Results of the 2020 US Census have been rolling out over the past several months and reveal that Noble County experienced a slight decline in population, yet remains the most populated county in the five-county Northeast Indiana region.

79 fewer residents were counted in Noble County in 2020 than in 2010, a population loss of 0.17%. Noble County is the only county in the five-county region that reported a population decline. Population in Steuben County remained flat over the 10-year period, with a less than 1% increase. LaGrange and Dekalb Counties saw 8-9% population growth. Whitley County reported a small increase of 2.7%.

Noble County’s younger population, those under 18 years of age, declined significantly over the 10-year period, down 7.3%. The population of people over 18 years of age grew about 2.5% in Noble County. Compared to its neighboring counties, Noble County had the least significant increase in adult population in the five-county region.

Notable changes elsewhere in the region were in LaGrange County, where the adult population grew 11.1% and in Steuben County, where the number of people under age 18 went down 11.5%.

Noble County ranks 30th in Indiana for total population with 47,457 according to the 2020 Census.

Many recent quality of life enhancements such as trail systems, Main Street transformations, and community centers are among the strategies being implemented in Noble County to attract population growth. The most significant initiatives are around housing growth to support a growing workforce and also attract growth in the population. To learn more, visit www.noblecountyedc.com and subscribe to receive monthly e-News updates or call (260) 636-3800.