Indiana facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Indiana
State
State of Indiana
Flag Seal
Nickname(s):  "The Hoosier State"
Motto(s):  "Crossroads of America"
Anthem: "On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away"
Location of Indiana within the United States
Country	United States
Before statehood	Indiana Territory
Admitted to the Union	December 11, 1816 (19th)
Capital (and largest city)	Indianapolis
Largest county or equivalent	Marion
Largest metro and urban areas	Indianapolis
Legislature	General Assembly
• Upper house	Indiana Senate
• Lower house	Indiana House of Representatives
Judiciary	Indiana Supreme Court
U.S. senators	Todd Young (R) Jim Banks (R)
U.S. House delegation	7 Republicans 2 Democrats (list)
Area
• Total	36,418 sq mi (94,321 km2)
• Land	35,868 sq mi (92,897 km2)
• Water	550 sq mi (1,424 km2)  1.5%
Area rank	38th
Dimensions
• Length	278 mi (432 km)
• Width	149 mi (232 km)
Elevation	700 ft (210 m)
Highest elevation (Hoosier Hill)	1,257 ft (383 m)
Lowest elevation (Confluence of Ohio River and Wabash River)	320 ft (97 m)
Population  (2024)
• Total	6,924,275
• Rank	17th
• Density	189/sq mi (73.1/km2)
• Density rank	16th
• Median household income	$69,500 (2023)
• Income rank	37th
Demonym(s)	Hoosier
Language
• Official language	English
Time zones
80 counties	UTC−05:00 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−04:00 (EDT)
12 counties	UTC−06:00 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−05:00 (CDT)
USPS abbreviation	IN
ISO 3166 code	US-IN
Traditional abbreviation	Ind.
Latitude	37° 46′ N to 41° 46′ N
Longitude	84° 47′ W to 88° 6′ W

State symbols of Indiana

Bird	Northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis)
Flower	Peony (Paeonia)
Tree	Tulip tree (Liriodendron tulipifera)
Insect	Say's firefly (Pyractomena angulata)

Indiana (ⁱ/ˌɪndiˈænə/ IN-dee-AN-ə) is a state in the Midwest of the United States. It shares borders with Lake Michigan to the northwest and Michigan to the north. To the east is Ohio, and to the south and southeast are the Ohio River and Kentucky. The Wabash River and Illinois are to the west.

Indiana is often called "the Hoosier State." It is the 38th largest state by land area. It is also the 17th most populated among the 50 states. Its capital and biggest city is Indianapolis. Indiana became the 19th state to join the United States on December 11, 1816.

Many Native American groups lived in Indiana for thousands of years. Some of these groups were later moved by the U.S. government. The state got its name because many native tribes still lived there even after it became a state. People settled in Indiana from different parts of the Eastern United States. Settlers from New England and New York came to the north. People from the Mid-Atlantic states and Ohio settled in Central Indiana. Southern Indiana was settled by people from Kentucky and Tennessee.

Indiana has a strong and varied economy. In 2021, its total economic output was over $352 billion. The state has several large cities with more than 100,000 people. It is also home to professional sports teams. These include the NFL's Indianapolis Colts and the NBA's Indiana Pacers. Indiana also hosts famous events like the Indianapolis 500 car race. This race happens at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Understanding the Name "Indiana"

The name "Indiana" means "Land of the Indians". It can also be simply understood as "Indian Land".

People who live in Indiana are officially called Hoosiers.

Indiana's Past: A Journey Through Time

Early Inhabitants of Indiana

The very first people in what is now Indiana were the Paleo-Indians. They arrived around 8000 BC. This was after the giant glaciers melted at the end of the Ice Age.

These Paleo-Indians lived in small groups. They were nomads, meaning they moved around a lot. They hunted large animals like mastodons.

Later, the Hopewell people started trading goods over long distances. They also became good at farming. They grew important crops like corn and squash. This period ended around 1000 AD.

The Mississippian culture then grew, lasting until the 15th century. This was just before Europeans arrived. These people built large towns with big mounds and open areas for ceremonies. These towns relied on extra food from farming. One famous place was the Angel Mounds.

The Mississippian civilization in Indiana ended in the mid-15th century. We are not sure why. When Europeans first arrived, the Native American tribes in the area spoke different Algonquian languages. These included the Shawnee, Miami, and Illini. Later, tribes like the Delaware moved to Indiana from eastern areas.

European Arrivals and Control

In 1679, a French explorer named René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle was the first European to enter Indiana. He reached what is now South Bend.

Soon, French-Canadian fur traders came to the area. They traded blankets, jewelry, tools, and weapons with Native Americans for animal skins. In 1702, Sieur Juchereau set up the first trading post near Vincennes. In 1715, Sieur de Vincennes built Fort Miami at Kekionga, which is now Fort Wayne.

In 1717, another Canadian, Picote de Beletre, built Fort Ouiatenon. This fort was on the Wabash River. It helped control trade routes from Lake Erie to the Mississippi River. In 1732, Sieur de Vincennes built a second trading post at Vincennes. More French-Canadian settlers returned to the area.

Over a few years, British colonists arrived from the east. They competed with the French for the valuable fur trade. This led to fighting between the French and British colonists in the 1750s. This conflict was called the French and Indian War.

Native American tribes in Indiana supported the French-Canadians during this war. When the British won in 1763, France had to give up all its lands in North America east of the Mississippi River to the British. This included the lands in Indiana.

The tribes in Indiana did not give up easily. They destroyed Fort Ouiatenon and Fort Miami during Pontiac's Rebellion. The British government then made a rule in 1763. It said the land west of the Appalachian Mountains was for Native American use. British colonists were not allowed to settle there. This area was called Indian Territory.

In 1775, the American Revolutionary War began. The colonists wanted more self-rule and independence from Britain. After the war, the Treaty of Paris was signed. Britain gave its claims to the land south of the Great Lakes to the new United States. This land included Native American territories.

Indiana's Frontier Days

In 1787, the U.S. government made present-day Indiana part of its Northwest Territory.

Starting with the Battle of Fallen Timbers in 1794, the U.S. began to gain control of Indiana lands. This happened through agreements, purchases, or wars. About half of the state was bought from the Miami tribe in 1818. Land purchases continued until 1826. By then, the last Native American lands in the northeast were acquired.

In 1810, the Shawnee chief Tecumseh and his brother Tenskwatawa encouraged other tribes to resist European settlement. Tensions grew. The U.S. then sent an expedition against Tecumseh's Confederacy. The U.S. won the Battle of Tippecanoe on November 7, 1811. Tecumseh was killed in 1813 during the Battle of Thames. After his death, armed resistance to U.S. control in the region ended.

Most Native American tribes in Indiana were later moved west of the Mississippi River. This happened in the 1820s and 1830s. It followed U.S. negotiations and land purchases.

Becoming a State and Growing Population

President James Madison approved Indiana becoming the 19th state on December 11, 1816. In 1825, the state capital moved from Corydon to Indianapolis.

Many European immigrants came to settle in Indiana in the early 1800s. The largest group was Germans. Many immigrants also came from Ireland and England.

Indiana During the Civil War

During the American Civil War, Indiana became very important. It was the first western state to send soldiers to fight for the United States. Indiana soldiers took part in all the major battles.

Only a few Civil War conflicts happened in Indiana itself. These were the Newburgh Raid, the capture of Newburgh, Indiana, and the Battle of Corydon. These events took place during Morgan's Raid.

After the war, Indiana was still mostly a farming state. New industries grew, like food processing (milling grain, making alcohol, meatpacking). Factories also started making wagons, farm machines, and hardware.

The Early 1900s and Modern Era

With the start of the Industrial Revolution, Indiana's factories grew quickly. This happened especially in the northern part of the state.

The Indiana Gas Boom provided cheap fuel. This led to fast industrial growth in the late 1800s.

In the early 1900s, Indiana became a strong manufacturing state. It was closely tied to the new auto industry. The building of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway and new auto-related businesses were part of this boom.

In the modern era, the auto, steel, and pharmaceutical industries became Indiana's main businesses. Indiana's population kept growing after the wars. It reached over five million people by 1970.

Indiana's Landscape and Climate

Indiana covers about 36,418 square miles (94,321 km2). This makes it the 38th largest state. The state is about 250 miles (400 km) long from north to south. It is about 145 miles (232 km) wide from east to west. The center of Indiana is in Marion County.

Indiana is in the midwestern United States. It is one of eight states in the Great Lakes Region. Indiana borders Michigan to the north and Ohio to the east. Illinois is to the west. Lake Michigan is to the northwest. The Ohio River separates Indiana from Kentucky to the south.

The average height of Indiana is about 760 feet (230 m) above sea level. The highest point is Hoosier Hill in Wayne County. It is 1,257 feet (383 m) high. The lowest point is 320 feet (97 m) high. It is where the Wabash River flows into the Ohio River in Posey County.

Indiana has two main natural areas: the Central Lowlands and the Interior Low Plateaus. Much of northern and central Indiana was shaped by glaciers.

Central Indiana is mostly flat with some low, rolling hills. The soil is made of sand, gravel, and clay left by glaciers. This makes it excellent farmland.

Northern Indiana is similar, but it has higher, hillier areas called moraines. There are also many small lakes. In northwest Indiana, there are sand ridges and dunes. Some are almost 200 feet (61 m) tall. These are found along the Lake Michigan shoreline and near the Kankakee River Valley.

Important Rivers and Lakes

Indiana has several major river systems. These include the Whitewater, White, Blue, Wabash, St. Joseph, and Maumee rivers. In 2007, the Indiana Department of Natural Resources listed 65 rivers, streams, and creeks. These were noted for their environmental importance or beauty. The state has an estimated 24,000 total miles of rivers.

The Ohio River forms Indiana's southern border with Kentucky. Major cities like New Albany and Evansville are on this river.

The Wabash River is Indiana's official state river. It is the longest free-flowing river east of the Mississippi River. It is 475 miles (764 km) long. The river cuts across the state from northeast to southwest. Then it flows south, mostly along the Indiana-Illinois border. The Wabash River is famous in songs like "On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away" and "Back Home Again, In Indiana".

Indiana has about 900 lakes listed by the Department of Natural Resources. To the northwest, Indiana borders Lake Michigan. The Port of Indiana operates the state's largest shipping port there. Tippecanoe Lake is the deepest lake in the state, almost 120 feet (37 m) deep. Lake Wawasee is Indiana's largest natural lake. Lake Monroe is the largest lake in Indiana overall, covering 10,750 acres.

Indiana's Climate and Weather

Indiana has a humid continental climate. This means it has cold winters and hot, wet summers.

Droughts sometimes happen in the state. However, rainfall is usually spread out evenly throughout the year.

Indiana can experience tornadoes. In a 2012 report, Indiana was ranked eighth among the top 20 states for tornadoes. This was based on data from 1950 to 2011. A 2011 report ranked South Bend 15th among tornado-prone cities. Indianapolis was ranked eighth in another report from 2011. Even with these risks, Indiana is not part of "tornado alley".

How Indiana is Governed

Indiana has a government that is a constitutional democratic republic. This means people vote for their leaders, and the government follows a constitution. It has three main parts:

• The executive branch includes the elected governor and lieutenant governor.
• The legislative branch is the elected two-part General Assembly.
• The judicial branch includes the Supreme Court of Indiana, the Indiana Court of Appeals, and local courts.

The Governor of Indiana is the state's chief leader. They manage the government as set up in the Constitution of Indiana. The governor and lieutenant governor are elected together for four-year terms. The governor can serve no more than two terms in a row. The governor works with the Indiana General Assembly and the Indiana Supreme Court to run the state. The governor can call special meetings of the General Assembly. They can also choose and remove leaders of most state departments. Other powers include calling out the Indiana Guard Reserve or the Indiana National Guard in emergencies. They can also grant pardons to criminals, except in cases of treason or impeachment.

The lieutenant governor leads the Senate. They make sure the Senate rules are followed. The lieutenant governor only votes if there is a tie. If the governor cannot serve anymore, the lieutenant governor becomes governor.

The Indiana General Assembly makes the state's laws. It has two parts: a 50-member Senate and a 100-member House of Representatives. The Senate is the "upper house," and the House is the "lower house." Both parts can suggest new laws. However, the Senate cannot start laws that affect money. Bills must be passed by both the Senate and the House before going to the Governor. The legislature can overrule a governor's veto with a majority vote. All laws passed must apply to the entire state. The General Assembly cannot make laws for just one community. It can also manage the state's court system and oversee the executive branch. It has the power to change the Indiana Constitution.

The Indiana Supreme Court has five judges. The Indiana Court of Appeals has 15 judges. The governor chooses judges for these courts from a list of candidates. These candidates are picked by a special group. After two years, judges must be approved by voters to serve a 10-year term. Usually, the Supreme Court only hears cases that have already been heard in lower courts. Most cases start in local circuit courts, where a jury decides the outcome. The Supreme Court has special power over legal practices and the discipline of lower court judges.

Indiana is divided into 92 counties. Each county is led by a board of county commissioners. Most counties have their own circuit court with an elected judge. Some counties also have "superior courts" for more cases. In busy counties, there are special courts for juvenile, criminal, or small claims cases. The types of these courts vary by county. There are also 85 city and town courts for minor offenses. County officials like the auditor, treasurer, and sheriff are elected for four-year terms. Cities in Indiana have a mayor and council government. Towns are run by a town council.

People of Indiana

Population and Where People Live

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1800	2,632		—
1810	24,520		831.6%
1820	147,178		500.2%
1830	343,031		133.1%
1840	685,866		99.9%
1850	988,416		44.1%
1860	1,350,428		36.6%
1870	1,680,637		24.5%
1880	1,978,301		17.7%
1890	2,192,404		10.8%
1900	2,516,462		14.8%
1910	2,700,876		7.3%
1920	2,930,390		8.5%
1930	3,238,503		10.5%
1940	3,427,796		5.8%
1950	3,934,224		14.8%
1960	4,662,498		18.5%
1970	5,193,669		11.4%
1980	5,490,224		5.7%
1990	5,544,159		1.0%
2000	6,080,485		9.7%
2010	6,483,802		6.6%
2020	6,785,528		4.7%
2024 (est.)	6,924,275		6.8%
Source: 1910–2020

In 2020, Indiana had a population of 6,785,528 people. This was a 4.65% increase since 2010.

The state's population density was about 181 people per square mile. This was the 16th highest in the U.S. In 2010, the center of Indiana's population was northwest of Sheridan, in Hamilton County.

In 2005, most Indiana residents (77.7%) lived in larger city areas. About 16.5% lived in smaller city areas. Only 5.9% lived in very rural areas.

In 2018, the most common countries of origin for immigrants in Indiana were Mexico, India, China, Myanmar, and the Philippines.

Religious Groups in Indiana

The largest single religious group in Indiana is Catholic, with over 747,000 members. However, most Hoosiers belong to different Protestant churches. The largest Protestant group in 2010 was the United Methodist Church, with over 355,000 members.

A study found that 20% of Hoosiers are Catholic. 14% belong to Baptist churches. 10% are other Christians, 9% are Methodist, and 6% are Lutheran. The study also found that 16% of people said they had no religion.

Indiana is home to the Benedictine St. Meinrad Archabbey. This is one of only two Catholic archabbeys in the United States. The Lutheran Church–Missouri Synod has one of its two seminaries in Fort Wayne. Several other church groups also have their main offices in Indiana. These include the Free Methodist Church, the Wesleyan Church, and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Indianapolis. The Islamic Society of North America is based in Plainfield.

Religious affiliation in Indiana (2014)

Affiliation	% of Indiana population
Christianity	72	72
Protestant	52	52
Evangelical Protestant	31	31
Mainline Protestant	16	16
Black Protestant	5	5
Catholic	18	18
Mormon	1	1
Jehovah's Witnesses	0.5	0.5
Orthodox	0.5	0.5
Other Christianity	0.5	0.5
Judaism	1	1
Buddhism	0.5	0.5
Islam	0.5	0.5
Hinduism	0.5	0.5
Other faiths	1	1
Unaffiliated	26	26
Don't know / No answer	0.5	0.5

Economy and Daily Life

In 2017, Indiana had almost 3.4 million workers. This was the 15th largest workforce in the U.S. Indiana's unemployment rate was 3.4%, which was lower than the national average. The total value of goods and services produced in the state was $347.2 billion in 2016.

A large part of Indiana's income comes from manufacturing. Nearly 17% of the state's non-farm workers are in manufacturing. This is the highest percentage of any U.S. state. Indiana's top five exports were vehicles and auto parts, medicines, industrial machines, medical equipment, and electrical machines.

Even though Indiana relies on manufacturing, it has not been hit as hard as other states by factory declines. This is partly because many of its factories need highly skilled workers. Companies like to set up where these skills already exist. Also, Indiana's workers are mostly in medium-sized cities, which are less expensive than very large cities. This means companies can offer good skills at fair wages.

Major Businesses in Indiana

In 2016, Indiana was home to seven Fortune 500 companies. These companies had a total of $142.5 billion in revenue. Companies like Columbus-based Cummins, Inc., and Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly and Company and Simon Property Group were named "World's Most Admired Companies" in 2017.

Northwest Indiana has been the biggest steel-producing area in the U.S. since 1975. It made 27% of American steel in 2016.

Indiana is home to the main offices of the pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly in Indianapolis. This is the state's largest company. The world headquarters of Mead Johnson Nutritionals is in Evansville. Indiana ranks fifth in the U.S. for total sales of pharmaceutical products. It is second in the number of jobs related to biopharmaceuticals.

Indiana is in the U.S. Corn Belt and Grain Belt. It grows a lot of corn to feed hogs and cattle. Besides corn, soybeans are also a very important crop. Because it is close to big cities like Indianapolis and Chicago, Indiana also has dairy farms, egg production, and special plant growing. Other crops include melons, tomatoes, grapes, mint, popcorn, and tobacco in the southern counties. Much of Indiana was originally covered in trees. Many forests remain and support a furniture-making industry in southern Indiana.

In 2011, CEO magazine ranked Indiana as the best place to do business in the Midwest. It was ranked sixth in the entire country.

Taxes in Indiana

The Indiana Department of Revenue collects taxes.

Indiana has a flat state income tax rate of 3.23%. Many counties also collect income tax. The state sales tax rate is 7%. Food, prescription medicines, and over-the-counter medicines are not taxed. In some places, there is an extra Food and Beverage Tax. This is charged on prepared meals and drinks.

Property taxes are collected on land and buildings in Indiana. These are managed by the Department of Local Government Finance. Property is taxed by different groups like schools, counties, and libraries. So, the total tax rate is the sum of all these rates. However, a law passed in 2008 limits property taxes. For homeowners, it is 1% of the property's value. For rental properties and farmland, it is 2%. For businesses, it is 3%.

State Money and Energy

Indiana does not have a law that says the state budget must be balanced. However, it has a rule against taking on debt. The state has a "Rainy Day Fund" for emergencies. Indiana is one of only six U.S. states that does not allow a line-item veto.

Since 2010, Indiana has had the highest possible credit rating (AAA) from the top three credit rating agencies.

Indiana mainly gets its power from burning fossil fuels, especially coal. It has 24 coal power plants. This includes the country's largest coal power plant, Gibson Generating Station. Indiana also has a coal plant with the highest sulfur dioxide pollution in the U.S., the Gallagher plant.

In 2010, Indiana had about 57 billion tons of coal reserves. State mines produced 35 million tons of coal each year. Indiana also has oil reserves, but they are hard to get. Indiana wants to use more clean energy like wind and solar power. However, progress has been slow because coal is still very common in southern Indiana. Most new power plants built are coal gasification plants. Another source of power is hydroelectric power.

Wind power has been growing fast. By the end of 2011, Indiana had 1,340 MW of wind turbines. In 2020, this amount more than doubled to 2,968 MW.

Getting Around: Transportation

Airports in Indiana

Indianapolis International Airport serves the Indianapolis area. It opened in 2008. It has a modern passenger terminal, control tower, and parking.

Other important airports include Evansville Regional Airport, Fort Wayne International Airport, and South Bend International Airport. There are also plans to make Gary Chicago International Airport a third major airport for Chicago.

Terre Haute Regional Airport is mainly used for general aviation, not commercial flights. The 181st Fighter Wing of the Indiana Air National Guard was based there. However, they lost their fighter mission in 2005.

Many people in Northwest Indiana use Chicago's airports. These include O'Hare International Airport and Chicago Midway International Airport. People in southern Indiana might use Louisville International Airport or Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport.

Highways and Roads

Indiana has many Interstate highways. These include I-64, I-65, I-265, I-465, I-865, I-69, I-469, I-70, I-74, I-80, I-90, I-94, and I-275. The many highways that meet around Indianapolis are why Indiana's motto is "Crossroads of America." There are also many U.S. routes and state highways. These are kept up by the Indiana Department of Transportation. Indiana allows different types of highways to have the same number. For example, I-64 and Indiana State Road 64 are two different roads.

A big project to extend I-69 is happening. It costs $3 billion. The project is split into six parts. The first five parts, connecting Evansville to Martinsville, are finished. The last part, from Martinsville to Indianapolis, is being built. When finished, I-69 will add 142 miles (229 km) through the state.

Most Indiana counties use a grid system for county roads. This makes it easier to find places, especially for emergency calls. However, some rural counties in the south use older, less organized road names. Some northern counties also do not use a full grid system.

Trains and Ports

Indiana has over 4,255 miles (6,848 km) of railroad tracks. Most of these are run by large railroad companies like CSX Transportation and Norfolk Southern Railway. Other major railroads include the Canadian National Railway and Soo Line Railroad. Amtrak also operates in Indiana. The remaining tracks are run by smaller regional and local railroads. The South Shore Line is a famous commuter train system. It runs from Chicago to South Bend. Indiana is working on a big rail plan. Many old train tracks have been turned into walking and biking trails. Examples are the Monon Trail and Cardinal Greenway.

Indiana ships over 70 million tons of cargo by water each year. This ranks 14th among all U.S. states. More than half of Indiana's border is water. This includes 400 miles (640 km) of access to two major shipping routes. These are the Great Lakes/St. Lawrence Seaway (through Lake Michigan) and the Inland Waterway System (through the Ohio River). The Ports of Indiana manages three main ports. These are Burns Harbor, Jeffersonville, and Mount Vernon.

Learning and Education

Public Schools in Indiana

Indiana's first constitution in 1816 was the first in the country to plan for a state-funded public school system. It also set aside land for a public university. However, this plan was too big for a new state. Tax money was not available to set it up. In the 1840s, Caleb Mills pushed for tax-supported schools. In 1851, his ideas were put into the new state constitution.

In 1843, a law said that African Americans could not go to public schools. This led to schools like the Union Literary Institute being started for them. These schools were paid for by donations or the students themselves. In 1869, the Indiana General Assembly allowed separate but equal schools for Black students. In 1877, the law changed to allow schools to be integrated.

Even with legal issues, many public elementary schools were open by 1870. Most children in Indiana go to public schools. About 10% attend private schools or parochial schools (schools run by religious groups). About half of all college students in Indiana go to state-supported four-year schools.

Indiana public schools have changed over time. New state standards were adopted in April 2014. The goal is to make sure Indiana students have the skills needed for college or jobs after high school. Standards exist for almost every subject. Math, English, Science, and Social Studies are top priorities. In 2022, Indiana's high school graduation rate was 86.7%.

The number of Indiana high school students going to college dropped to 53% in 2022. This is a big drop from 65% in 2017. Indiana's college-going rates have fallen more than most states. This trend shows bigger differences for minority groups and low-income families.

Vocational and Higher Education

Indiana has a strong system of vocational schools. Charles Allen Prossor, known as the "father of vocational education" in the U.S., was from New Albany. The Charles Allen Prosser School of Technology is named after him. There are vocational schools in every part of Indiana. Most high school students can attend a vocational school. They can get training and help finding jobs in skilled trades.

The state's community college system is Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana. It serves almost 200,000 students each year. This makes it Indiana's largest public college system. It is also the nation's largest community college system with one accreditation. In 2008, the Indiana University system agreed to move most of its two-year degrees to Ivy Tech.

The largest non-community college is Indiana University. It has many campuses. Its main campus in Bloomington started as the Indiana Seminary in 1820. Indiana State University was founded in Terre Haute in 1865. Purdue University was started in West Lafayette in 1869. It is also now a multi-campus school. The other three state universities are Vincennes University (founded 1801), Ball State University (founded 1918), and the University of Southern Indiana (founded 1965).

Many of Indiana's private colleges are connected to religious groups. The University of Notre Dame, Marian University, and the University of Saint Francis are popular Roman Catholic schools. Protestant colleges include Anderson University, Butler University, Huntington University, Manchester University, Indiana Wesleyan University, Taylor University, Franklin College, Hanover College, DePauw University, Earlham College, Valparaiso University, University of Indianapolis, and University of Evansville.

Several Indiana universities are ranked among the best by U.S. News & World Report. The University of Notre Dame is in the top 20. Purdue University is in the top 50. Indiana University Bloomington is in the top 100. Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) has also made it into the top 200. Purdue's engineering programs are ranked fourth in the country. Taylor University is ranked first in the Regional College Midwest Rankings. Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology has been the nation's top undergraduate engineering school for 25 years.

The state also has the largest medical school system in the country. This is the Indiana University School of Medicine. There is also a smaller osteopathic medical school, the Marian University College of Osteopathic Medicine. Indiana also has one veterinary medical school (Purdue), one optometry school (Indiana University), three pharmacy schools, and four law schools.

Culture and Fun

Arts and Literature

The late 1800s started a special time for Indiana literature. This period lasted until the 1920s and is called the "golden age of Indiana literature." Edward Eggleston wrote The Hoosier Schoolmaster (1871). It was the first best-selling book from the state. Many more followed, like Maurice Thompson's Hoosier Mosaics (1875) and Lew Wallace's Ben-Hur (1880).

Indiana became known as the "American heartland." This happened after several popular novels were published. These included Booth Tarkington's The Gentleman from Indiana (1899), Meredith Nicholson's The Hoosiers (1900), and Thompson's Alice of Old Vincennes (1900). James Whitcomb Riley, known as the "Hoosier Poet," wrote hundreds of poems about Indiana themes. One famous poem is Little Orphant Annie.

A unique art style also began in the late 1800s. This included the Hoosier Group of landscape painters and the Richmond Group of impressionist painters. Artists like T. C. Steele were known for using bright colors. Their work was inspired by the colorful hills of southern Indiana. Famous musicians and composers from Indiana also became well-known. These included Paul Dresser, whose song "On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away" became the official state song.

Sports in Indiana

Car Racing in Indiana

Indiana has a long history with auto racing. Indianapolis hosts the Indianapolis 500 race every May. This race is often called "Indy 500" or "The Greatest Spectacle in Racing." It attracts over 250,000 people each year. This makes it the largest single-day sports event in the world.

The Indianapolis Motor Speedway also hosts the Brickyard 400 (NASCAR) and the Red Bull Indianapolis Grand Prix. From 2000 to 2007, it hosted the United States Grand Prix (Formula One). Indiana also has the world's largest drag race, the NHRA U.S. Nationals. This event happens every Labor Day weekend at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis. Indiana also hosts a major power boat race, the Madison Regatta.

Professional Sports Teams

As of 2013, Indiana has produced more National Basketball Association (NBA) players per person than any other state. Muncie has produced the most per person of any American city. Indiana has a rich basketball history. The NBA's Indiana Pacers play their home games at Gainbridge Fieldhouse. They started in 1967 in the American Basketball Association (ABA). They joined the NBA when the leagues combined in 1976.

Even though basketball started in Massachusetts, high school basketball really grew in Indiana. In 1925, James Naismith, who invented basketball, visited an Indiana state finals game. He saw 15,000 cheering fans. He later wrote, "Basketball really had its origin in Indiana, which remains the center of the sport." The 1986 movie Hoosiers is based on the true story of the 1954 Indiana state champions, the Milan High School. Famous basketball player Larry Bird was born and grew up in Indiana. He led the Boston Celtics to NBA championships in 1981, 1984, and 1986.

Indianapolis is home to the Indianapolis Colts. The Colts are part of the National Football League. The team started in 1913 as the Dayton Triangles. They became an official team after moving to Baltimore in 1953. In 1984, the Colts moved to Indianapolis. This led to a rivalry with the Baltimore Ravens. The Colts played at the RCA Dome for 25 years. Now, they play at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis. The Colts won Super Bowl V when they were in Baltimore. In Indianapolis, they won Super Bowl XLI. This brought their total Super Bowl wins to two. The Colts have often played in the NFL playoffs in recent years.

Indiana was home to two of the first teams in the National Football League. These were the Hammond Pros and the Muncie Flyers. Another early NFL team, the Evansville Crimson Giants, played for two seasons before stopping.

Indiana's Professional Sports Teams

The table below shows the professional sports teams in Indiana. Teams in italic are in major professional leagues.

Club	Sport	League	Venue (capacity)
Indianapolis Colts	American football	National Football League	Lucas Oil Stadium (62,400)
Indiana Pacers	Basketball	National Basketball Association	Gainbridge Fieldhouse (18,165)
Evansville Otters	Baseball	Frontier League	Bosse Field (5,181)
Evansville Thunderbolts	Ice hockey	SPHL	Ford Center (9,000)
Fort Wayne Komets	Ice hockey	ECHL	Allen County War Memorial Coliseum (10,480)
Fort Wayne TinCaps	Baseball	High-A Central	Parkview Field (8,100)
Gary SouthShore RailCats	Baseball	American Association	U.S. Steel Yard (6,139)
Indiana Fever	Basketball	Women's National Basketball Association	Gainbridge Fieldhouse (18,165)
Indiana Mad Ants	Basketball	NBA G League	Gainbridge Fieldhouse (18,165) (Noblesville Event Center (3,400) in 2025–26)
Indy Eleven	Soccer	United Soccer League	Michael A. Carroll Stadium (10,524)
Indy Fuel	Ice hockey	ECHL	Indiana Farmers Coliseum (6,300)
Indianapolis Indians	Baseball	Triple-A East	Victory Field (14,230)
Indianapolis Enforcers	Arena football	AAL	Indiana Farmers Coliseum
South Bend Cubs	Baseball	High-A Central	Four Winds Field (5,000)

The following table shows sports venues in Indiana that can hold more than 30,000 people:

Facility	Capacity	Municipality	Tenants
Indianapolis Motor Speedway	257,327	Speedway	Indianapolis 500 Grand Prix of Indianapolis Brantley Gilbert Big Machine Brickyard 400 Lilly Diabetes 250
Notre Dame Stadium	84,000	Notre Dame	Notre Dame Fighting Irish football
Lucas Oil Stadium	62,421	Indianapolis	Indianapolis Colts
Ross–Ade Stadium	57,236	West Lafayette	Purdue Boilermakers football
Memorial Stadium	52,929	Bloomington	Indiana Hoosiers football

College Sports in Indiana

Indiana has had great success in college sports.

In men's basketball, the Indiana Hoosiers have won five NCAA national championships. They have also won 22 Big Ten Conference championships. The Purdue Boilermakers were named national champions in 1932. They have won 26 Big Ten championships. The Boilermakers and the Notre Dame Fighting Irish have both won a national championship in women's basketball.

In college football, the Notre Dame Fighting Irish have won 11 national championships. They have also won the Rose Bowl Game, Cotton Bowl Classic, Orange Bowl, and Sugar Bowl. The Purdue Boilermakers have won 10 Big Ten championships. They have won the Rose Bowl and Peach Bowl.

Schools with NCAA Division I athletic programs include:

Program	Division	Conference	City
Ball State Cardinals	Division I-FBS	Mid-American Conference	Muncie
Butler Bulldogs	Division I-FCS	Big East Conference Pioneer Football League	Indianapolis
Evansville Purple Aces	Division I (non-football)	Missouri Valley Conference	Evansville
Indiana Hoosiers	Division I-FBS	Big Ten Conference Mountain Pacific Sports Federation (women's water polo)	Bloomington
Indiana State Sycamores	Division I-FCS	Missouri Valley Conference Missouri Valley Football Conference	Terre Haute
IUPUI Jaguars	Division I (non-football)	Horizon League	Indianapolis
Notre Dame Fighting Irish	Division I-FBS	Atlantic Coast Conference Big Ten Conference (men's ice hockey) Independent (football)	South Bend
Purdue Boilermakers	Division I-FBS	Big Ten Conference	West Lafayette
Purdue Fort Wayne Mastodons	Division I (non-football)	Horizon League	Fort Wayne
Southern Indiana Screaming Eagles	Division I (non-football)	Ohio Valley Conference Summit League (men's soccer, men's swimming, women's swimming) Horizon League (men's tennis)	Evansville
Valparaiso Beacons	Division I-FCS	Missouri Valley Conference Pioneer Football League Summit League (men's swimming) Southland Bowling League (women's bowling)	Valparaiso

Images for kids

• Child laborers in glassworks, by Lewis Hine. Indiana, August 1908.

See also

In Spanish: Indiana para niños