Indianapolis

by The Linguist

Indianapolis, Indiana – The Crossroads of America

Indianapolis is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Indiana. Located in Marion County in central Indiana, the city had an estimated population of 876,862 in 2021, making it the 16th most populous city in the United States and the second most populous city in the Midwest after Chicago.

Nicknamed the “Crossroads of America,” Indianapolis was founded in 1821 near the confluence of the White River and Fall Creek. It quickly became an important hub for transportation and commerce due to its location at the intersection of several major roadways. Today, Indianapolis is known for its strong economy, vibrant arts scene, famous auto racing, and much more.

History of Indianapolis [1]

Before the arrival of European settlers, the area around present-day Indianapolis was inhabited by various Native American tribes for thousands of years. The Delaware, Miami, Piankeshaw, and Wea all had villages in the area at one time.

In 1818, the Delaware signed the Treaty of St. Mary’s which officially ceded central Indiana to the federal government. The following year, the Indiana General Assembly authorized the construction of a new planned capital city near the confluence of the White River and Fall Creek. Indianapolis was founded in 1821 by a group of land speculators who purchased four square miles of dense forest for development of the new state capital.

Alexander Ralston and Elias Pym Fordham surveyed and designed the original grid plan for the new city of Indianapolis. Early growth was slow, but the city began to develop rapidly after completion of the National Road and introduction of rail service in the 1840s and 1850s. Indianapolis was chosen as the site of the state government in 1825 and officially chartered as a city in 1847.

During the American Civil War, Indianapolis was loyal to the Union cause. After the war, Indianapolis experienced tremendous growth and economic expansion. Major meat packing companies were founded near the Union Stock Yards. Several railroads converged on the city, helping it become a major freight hub. Manufacturing also flourished as Indianapolis attracted numerous industries.

The discovery of natural gas reservoirs beneath central Indiana led to a boom era from the late 1880s through the early 1900s. Major public works projects like the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument, Indiana Statehouse, and Indianapolis Union Station were constructed during this period. Other notable developments included the opening of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1909 which cemented the city’s link with auto racing.

Over the 20th century, Indianapolis continued expanding its economy and population. The city consolidated with Marion County in 1970. While many Midwest cities declined after World War II, Indianapolis enjoyed steady growth and revitalization. It emerged as a major finance and life sciences hub. Indianapolis is now the site of numerous corporate headquarters and continues attracting investment.

Historical Population

  • 1820: 700
  • 1860: 18,611
  • 1900: 169,164
  • 1950: 427,173
  • 2000: 791,926
  • 2010: 820,445
  • 2021: 876,862 (est.)

Indianapolis Government

Indianapolis has a consolidated city-county government known as Unigov. The mayor of Indianapolis is elected by voters in Marion County. The current mayor is Joe Hogsett.

The City-County Building houses most of the city’s government offices. It is located at:

200 E Washington St
Indianapolis, IN 46204
Phone: (317) 327-3601

The City-County Council acts as both the city’s legislative body and the county commissioners. It consists of 29 members representing districts across Marion County.

Indianapolis is also the seat of state government for Indiana. The Indiana Statehouse, governor’s office, and many other state departments are located in downtown Indianapolis.

Geography and Climate

Indianapolis covers 368 square miles located near the center of Indiana. It lies on a flat plain that was once dense forest. The White River flows through the heart of the city.

Indianapolis has a humid continental climate. Summers are hot and humid. Winters are generally cold with moderate snowfall. The average high in July is 84°F and the average low in January is 20°F. Indianapolis gets about 42 inches of rain per year on average.

Its central Midwestern location and lack of any major physical barriers has helped make Indianapolis a major logistics and distribution hub. The city’s navigable waterways and extensive rail and highway access contribute to its “Crossroads of America” nickname.

Economy [2]

Major companies headquartered in Indianapolis include pharmacy giant Eli Lilly and Company, insurer Anthem Inc., mortgage lender CMG Financial, battery manufacturer Energizer Holdings, and media conglomerate Emmis Communications.

Other major private sector employers in Indianapolis include St. Vincent Health, Methodist Hospital, Indiana University Health, Roche Diagnostics, Rolls-Royce, Salesforce, and Allison Transmission.

Public sector employment is also significant with the City of Indianapolis, State of Indiana, federal government, Indianapolis Public Schools, and public universities. The city is also home to many nonprofits and associations.

Once focused heavily on manufacturing, the Indianapolis economy today is diverse with strengths in finance, education, healthcare, life sciences, motorsports, logistics and more. Key industries include advanced manufacturing, information technology, motorsports, clean tech, and agricultural sciences.

Major business and industrial parks in the city include Avionics Park, AllPoints Midwest, AllPoints Anson, Bellefontaine, Lafayette Business Park, AmeriPlex at the Crossroads, and others.

Transportation

Indianapolis International Airport (IND) offers about 170 daily flights to 50 destinations on 9 airlines. It handled over 9 million passengers in 2019.

Four interstate highways converge on Indianapolis – I-65, I-69, I-70, and I-74. Two beltways encircle the city – I-465 and I-865.

The Indiana Transportation Museum operates excursion rail rides from the Indianapolis Union Station. Amtrak also serves Union Station providing long-distance rail connections.

IndyGo operates 97 bus routes, three bus rapid transit lines, and other services. A light rail line is proposed for the city’s central core.

The Indianapolis Cultural Trail is an urban bike and pedestrian path connecting key landmarks and districts downtown.

Culture and Tourism

Indianapolis is home to many unique attractions and museums. Popular destinations include:

  • Indianapolis Motor Speedway and Hall of Fame Museum
  • Indianapolis Zoo
  • Indianapolis Museum of Art
  • NCAA Hall of Champions
  • The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
  • Indiana State Museum
  • Newfields art center
  • Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians and Western Art
  • Indianapolis Museum of Contemporary Art
  • Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument
  • Benjamin Harrison Presidential Site
  • James Whitcomb Riley Museum Home
  • Madame Walker Legacy Center
  • Indiana Medical History Museum

Popular events each year include the Indianapolis 500, Brickyard 400, Gen Con, Indy Jazz Fest, Indiana Black Expo, and Circle City Classic.

The arts scene is anchored by the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra, Indianapolis Opera, Indianapolis Ballet, Phoenix Theatre, Indiana Repertory Theatre, and more.

Broad Ripple Village, Mass Ave, Fountain Square, and Wholesale District are vibrant commercial areas with numerous shops, boutiques, restaurants, and nightlife.

Indianapolis has many parks such as Eagle Creek Park, Garfield Park, and White River State Park. The Monon Trail, Central Canal, and Cultural Trail offer scenic walking and biking.

Numerous festivals and events take place at the Indiana State Fairgrounds. Conventions are held at the Indiana Convention Center and Lucas Oil Stadium.

Sports

Indianapolis is home to several professional and amateur sports teams:

The city annually hosts several major sporting events including the Indianapolis 500, Big Ten Football Championship Game, NCAA basketball tournaments, and more.

Indianapolis has hosted the Pan American Games and Super Bowl XLVI.

Motorsports are extremely popular in Indianapolis. The city has hosted Formula One, MotoGP, and NASCAR races in the past along with the Indianapolis 500.

Local colleges IUPUI, Butler University, and Marian University also field several Division I and II teams.

Demographics

The 2021 population of Indianapolis was estimated to be 876,862. The racial makeup is about 62% white, 27% black, 2% Asian, and 7% Hispanic/Latino. The median age is 34.3 years old.

The ten largest ancestry groups in Indianapolis are German (19%), African American (15%), Irish (11.5%), English (6%), United States or American (4%), Subsaharan African (3.9%), Polish (3.6%), Mexican (2.6%), Italian (2.6%), French (2%)

Neighborhoods and Districts

Some notable neighborhoods and districts in Indianapolis include:

  • Downtown Indianapolis
  • Mass Ave Cultural District
  • Fountain Square
  • Broad Ripple
  • Wholesale District
  • Canal and White River State Park
  • Old Northside Historic District
  • Butler-Tarkington
  • Meridian-Kessler
  • Irvington

Education

Indianapolis Public Schools serves about 27,000 students in 65 schools. Other public school districts in Marion County include:

Indianapolis is home to multiple universities and colleges:

Landmarks

GPS Coordinates for Three Indianapolis Landmarks:

  • Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Monument: 39.768403, -86.158684
  • Indiana Statehouse: 39.767454, -86.158453
  • Indianapolis Motor Speedway: 39.795702, -86.233996

Additional Resources

Learn more about Indianapolis from these local resources: