Each edition grades its towns against each other only.
2.5 times the nonprofits per person than the typical Indiana town.
Princeton gives you more for your money than most places: a typical home costs about $194K, 2.9 years of the county’s $68K median household income. It grades C+ overall, 404th of 585 graded towns in Indiana. The low prices come with trade-offs. CDC estimates put its residents' health behind 90% of the country. On the plus side, it is easier to get around on foot or by transit than 82% of U.S. towns. History is its standout character grade: an A, better than 94% of U.S. towns, with 4 places on the National Register. Princeton’s average trip to work is 14 minutes, where Indiana’s towns sit at 24 minutes and U.S. towns at 25 minutes. Only 2 of Indiana’s 1,043 towns score higher on civic life.
Where Princeton beats most towns, and one thing worth knowing.
Gibson County Courthouse
Census counts: 573 in 1840, 8,301 in 2020. The archive holds 12 old photos and papers going back to 1899 and 3 maps from 1901 on.
4 places on the National Register of Historic Places.
Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within Indiana), ordered by how far Princeton is from typical.
How TownRatings grades towns →
Who provides power, water and the rest in Princeton, and how to reach them.
EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Nov 18, 2024.
Ordered by what stands out in Princeton.
21% of Princeton adults smoke cigarettes. Princeton beats the Indiana average on 0 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 14. 17% of Princeton adults report frequent physical distress.
| Princeton | Indiana towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Smoke cigarettes (CDC PLACES) | 21% | 17% | 14% |
| Frequent physical distress (CDC PLACES) | 17% | 15% | 14% |
| Frequent mental distress (CDC PLACES) | 20% | 18% | 17% |
| Fair or poor health (CDC PLACES) | 25% | 21% | 19% |
| What stands out | Princeton | IN |
|---|---|---|
| More adults with COPD | 10.8% | 8.1% |
| More smokers | 20.8% | 15.7% |
| More adults facing food insecurity | 18.5% | 14.7% |
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
61% of households own their home in Princeton. Typical home values rose 5.2% in the year to September 2026.
| Princeton | Indiana towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Households that own their home | 61% | 76% | 73% |
| Median rent | $1,022 a month | $946 a month | $1,185 a month |
Census ACS, 2020–24 · Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
Princeton has chilly winters and warm summers, with plenty of rain. Princeton’s July high is 88°F.
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
Princeton has about as many jobs (4,121) as working residents, but only 854 people both live and work here. The average commute takes 13.8 minutes, against 24.1 across Indiana.
About one in 4 of Princeton’s working residents works in town. The median household income in Princeton is $58,000. Jobs based in Princeton fell to 4,121 in 2023, 380 fewer than in 2013.
| Princeton | Indiana towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Working residents who work in town | 23% | 11% | 8% |
| Below the poverty line | 17% | 10% | 9.6% |
| Median household income | $58,000 | $71,000 | $80,000 |
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
Expected storm and flood damage is lower than in 63% of U.S. communities. Since 1979, 13 flood insurance claims have been paid out in Princeton.
FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
0.2 miles of trail in 3 parks and preserves.
| Biggest places to walk | Trails | Acres |
|---|---|---|
| 1. South Side Park | — | 12 |
| 2. Lafayette Park | — | 8 |
| 3. Public Pool | — | 1 |
Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US
1 within 15 miles of the center of Princeton
About 1 of every 100 Princeton residents are enrolled in college, against 6 across Indiana.
4 places in Princeton on the National Register of Historic Places.
11 notable people were born in Princeton.
City in Indiana, United States
Princeton is the largest city in and the county seat of Gibson County, Indiana, United States. The population was 8,301 at the 2020 United States census, and it is part of the greater Evansville, Indiana, Metropolitan Area.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Princeton grades C+ overall, better than 45% of U.S. towns and #404 of 585 in Indiana. It grades D for health and B− for schools. Health is its weak spot, with a D.
Not for the area. Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades A−.
11 notable people were born here, including Jackie Young and The Amazing Criswell.
