Indiana - The Hoosier State
Capital: Indianapolis | Abbreviation: IN | Region: Midwest | Population: 6.8 million
Quick Facts
| Population | 6,833,037 |
| Area | 36,420 sq mi (94,326 km²) |
| Population Rank | 17th |
| Area Rank | 38th |
| Capital | Indianapolis |
| Largest City | Indianapolis (880K) |
| Statehood | December 11, 1816 (19th state) |
| Time Zones | Eastern & Central |
| Nickname | The Hoosier State |
Interactive Map
🔴 Indianapolis (Capital)
About Indiana
Indiana is a Midwestern state with a population of 6.8 million, making it the seventeenth-most populous state. The state capital and largest city is Indianapolis, with 880,000 residents and a metropolitan area of 2.1 million, making it the third-largest city in the Midwest. Indiana became the 19th state on December 11, 1816. The state's nickname "Hoosier" has uncertain origins, but has been proudly used since the 1830s.
Indiana's geography is relatively flat with gently rolling plains, though the southern region features hills and valleys from unglaciated terrain. The state has 45 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline in the northwest, providing access to the Great Lakes and supporting the steel industry in Gary and the Indiana Dunes National Park. The Wabash River, immortalized in the state song "On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away," flows through the heart of Indiana.
Indiana has a strong manufacturing economy, particularly in automotive, steel, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices. The state is famous for the Indianapolis 500, the world's largest single-day sporting event held annually since 1911. Indiana has a rich basketball heritage, inspiring the movie "Hoosiers," and is home to Notre Dame University. Major companies headquartered in Indiana include Eli Lilly (pharmaceuticals), Cummins (engines), and Simon Property Group (shopping malls).
Geography & Climate
Indiana features relatively uniform geography with some regional variations:
- Northern Till Plain: Flat glaciated region, agricultural land, lake region
- Lake Michigan Shore: 45 miles of coastline, Indiana Dunes, steel industry
- Central Till Plain: Indianapolis region, gently rolling terrain
- Southern Hills: Unglaciated region with hills, valleys, caves, forests
- Wabash River: State's longest river, flows 475 miles across Indiana
- Climate: Humid continental with four seasons, cold winters, warm humid summers
Major Cities
Indianapolis
Population: 880,621
Metro: 2.1M
Known For: State capital, Indy 500, sports, pharmaceutical industry, crossroads of America
Fort Wayne
Population: 270,402
Metro: 420K
Known For: Northeast Indiana hub, manufacturing, defense, Three Rivers
Evansville
Population: 116,253
Metro: 311K
Known For: Ohio River port, manufacturing, regional center for tri-state area
South Bend
Population: 103,453
Metro: 324K
Known For: Notre Dame University, Studebaker heritage, northern Indiana
Carmel
Population: 99,757
Known For: Affluent Indianapolis suburb, roundabouts, arts district, high quality of life
Bloomington
Population: 79,168
Known For: Indiana University, college town, culture, limestone
Indianapolis 500 & Racing Heritage
Indiana is the world capital of auto racing:
- Indianapolis 500: "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing" held annually since 1911, over 300,000 attend
- Indianapolis Motor Speedway: World's largest sporting venue, 2.5-mile oval track
- Memorial Day Weekend: Indy 500 is centerpiece of "Month of May" racing tradition
- Brickyard 400: NASCAR race also held at Indianapolis Motor Speedway
- IndyCar Series: Premier open-wheel racing series based in Indianapolis
- "Kissing the Bricks": Winners kiss the yard of bricks at start/finish line, tradition since 1996
- Racing Museum: Indianapolis Motor Speedway Museum showcases racing history
Economy & Industry
Indiana has a manufacturing-focused, diverse economy:
- Manufacturing: Automotive parts, steel, machinery, pharmaceuticals - strong industrial base
- Automotive: Major auto manufacturing with plants from Honda, Toyota, Subaru, GM
- Pharmaceuticals: Eli Lilly (Indianapolis), major pharmaceutical manufacturing and research
- Steel Production: Northwest Indiana steel mills along Lake Michigan
- Agriculture: Corn, soybeans, hogs, poultry - major agricultural producer
- Logistics: Central location makes Indiana distribution hub, FedEx second-largest hub in Indianapolis
- Medical Devices: Cook Medical, Zimmer Biomet, Roche Diagnostics
Basketball & Sports Heritage
Indiana has deep basketball roots and passionate sports culture:
Hoosier Hysteria
Basketball is deeply woven into Indiana culture. The movie "Hoosiers" (1986) captured the state's passion for high school basketball. Indiana high school basketball tournaments draw massive crowds. Larry Bird (French Lick) is one of basketball's greatest players. Indiana University has won five national championships.
Professional Sports
- Indiana Pacers (NBA) - Bankers Life Fieldhouse
- Indianapolis Colts (NFL) - Lucas Oil Stadium
- Indiana Fever (WNBA)
- Indianapolis Indians (AAA Baseball)
- Notre Dame Fighting Irish (College Football)
Interesting Facts
- Indianapolis 500 is world's largest single-day sporting event (300,000+ attendance)
- State produces more popcorn than any other state (Orville Redenbacher from Indiana)
- Santa Claus, Indiana receives thousands of letters to Santa each year
- Michael Jackson born in Gary, Indiana (Jackson 5 hometown)
- David Letterman, James Dean from Indiana
- Indiana limestone used in Empire State Building, Pentagon, many iconic structures
- Crossroads of America - more interstate highways converge in Indianapolis than anywhere
- Notre Dame's Golden Dome is one of most iconic college buildings
- Studebaker automobiles manufactured in South Bend (1852-1963)
- First professional baseball game played in Fort Wayne (1871)
- Wabash, Indiana was first electrically lighted city in world (1880)
- Indiana Dunes National Park along Lake Michigan shoreline
- State fossil is mastodon - ice age creatures found in Indiana
- Monument Circle in Indianapolis is iconic landmark with soldiers & sailors monument
Neighboring States
Also borders: Lake Michigan (Northwest)
Compare Indiana
See how Indiana compares to other states in population, economy, and more.
Compare Indiana