide

- Population density: 44.3 people / square mile (7,140 residents)
--- #11 lowest density county in state, #1,557 nationwide

#4. Pike County

- Rural area: 100.0% (334 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 334 square miles
--- #74 largest county in state, #2,727 nationwide

- Population density: 37.0 people / square mile (12,364 residents)
--- #7 lowest density county in state, #1,398 nationwide

#3. Newton County

- Rural area: 100.0% (402 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 402 square miles
--- #43 largest county in state, #2,515 nationwide

- Population density: 34.8 people / square mile (13,981 residents)
--- #6 lowest density county in state, #1,338 nationwide

#2. Crawford County

- Rural area: 100.0% (306 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 306 square miles
--- #80 largest county in state, #2,796 nationwide

- Population density: 34.6 people / square mile (10,582 residents)
--- #5 lowest density county in state, #1,331 nationwide

#1. Benton County

- Rural area: 100.0% (406 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 406 square miles
--- #39 largest county in state, #2,493 nationwide

- Population density: 21.4 people / square mile (8,695 residents)
--- #1 lowest density county in state, #937 nationwide

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