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Quality of Life in Dubois County
A livable area that tracks near national norms for affordability, walkability, and neighborhood health.
What does Quality of Life tell us?
Quality of Life measures an area by evaluating factors like cost of living, nearby amenities, country club access, airport proximity, socioeconomic signals and neighborhood character. For large states, this is a general average — quality of life can vary dramatically between metro areas, suburbs, and rural communities within the same state.
What does this tell us?
Quality of Life measures an area by evaluating factors like cost of living, nearby amenities, country club access, airport proximity, socioeconomic signals and neighborhood character. For large states, this is a general average — quality of life can vary dramatically between metro areas, suburbs, and rural communities within the same state.
Cost of Living
29% below national average
119%
The Real Cost of Living in Dubois County for 2026
| Tier | Individual | Family (4) |
|---|---|---|
| Survival | $13k | $24k |
| Comfortable | $41k | $61k |
| Luxury | $112k+ | $173k+ |
| Elite (Top 5%) | $131k+ | $204k+ |
Quality-of-Life Analysis
Dubois County offers a spectrum of quality-of-life options that range from the walkable, amenity-rich hub of Jasper to the quiet, agricultural crossroads of smaller communities like Ferdinand and Birdseye. The county’s character is defined by its strong German Catholic heritage, a robust manufacturing economy anchored by companies like Kimball International and MasterBrand Cabinets, and a cost of living that sits well below the national average. People drawn to the county include families seeking affordable homeownership, retirees looking for a slower pace, and workers in the trades or manufacturing who want a short commute and a low-stress daily routine.
Largest town(s) & population centers
Jasper is the county seat and the largest population center, home to roughly 16,000 residents. Daily life here centers around a compact downtown with locally owned restaurants, the Jasper Arts Center, and the Patoka River Greenway trail system. The town has a strong industrial base, with major employers like Kimball International (furniture and electronics) and MasterBrand Cabinets providing stable blue- and white-collar jobs. Huntingburg, the second-largest town with about 6,500 people, offers a similar small-city feel with a historic downtown, the Huntingburg Event Center, and a growing arts scene. Both towns have grocery stores, hardware stores, and basic medical services, meaning most daily errands can be done without leaving town. The average commute in the county is just 19.4 minutes, reflecting how close housing is to employment centers.
Smaller towns & rural pockets
Ferdinand (pop. ~2,200) is a classic small town anchored by the Monastery Immaculate Conception and the Ferdinand State Forest. It offers a quiet, family-oriented lifestyle with a single main street, a few restaurants, and a strong sense of community. Birdseye (pop. ~400) is a tiny unincorporated community in the county’s southern end, surrounded by farmland and forest. It has no grocery store or gas station, so residents commute to Jasper or Huntingburg for most needs. Ireland (pop. ~1,600) and Dubois (pop. ~500) are other small towns that function as bedroom communities for Jasper and Huntingburg. These areas offer larger lots, quieter streets, and a more rural pace, but with the trade-off of fewer immediate amenities. The county’s rural pockets, such as the areas around St. Anthony and Celestine, are characterized by rolling farmland, scattered subdivisions, and a strong reliance on personal vehicles.
Cost & lifestyle range
The county’s cost of living index of 71 (100 = U.S. average) makes it one of the more affordable places in Indiana. At the low end, Birdseye and Ireland offer median home values around $180,000–$200,000, with rents often below $700 for a two-bedroom. These areas are ideal for first-time buyers or those willing to trade convenience for space. At the higher end, Jasper and Huntingburg have median home values closer to $212,500 (the county median), with newer subdivisions like those off 6th Street in Jasper or near the Huntingburg Country Club commanding $250,000–$300,000. The countywide median rent of $801 is well below the national average, making it feasible for renters to save for a down payment. Lifestyle differences are stark: in Jasper, residents can walk to a coffee shop or a park; in Birdseye, a 20-minute drive is required for a gallon of milk. The trade-off is that rural homes come with more land, less noise, and lower property taxes.
Who thrives in Dubois County? Families and individuals who value affordability, short commutes, and a strong sense of community will find the county a good fit. The mix of manufacturing jobs, low housing costs, and small-town safety appeals to those in the trades, logistics, or remote work who want a low-stress daily routine. Retirees on fixed incomes are drawn to the low cost of living and the presence of medical facilities like Memorial Hospital and Health Care Center in Jasper. However, those seeking nightlife, cultural diversity, or high-end dining will find the county limited. The spectrum from Jasper’s walkable downtown to Birdseye’s quiet crossroads means there is a niche for nearly every budget and lifestyle preference within a 20-minute drive.
Crime in Dubois County
Generally safer than 59% of comparable U.S. locations.
Violent CrimeViolent Crime Analysis
Property CrimeProperty Crime Analysis
Crime Analysis
Dubois County, Indiana, maintains a moderate safety profile that is shaped by its mix of small-town communities and rural expanses. With a violent crime rate of 263.4 per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 1,095.7 per 100,000, the county presents a picture that is neither alarmingly dangerous nor exceptionally safe. The county seat, Jasper, anchors the region's economy and population, while smaller towns like Huntingburg, Ferdinand, and Birdseye contribute to a varied landscape of risk and security.
Crime in context
Dubois County's violent crime rate of 263.4 per 100,000 is roughly 25% below the national average of 380 per 100,000, but it sits slightly above the Indiana state average of approximately 240 per 100,000. Property crime in the county, at 1,095.7 per 100,000, is about 30% lower than the national rate of 1,600 per 100,000 and aligns closely with the Indiana state average of 1,100 per 100,000. These figures place Dubois County in a middle tier among Indiana's 92 counties—safer than urban centers like Evansville or Indianapolis, but not as low-crime as rural counties such as neighboring Crawford or Orange. The county's relatively low population density (about 80 people per square mile) and strong manufacturing base help keep overall crime rates in check, though localized issues persist.
What residents experience
Residents in Dubois County most commonly encounter property crimes—theft, burglary, and vehicle break-ins—rather than violent offenses. Jasper, the largest city with roughly 16,000 residents, accounts for a disproportionate share of reported incidents, particularly in areas near the downtown corridor and along the U.S. 231 commercial strip. Huntingburg, with a population of about 6,000, sees moderate property crime, often linked to transient populations and seasonal workers in the woodworking and furniture industries. Ferdinand, a smaller community of 2,000, reports very low crime rates, while Birdseye, with fewer than 500 residents, experiences virtually no violent crime. The county's judicial system, overseen by the Dubois County Superior Court, operates under a conservative legal framework that emphasizes accountability. Unlike progressive-leaning jurisdictions in larger Indiana cities like Indianapolis or Bloomington, Dubois County's prosecutors and judges do not routinely implement lenient sentencing or diversion programs that critics argue embolden repeat offenders. This approach contributes to a deterrent effect, though it does not eliminate crime entirely. Residents in Jasper and Huntingburg should remain vigilant about securing vehicles and homes, as property crime is the most common threat.
Neighborhood-level variation within Dubois County is notable. Areas in Jasper west of the Patoka River, including the newer subdivisions near the Jasper Municipal Golf Course, report significantly lower crime rates than older neighborhoods east of the river, such as those around 12th Street and the industrial zones near the Jasper Group headquarters. Huntingburg's safer pockets include the residential areas north of 4th Street, while the southern edge near the Huntingburg Airport sees occasional thefts from vehicles. Ferdinand and Birdseye offer the lowest crime rates in the county, making them attractive for families and retirees seeking a quiet, secure environment. For those considering relocation, the county's overall safety is bolstered by a strong community policing presence and a justice system that prioritizes public safety over offender rehabilitation, a contrast to the more permissive policies seen in larger, progressive metro areas.
* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-08-04T23:58:35.000Z
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