Community Data & Snapshot
A plain-language snapshot of where Crawford County stands — and where we’re headed if nothing changes.
Population & demographics
Crawford County is one of Indiana's smallest and most rural counties.
- ~11,000 Total population
- 40+ Median age
- 98% Rural population
Our smaller scale is a challenge and a strength — fewer resources, but also more relational fabric to build on.
Sources & notes
- U.S. Census Bureau — American Community Survey, most recent 5-year estimates.
Poverty & child poverty
Child poverty sits well above the state average.
- ~16% Overall poverty rate
- ~22% Children in poverty
Sources & notes
- Indiana Youth Institute, Kids Count; U.S. Census ACS.
Fatherlessness & family instability
More than one in three Crawford County children live in a father-absent household.
- ~34% Father-absent households (with kids)
Sources & notes
- U.S. Census ACS household type tables (indicative, not exact).
Substance abuse & overdose
Overdose death rates in Crawford County run significantly above the Indiana average.
- 3x+ Overdose rate vs. state average
Sources & notes
- Indiana State Department of Health; local coroner data (illustrative).
Child welfare & removals
Child-removal rates per 1,000 children are among the highest in southern Indiana.
Sources & notes
- Indiana DCS annual reports.
Projections if nothing changes
If current trends hold, over the next decade Crawford County would likely see continued population decline, another generation of children shaped by father absence and addiction, and a widening gap between available services and actual need. Baseline projections are intentionally conservative; the intent is not alarm but honesty about the cost of inaction.