Source: STATS Indiana; Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Economic Accounts

A significant portion of the Indianapolis workforce lives outside the boundaries of the city. This is evident in the preceding information on commuting patterns. It also is clear from the county incomes computed by the federal Bureau of Economic Analysis.

More than $36 billion in wages were earned in Indianapolis during 2005. Nearly a third of this total was earned by people working in Indianapolis but living elsewhere. The net outflow of earnings from the county was more than $10 billion. The outflow has been increasing for more than 35 years, as shown in the graph. In the 20 years since 1986, wages earned in Indianapolis by commuters have risen by more than $7 billion. But perhaps more significant, commuters’ share of all Indianapolis wages has increased from 24.4 percent in 1986 to 32.5 percent in 2005.

  
 
   
     
  College-educated povertyThe wage curve  
  Indianapolis incomes are risingIndianapolis is good at attracting talented workersRecent 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 marketHigh 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