The Tipton County Chamber of Commerce publishes a quarterly look at the local economy. Here is where the county stands at mid-year 2026, covering the labor market, hiring demand, and residential real estate.
Labor Market
May 2026, Indiana Department of Workforce Development
3.2%
Unemployment rate
7,852
Employed residents
8,111
Labor force
+99
Employed residents added since 2025
Tipton County’s unemployment rate fell to 3.2% in May 2026, down from 3.9% a year earlier. That matches Indiana’s statewide rate, beats the national rate of 4.1%, and sits well below neighboring Howard County at 4.8%. The number of employed residents grew by roughly 100 over the same period.
What this means for members: The labor market is tight. With unemployment low and employment rising, hiring stays competitive and wage pressure is likely to continue. If you plan to add staff this year, expect to compete harder for qualified workers.
Hiring Demand
Past 12 months through May 2026, Lightcast
1,469
Unique job openings posted
255
Companies actively hiring
23 days
Median time to fill a role
$47,500
Median advertised salary
Employers across Tipton County posted 1,469 unique job openings over the past year, with 255 companies actively hiring. Monthly posting volume has run higher than it did in 2024, a sign of sustained demand. Hiring is concentrated in healthcare, manufacturing and food processing, and agriculture, led by employers like IU Health Tipton, OSI, and Corteva. The most in-demand roles include registered nurses, truck drivers, food service managers, and production workers.
What this means for members: Small employers are competing for the same workers as the county’s largest companies. Openings take a median of 23 days to fill, and the median advertised salary is $47,500. If you are hiring, benchmark your pay and benefits against that range and plan for a multi-week search.
Residential Real Estate
Year to date through June 19, 2026, MIBOR Broker Listing Cooperative – via RE/MAX Anew Realty
57
Homes sold
$224,901
Average sale price
50 days
Average time on market
97%
Sale-to-list ratio
Through mid-June, 57 residential properties sold across Tipton County at an average sale price of $224,901. Homes averaged 50 days on the market and sold for 97% of their list price, a sign of a steady market where sellers are getting close to asking. The core of the market is 3-bedroom homes, which accounted for 41 of those sales at an average price of $220,238.
What this means for members: Housing availability and price shape whether the county can attract and keep workers. A market this steady supports workforce recruitment, an ongoing factor for employers competing for talent across the region.
Sources: Indiana Department of Workforce Development, May 2026 (labor and unemployment). Lightcast Q2 2026, trailing 12 months through May 2026 (job postings; advertised salary reflects the roughly 29% of postings that list pay). MIBOR Broker Listing Cooperative, January 1 through June 19, 2026 (residential real estate, all residential property types countywide; figures are average sale prices, not medians).
The Tipton County Chamber of Commerce publishes this snapshot quarterly. Questions about the data or how it affects your business? Contact us at director@tiptonchamber.org.
