Source: STATS Indiana and the Indiana Business Research Center

Indianapolis’ high natural increase is partly offset by a high out-migration. From 2004 to 2005, Indianapolis grew by only 1,220 people despite a natural increase of 7,402. This is because a net of 6,182 residents moved away during the year.

More than 16,000 people moved into the Indianapolis suburbs during 2005. The suburban counties of Central Indiana gained in both ways: 5,402 new births and 16,373 from in-migration, for a total growth of 21,775.6

We don’t know from where all the new arrivals to the suburbs came or whether the people who left Indianapolis moved to the suburban counties or further away. We do know that exits from Indianapolis cannot explain the suburban influx completely. Even supposing all who left Indianapolis moved to the suburban counties, 10,000 more people came into the suburbs from elsewhere. Clearly, Central Indiana attracts new residents from outside the region.

6 These data are gathered by the Indiana Department of Health and reported by the Indiana Business Research Center.

  
 


   
     
  Indianapolis is doing well in comparison with simlar cities in other statesNatural increaseIndianapolis' high birth rateNumber of births, 2003Indianapolis neighborhoods: birth rates varyEducational attainment of mothers  
  PopulationThe population basicsIndianapolis' population is growing slowlyThe Central Indiana region grew rapidlyNatural increase and migration: two ways the population growsIndianapolis is younger than the state or the nationIndianapolis is becoming more diverse  
  Most Central Indiana growth is in surburban areas rather than the urban coreIndianapolis will remain the hub of Central IndianaThe trend is toward more older peopleBlacks are the largest minority, while Hispanics are the fastest-growing ethnic groupThe suburbs remain whiteEthnic, racial and cultural groupsHispanic social integrationHistoric sidebar