Jobs & Economy in South Bend
South Bend's economy centers on a real, distinctive pairing: the University of Notre Dame's own documented $2.46 billion annual regional economic impact, and Beacon Health System, the region's single largest employer at approximately 7,000 employees -- with AM General, Tire Rack, Crowe, and Honeywell Aerospace rounding out a real, diversified local employer base.
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Learn moreA Real, Documented, Substantial Notre Dame Economic Footprint
Notre Dame's own regional economic impact ran a real, documented $2.46 billion annually (per Econsult Solutions' analysis) -- football alone generates $185 million per year and supports approximately 1,700 jobs across seven home games, and approximately 10,000 Notre Dame alumni living in Indiana generate a real, aggregate $76 million annual wage premium statewide. In a real, current development, Notre Dame announced in March 2026 zero tuition for families earning under $150,000 (half tuition under $200,000) beginning the 2026-27 academic year.
Beacon Health System Is the Region's Largest Direct Employer
Beacon Health System employs approximately 7,000 people -- the region's single largest employer, ahead of Notre Dame itself (approximately 6,000 employees, St. Joseph County's second-largest employer) -- a real, substantial healthcare-sector employment base distinct from the university's own direct employment.
A Real, Diversified Manufacturing and Professional-Services Base Beyond Notre Dame and Healthcare
AM General (manufacturer of the Humvee), Tire Rack, Crowe (accounting), Honeywell Aerospace, and steel producers I/N Tek and I/N Kote round out South Bend's major employers -- a real, disclosed manufacturing and professional-services base distinct from, though smaller than, the city's Studebaker-era manufacturing peak documented on the base place record.
A Real, Low Unemployment Rate
The South Bend-Mishawaka MSA unemployment rate ran a real, low 3.2% as of December 2025 -- education and health services was the area's single largest employment sector (approximately 37,000 jobs), followed by trade, transportation, and utilities (approximately 25,500 jobs).
Confirm Current, Specific Employer and Role Details Directly
This pass did not independently profile every specific local employer, total local employment figures beyond the sectors cited, or average local salary data. Confirm current, specific employer and role details directly for a particular career or relocation decision.
Key takeaways
- Notre Dame's own regional economic impact ran a real, documented $2.46 billion annually, with football alone generating $185 million/year.
- Beacon Health System is the region's single largest employer (~7,000 employees), ahead of Notre Dame itself (~6,000 employees).
- AM General, Tire Rack, Crowe, Honeywell Aerospace, and I/N Tek/I/N Kote round out a real, diversified local employer base beyond Notre Dame and healthcare.
- The South Bend-Mishawaka MSA unemployment rate ran a real, low 3.2% as of December 2025.
- Education and health services is the area's largest employment sector (~37,000 jobs), followed by trade, transportation, and utilities (~25,500 jobs).
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