Rensselaer ZIP Codes — Jasper County, IN

There is one unique ZIP code in Rensselaer, Indiana and it is 47978. Area code: 219.

ZIP codes

263.74

sq mi land

0.24

sq mi water

219

area code

Rensselaer, IN ZIP code map

About Rensselaer, IN

Rensselaer, Indiana, is a vibrant city located in the heart of Jasper County. Known for its friendly atmosphere and community spirit, Rensselaer boasts a unique blend of small-town charm and modern conveniences. With its rich agricultural roots and engaging cultural events, the city draws visitors and residents alike.

Location & geography

Situated in northwestern Indiana, Rensselaer is approximately 20 miles from the bustling city of Valparaiso to the northeast, and around 90 miles from Chicago, Illinois, to the northwest. The city covers a vast area of 527.48 square miles, with a small water area of 0.48 square miles. The terrain is predominantly flat farmland, with beautiful views of Indiana's rural landscape.

Community & economy

The community of Rensselaer is characterized by its warm, welcoming residents who take pride in their city. Agriculture, manufacturing, and retail are the primary industries that provide jobs and bolster the local economy. Daily life in Rensselaer is enriched by community events, local shops, and the close-knit relationships among its residents.

Transportation

Transportation in Rensselaer is facilitated by major highways, including U.S. Route 231 and State Road 114, which connect the city to neighboring regions. The nearest named airport is the Valparaiso Porter County Regional Airport, located about 30 miles away. Public transit options are limited, making personal vehicles the primary mode of transportation for residents.

History

Rensselaer was founded in the early 19th century and has its roots in agriculture, which remains a vital part of its economy today. The city experienced growth with the arrival of the railroad, helping to solidify its place as a hub for transportation and trade. Notable events in its history include the annual Rensselaer Agricultural Fair, celebrating the city's agricultural heritage.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Rensselaer is that it is home to the historic Fair Oaks Farm, a leading agritourism destination that educates visitors about modern farming practices. Additionally, the city is known for its scenic parks and outdoor recreational opportunities, making it an attractive spot for nature enthusiasts.

ZIP codes for Rensselaer, IN (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
47978	Rensselaer	Jasper	View map

Demographics & statistics

9,954

Population

41.7

Median age

$68,299

Median household income

$31,562

Per capita income

$156,300

Median home value

$882

Median monthly rent

73.4%

Home ownership

7.6%

Poverty rate

2.3%

Unemployment

3,229

Housing units

17.4%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

210

Under 5

219

252

5–9

264

316

10–14

331

348

15–19

363

352

20–24

368

634

25–34

663

506

35–44

530

611

45–54

639

355

55–59

372

315

60–64

330

610

65–74

639

269

75–84

281

85+

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	1,943	19.5%
18 and over	8,011	80.5%
65 and over	1,976	19.9%
Median age	41.7 years

Race & ethnicity

White 81.3%

Hispanic or Latino 8%

Two or more races 6.1%

Other race 3.2%

Black or African American 1.1%

Asian 0.3%

American Indian / Alaska Native 0.1%

Group	Count	%
White	8,791	81.3%
Hispanic or Latino	860	8%
Two or more races	658	6.1%
Other race	349	3.2%
Black or African American	118	1.1%
Asian	31	0.3%
American Indian / Alaska Native	7	0.1%

Household income

Under $10k 4.2%

$10k–$15k 5.5%

$15k–$25k 6.7%

$25k–$35k 8.2%

$35k–$50k 11.4%

$50k–$75k 18.2%

$75k–$100k 18.3%

$100k–$150k 17.6%

$150k–$200k 7.7%

$200k+ 2.3%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	4.2%
$10k–$15k	5.5%
$15k–$25k	6.7%
$25k–$35k	8.2%
$35k–$50k	11.4%
$50k–$75k	18.2%
$75k–$100k	18.3%
$100k–$150k	17.6%
$150k–$200k	7.7%
$200k+	2.3%
Median income	$68,299

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 1.2%

$50k–$100k 17.1%

$100k–$150k 28.6%

$150k–$200k 23.3%

$200k–$300k 19.7%

$300k–$500k 6.9%

$500k–$1M 2.5%

$1M+ 0.7%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$156,300
Median rent / month	$882
Owner occupied	73.4%
Renter occupied	26.6%
Vacant	8.5%
Single-family detached	81.5%
Large apartment buildings	1.4%
Mobile homes	0.8%
Median rooms	6.1
Avg household size (owned)	2.51

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.0%
2010–2019	3.6%
2000–2009	9.5%
1990–1999	17.7%
1980–1989	7.3%
1970–1979	14.0%
1960–1969	7.7%
1950–1959	11.4%
1940–1949	8.3%
1939 or earlier	20.6%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	2.1%
1 bedroom	5.4%
2 bedrooms	23.7%
3 bedrooms	50.4%
4 bedrooms	15.1%
5+ bedrooms	3.4%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	2.6%
1 vehicle	34.2%
2 vehicles	31.5%
3 or more	31.6%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	50.6%
Electricity	18.6%
Propane / LP gas	28.0%
Wood	1.5%
No fuel used	0.4%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	1,899	48.6%
Cohabiting couple	283	7.2%
Male householder, no spouse	671	17.2%
Female householder, no spouse	1,051	26.9%
Households with children under 18	953	24.4%
Households with seniors (65+)	1,369	35.1%
Average household size	2.41

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	31.4%	23.6%
Married	49.3%	48.6%
Separated	3.4%	0.0%
Widowed	1.5%	14.2%
Divorced	14.4%	13.5%

Education

Less than 9th grade 2.9%

Some HS, no diploma 6.8%

HS graduate 41.2%

Some college, no degree 22.2%

Associate's degree 9.6%

Bachelor's degree 9.9%

Graduate / professional 7.5%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	90.4%
Bachelor's or higher	17.4%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	146	6.7%
Kindergarten	73	3.3%
Elementary school	947	43.3%
High school	416	19.0%
College / grad school	604	27.6%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 18.9%

Manufacturing 18.3%

Retail trade 9.2%

Professional & management 8.1%

Arts, food & hospitality 7.7%

Transportation & utilities 6.8%

Construction 6.7%

Agriculture & mining 5.8%

Other services 5.0%

Public administration 5.0%

Finance & real estate 4.0%

Wholesale trade 3.5%

Information 0.9%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	30.9%
Service	15.7%
Sales & office	20.9%
Natural resources & construction	11.5%
Production & transportation	21.0%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	78.9%
Government	11.9%
Self-employed	9.2%
Unpaid family workers	0.0%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	79.3%
Carpool	13.6%
Public transit	0.4%
Walk	1.7%
Other means	0.7%
Avg commute (minutes)	21.8

Poverty

All people 7.6%

Under 18 years 5.3%

18 and over 8.2%

Married-couple families 4.8%

Female-led households 8.6%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	40.1%
Retirement income	23.4%
Supplemental Security	5.6%
Cash public assistance	0.3%
Food stamps / SNAP	5.8%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	33.8%
High cholesterol	34.4%
Heart disease	6.6%
Stroke	3.0%
Asthma	9.8%
Arthritis	24.6%
Kidney disease	2.8%
Pulmonary disease	8.0%
Cancer	6.7%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	17.4%
No physical activity	26.0%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	36.4%
Fair or poor health	15.3%
Poor mental health	15.8%
Poor physical health	11.0%
No health insurance	13.8%
Visited doctor (checkup)	73.2%
Visited dentist	62.0%
Cholesterol screening	87.4%
Teeth loss	17.0%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	624	7.8%

Disability	%
Any disability	15.5%
Under 18	3.7%
18–64 years	16.1%
65 and over	26.1%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	69.4%
Public insurance	40.7%
Uninsured under 19	0.5%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	9,525	95.7%
Spanish	135	1.4%
Other Indo-European	118	1.2%
Asian & Pacific Islander	0	0.0%
Other languages	8	0.1%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	9,583	96.3%
Born in same state	9,570	96.1%
Born in different state	7,426	74.6%
Foreign born	13	0.1%
Naturalized citizen	371	3.7%
Not a US citizen	219	59.0%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
Italian	1,162	11.7%
Arab	875	8.8%
French	774	7.8%
English	351	3.5%
Polish	43	0.4%

Ancestry	Count	%
Norwegian	25	0.3%
German	23	0.2%
Irish	20	0.2%
Dutch	7	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	39.2%
Internet access	95.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Rensselaer, IN have?

Rensselaer, IN has one ZIP code: 47978. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.