About 61.1 percent of Indianapolis income earners (age 15 and older) were born in Indiana. More than 31.6 percent came here from other states, and 7.3 percent were foreign-born. These figures testify to the city’s ability to attract from a national talent pool. Indiana may have a brain drain problem, as many leaders have asserted, but Indianapolis draws brain power not just from across Indiana, but from across the nation.

Source: American Community Survey

The U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey asks, among other questions, where people were born. By cross-referencing that information with income, we can compare the incomes of native Hoosiers, transplanted Americans and foreign-born (which would include recent immigrants and naturalized citizens). The chart shows that Indianapolis workers born in other states have an income pattern similar to, but better than, that of native Hoosiers. Fewer transplants earn less than $50,000 and a larger share earn more than $50,000.

One in three Indianapolis income earners has moved here from another state, and these people tend to earn higher incomes than native Hoosiers do. Both of these facts attest to Indianapolis’ ability to attract talent. Indeed, Indianapolis draws more of its workforce from the national talent pool than many other cities. Among the 11 peer cities, only Minneapolis has a smaller native workforce. In Minneapolis, 52.6 percent of workers are native Minnesotans, 33.7 percent come from another state and 13.7 percent are foreign-born. Several cities have a higher foreign-born workforce component than Indianapolis, but only Minneapolis has more workers who came from other states. (The data source doesn’t say what share of workers was born in the county itself – only in the same state.)

We see that Indianapolis is capable of drawing workers from a nationwide talent pool. This seems to be good news. Why, though, does Indianapolis find it necessary to recruit so much out-of-state talent? Does this suggest that local and state talent is inadequate to meet the needs of employers? If not, why do native Hoosiers fill only three out of every five jobs? If so, is the deficiency a simple matter of numbers, or are native Hoosiers unable to compete for top jobs even in their own state capital?

  
 

   
     
  College-educated povertyThe wage curve  
  Indianapolis incomes are risingRecent immigrant incomes are lowCentral indianapays a higher premium to college-educated workers than other metro regionsOccupational wage curve analysis  
  IncomeThe income basicsIndianapolis wagesIncome by race, number of householdsIncomes are highest for the 45-64 age groupThree kinds of incomePovertyIndianapolis incomes: middle of the packNearly one in five Indianapolis workers lives outside the countyIncomes and educationwhere the income comes from  
  Income by race, share of householdsIndianapolis is America's most affordable housing marketMore than $10 billion is earned in Indianapolis by non-residentsHigh incomes are concentrated outside IndianapolisIndianapolis has a wider income gap than most other cities between its urban core and its metro area  
  Poverty in Indianapolis is highest among children and youthsPoverty and racePoverty happens to females more than males, even among childrenMost people in poverty work at least part timeMany in poverty work their way out