What are the schools like in Rensselaer, IN?

Rensselaer is served primarily by Rensselaer Central School Corp. The district operates 2 elementary schools, 1 middle schools, and 1 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 14.5:1.

What is the median household income in Rensselaer?

The median household income in Rensselaer, IN is $58,659 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 2.7%.

What is the weather like in Rensselaer, IN?

Rensselaer has an average high temperature of 32.0°F in January and 83.9°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 40.1 inches and annual snowfall averages 25.3 inches.

Rensselaer, IN Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Rensselaer, IN affordable or expensive?

Rensselaer's cost of living index is 103, where 100 represents the national average. This means Rensselaer is 3% more expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $129,100 and the median rent is $871 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Rensselaer, IN?

Crime rate data for Rensselaer is not currently available from the FBI's reported data.

Is Rensselaer, IN a Good Place to Live?

Rensselaer is a small town of 5,330 in Indiana, with a median household income of $58,659 and a 2.7% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 103 (US average = 100), which is 3% above the national average.

Strengths: Rensselaer stands out for below-average home prices, solid school ratings (B-), short average commutes.

Trade-offs: No major red flags stand out in the available data. Whether Rensselaer is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Rensselaer city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 102.6

Rensselaer's overall cost of living index is 102.6, where 100 represents the US national average. Living in Rensselaer costs roughly 3% more than the average American city.

Metric	Rensselaer, IN	National Avg
Median Home Value	$129,100	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$871	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	63.5%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$58,659	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Crime data for Rensselaer is not currently available from the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program. Not all local agencies report to the UCR each year.

Schools & Education

Rensselaer is served primarily by Rensselaer Central School Corp. The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.5:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Rensselaer, IN	National Avg
School District	Rensselaer Central School Corp	—
Elementary Schools	2	—
Middle Schools	1	—
High Schools	1	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	14.5:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	18.3%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	88.3%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Rensselaer sees average highs of 32.0°F in January and 83.9°F in July, with 40.1 inches of annual precipitation and 25.3 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Rensselaer, IN
Average High — January	32.0°F
Average High — July	83.9°F
Annual Precipitation	40.1"
Annual Snowfall	25.3"

Demographics

Metric	Rensselaer, IN	National Avg
Population	5,330	—
Median Age	37.3	38.9
Unemployment Rate	2.7%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	17.2 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	89.0%	59.3%
Black or African American	1.3%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	7.8%	18.9%
Asian	0.3%	6.3%
Under 18	22.0%	22.2%
65 and over	19.1%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Mount Ayr, IN 7 mi Fair Oaks, IN 10 mi Brook, IN 11 mi Remington, IN 12 mi Goodland, IN 14 mi

ZIP Codes in Rensselaer

Rensselaer, IN is covered by 1 ZIP code:

47978

Rensselaer vs Other Cities

Rensselaer, IN vs Mount Ayr, IN Rensselaer, IN vs Fair Oaks, IN Rensselaer, IN vs Brook, IN Rensselaer, IN vs Remington, IN Rensselaer, IN vs Goodland, IN

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Rensselaer, IN affordable or expensive?

Rensselaer's cost of living index is 103, where 100 is the national average. That puts Rensselaer roughly 3% above the national average in cost. The median home price is $129,100 and median rent is $871/month.

What is the crime rate in Rensselaer, IN?

Crime data for Rensselaer is not available in the current FBI UCR reporting year. Not all jurisdictions submit data annually.

What are the schools like in Rensselaer?

Public schools in Rensselaer are operated by Rensselaer Central School Corp. The district has 2 elementary, 1 middle, and 1 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 14.5:1. 18.3% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Rensselaer, IN a good place to live?

Rensselaer, IN has a population of 5,330, a median household income of $58,659, and an unemployment rate of 2.7%. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Rensselaer?

Rensselaer averages 32.0°F in January and 83.9°F in July. Annual rainfall is 40.1 inches with about 25.3 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Rensselaer?

Rensselaer, IN is covered by 1 ZIP code: 47978.

What is the population of Rensselaer?

The population of Rensselaer, Indiana is 5,330 with a median age of 37.3. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Rensselaer?

Key numbers for living in Rensselaer: cost of living index 103 (100 = US average), median home $129,100, median household income $58,659, schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Rensselaer side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.