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Indianapolis metropolitan area

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Indianapolis Metropolitan Area
Indianapolis–Carmel–Greenwood, IN MSA
Aerial of downtown Indianapolis looking north
Map
Map of Indianapolis–Carmel–Muncie, IN CSA
Country United States
State Indiana
Principal cities[1]
Area
6,028.83 sq mi (15,614.6 km2)
Population
 (2020)[2]
  Urban
1,699,881 (32nd)
  Urban density2,353/sq mi (908.4/km2)
  MSA
2,111,040 (33rd)
  CSA
2,492,514 (28th)
GDP
  MSA$199.198 billion (2023)
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
  Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP Codes
460xx, 461xx, 462xx, 466xx, 469xx
Area codes317, 463, 765, 812, 930

The Indianapolis metropolitan area is an 11-county metropolitan area in the U.S. state of Indiana. Its principal cities are Indianapolis, Carmel, Greenwood, and Anderson.[1] Other primary cities with populations of more than 50,000 include Fishers, Noblesville, and Westfield. Located in Central Indiana, it is the largest metropolitan area entirely within Indiana and the seventh largest in the American Midwest.

There are two official metropolitan boundaries for the Indianapolis metro area: the Indianapolis–Carmel–Greenwood, IN Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) and the Indianapolis–Carmel–Muncie, IN Combined Statistical Area (CSA). The two regions are identical except for the addition of three metropolitan areas (Columbus, Kokomo, and Muncie) and six micropolitan statistical areas (Crawfordsville, Greencastle, Greensburg, Seymour, New Castle, and Peru) to the Indianapolis–Carmel–Muncie CSA that are not included in the Indianapolis–Carmel–Greenwood MSA. The population of the MSA was 2,111,040 and the population of the CSA was 2,457,286 as of the 2020 Census.

The Indianapolis metropolitan area is a major center for agribusiness, distribution and logistics, life sciences, manufacturing, and motorsports. In 2021, the gross domestic product of the Indianapolis metropolitan area was (USD) $162.1 billion, among the 30 largest metropolitan economies in the U.S.[4] In 2023, the Indianapolis metropolitan area was home to three Fortune 500 companies and six Fortune 1000 companies. The metropolitan area is home to several higher education institutions, including Anderson University, Butler University, Franklin College, Indiana University Indianapolis, Purdue University in Indianapolis, Marian University, and the University of Indianapolis, among others. Ivy Tech Community College has several campuses throughout the region.

Indianapolis–Carmel–Greenwood, IN Metropolitan Statistical Area

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A satellite image of the Indianapolis metropolitan area
Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1900197,227
1910263,66133.7%
1920348,06132.0%
1930422,66621.4%
1940460,9269.1%
1950551,77719.7%
1960976,42677.0%
19701,145,87117.4%
19801,208,1155.4%
19901,294,2177.1%
20001,525,10417.8%
20101,887,87723.8%
20202,111,04011.8%
2024 (est.)2,174,8333.0%
data source:[5]

In the 2020 Census, there were 2,111,040 people residing in the MSA. The racial demographics were 69.6% White, 15.0% Black or African-American, 0.4% American Indian or Alaska Native, 3.9% Asian, 4.5% Other and 6.6% Two or More Races. 8.4% of the population were Hispanic or Latino.[6]

Counties

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County Seat 2025 estimate 2020 Census Change Area Density
Marion Indianapolis 992,196977,203+1.53% 403.01 sq mi (1,043.8 km2) 2,462/sq mi (951/km2)
Hamilton Noblesville 387,036347,467+11.39% 402.44 sq mi (1,042.3 km2) 962/sq mi (371/km2)
Hendricks Danville 193,510174,788+10.71% 408.78 sq mi (1,058.7 km2) 473/sq mi (183/km2)
Johnson Franklin 174,262161,765+7.73% 321.79 sq mi (833.4 km2) 542/sq mi (209/km2)
Madison Anderson 135,088130,129+3.81% 452.90 sq mi (1,173.0 km2) 298/sq mi (115/km2)
Hancock Greenfield 90,96979,840+13.94% 307.02 sq mi (795.2 km2) 296/sq mi (114/km2)
Boone Lebanon 80,68970,812+13.95% 423.25 sq mi (1,096.2 km2) 191/sq mi (74/km2)
Morgan Martinsville 74,96771,780+4.44% 409.43 sq mi (1,060.4 km2) 183/sq mi (71/km2)
Shelby Shelbyville 45,88245,055+1.84% 412.76 sq mi (1,069.0 km2) 111/sq mi (43/km2)
Brown Nashville 15,77715,475+1.95% 316.22 sq mi (819.0 km2) 50/sq mi (19/km2)
Tipton Tipton 15,31915,359−0.26% 260.57 sq mi (674.9 km2) 59/sq mi (23/km2)
Total 2,205,6952,089,653+5.55% 4,118.17 sq mi (10,666.0 km2) 536/sq mi (207/km2)

Municipalities with more than 100,000 inhabitants

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Municipalities with 50,000 to 100,000 inhabitants

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Municipalities with 10,000 to 50,000 inhabitants

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Municipalities with 1,000 to 10,000 inhabitants

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Municipalities with fewer than 1,000 inhabitants

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Indianapolis–Carmel–Muncie, IN Combined Statistical Area

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As of 2023, the Indianapolis–Carmel–Muncie, IN Combined Statistical Area (CSA) consists of four metropolitan statistical areas (MSAs) and six micropolitan statistical areas (μSAs) covering 20 counties.[1] In 2022, the CSA's population estimate was 2,631,863, ranking as the 27th largest in the U.S.

Statistical Area 2025 estimate 2020 Census Change Area Density
Indianapolis–Carmel–Greenwood, IN Metropolitan Statistical Area 2,205,6952,089,653+5.55% 4,118.17 sq mi (10,666.0 km2) 536/sq mi (207/km2)
Muncie, IN Metropolitan Statistical Area (Delaware County) 113,106111,903+1.08% 395.91 sq mi (1,025.4 km2) 286/sq mi (110/km2)
Columbus, IN Metropolitan Statistical Area (Bartholomew County) 85,72982,208+4.28% 409.52 sq mi (1,060.7 km2) 209/sq mi (81/km2)
Kokomo, IN Metropolitan Statistical Area (Howard County) 83,90483,658+0.29% 293.92 sq mi (761.2 km2) 285/sq mi (110/km2)
New Castle, IN Micropolitan Statistical Area (Henry County) 49,13748,914+0.46% 394.83 sq mi (1,022.6 km2) 124/sq mi (48/km2)
Seymour, IN Micropolitan Statistical Area (Jackson County) 47,37046,428+2.03% 513.91 sq mi (1,331.0 km2) 92/sq mi (36/km2)
Crawfordsville, IN Micropolitan Statistical Area (Montgomery County) 38,95437,936+2.68% 505.44 sq mi (1,309.1 km2) 77/sq mi (30/km2)
Greencastle, IN Micropolitan Statistical Area (Putnam County) 37,87636,726+3.13% 482.69 sq mi (1,250.2 km2) 78/sq mi (30/km2)
Peru, IN Micropolitan Statistical Area (Miami County) 34,48735,962−4.10% 377.39 sq mi (977.4 km2) 91/sq mi (35/km2)
Greensburg, IN Micropolitan Statistical Area (Decatur County) 26,57626,472+0.39% 373.32 sq mi (966.9 km2) 71/sq mi (27/km2)
Total 2,722,8342,599,860+4.73% 7,865.1 sq mi (20,371 km2) 346/sq mi (134/km2)

Area codes

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Area code 317 covered all of northern and central Indiana until 1948 when area code 219 was created. Central Indiana remained under the 317 banner until 1997 when growth in and around Indianapolis prompted the creation of area code 765; The immediate Indianapolis area remained in the 317 area code, with the more distant counties being placed in the new area code. Due to the increase in assigned numbers, overlay area code 463 for area code 317 was implemented in late 2016, thereby requiring 10-digit dialing.[7]

The 317 area code now covers the Boone, Hancock, Hamilton, Hendricks, Johnson, Madison, Morgan, and Shelby counties. The other counties in the combined statistical area are in the 765 area code except for those in the southern part of the CSA that are in the 812/930 area codes.

Economy

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The gross domestic product of the Indianapolis metropolitan area was (USD) $162.1 billion in 2021, among the 30 largest metropolitan economies in the U.S.[4] In 2025, the Indianapolis area was home to several of Indiana's largest public companies by revenue, including Elevance Health, Eli Lilly and Company, Corteva, Simon Property Group, Elanco, CNO Financial Group, Calumet, Inc., Allison Transmission, Republic Airways Holdings, and First Internet Bancorp.[8] Private companies included the Federal Home Loan Bank of Indianapolis, OneAmerica Financial, CountryMark,[9] and Lucas Oil Products. Notable subsidiaries headquartered in the area include AES Indiana, Delta Faucet Company, Finish Line, Group 1001, Herff Jones, Klipsch Audio Technologies, Lids Sports Group, Pay Less Super Markets, and Steak 'n Shake.

The Indianapolis area is a global hub for motorsports, specifically American open-wheel car racing.[10] Notable facilities include Anderson Speedway in Anderson, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park in Brownsburg, and Whiteland Raceway Park in Whiteland, among many others.[11] Racing teams based in the metro area include Andretti Global, Arrow McLaren, Chip Ganassi Racing, Ed Carpenter Racing, and Juncos Hollinger Racing in Indianapolis; Dreyer & Reinbold Racing in Carmel, HMD Motorsports and Wayne Taylor Racing in Brownsburg, and Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing in Zionsville, among numerous others.[12] Italian racecar manufacturer Dallara opened a facility in Speedway in 2012.[13] Cadillac F1 is headquartered in Fishers.[14]

More than 40 collegiate fraternities and sororities are headquartered in the Indianapolis metropolitan area, the largest concentration in North America.[15][16]

Education

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Colleges and universities

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IU Indianapolis has the highest enrollment of colleges and universities in the MSA.

Asterisks (*) denote institutions whose flagship campuses are located outside the Indianapolis MSA. Notable colleges and universities include:

School districts

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Notable public school districts in the Indianapolis MSA include:

Transportation

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Highways

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Indiana's "Crossroads of America" moniker is largely attributed to the historical function of the Indianapolis metropolitan area has played as a center for logistics and transportation.

Interstates

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The Indianapolis MSA is a major junction on the United States Interstate Highway System, with four primary and two auxiliary highways:

US Highways

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Indiana state highways

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Other notable roads

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Public transit

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Air

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The Indianapolis metropolitan area is served by several airports, most under the ownership and operation of the Indianapolis Airport Authority, including Eagle Creek Airpark (EYE), Indianapolis Metropolitan Airport (UMP), Indianapolis Regional Airport (MQJ), Hendricks County Airport (2R2), Indianapolis Downtown Heliport (8A4), and the busiest airport in the state, Indianapolis International Airport (IND). In 2022, Indianapolis International served 8.7 million passengers and handled 1.25 million metric tonnes of cargo.[17]

Other airports within the region include:

Rail

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Indianapolis Union Station is served by Amtrak's Cardinal, which operates thrice-weekly between Chicago and New York City.

Sports

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Indianapolis Motor Speedway, located in the town of Speedway
Hinkle Fieldhouse is home to the Butler Bulldogs. In 1954, Hinkle hosted the "Milan Miracle," inspiring the 1986 film Hoosiers.

Professional teams

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Club Sport Founded League Venue
Indianapolis Colts American football 1984 NFL Lucas Oil Stadium
Indiana Pacers Basketball 1967 NBA Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Indiana Fever Basketball 2000 WNBA Gainbridge Fieldhouse
Indy Eleven Soccer 2013 USL Carroll Stadium
Indy Fuel Ice hockey 2014 ECHL Fishers Event Center
Indianapolis Indians Baseball 1902 IL (Triple-A) Victory Field

Semi-professional teams

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Club Sport Founded League Venue
F.C. Indiana Women's Soccer 2003 WPSL Newton Park
Indianapolis AlleyCats Ultimate 2012 AUDL Grand Park

College sports (Division I)

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Headquartered in Indianapolis, the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) is the preeminent collegiate athletic governing body in the U.S. and Canada, regulating athletes of 1,281 institutions; conferences; organizations; and individuals. The NCAA also organizes the athletic programs of many colleges and universities and helps more than 450,000 college student-athletes who compete annually in college sports.

Events

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The Indianapolis metropolitan area hosts several notable sporting events annually, including the Brickyard 400, Grand Prix of Indianapolis, NHRA U.S. Nationals, NFL Scouting Combine, Big Ten Football Championship Game, the largest half marathon in the U.S.,[18] and the largest single-day sporting event in the world, the Indianapolis 500. The cars competing in the latter race are known as IndyCars as a reference to the event. Indianapolis has also been a frequent host of the NCAA Division I Men's and Women's basketball tournaments. Other major sporting events hosted include Pan American Games X in 1987, Super Bowl XLVI in 2012,[19] and the 2013 International Champions Cup between Chelsea F.C. and Inter Milan.[20]

High school sports are highly competitive in Greater Indianapolis. In 2013, MaxPreps ranked Indianapolis No. 3 in its Top 10 Metro Areas for High School Football.[21]

Notable natives

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See also

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References

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  1. 1 2 3 "OMB Bulletin No. 23-01" (PDF). White House. July 21, 2023. pp. 59, 138. Retrieved October 22, 2023.
  2. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 18, 2019.
  3. "Total Gross Domestic Product for Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN (MSA)". fred.stlouisfed.org.
  4. 1 2 "Total Gross Domestic Product for Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN (MSA) [NGMP26900]". U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
  5. DIvision, US Census Bureau Systems Support. "Ranking Tables for Metropolitan Areas (PHC-T-3)". www.census.gov.
  6. "Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN Metro Area Demographics and Housing 2020 Decennial Census".
  7. Russell, John. "New area code, mandatory 10-digit dialing, come to Central Indiana". Indianapolis Star. Retrieved July 4, 2016.
  8. "Largest Indiana Public Companies". IBJ Media. June 3, 2026. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
  9. "Largest Indiana Private Companies". IBJ Media. June 4, 2026. Retrieved June 30, 2026.
  10. Bradley, Daniel; Shuey, Mickey (October 14, 2022). "Racing teams investing big in central Indiana". Indianapolis Business Journal. IBJ Media. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  11. "Most Popular Attractions". IBJ Media. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  12. "Largest Motorsports Companies". IBJ Media. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  13. Schoettle, Anthony (September 19, 2013). "Dallara sees Indy operations as springboard for U.S. expansion". Indianapolis Business Journal. IBJ Media. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  14. Bradley, Daniel (March 14, 2025). "F1 headquarters is 'dynamic opportunity' for Fishers". Indianapolis Business Journal. IBJ Media. Retrieved March 30, 2025.
  15. "Central Indiana Lands More Fraternity HQs". Inside INdiana Business. IBJ Media. July 6, 2017. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  16. Cummings, Ingrid (May 2005). "Frat City". Indianapolis Monthly. Illustration by Dave Plunkert. Emmis Communications. pp. 98–104. ISSN 0899-0328. Retrieved December 18, 2021.
  17. "Airline Activity Report December 2022" (PDF). Indianapolis Airport Authority. Retrieved May 20, 2023.
  18. "OneAmerica 500 Festival Mini Marathon & 5K". halfmarathons.net. Retrieved May 26, 2015.
  19. "Indianapolis beats out Houston, Arizona to host first Super Bowl". NFL.com. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
  20. "Indianapolis Sports - Indianapolis Star - indystar.com". Indianapolis Star. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
  21. "Top 10 Metro Areas for high school football in 2013". MaxPreps.com. July 30, 2013. Retrieved December 21, 2014.
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