Universal’s mean commuting time is 15 minutes, against 24 minutes in Indiana’s towns and 25 minutes across U.S. towns. Only 3 of the 571 Indiana towns we compare have a lower typical rent than Universal. Universal has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.

Small town

285 people, and everyone knows the way

In a town this size, neighbors are the best guide. Ask them anything.

Nearby towns

Clinton Township · 2 mi Fayette Township · 4 mi Clinton · 4 mi Fairview Park · 5 mi Stratton Township · 7 mi Otter Creek Township · 7 mi

Universal-trustee-office-in, 2020

Universal’s story

115 years in pictures

Census counts: 1,570 in 1920, 283 in 2020. The archive holds 2 old photos and papers going back to 2020 and 2 maps from 1950 on.

1911Universal is founded

Explore the history →

Getting set up

Moving to Universal: who provides what

Who provides power, water and the rest in Universal, and how to reach them.

The full setup list →

PowerDuke Energy15.0¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA

WaterUniversal Water Works5 health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA

Internet4 providers100% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC

Trash & dumpNot on file yetWe don’t have Universal’s trash rules yet

SchoolsSouth Vermillion Community School CorporationWhich school depends on your addressNCES

Register to voteOnlineIn Indiana you can register online until 29 days before Election Day, in person until 29 days before Election Day, or by mail (postmarked 29 days before).vote.gov

Who runs elections hereVermillion County Circuit Court ClerkVermillion County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Sep 2017

ZIP codes47884, 4784247884 74% · 47842 26%Census 2020

EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Nov 18, 2024.

The data

Ordered by what stands out in Universal.

Work & commute

Most of Universal’s workers head elsewhere: there are 0.2 jobs for each of them

Half commute less than 13 miles. 17% of Universal residents live below the poverty line, above both Indiana’s towns (10%) and U.S. towns (9.6%). The town’s typical household income stands at $54,000. The top destinations are Terre Haute (29%), Clinton Township (12%) and Indianapolis (9%).

0%work in town

	Universal	Indiana towns	U.S. towns
Below the poverty line	17%	10%	9.6%
Median household income	$54,000	$71,000	$80,000

Where working residents work

In Universal0%

Terre Haute29%

Clinton Township12%

Indianapolis9%

Paris5%

13 mi

median commute distance

jobs based in Universal

A commuter town

jobs vs. working residents

Full pageUniversal’s work & commute pageOpen the page

The jobs here20 jobs based here · A commuter town Where people work0% work in Universal Commute times15 minutes · The average commute How far they goHalf commute less than 13 miles

Census LEHD 2023 · ACS

Climate

In Universal, expect four seasons and pleasant summers

A winter brings about 15 inches of snow, with January nights at 20° and July afternoons at 86°.

15″snow a winter

Typical low → high °F

Winter23–39°

Spring42–64°

Summer63–85°

Fall44–66°

Oct 18

typical first frost

Apr 16

typical last frost

+1.1°

vs. the 20th-century average

Full pageUniversal’s climate pageOpen the page

A year of weatherJuly highs 86°, January lows 20°Rain & snow15″ of snow a winter · 43 inches of rain and snow a year Heating & coolingMostly a heating bill Then and now+1.1° vs. the 20th century · Warmer than the 20th-century average

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020

Health

How healthy Universal is

11% of adults worry about having enough food in Universal. Universal: 26% of adults have been diagnosed with depression.

	Universal	Indiana towns	U.S. towns
Depression (CDC PLACES)	26%	26%	23%
Get no exercise (CDC PLACES)	22%	26%	25%
Food insecurity (CDC PLACES)	11%	14%	14%
Yearly checkup (CDC PLACES)	81%	80%	79%

32 measures vs. Indiana

7 better25 too close to call0 worse

What stands out	Universal	IN
Fewer uninsured adults	6.2%	8.9%
Fewer adults facing food insecurity	10.6%	14.7%

Union Hospital Clinton

3.7 mi away · emergency room

3 of 3

care shortages: primary care, dental, mental health

Full pageUniversal’s health reportOpen the page

Everyday habitsFewer adults who get no exercise Hospitals & doctors nearby3.7 miles to an ER · Union Hospital Clinton How adults are doingFewer adults in fair or poor health Every CDC estimateBetter than IN on 7 of 32

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA

Natural hazards

Moderate risk in Universal, with inland flooding at the top

45% of Universal’s expected losses from natural hazards come from inland flooding, followed by cold waves at 18%. FEMA expects less storm and flood damage locally than in 54% of U.S. communities. Households in the town have drawn federal disaster aid once, in 2008.

46risk score of 100

FEMA risk score

Inland floodingCold wavesTornadoes

federal disasters paid out here

Full pageUniversal’s hazards pageOpen the page

What it facesModerate risk Flood claims0 paid flood claims · No paid flood claims on record Past disasters1 federal disaster · Paid out in Universal Get ready3.9 events a year, on average · Ready for inland flooding

FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA

Housing