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The Complete Guide to Indiana License Plate County Numbers

If you have spent any time driving through the Crossroads of America, you might have caught yourself playing a classic Hoosier road trip game: trying to figure out where the cars around you are from. For decades, Indiana drivers have been able to tell exactly which county a fellow driver calls home just by glancing at their license plate.

But with recent plate redesigns, modern alphanumeric systems, and the explosion of specialty plates, many people wonder: are Indiana county numbers still on license plates today?

The short answer is yes. While the exact placement and format have evolved dramatically over the years, the tradition of identifying a vehicle’s registered county remains a foundational feature of Indiana’s vehicle registration system.

The Anatomy of a Modern Indiana License Plate

If you look at a modern Indiana standard license plate, you will not see the county number as the large starting digits like in the past. Today, the state uses a statewide random configuration for the main serial, typically a mix of letters and numbers that do not correspond to geography.

However, the county designation is still present. You can usually find it in the bottom right corner of the plate. Depending on the plate, the county identifier may appear as:

  • Screened-On Text: A printed two-digit county number or name on the plate.
  • County Decals: A small sticker placed in the bottom corner for older or transferred plates.
Note: Indiana law prohibits covering or obscuring this number with frames, tinted covers, or brackets.

The "Prefix" Era: A Century of Local Pride

From the mid-20th century until 2007, Indiana license plates prominently displayed county numbers as the first digits in the plate number.

For example:

  • 49: Marion County (Indianapolis)
  • 2: Allen County (Fort Wayne)
  • 45: Lake County

This system fostered local pride and made it easy to identify where drivers were from.

In 2008, Indiana switched to a statewide alphanumeric system due to population growth and the need for more plate combinations. The county number was moved to a smaller position on the plate.

The Master List: Decoding the 92 Counties

Indiana has 92 counties, each assigned a number based on alphabetical order.

The First Five

  • 1: Adams County
  • 2: Allen County
  • 3: Bartholomew County
  • 4: Benton County
  • 5: Blackford County

Major Metropolitan Counties

  • 29: Hamilton County
  • 45: Lake County
  • 49: Marion County
  • 71: St. Joseph County
  • 79: Tippecanoe County
  • 82: Vanderburgh County

The Final Five

  • 88: Washington County
  • 89: Wayne County
  • 90: Wells County
  • 91: White County
  • 92: Whitley County

Exceptions: Specialty and Personalized Plates

Indiana offers a wide variety of specialty license plates, including university, military, environmental, and sports-themed designs.

Even on these plates, county numbers are still required. Since designs can be complex, the county is often shown using a small decal sticker rather than printed text.

Comparing with Other States

Indiana’s county numbering system is relatively unique compared to other states.

  • Illinois & Michigan: No county identifiers on standard plates.
  • Ohio: Uses a county sticker system similar to Indiana.
  • Wyoming & Idaho: Still use large prefix numbers to indicate counties.

Nationwide, most states are moving toward randomized systems, making Indiana’s approach a lasting tradition.

The Financial Reality: Why County Numbers Matter

County numbers are not just for fun—they serve an important financial purpose.

Vehicle taxes and registration fees vary depending on where a car is registered. Many counties impose local taxes used for infrastructure, road maintenance, and public services.

The county number helps officials verify that a vehicle is properly registered in the correct location. If someone attempts to register in a lower-tax county, the plate number can reveal discrepancies.

Conclusion

While the design and placement have evolved, Indiana license plate county numbers remain an essential part of the state’s vehicle registration system.

They represent more than just administrative data—they reflect a long-standing tradition, local identity, and a practical tool for taxation and enforcement.

Even today, those small numbers continue to tell a story about where a vehicle—and its driver—call home.