DunkirkDemographics & People
Dunkirk's population stands at 1,861 people, in 815 households. Population grew 5.7% from 1,760 (2022) to 1,861 (2024). Median age 43.5 years. (4.0y older than Jay County; 5.5y older than Indiana). Children under 18 are 22% of the population. Population is 93% White (non-Hispanic) and 2% Hispanic or Latino. The community is relatively homogeneous (Simpson index 0.08). 54% of households are family-led. County is losing 211 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 38% adult obesity, 22% smoke.
- 2.3 people per household (vs Indiana avg 2.5).
- 46% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Indiana 42%).
- 64 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Indiana 67).
Population & Trend
Population grew 5.7% from 1,760 (2022) to 1,861 (2024) — about 9.6× the recent U.S. annual rate of ~0.6%/yr. Estimated 2026 population: ~1,969 (extrapolated at 2.9%/yr trend). Census Bureau Vintage estimate: 2,119.
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| County Population | 12,112 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | 5.7% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 1,760 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 1,861 |
| Annual growth rate · Population growing | Yes |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | booming |
| Population | 1,861 people (vs Indiana 51,043) |
| Population Estimate | 2,119 |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year · U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year DP05 · U.S. Census Bureau, Vintage Population Estimates · Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 43.5y is 4.6 years older than the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 22% — near the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 43.5 years (vs Indiana 36.0y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 21.5% |
| Age Summary · Character | established |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 1,861 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 401 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 355 |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 778 |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 327 |
| Median age | 43.5 years (vs Indiana 36.0y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 1,861 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.08 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as relatively homogeneous.
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 7.9% |
|---|---|
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | relatively homogeneous |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 95.9% |
| Asian population | 20.0% (vs Indiana 2.1%) |
| Black population | 40.0% (vs Indiana 8.1%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 1.7% (vs Indiana 8.9%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 93.4% (vs Indiana 74.1%) |
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year DP05 · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (8)
Sources: Census ACS 2022 B04006+B03001+B02001
Households & Family Composition
815 households. Averaging 2.1 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 54% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 451 families, 17% are married couples with children.
| Family households | 443 households (vs Indiana 11,890) |
|---|---|
| Households that are families | 54.4% (vs Indiana 57.7%) |
| Total households | 815 households (vs Indiana 21,552) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 12.6% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is losing 211 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 10,989 |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 11,200 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | -211 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Other
| County Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 18009 |
|---|---|
| County Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 18 |
| County Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 009 |
| County Cdc Birth Rate · County | Blackford |
| County Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 30.6 per 1,000 |
| County Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 23.00 |
| County Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 39.90 |
| County Cdc Mortality · Fips | 18009 |
| County Cdc Mortality · County | Blackford County |
| County Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Noncore |
| County Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 427 |
Sources: CDC NCHS Vital Statistics · CDC WONDER