| City: | Petroleum, Indiana |
| County: | Wells County |
| Timezone: | Eastern (GMT -05:00) |
| Local Time: | 10:02:17 PM |
| Population: | 196 [See All] |
| Area Code: | 260 |
| Classification: | PO Box |
| Coordinates: | 40.6143, -85.1542 |
| Land Area: | 2.588 sq mi |
| Quick Link: |
Petroleum is a compact rural community in Wells County, Indiana, covering just 0.08 square miles. With 196 residents and 72 households, it's among the smallest incorporated places with its own ZIP code. The town maintains both city and rural carrier routes for mail delivery, serving 48 single-family homes and 3 local businesses.
Despite being classified as a PO Box ZIP, Petroleum actually has no PO Boxes at all. All mail arrives via street delivery to addresses along E Market St, S Main St, and numbered streets like E 1st St and E 2nd St. This classification doesn't match current reality. The town has had full street delivery for years, but the postal database still carries the legacy designation.
Petroleum is an aging community. Of the 74 total housing units, 46 were built before 1939. That's 62% of the housing stock predating World War II. The median home value of $74,600 makes this one of Indiana's most affordable communities. Median age is 31.3 years, and the population is 97% White (190 of 196 residents).
The town's street pattern follows a traditional grid. E Market St carries the most delivery points (8 addresses), followed by S Main St (3 addresses). Tree-named streets like S Cherry St, S Walnut St, and S Maple St round out the compact downtown area. With only 19 total delivery points across 8 streets, Petroleum remains what it has always been: a quiet crossroads settlement in rural Indiana.
Street names follow a traditional small-town pattern: numbered streets (E 1st, E 2nd) and tree names (Cherry, Walnut, Maple) radiating from a Market St and Main St core.
ZIP Code 46778 has 196 residents and 72 households (average 2.72 persons per household). The median age is 31.3 years, younger than the state (38.2) and significantly younger than the nation (38.8). The gender split is 62.8% male and 37.2% female, which is much higher than the national male share (49.1%), making this a male-majority area. Largest groups are White (96.9%, much higher than the state average of 77.2% and well above the national average of 61.6%) and Other / Two or More Races (2.0%, lower than the national average of 8.4%); Hispanic or Latino residents make up 1.5%, which is much lower than the national average (18.7%).
Explore More:Population Over TimeBy Age & GenderBy RaceBy GenderNativity & Citizenship
| 2020 Population: | 196Source: Census DHC |
| 2024 ACS Population Estimate: | 34Source: Census ACS |
| 2026 ZC Population Estimate: | 130Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Population Density: | 75.7 people per sq mile |
| Average Income: | $0Source: Census ACS |
| Households: | 72Source: Census DHC |
| Average House Value: | $666,666,666Source: Census ACS |
| Persons Per Household: | 2.72Source: Census DHC |
| Average Family Size: | 2.76Source: Census ACS |
| Group | 2010 | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Census ACS Population Estimate | -- | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 84 | 103 | 83 | 34 |
| Decennial Census | 0 | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | -- | 196 | -- | -- | -- | -- |
Median Age: 31.3
Male Median Age: 37.8
Female Median Age: 26.5
| Group | < 5 | 5-9 | 10-14 | 15-19 | 20-24 | 25-29 | 30-34 | 35-39 | 40-44 | 45-49 | 50-54 | 55-59 | 60-64 | 65-69 | 70-74 | 75-79 | 80-84 | 85+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Male | 18 | 9 | 8 | 9 | 2 | 10 | 4 | 5 | 10 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Female | 10 | 4 | 4 | 9 | 9 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 10 | 1 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| Total | 28 | 13 | 12 | 18 | 11 | 14 | 5 | 7 | 13 | 21 | 10 | 15 | 10 | 4 | 5 | 8 | 1 | 1 |
| White: | 190 | 96.45% |
| Black: | 0 | 0% |
| Hispanic:* | 3 | 1.52% |
| Asian: | 0 | 0% |
| American Indian: | 0 | 0% |
| Hawaiian: | 0 | 0% |
| Other: | 4 | 2.03% |
| Total: | 197 | 100% |
| Gender | Count | % | Median Age |
|---|---|---|---|
| Males: | 123 | 62.76% | 37.8 years |
| Females: | 73 | 37.24% | 26.5 years |
| Total: | 196 | 100% | 31.3 years |
| Native, born in the United States: | 34 | 100.00% |
| Native, born in PR, Island Areas, or abroad: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, naturalized U.S. citizen: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Foreign born, not a U.S. citizen: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Population: | 34 | 100% |
| Total Native Population: | 34 | 100.00% |
| Total Foreign-born Population: | 0 | 0.00% |
In 2024, the Median household income is $0, which is far less than the state median ($70,051), and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $0. Family households earn a median of $0 versus $0 for nonfamily households (a difference of $0). By gender, male median income is $0 and female is $0, which is well under the state female median ($47,719), with a current gap of $0 that has stayed about the same from 2011 to 2024. The labor-force participation rate is 26.5%, which is considerably lower than the state rate (64.0%). The unemployment rate is 0.0%, which is markedly below the national rate (5.2%). The largest occupation group is Management (100.0%).
Explore More:Income Over TimeHousehold IncomeEmployment StatusBy Occupation
| Income Type | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $34,032 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Family Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median NonFamily Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Male Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Median Female Income | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Employed: | 9 | 26.47% |
| Unemployed: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Not In Labor Force: | 25 | 73.53% |
| Total: | 34 | 100% |
| Management, business, science, and arts: | 9 | 100.00% |
| Service: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Sales and Office: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Natural resources, construction, and maintenance: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Production, transportation, and material moving: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Civilian Employed Population: | 9 | 100% |
In 2024, the median home value is $0, which is considerably lower than the state median ($201,600), and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $0. The median gross rent is $0, which is far less than the state median ($1,020), and above its 2019 pre-pandemic level by $0. Insufficient data for owner/renter mix. Insufficient data for vacancy rate.
Explore More:Compare Home ValueHome Value Over TimeRent & Over TimeHousing Occupancy
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home Value | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $64,400 | $76,800 | $74,600 | $0 |
| Less than $500: | 0 | 0% |
| $500 to $999: | 0 | 0% |
| $1,000 to $1,499: | 0 | 0% |
| $1,500 to $1,999: | 0 | 0% |
| $2,000 to $2,499: | 0 | 0% |
| $2,500 to $2,999: | 0 | 0% |
| $3,000 or more: | 0 | 0% |
| No Rent: | 0 | 0% |
| Total: | 0 | 100% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median Rent | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 | $0 |
| Owner Occupied (with mortgage): | 25 | 73.53% |
| Owner Occupied (free and clear, no mortgage): | 9 | 26.47% |
| Renter Occupied: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Occupied Housing Units: | 34 | 100% |
| Occupied Housing Units: | 34 | 100.00% |
| Vacant Housing Units (not graphed): | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Housing Units: | 34 | 100% |
| Single-Family Units: | 34 | 100.00% |
| Multi-Family Units: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Other Units: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total Housing Units: | 34 | 100% |
In 2024, 0.00% of adults (25+) have a bachelor's degree or higher, which is comparable to the national rate (35.00%). High school or higher is 26.50%, which is markedly below the state rate (90.20%). The uninsured rate is 26.50%, which is on par with the state rate (7.60%). Private coverage is 0.00%, which is markedly below the state rate (69.00%). The share of people in poverty is -666,666,666.00%, which is far lower than the national rate (8.70%). Poverty has been broadly stable, which may reflect structural barriers or offsetting gains and setbacks. Insufficient data for school enrollment.
Explore More:Educational AttainmentHealth InsurancePoverty Over TimeSchool Enrollment
| Less than 9th grade: | 0 | 0.00% |
| 9th to 12th grade, no diploma: | 25 | 73.53% |
| High school graduate (includes equivalency): | 9 | 26.47% |
| Some college, no degree: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Associate's degree: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Bachelor's degree: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Graduate or professional degree: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Total: | 34 | 100% |
| High school or higher: | 9 | 26.47% |
| Bachelor's degree or higher: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Private Insurance: | 0 | 0.00% |
| Public Insurance: | 25 | 73.53% |
| No Insurance: | 9 | 26.47% |
| Total: | 34 | 100% |
| Has Health Insurance: | 25 | 73.53% |
| Group | 2011 | 2102 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % of People in Poverty | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% | 0.0% |
Note: Counts of Families & People in poverty are not published at the ZIP Code level due to small sample sizes. Percentages shown are survey estimates from the American Community Survey (ACS). They may differ from official poverty statistics. The U.S. Census Bureau defines poverty status by comparing a family's or individual's total income with federal poverty thresholds that vary by family size and composition.
| Nursery School, Preschool: | 0 | 0% |
| Kindergarten: | 0 | 0% |
| Elementary school (grades 1-8): | 0 | 0% |
| High school (grades 9-12): | 0 | 0% |
| College or graduate school: | 0 | 0% |
| Total: | 0 | 100% |
| Early Childhood: | 0 | 0% |
| K-12 (Primary & Secondary School): | 0 | 0% |
ZIP Code 46778 is designated for PO Box delivery only; business establishment and employment data are not available. USPS data shows 48 residential mailboxes and 3 business mailboxes, reflecting local delivery coverage.
| # Residential Mailboxes: | 48Source: USPS |
| # Business Mailboxes: | 3Source: USPS |
| Total Delivery Receptacles: | 174Source: USPS |
| Single Family Delivery Units: | 48Source: USPS |
| Multi Family Delivery Units: | 0Source: USPS |
| # of Businesses: | 0Source: CBP |
| 1st Quarter Payroll: | $0Source: CBP |
| Annual Payroll: | $0Source: CBP |
| # of Employees: | 0Source: CBP |
ZIP Code 46778 is located in Wells County, Indiana, within the Fort Wayne, IN Metropolitan Statistical Area (CBSA 23060) and Indiana's 3rd Congressional District. This Metro area has a population of 416,257 people, about 0.05% of whom live in ZIP Code 46778. It covers 2.588 sq mi of land and a water area of 0 sq mi.
| CBSA Name: | Fort Wayne, INSource: Census |
| CBSA Number: | 23060Source: Census |
| CBSA Type: | MetroSource: Census |
| CBSA Division: | --Source: Census |
| CBSA Population: | 416,257Source: Census |
| MSA: | Fort Wayne, IN MSASource: Census |
| Land Area: | 2.588 sq miSource: Census |
| Water Area: | --Source: Census |
| Congressional District: | 03Source: USPS |
| Congressional Land Area: | 4180.37 sq miSource: Census |
| PMSA: | --Source: Census |
| Intro Date: | < 2004-10Source: ZIP-Codes.com |
| Place FIPS Code: | --Source: Census |
| Place Name: | --Source: Census |
We could not locate which school district 46778 belongs to, but we will update this once new district data is released. There are no public schools nor private schools with a mailing address in this ZIP Code. Listing Nearby schools instead. It also has 6 colleges, universities or post secondary education institutions nearby which would be a short commute to.
Our sources include trusted federal and licensed data from the United States Postal Service, U.S. Census Bureau, U.S. Geological Survey, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, and the National Center for Education Statistics, along with proprietary datasets created by ZIP-Codes.com. Data last updated on February 1, 2026.