The City of Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is located in the center of Indiana. Indianapolis is the 12th largest city in the United States. After decreasing during the 1970s, the population of Indianapolis grew from 700,807 in 1980 to 791,926 in 2000. In 2002, its population was estimated at 793,645. The population of the metropolitan area also was increasing, climbing from 1,380,491 in 1990 to 1,607,486 in 2000. Since the 1970s the city’s population growth has occurred primarily in the suburbs, with a number of cities just outside Indianapolis—Carmel, Greenwood, and Fishers most prominent among them—experiencing rapid increase. Indianapolis is in the geographical center of Indiana and capital of the state. It is also the seat of Marion County, with which it consolidated in 1970. Historically a leading center of manufacturing and commerce in the Midwest, Indianapolis also is an important transportation hub. Known as the Crossroads of America, four interstate freeways and four federal highways meet in Indianapolis, putting the city within a day’s drive of one-half the nation’s population. Indianapolis is at the core of a metropolitan region covering nine counties: Boone, Hamilton, Hancock, Hendricks, Johnson, Madison, Marion, Morgan, and Shelby. Encompassing 3,523.3 square miles, the region contains a number of smaller established cities. With few natural barriers to restrict its growth, Indianapolis has spread outward rather than upward, and the city has a relatively low population density.
Indianapolis has representatives of many ethnic groups, but its population historically has come from English, German, Irish, and African origins. A smaller percentage came from eastern Europe in the early 20th century, with Hispanics and Asians arriving more recently. In 2000 more than two-thirds of all Indianapolis residents reported at least one ancestor of European origin, with German (16.7 percent), Irish (10.3 percent), and English (7.8 percent) descendants predominating. According to the 2000 national census, whites were 69.3 percent of the population, blacks 25.3 percent, Asians 1.4 percent, Native Americans 0.3 percent, and people of mixed heritage or not reporting race 3.7. Native Hawaiians and other Pacific Islanders numbered 326 at the time of the census. Hispanics, who may be of any race, were 3.9 percent of the people.
Indianapolis has a large number of colleges and universities and a wide variety of cultural institutions. Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI), founded in 1969, includes the Indiana University Medical School. Among the city’s private colleges are Butler University (1855), University of Indianapolis (1902), Marian College (1851), Martin University (1977), and Christian Theological Seminary (1925). Another publicly supported institution is Ivy Tech State College (1963), formerly Indiana Vocational Technical College.
Indianapolis maintains more than 100 public parks, golf courses, and pools, including Eagle Creek Park, one of the nation’s largest municipal parks at 4,400 acres, and the Indianapolis Zoo. The city annually hosts the state fair at the Indiana State Fairgrounds.
Without access to a navigable river, transportation has always been important to Indianapolis. Today more interstate freeways (I-65, I-69, I-70, and I-74) and federal highways (routes 31, 36, 40, and 52) cross in Indianapolis than any other major American city. The Indianapolis International Airport serves the city. Rail connections are excellent, with a major Amtrak repair facility in the county.
Distinct pockets of cultural opportunity are thriving in neighborhoods throughout the city of Indianapolis. To fully leverage these existing assets, the Cultural Districts Program was created in 2003 to support development efforts in five pilot areas: Broad Ripple Village, Fountain Square, Historic Central Canal & White River State Park, Massachusetts Aveenue Arts & Theater District and the Downtown Wholesale District. In 2004, the Indianapolis Cultural Development Commission approved a sixth district proposal for Indiana Avenue. The Indianapolis Downtown Cultural Trail is a planned pedestrian and bicycle path that would thread through downtown, connect the five Indianapolis Cultural Districts, engage the many cultural resources of the regional center and provide a central hub for the nationally acclaimed Indianapolis Greenway trail system. The Cultural Trail concept supports the Indianapolis Cultural Development Commission's goal to make Indianapolis a world-class cultural destination.
Downtown has seen record demand and occupancy levels, driving the surge in residential development. This has led to more than 1,053 new residential units currently in the pipeline totaling more than $339 million. These houses, condominiums and apartments are scheduled to begin or be completed by 2006.
Living Downtown means easy access to the area's 200+ shops, 200+ restaurants, 20 museums, 26 memorials, parks & gardens and 10 performing arts theaters. It means skipping the daily commute and suburban traffic jams and having time after work for family, friends and fun. Downtown is attractive to people of all ages and offers a broad range of homes in every price range. Whether the view is overlooking Downtown's Central Canal, high above ground level spanning the city or nestled in a historic neighborhood, each home lies in the heart of Indianapolis. It's a place that more than 17,000 people currently call home - and many more would like to.
Eastern Standard Time applies year-round. Average temperatures are 40º in March, 75º in July, and 31º in December.
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