Many counties struggling with birth rates
Indiana's birth rate averaged 11.6 live births per 1,000 people in 2024, with significant disparities among counties, ranging from 18.9 in LaGrange County to 6.4 in Brown County. The state's birth rate has been declining since 2007, with older adults expected to outnumber children in nearly half of Indiana's counties by 2050.
Indiana's birth rate in 2024 was 11.6 live births per 1,000 people, according to the Indiana Department of Health. County-level birth rates varied significantly, with LaGrange County at 18.9 and Brown County at 6.4. Dr. Jill Inderstrodt attributed high birth rates in Adams, Daviess, and LaGrange counties to their large Amish populations. Monroe County had a low birth rate of 7.2, but also a low infant mortality rate and better access to medical services. Indiana's birth rate has declined since 2007, when it was 14.1. By 2050, older adults are expected to outnumber children in nearly half of Indiana's counties. Matt Kinghorn, senior demographer at Indiana Business Research Center, cited complex reasons for the decline, including changing priorities among young adults, rising costs, and increased education. An aging population and migration of young adults from rural areas also contribute to the trend.
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