South Bend is a city located in St. Joseph County Indiana. South Bend has a 2024 population of 103,415. It is also the county seat of St. Joseph County. South Bend is currently growing at a rate of 0.02% annually and its population has increased by 0.08% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 103,335 in 2020.
The average household income in South Bend is $69,487 with a poverty rate of 22.48%. The median age in South Bend is 33.4 years: 32.8 years for males, and 34.2 years for females.
South Bend is a city located in the state of Indiana. It serves as the county seat for St. Joseph County. Today, the city is a hub of economics and culture in the Northern Indiana area.
The city’s largest employer is the University of Notre Dame, which provides over 5,000 jobs. Beacon Medical Group, South Bend Community School Corporation, AM General and Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center are other top employers in South Bend.
The decline of manufacturing affected South Bend’s population significantly. The population peaked in 1960 at 132,445 residents. However, by the time of the 1970 census, that number had dropped by 5%. The city continued to see significant drops in population, falling to 101,166 at the time of the 2010 census. Recent estimates show that the population has risen 0.6% since the last poll. Though this number is small, it is promising. The city’s efforts to attract new businesses and industries could put it back on track to increase its population in the years ahead.
The region was first inhabited by tribes including the Miami and Potawatomi people. Europeans first settled the area during the 19th century, when trading posts in the South Bend area were established. By the 1830s, the area was becoming more populated. In 1830, it was given the name South Bend.
Just one year later, the city was laid out to be a county seat. The town was also being designed and in 1835 was established. Like many other cities during this time, South Bend became more industrialized. There were many factories built along the St. Joseph River and in 1851, a steam locomotive arrived. The 19th century saw continued growth with the establishment of companies including Studebaker, Singer Sewing Company and Oliver Chilled Plow Company. The population and the city continued to grow, and many Europeans immigrated to the area to work in the factories. In 1842, the University of Notre Dame was founded, helping to boost the economy. In 1865, South Bend was incorporated as a city.
The city continued to grow larger during the 20th century with the arrival of more industries, including South Bend Watch Company, Bendix Corporation, and Honeywell. Electric rail service was available, later followed by an electronic trolley system.
However, the city faced troubles with the decline of the manufacturing industry. In 1950, over half of the employment was in manufacturing. However, by 2000, it represented just 16% of jobs. Job loss led to a decline in population.
Today, the company is trying to revitalize and attract residents by turning to the tech industry. New businesses are setting up shop, and in 2015, positive population growth was recorded for the first time in almost 50 years.
According to the most recent ACS, the racial composition of South Bend was:
Race | Population | Percentage (of total) |
---|---|---|
White | 57,611 | 55.89% |
Black or African American | 26,141 | 25.36% |
Two or more races | 10,732 | 10.41% |
Other race | 5,960 | 5.78% |
Asian | 2,102 | 2.04% |
Native American | 478 | 0.46% |
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander | 60 | 0.06% |
White
Black or African American
Two or more races
Other race
Asian
Native American
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
Household Type | Count | Average Size | Owner | Renter |
---|---|---|---|---|
All | 40,559 | 2.47 | 58.5 | 41.5 |
Non Family | 18,201 | 1.27 | 51 | 49 |
Married | 13,043 | 3.38 | 79.2 | 20.8 |
Female | 7,380 | 3.65 | 42.4 | 57.6 |
Male | 1,935 | 3.21 | 51.3 | 48.7 |
3.33
Average Family Size
2.47
Average Household Size
58.5%
Rate of Home Ownership
Married
Male
Female
NonFamily
owner
renter
Male
Female
Education Attained | Count | Percentage |
---|---|---|
9th to 12th Grade | 5,852 | 9.02% |
Associates Degree | 5,332 | 8.21% |
Bachelors Degree | 10,708 | 16.5% |
Graduate Degree | 8,008 | 12.34% |
High School Graduate | 19,399 | 29.89% |
Less Than 9th Grade | 2,436 | 3.75% |
Some College | 13,177 | 20.3% |
Less Than 9th Grade
9th to 12th Grade
High School Graduate
Some College
Associates Degree
Bachelors Degree
Graduate Degree
High School Graduation Rate
Bachelors Rate
Race | Total | High School | Bachelors |
---|---|---|---|
White | 38,189 | 35,326 | 13,412 |
Black | 15,047 | 12,411 | 2,457 |
Hispanic | 8,208 | 5,979 | 1,468 |
2+ Races | 4,418 | 3,592 | 976 |
Other Race | 3,431 | 2,393 | 408 |
Asian | 1,339 | 1,123 | 898 |
Native American | 286 | 243 | 55 |
Islander | 52 | 52 | 0 |
The highest rate of high school graduation is among islander people with a rate of 100%.
The highest rate of bachelors degrees is among asian people with a rate of 67.06%.
All
Male
Female
Name | Average | Male | Female |
---|---|---|---|
Bachelors Degree | $48,113 | $52,312 | $42,597 |
Graduate Degree | $61,054 | $74,675 | $53,743 |
High School Graduate | $30,742 | $37,155 | $24,886 |
Less Than 9th Grade | $26,143 | $29,531 | $19,974 |
Overall | $37,579 | $42,930 | $31,779 |
Some College | $36,859 | $42,588 | $31,347 |
$37,579
Average Earnings
$42,930
Average Male
$31,779
Average Female
Only English
Spanish
Other Indo-European Languages
Asian and Pacific Island Languages
Other Languages
84.92% of South Bend residents speak only English, while 15.08% speak other languages. The non-English language spoken by the largest group is Spanish, which is spoken by 11.44% of the population.
rate
Name | Total | In Poverty | Poverty Rate |
---|---|---|---|
Black | 25,572 | 9,147 | 35.77% |
White | 51,165 | 7,787 | 15.22% |
Hispanic | 16,663 | 3,483 | 20.9% |
Multiple | 10,551 | 2,751 | 26.07% |
Other | 5,906 | 1,602 | 27.12% |
Asian | 2,085 | 381 | 18.27% |
Native | 474 | 105 | 22.15% |
22.48%
Overall Poverty Rate
20.15%
Male Poverty Rate
24.56%
Female Poverty Rate
The race most likely to be in poverty in South Bend is Black, with 35.77% below the poverty level.
The race least likely to be in poverty in South Bend is White, with 15.22% below the poverty level.
The poverty rate among those that worked full-time for the past 12 months was 4.06%. Among those working part-time, it was 28.64%, and for those that did not work, the poverty rate was 32.86%.
rate
Rate | Poverty |
---|---|
Less Than 9th Grade | 35.44% |
High School | 20.75% |
Some College | 17.59% |
Bachelors or Greater | 6.48% |
rate
Rate | Poverty |
---|---|
Female Unemployed | 46.09% |
Male Unemployed | 43.35% |
Female Employed | 13.89% |
Male Employed | 8.39% |
Households
Families
MarriedFamilies
NonFamilies
Name | Median | Mean |
---|---|---|
Families | $61,974 | $79,875 |
Households | $49,056 | $69,487 |
Married Families | $83,637 | $104,406 |
Non Families | $35,165 | $53,771 |
mean
median
Married
Widowed
Divorced
Separated
NeverMarried
35.5%
Overall Marriage Rate
38.0%
Male Marriage Rate
33.3%
Female Marriage Rate
male
female
The age group where males are most likely to be married is 35-44, while the female age group most likely to be married is 35-44.
Married
Widowed
Divorced
Separated
NeverMarried
Second Gulf War
First Gulf War
Vietnam
Korea
World War II
4,173
Number of Veterans
3,893
Male Veterans
280
Female Veterans
War | Veterans |
---|---|
Vietnam | 1,090 |
Second Gulf War | 947 |
First Gulf War | 706 |
Korea | 294 |
World War II | 89 |
count
Age Group | Veterans |
---|---|
35 to 54 | 1,027 |
75+ | 950 |
65 to 74 | 915 |
55 to 64 | 879 |
18 to 34 | 402 |
count
Name | Veterans | % of Total |
---|---|---|
White | 2,914 | 6.33% |
Black | 905 | 5.17% |
Other Race | 167 | 4.23% |
Hispanic | 157 | 1.55% |
2+ Races | 101 | 1.76% |
Native American | 43 | 12.99% |
Islander | 43 | 82.69% |
Less Than 9th Grade
High School Graduate
Some College
Bachelors or Greater
14.13%
Veteran Poverty Rate
32.06%
Veteran Disability Rate
LaborForceParticipation
63.1%
Labor Force Participation
59.6%
Employment Rate
5.5%
Unemployment Rate
LaborForceParticipation
LaborForceParticipation
Europe
Asia
Africa
Oceania
Latin America
North America
Non citizens include legal permanent residents (green card holders), international students, temporary workers, humanitarian migrants, and illegal immigrants.
Europe
Asia
Africa
Oceania
Latin America
North America
61.3%
Born in South Bend
91.48%
Native Born
8.52%
Foreign Born
5.59%
Non Citizen
2.93%
Naturalized
91.48% of South Bend residents were born in the United States, with 61.3% having been born in Indiana. 5.59% of residents are not US citizens. Of those not born in the United States, the largest percentage are from Latin America.
Year | Population | Growth | Change |
---|---|---|---|
2029 | 103,515 | 20 | 0.02% |
2028 | 103,495 | 20 | 0.02% |
2027 | 103,475 | 20 | 0.02% |
2026 | 103,455 | 20 | 0.02% |
2025 | 103,435 | 20 | 0.02% |
2024 | 103,415 | 20 | 0.02% |
2023 | 103,395 | 269 | 0.26% |
2022 | 103,126 | -11 | -0.01% |
2021 | 103,137 | -198 | -0.19% |
2020 | 103,335 | 1,356 | 1.33% |
2019 | 101,979 | 7 | 0.01% |
2018 | 101,972 | -104 | -0.1% |
2017 | 102,076 | 16 | 0.02% |
2016 | 102,060 | 297 | 0.29% |
2015 | 101,763 | 210 | 0.21% |
2014 | 101,553 | 283 | 0.28% |
2013 | 101,270 | 190 | 0.19% |
2012 | 101,080 | -152 | -0.15% |
2011 | 101,232 | 43 | 0.04% |
2010 | 101,189 | 0 | 0% |
2000 | 107,789 | 2,278 | 2.16% |
1990 | 105,511 | -4,216 | -3.84% |
1980 | 109,727 | -15,853 | -12.62% |
1970 | 125,580 | -6,865 | -5.18% |
1960 | 132,445 | 16,534 | 14.26% |
1950 | 115,911 | 14,643 | 14.46% |
1940 | 101,268 | -2,925 | -2.81% |
1930 | 104,193 | 33,210 | 46.79% |
1920 | 70,983 | 17,299 | 32.22% |
1910 | 53,684 | 17,685 | 49.13% |
1900 | 35,999 | 14,180 | 64.99% |
1890 | 21,819 | 8,539 | 64.3% |
1880 | 13,280 | 6,074 | 84.29% |
1870 | 7,206 | 3,374 | 88.05% |
1860 | 3,832 | 2,132 | 125.41% |
1850 | 1,700 | -101,815 | -98.36% |