Carmel (/ˈkɑːrməl/) is a suburban city in Hamilton County, Indiana, United States, immediately north of Indianapolis. With a population of 99,757 as of the 2020 census, the city spans 49 square miles (130 km²) across Clay Township and is bordered by the White River to the east and the Boone County line to the west. Carmel was home to one of the first electronic automated traffic signals in the country, and has now constructed 141 roundabouts between 1989 and 2022.

History

In the 1820s, the government put the lands in the area on sale, leading many farmers to settle on the west bank of White River. The original settlers were predominantly Quakers.

Carmel was originally called "Bethlehem". It was platted and recorded in 1837 by Daniel Warren, Alexander Mills, John Phelps, and Seth Green, who donated their adjoining properties of equal size to create the town. The donated parcels were situated along the Indianapolis-Peru Road (now Westfield Boulevard). The Carmel Clay Historical Society also started its first activities in 1837.

The plot first established in Bethlehem, located at the intersection of Rangeline Road and Main Street, was marked by a clock tower donated by the local Rotary Club in 2002.

A post office was established as "Carmel" in 1846 because Indiana already had a post office called Bethlehem. The name Carmel is a reference to 1 Samuel 25:2 mentioning the biblical settlement Carmel. The town of Bethlehem was renamed "Carmel" and incorporated in 1874.

The Monon Railroad started operations in the city in 1883. Electricity and telephone lines arrived during the first decade of the 20th century. The city's first library was started by the local Wednesday Literary Club and schoolteacher Mahlon Luther Hains in 1904. With a grant from the Carnegie Foundation, the library was built at 40 East Main Streett in 1913. During the first half of the 20th century, the city was the host on and off of the Carmel Horse Show. The town's only bank closed in 1930.

In 1924, one of the first automatic traffic signals in the U.S. was installed at the intersection of Main Street and Rangeline Road. The signal was the invention of Leslie Haines and is currently in the old train station on the Monon Trail.

The Carmel Monon Depot, John Kinzer House, and Thornhurst Addition are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

During the 1950s and 1960s, the city anticipated a demographic boom and built large new public schools, leading to the creation of the Carmel Clay School District in 1964 (and the Carmel Clay Educational Foundation in 1967). Six churches were built during the 1950s. The urban expansion was so fast that a 1958 Indianapolis Star article tagged it a "bedroom community", but one that could contribute to sustain the growth of Indianapolis. Construction of Interstate 465 started in 1967 and created the proper conditions for a rapid demographic growth. A new $330,000 library was built and opened in 1971.

The first Chamber of Commerce opened in 1960 but closed two years later. With the demographic boom of the 1970s, it reopened in 1970.

The Carmel Symphony was launched by Latvian immigrant Viktors Ziedonis in 1976.

By the end of the 20th century, Carmel was one of Indiana's fastest growing cities. Suburban districts quickly replaced agricultural lands. The last farm operating within the city limits closed in 1993.

Geography

Carmel occupies the southwestern part of Hamilton County, adjacent to Indianapolis and, with the annexation of Home Place in 2018, is now entirely coextensive with Clay Township. It is bordered to the north by Westfield, to the northeast by Noblesville, to the east by Fishers, to the south by Indianapolis in Marion County, and to the west by Zionsville in Boone County. The center of Carmel is 15 miles (24 km) north of the center of Indianapolis.

According to the 2010 census, Carmel has a total area of 48.545 square miles (125.73 km²), of which 47.46 square miles (122.92 km²) (or 97.76%) is land and 1.085 square miles (2.81 km²) (or 2.24%) is water.

Major east–west streets in Carmel generally end in a 6 and include 96th Street (the southern border), 106th, 116th, 126th, 131st, 136th, and 146th (which marks the northern border). The numbering system is aligned to that of Marion and Hamilton counties. Main Street (131st) runs east–west through Carmel's Art & Design District; Carmel Drive runs generally east–west through the main shopping area, and City Center Drive runs east–west near Carmel's City Center project.

North–south streets are not numbered and include (west to east) Michigan, Shelborne, Towne, Ditch, Spring Mill, Meridian, Guilford, Rangeline, Keystone, Carey, Gray, Hazel Dell, and River. Some of these roads are continuations of corresponding streets in Indianapolis. Towne Road replaces the name Township Line Road at 96th Street, while Westfield Boulevard becomes Rangeline north of 116th Street. Meridian Street (US 31) and Keystone Parkway (formerly Keystone Avenue/SR 431) are the major thoroughfares, extending from 96th Street in the south and merging just south of 146th Street. The City of Carmel is noted for having well over 100 roundabouts within its borders.

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1880	92	—
1890	471	412.0%
1900	498	5.7%
1910	626	25.7%
1920	598	−4.5%
1930	682	14.0%
1940	771	13.0%
1950	1,009	30.9%
1960	1,442	42.9%
1970	6,691	364.0%
1980	18,272	173.1%
1990	25,380	38.9%
2000	37,733	48.7%
2010	79,191	109.9%
2020	99,757	26.0%
2021 (est.)	100,777	27.3%
U.S. Decennial Census 2018 Estimate

2020 census

**Carmel, Indiana – Racial and ethnic composition**
*Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.*
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)	Pop 2000	Pop 2010	Pop 2020	% 2000	% 2010	% 2020
White alone (NH)	34,467	66,295	75,534	91.34%	83.72%	75.72%
Black or African American alone (NH)	550	2,299	3,256	1.46%	2.90%	3.26%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)	45	104	65	0.12%	0.13%	0.07%
Asian alone (NH)	1,645	6,988	11,966	4.36%	8.82%	12.00%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)	12	17	20	0.03%	0.02%	0.02%
Other race alone (NH)	48	169	451	0.13%	0.21%	0.45%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)	317	1,310	3,944	0.84%	1.65%	3.95%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	649	2,009	4,521	1.72%	2.54%	4.53%
Total	37,733	79,191	99,757	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%

Map of racial distribution in Carmel, 2020 U.S. census. Each dot is one person: ⬤ White ⬤ Black ⬤ Asian ⬤ Hispanic ⬤ Multiracial ⬤ Native American/Other

According to a 2017 estimate, the median household income in the city was $109,201.

The median home price between 2013 and 2017 was $320,400.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 79,191 people, 28,997 households, and 21,855 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,668.6 inhabitants per square mile (644.3/km²). There were 30,738 housing units at an average density of 647.7 units per square mile (250.1 units/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 85.4% White, 3.0% African American, 0.2% Native American, 8.9% Asian, 0.7% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 2.5% of the population.

There were 28,997 households, of which 41.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.6% were married couples living together, 6.3% had a female householder with no partner present, 2.4% had a male householder with no partner present, and 24.6% were non-families. 20.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.18.

The median age in the city was 39.2 years. 29.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.2% were from 25 to 44; 29.7% were from 45 to 64; and 10.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.7% male and 51.3% female.

Economy

The Meridian Corridor serves as a large concentration of corporate office space within the city. It is home to more than 40 corporate headquarters and many more regional offices. Several large companies reside in Carmel, and it serves as the national headquarters for OPENLANE (formerly KAR Global), Allegion, CNO Financial Group, MISO, and Delta Faucet.

Top employers

As of January 2017^[update], the city's 10 largest employers were:

#	Employer	# of employees
1	CNO Financial Group	1,600
2	GEICO	1,250
3	RCI	1,125
4	Capital Group Companies	975
5	Liberty Mutual	900
6	KAR Auction Services (Adesa)	892
7	IU Health North	800
8	Midcontinent ISO	700
9	NextGear Capital	694
10	Allegion	595

Carmel also serves as the global headquarters of the North American Interfraternity Conference, an association of multiple fraternities and sororities. Carmel also serves as the global headquarters for seven fraternities and sororities: Alpha Kappa Lambda, Alpha Sigma Phi, Lambda Chi Alpha, Phi Kappa Sigma, Theta Chi, Sigma Delta Tau, and Sigma Kappa.

Arts and culture

Rollfast Gran Fondo

Indiana's only Gran Fondo, this cycling event attracts professional cyclists as well as recreational riders. In 2019, the event is the World Championship for the Gran Fondo World Tour. Each route is fully supported with food, drinks, and mechanical support.

Carmel Farmers Market

Founded in 1998, the Carmel Farmers Market is one of the largest in the state of Indiana, with over 60 vendors of Indiana-grown and/or produced edible products. The market, which is managed by an all-volunteer committee, is held each Saturday morning from mid-May through the first weekend of October on Center Green at the Palladium, the farmers market attracts over 60,000 people a year.

Carmel Monon Community Center

A $24.5 million water park and fitness center is the centerpiece of Carmel's $55 million Central Park, which opened in 2007. The Outdoor Water Park consists of two water slides, a drop slide, a rock-climbing wall, a lazy river, a kiddie pool, a large zero depth activity pool, Flowrider, and a lap pool. The fitness center consists of an indoor lap pool, a recreation pool with its own set of water slides and a snack bar, gymnasium, 1⁄8-mile (0.20 km) indoor running track, and the Kids Zone childcare. The building housing the Carmel Clay Parks Department offices is connected by an elevated walkway over the Monon Trail.

Monon Trail

Monon Greenway in 2008

The Monon Greenway is a multi-use trail that is part of the Rails-to-Trails movement. It runs from 10th Street near downtown Indianapolis through Broad Ripple and then crosses into Carmel at 96th Street and continues north through 146th Street into Westfield and continues to Sheridan. The trail ends in Sheridan near the intersection of Opel and 236th streets. In January 2006, speed limit signs of 15 to 20 miles per hour (24 to 32 km/h) were added to sections of the trail in Hamilton County.

Carmel Arts & Design District

Designed to promote small businesses and local artisans, Carmel's Arts and Design District and City Center is in Old Town Carmel and flanked by Carmel High School on the east and the Monon Greenway on the west, with the state goal of celebrating the creativity and craftsmanship of the miniature art form.. The district includes the Carmel Clay Public Library, the Hamilton County Convention & Visitor's Bureau and Welcome Center, and a collection of art galleries, boutiques, interior designers, cafes, and restaurants. Lifelike sculptures by John Seward Johnson II ornament the streets of the district.

The district hosts several annual events and festivals. The Carmel Artomobilia Collector Car Show showcases classic, vintage, exotic and rare cars, along with art inspired by automobile design. Every September, the Carmel International Arts Festival features a juried art exhibit of artists from around the world, concerts, dance performances, and hands-on activities for children.

In the heart of the district stands the Museum of Miniature Houses, open since 1993. The museum has seven exhibit rooms of fully furnished houses, room displays, and collections of miniature glassware, clocks, tools, and dolls.

Carmel City Center

Carmel City Center is a one-million-square-foot (93,000 m²), $300 million, mixed-use development located in the heart of Carmel. Carmel City Center is home to The Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts, which includes a 1,600-seat concert hall, 500-seat theater, and 200-seat black box theater. This pedestrian-based master plan development is located at the southwest corner of City Center Drive (126th Street) and Range Line Road. The Monon Greenway runs directly through the project. Carmel City Center was developed as a public/private partnership.

Shopping

Clay Terrace is one of the largest retail centers in Carmel. Other shopping areas include Carmel City Center, Mohawk Trails Plaza, and Merchants' Square. The Carmel Arts & Design District has a number of retail establishments along Main Street, Range Line Road, 3rd Avenue, and 2nd Street.

Kawachinagano Japanese Garden

Ground was broken for the Japanese Garden south of City Hall in 2007. The garden was dedicated in 2009 as the 15th anniversary of Carmel's Sister City relationship with Kawachinagano, Japan, was celebrated. An Azumaya-style tea gazebo was constructed in 2011 and dedicated on May 2 of that year.

Great American Songbook Foundation

The Great American Songbook Foundation is the nation's only foundation and museum dedicated to preserving the music of the early to mid-1900s. The foundation is led by Michael Feinstein, who is also the artistic director of the Center for the Performing Arts.

Christkindlmarkt

Founded in 2017, under the direction of then Mayor James Brainard, Carmel Christkindlmarkt is an open air Christmas market known for its Glühwein Pyramid, a 33-foot tall (10 m) structure lit with 3000 bulbs. The market is one of Indiana's top tourist attractions hosting over 400,000 visitors annually.

Education

Carmel Clay Public Library

Public schools

The Carmel Clay Schools district has 11 elementary schools (Kindergarten - Grade 5), three middle schools (Grades 6–8), and one high school (Grades 9–12). Student enrollment for the district is above 14,500.

The elementary schools include:

Carmel Elementary (Feeds into Carmel Middle School)
Cherry Tree Elementary (Feeds into Clay Middle School)
Clay Center Elementary (Feeds into Creekside Middle School)
College Wood Elementary (Feeds into Creekside Middle School)
Forest Dale Elementary (Feeds into Carmel Middle School)
Mohawk Trails Elementary (Feeds into Clay Middle School)
Prairie Trace Elementary (Feeds into Clay Middle School)
Smoky Row Elementary (Feeds into Carmel Middle School)
Towne Meadow Elementary (Feeds into Creekside Middle School)
West Clay Elementary (Feeds into Creekside Middle School)
Woodbrook Elementary (Feeds into Clay Middle School)

The middle schools include:

Carmel Middle School
Clay Middle School
Creekside Middle School

All middle schools feed into Carmel High School.

Private schools

Carmel has several private schools, including:

Coram Deo Academy (Kindergarten– Grade 12)
Midwest Academy (Grades 3–12)
Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic School (Kindergarten– Grade 8)
Pilgrim Lutheran Preschool (Preschool)
St. Elizabeth Seton Preschool (Preschool, Pre-Kindergarten, and Kindergarten)
University High School (Grades 9–12)
Walnut Grove Christian Prep School (Kindergarten– Grade 12)

Notable people

Bernie Allen, baseball player
Ted Allen, television personality
Franklin Booth, pen-and-ink artist
Steve Chassey, IndyCar driver
Pete Dye, golf course designer
Alex Hall, author known for Ben Drowned (2010)
Mark Herrmann, Purdue and NFL quarterback
Jay Howard, British racing driver
Steve Inskeep, host of Morning Edition, National Public Radio
Drew Kibler, Olympic swimmer
Kyle Krisiloff, racing driver
Rebecca Kubacki, former Republican member of the Indiana House of Representatives
Midwxst, rapper
Cameron Lindley, soccer player
Jake Lloyd, former actor known for his portrayal of young Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace
Josh McRoberts, former professional basketball player for the Dallas Mavericks
Dorothy Letterman Mengering, mother of comedian and talk show host David Letterman
Jason Padgett, math savant
Mike Pence, 48th vice president of the United States
Rajeev Ram, professional tennis player, winner of 2019 Australian Open – Mixed Doubles tournament
Matt Reiswerg (born 1980), soccer player, coach, and administrator
Takuma Sato, Japanese racing driver
Lee Schmidt, golf course designer
Rob Schmitt, reporter and Fox News co-host, now host at Newsmax TV
Aaron Shackell, Olympic swimmer
Alex Shackell, Olympic swimmer
Avriel Shull, architectural designer/builder and interior decorator
Zach Trotman, former professional hockey player (Boston Bruins, Pittsburgh Penguins)
Sheldon Vanauken, author known for A Severe Mercy (1977)
Seema Verma, health policy consultant and former administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Todd Young, currently the senior United States senator from Indiana