Whitley County

County Overview

With 18% of U.S. consumers and 29% of U.S. transportation manufacturing companies located in a 300 mile radius, Whitley County provides business with a strategic and accessible location for business. Seven state highways and three U.S. highways divide this Indiana county, access to I-69 and 80-90 (toll road) is readily available and the Fort Wayne International Airport is only 10 short miles away.

Economic Development in Whitley County
In 2009, this Indiana county hosted one new company, eleven expansions, $13.74 million in investment and 179 new jobs.

Population
Total Population, 2009
32,861
Projected Population 2015
34,803
Total Households, 2006-08
13,078
Median Age, 2009
39.3
Population Breakdown by Age, 2009
0-13 years
18.8%
14-17 years
5.7%
18-24 years
8.0%
25-44 years
24.8%
45-64 years
29.0%
65-84 years
11.7%
85+ years
1.9%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Household Income
Year
Median HHI
PCI
2000
$45,503
$26,477
2008
$49,996
$31,945
Source: U.S. Census Bureau and BEA
Labor Participation
Labor Force
17,855
Employed
15,669
Unemployed
2,186
Unemployment Rate
12.2%
Source: BLS LAUS, 2009 Annual
Commuting, 2008
Commuting INTO Whitley County
3,717
Commuting OUT of Whitley County
8,722
Source: STATS Indiana 
Housing, 2006-08
Total Housing Units
13,893
Total Occupied Housing Units
13,078
Owner Occupied
10,950
83.7%
Rental
2,128
16.3%
Seasonal or Recreational, 2000
304
Median Value for Owner Occupied Housing
$125,100
Median Gross Rent
$548
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Educational Attainment, 2006-08
Level
Total
%
Less than High School
2,441
11.1%
High School Graduate
8,394
38.3%
Some College
5,290
24.1%
Associate's Degree
2,063
9.4%
Bachelor's Degree
2,724
12.4%
Master's, PhD, and/or Professional Degree
1,014
4.6%
Note: Data applies to the population 25 and older
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Largest Private Employers
Steel Dynamics Inc.
C & A Tool Engineering Inc.
Ultra Electronics-USSI
Advanced Assembly, LLC
80/20
BRC Rubber Group
Parkview Whitley
Micropulse
Reelcraft Industries
Warner Electric
Source: Community Research Institute
Announced Jobs & Investments, 2009
New Companies
1
Expanding Companies
11
Financial Investment
$13.74 Million
Jobs Created
179
Private Average Annual Wage & Employment By Industry - Preliminary 2009
Industry
Avg. Annual Wage
Emp.
% Emp.
Total - All Covered
$32,807
10,933
 
Total - Private
$32,927
9,391
 
Natural Resources & Mining
$23,612
65
0.7%
Construction
$39,682
397
4.2%
Manufacturing
$42,616
3,960
42.2%
Trade, Transportation, Utilities
$29,565
1,724
18.4%
Information
$29,030
88
0.9%
Financial Activities
$34,244
243
2.6%
Professional and Business Services
$27,006
504
5.4%
Education and Health Services
$26,778
1,148
12.2%
Leisure and Hospitality
$9,983
837
8.9%
Other Services
$20,237
421
4.5%
Source: BLS QCEW
Direct County Contact
Mr. Alan Tio
Whitley County EDC
220 W. Van Buren, Suite 102
Columbia City, Indiana 46725

Phone: 260-244-5506
Toll Free: 888-244-5506 
Fax: 260-244-4024

www.whitleyedc.com
atio@whitleyedc.com