Can households afford energy in Indiana?
22nd of 51. All Indiana households: 2.7% ($2,295 of $84,310). Same income group, U.S.: 8.3%. Under 30% of median: 20.8% on $8,174. Renters 3.4%, owners 2.6%.
Indiana burden by income bracket
At or above 6% in Indiana: under 30%, 30% to 60%. Together 26% of homes (682,941 of 2,653,596).
Indiana burden, % of income
- 20.8Under 30%
- 7.230% to 60%
- 5.060% to 80%
- 3.980% to 100%
- 1.9Over 100%
Getting the average under-30% household in Indiana down to 6% takes $1,206 off its $1,696 energy cost, or $20,093 more income.
Indiana income, cost and burden
| Bracket | Indiana homes | Share | Indiana income | Electric | All energy | Indiana burden | U.S. burden |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 30% | 266,282 | 10% | $8,174 | $1,216 | $1,696 | 20.8% | 17.0% |
| 30% to 60% | 416,659 | 16% | $27,022 | $1,368 | $1,955 | 7.2% | 6.3% |
| 60% to 80% | 297,907 | 11% | $43,228 | $1,498 | $2,163 | 5.0% | 4.3% |
| 80% to 100% | 287,117 | 11% | $58,416 | $1,566 | $2,282 | 3.9% | 3.4% |
| Over 100% | 1,385,630 | 52% | $130,367 | $1,740 | $2,544 | 1.9% | 1.6% |
| All | 2,653,596 | 100% | $84,310 | $1,583 | $2,295 | 2.7% | 2.2% |
Renters, owners and fuel in Indiana
Renters pay $1,428 on $41,955 (3.4%); owners $2,664 on $102,363 (2.6%); U.S. 2.4% and 2.2%. Most common fuel: utility gas, 59% of homes. Heaviest burden: fuel oil, 6.0%.
| Indiana heating fuel | Homes | Share | Indiana income | All energy | Burden |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Electricity | 808,426 | 30.5% | $72,833 | $1,954 | 2.7% |
| Utility gas | 1,565,928 | 59.0% | $90,525 | $2,341 | 2.6% |
| Bottled gas (propane) | 193,202 | 7.3% | $87,527 | $3,227 | 3.7% |
| Fuel oil | 15,744 | 0.6% | $62,133 | $3,706 | 6.0% |
| Wood, coal, solar and other | 70,296 | 2.6% | $73,984 | $2,324 | 3.1% |
Your burden against Indiana
Help and shutoff rules in Indiana
FY2024 LIHEAP heating help: 122,015 homes, 18 per 100 under 60% of median.
FY2026 funding snapshot $87,120,620, $128 per such home.
Eligibility listed: Heating & Crisis: 60% State Median Income Weatherization: 200% Federal Poverty Guidelines.
Benefits listed: Heating: $100 minimum, $625 maximum Winter Crisis: $800 maximum.
Programs named for Indiana: Northern Indiana Public Service Co. (NIPSCO); Emergency Charitable Assistance; Warm Heart, Warm Home Foundation; Decatur County REMC.
- Indiana LIHEAP office, phone 317-232-7777
- Clearinghouse snapshot, Indiana
- Indiana help with your bill
Indiana has a cold-weather clause; wording on the help page.
Read: 170 IAC 4-1-16; Ind. Code 8-1-2-121 (winter, via OUCC page), checked 2026-10-02; some utilities only.
Not legal advice. Ask your Indiana utility.
Highest-burden Indiana counties
92 counties with 1,000+ homes; top: Jay County at 5.4%, lowest of the 92: Hamilton County at 1.7%.
| Indiana county | Homes | Income | All energy | Burden | Under 60% |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jay County | 8,091 | $63,655 | $3,438 | 5.4% | 13.6% |
| Pulaski County | 4,795 | $69,278 | $3,410 | 4.9% | 13.7% |
| Perry County | 7,586 | $69,705 | $3,411 | 4.9% | 15.8% |
| Benton County | 3,423 | $73,175 | $3,452 | 4.7% | 13.7% |
| Warren County | 3,312 | $80,581 | $3,747 | 4.7% | 15.9% |
| Fountain County | 6,820 | $67,630 | $3,037 | 4.5% | 12.9% |
| Randolph County | 10,191 | $67,787 | $3,034 | 4.5% | 12.5% |
| Scott County | 9,693 | $62,776 | $2,770 | 4.4% | 12.1% |
Next to Indiana in the ranking
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Sources
DOE LEAD 2022; LIHEAP Clearinghouse; CSV.
Questions
How much of income do Indiana households spend on energy?
2.7% for all households ($2,295 of $84,310) and 9.4% under 60% of median income. U.S.: 2.2%, 8.3%.
Who is hit hardest in Indiana?
Households under 30% of median income: 20.8%, 266,282 homes spending $1,696 on $8,174.
How many Indiana homes get LIHEAP heating help?
122,015 in FY2024, 18 per 100 homes under 60% of median; not a take-up rate.
Is electricity the whole Indiana energy burden?
No: electricity is 1.9% of 2.7%; gas and other fuel are the rest.