Anderson, IN Homes For Rent

Homes for Rent in Anderson, IN: What You Need to Know

Anderson lies along the White River in east-central Indiana. It’s home to the Church of God (Anderson, Indiana), a Christian reformation movement with a global presence.

Job Opportunities

The local economy enjoys a diverse base, from health care and education to food services and manufacturing. The Flagship Enterprise Center, a small-business incubator developed by the city and Anderson University, helps attract new companies to the area. The biggest employers in Anderson include Ascension St. Vincent Anderson (hospital), Community Hospital Anderson, Hoosier Park Racing and Casino, Nestle (beverage production and distribution), Carter Express (logistics), and Continuum Global Solutions (call center).

Local History

Originally known as Andersontown, the city was named after Chief William Anderson of the Delaware (also called Lenape) people. His mother was a Delaware while his father was of Swedish descent. In 1844, the Indiana legislature shortened the name to Anderson. Natural gas was discovered in 1887, leading to an economic and population boom, but the gas ran out in 1912. The Church of God was founded in 1881 to transcend denominational loyalties. Despite its name, it’s not a church or sect. It distinguishes itself from other Church of God movements by appending “Anderson, Indiana” to its name. Today, the movement has 887,000 believers throughout the world, with 2,100 congregations in the U.S. and Canada. 

Schools and Higher Education

Anderson University (1,722 students) is a private, four-year institution of higher learning affiliated with the Church of God. The university offers 59 undergraduate majors and 46 minors, and 18 masters and doctoral programs. There are 29 other colleges and universities within 50 miles of the city. Anderson has 12 public schools with a total enrolment of 8,185 students.

Cost of Living

Although the food cost in Anderson is 0.1% higher than the national average, the city is plenty affordable. Its overall cost of living rate and housing costs are 11% and 23.8% lower than the national average respectively, with median gross rent at $757. Hoosier State residents pay 3.23% in state income tax and county taxes of up to 3.38%. The state collects 7% in sales tax.

Know Your Neighborhoods

Anderson (population: 54,765) has a vibrant downtown area, more than a dozen parks, and numerous murals, public art installations, and sculptures throughout the city. The city gets kudos for its friendly, helpful, and respectful residents. For families, a possible downside is the schools. Pendleton and Elwood are smaller than Anderson, but their schools have higher rankings.