The 10 Best Small Towns In Indiana For 2025


The best small towns in Indiana are Haubstadt and Meridian Hills for 2025 based on Saturday Night Science.

By: Chris Kolmar | About HomeSnacks
Last Updated: October 1, 2025

You’ve seen these lists before. Best places to live in Indiana. Best sururbs in Indiana. Best counties in Indiana.

Etc., etc., etc.

But they all focus on major cities and towns in the Hoosier State, and no one pays attention to the little guy.

Well, that’s all about to change as we put together a list of the superb small towns in Indiana based on numbers–not opinions or hearsay.

We’ll dive right into our methodology in the next section, but first, we thought you might want to know which places in Indiana ranked the best based on Saturday Night Science.

Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table

The 15 Best Small Towns To Live In Indiana For 2025

  1. Haubstadt
  2. Meridian Hills
  3. Newburgh
  4. Melody Hill
  5. Battle Ground
  6. Leo-Cedarville
  7. Pittsboro
  8. Georg
  9. Edgewood
  10. Clermont
  11. Shorewood Forest
  12. Tri-Lakes
  13. Montgomery
  14. Ogden Dunes
  15. Kouts

Best Small Towns To Live In Indiana Map

What’s the best small town in Indiana? Haubstadt is the best small town in Indiana based on the most recent Census data. If you live in one of these small towns like Haubstadt, chances are, you’re not surprised. After all, you know how great you have it.

But for the rest of you–keep reading, and we’ll get to just why these small towns made our list.

For more reading on the Hoosier State check out:

The 15 Best Small Towns In Indiana For 2025

1. Haubstadt

Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 1,754
Median Income: $72,104 (59th Best)
Median Home Value: $220,000 (34th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.0%

2. Meridian Hills

Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 1,708
Median Income: $205,982 (1st Best)
Median Home Value: $637,800 (2nd Best)
Unemployment Rate: 3.3%

3. Newburgh

Newburgh, IN

Source: Public domain
Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 3,370
Median Income: $72,431 (53rd Best)
Median Home Value: $216,300 (37th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.7%

4. Melody Hill

Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 3,435
Median Income: $90,561 (23rd Best)
Median Home Value: $192,000 (46th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 2.5%

5. Battle Ground

Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 1,989
Median Income: $104,583 (13th Best)
Median Home Value: $268,300 (16th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 3.0%

6. Leo-Cedarville

Leo-Cedarville, IN

Source: Public domain
Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 3,670
Median Income: $107,466 (12th Best)
Median Home Value: $284,900 (12th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 2.9%

7. Pittsboro

Pittsboro, IN

Source: Public domain
Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 3,988
Median Income: $125,133 (6th Best)
Median Home Value: $289,700 (11th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 2.0%

8. Georg

Source: Public Domain
Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 3,789
Median Income: $110,537 (11th Best)
Median Home Value: $262,600 (18th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.6%

9. Edgewood

Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 2,101
Median Income: $85,842 (29th Best)
Median Home Value: $173,800 (65th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.1%

10. Clermont

Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 1,740
Median Income: $81,979 (33rd Best)
Median Home Value: $192,400 (45th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.7%

11. Shorewood Forest

Overall SnackAbility

4
/10

Population: 3,030
Median Income: $151,382 (2nd Best)
Median Home Value: $449,400 (4th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.0%

12. Tri-Lakes

Overall SnackAbility

4
/10

Population: 1,070
Median Income: $113,214 (9th Best)
Median Home Value: $293,900 (9th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.0%

13. Montgomery

Overall SnackAbility

4
/10

Population: 1,184
Median Income: $93,750 (20th Best)
Median Home Value: $226,000 (32nd Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.2%

14. Ogden Dunes

Overall SnackAbility

10
/10

Population: 1,213
Median Income: $116,042 (7th Best)
Median Home Value: $455,400 (3rd Best)
Unemployment Rate: 2.6%

15. Kouts

Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 2,261
Median Income: $75,854 (44th Best)
Median Home Value: $223,700 (33rd Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.0%

Best States In America

Methodology: How We Determined The Coolest Towns In Indiana

We threw a lot of criteria at this report to get the best, most complete results of the best small towns in Indiana possible.

Using the most recent data from the Census’s 2019-2023 American Community Survey, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Saturday Night Science, this is the criteria we used:

  • Population Density (Higher is better)
  • Lowest Unemployment Rates
  • Housing costs (Higher is better. More demand.)
  • Adjusted Median Income (Higher is better)
  • Highly Educated Adults (Higher is better)
  • Insurance Rates (Higher is better)
  • Commute Times (Lower is better)

We looked at places with populations lower than 5,000 people and greater than 1,000, of which there were many – 211 to be exact.

We then ranked each place in each category with scores from 1 to 211, averaged them out, and the lowest scores went to our Best Small Towns in Indiana. Top of that list — Haubstadt.

This is our tenth time ranking the best small places to live in Indiana.

Summary: Science Can Tackle Any Issue, Even Small Ones

We said it once, and we’ll say it again — this list: it’s just science. We did the research, crunched the numbers, and it turns out these 15 small towns in Indiana are the best in which to live.

And who can argue with that?

The best small towns in Indiana are Haubstadt, Meridian Hills, Newburgh, Melody Hill, Battle Ground, Leo-Cedarville, Pittsboro, Georg, Edgewood, and Clermont.

If you’re curious, here are the worst small towns in Indiana:

  1. Jasonville
  2. English
  3. Country Squire Lakes

For more Indiana reading, check out:

Best Small Towns In Indiana

Rank City Population Median Income Median Home Value Unemployment Rate
1 Haubstadt, IN 1,754 $72,104 1.0%
2 Meridian Hills, IN 1,708 $205,982 3.3%
3 Newburgh, IN 3,370 $72,431 1.7%
4 Melody Hill, IN 3,435 $90,561 2.5%
5 Battle Ground, IN 1,989 $104,583 3.0%
6 Leo-Cedarville, IN 3,670 $107,466 2.9%
7 Pittsboro, IN 3,988 $125,133 2.0%
8 Georg, IN 3,789 $110,537 0.6%
9 Edgewood, IN 2,101 $85,842 1.1%
10 Clermont, IN 1,740 $81,979 1.7%
11 Shorewood Forest, IN 3,030 $151,382 1.0%
12 Tri-Lakes, IN 1,070 $113,214 0.0%
13 Montgomery, IN 1,184 $93,750 0.2%
14 Ogden Dunes, IN 1,213 $116,042 2.6%
15 Kouts, IN 2,261 $75,854 0.0%
16 Greenville, IN 1,602 $128,348 1.4%
17 Long Beach, IN 1,201 $128,750 2.8%
18 Simonton Lake, IN 4,113 $74,233 2.6%
19 Bristol, IN 1,903 $81,656 0.8%
20 Aberdeen, IN 1,761 $97,344 4.1%
21 Santa Claus, IN 2,822 $101,875 1.7%
22 Ossian, IN 3,342 $67,641 1.4%
23 Thor, IN 1,155 $69,875 0.9%
24 Burns Harbor, IN 2,198 $98,333 0.7%
25 Brown, IN 3,020 $62,222 1.3%
26 Berne, IN 3,906 $59,413 3.6%
27 North Manchester, IN 4,904 $63,438 0.9%
28 Lake Dalecarlia, IN 1,421 $115,588 3.7%
29 Salt Creek Commons, IN 1,973 $84,648 2.3%
30 Dayton, IN 1,049 $74,417 3.0%
31 Bourbon, IN 1,816 $71,375 3.9%
32 Ferdinand, IN 2,346 $74,943 0.4%
33 New Palestine, IN 3,027 $93,170 4.3%
34 Darmstadt, IN 1,428 $96,458 1.6%
35 Galena, IN 1,618 $112,411 4.5%
36 Russiaville, IN 1,374 $86,321 2.6%
37 Lake Santee, IN 1,051 $135,804 0.0%
38 Otterbein, IN 1,414 $63,676 1.3%
39 Fort Branch, IN 3,412 $62,500 2.4%
40 Southport, IN 2,036 $69,148 4.2%
41 Hudson Lake, IN 1,245 $95,116 0.0%
42 Smithville-Sanders, IN 3,228 $72,331 5.0%
43 Syracuse, IN 3,232 $63,894 3.7%
44 Lapel, IN 2,568 $77,563 3.4%
45 Monrovia, IN 2,090 $91,375 1.4%
46 Flora, IN 2,100 $61,458 3.3%
47 Oolitic, IN 1,461 $61,696 1.7%
48 Grabill, IN 1,248 $62,788 2.6%
49 Shadeland, IN 2,257 $88,125 1.6%
50 New Carlisle, IN 2,110 $65,625 2.0%
51 Henryville, IN 1,804 $77,440 1.3%
52 Upland, IN 3,935 $74,663 2.4%
53 Utica, IN 1,017 $75,268 3.9%
54 Corydon, IN 3,165 $57,002 2.3%
55 Whiteland, IN 4,369 $88,411 2.4%
56 Avilla, IN 2,637 $73,250 2.4%
57 St. Leon, IN 1,012 $86,932 0.9%
58 Lake Holiday, IN 1,072 $87,031 5.0%
59 Hamilton, IN 1,849 $66,884 3.2%
60 Roanoke, IN 1,819 $72,880 4.9%
61 Jame, IN 1,225 $70,083 3.4%
62 Mexico, IN 1,122 $82,695 1.7%
63 Trail Creek, IN 1,983 $65,929 9.9%
64 Bremen, IN 4,660 $54,375 0.0%
65 Remington, IN 1,581 $67,870 3.1%
66 Cordry Sweetwater Lakes, IN 1,200 $100,167 1.4%
67 Brookston, IN 1,703 $62,375 1.3%
68 Brookville, IN 2,640 $58,750 0.0%
69 Gree, IN 2,005 $57,917 1.9%
70 Rossville, IN 1,601 $68,657 6.3%
71 Covington, IN 3,112 $54,962 4.0%
72 Greendale, IN 4,176 $78,912 0.0%
73 Owensville, IN 1,232 $57,438 5.1%
74 Wolcott, IN 1,044 $70,938 2.9%
75 North Liberty, IN 1,838 $61,143 4.0%
76 Warren, IN 1,205 $64,773 3.5%
77 Spencer, IN 2,308 $47,994 3.1%
78 Sweetser, IN 1,115 $77,578 2.2%
79 Arcadia, IN 1,696 $66,852 3.4%
80 Culver, IN 1,346 $44,250 5.2%
81 Heritage Lake, IN 2,913 $81,495 3.8%
82 New Paris, IN 1,630 $71,750 0.0%
83 Middlebury, IN 3,681 $81,094 5.5%
84 Churubusco, IN 1,894 $59,621 2.9%
85 Warren Park, IN 1,411 $39,865 4.2%
86 Ladoga, IN 1,155 $72,188 1.7%
87 Rising Sun, IN 2,570 $54,821 1.9%
88 Osceola, IN 2,583 $63,063 2.6%
89 Sunman, IN 1,283 $72,279 2.5%
90 North Terre Haute, IN 4,396 $54,246 3.4%
91 Rome City, IN 1,271 $72,054 3.1%
92 Williamsport, IN 1,921 $56,875 1.7%
93 Trafalgar, IN 1,433 $83,214 5.2%
94 Hope, IN 1,988 $68,015 1.1%
95 Nashville, IN 1,420 $48,750 5.7%
96 Hanover, IN 3,584 $58,194 5.8%
97 Sheridan, IN 3,355 $65,104 7.1%
98 Fairview Park, IN 1,426 $58,929 2.3%
99 Chandler, IN 3,935 $63,681 9.5%
100 Galveston, IN 1,326 $56,969 4.7%
About Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar has been in the real estate business for almost ten years now. He originally worked for Movoto Real Estate as the director of marketing before founding HomeSnacks.

He believes the key to finding the right place to live comes down to looking at the data, reading about things to do, and, most importantly, checking it out yourself before you move.

If you've been looking for a place to live in the past several years, you've probably stumbled upon his writing already.

You can find out more about him on LinkedIn or his website.

 Best Small Towns, Rankings