List of municipalities in Indiana facts for kids

Map of the United States with Indiana highlighted

Indiana is a state in the Midwestern United States. It's home to about 6.8 million people, and they live in 569 different towns and cities!

In Indiana, a place needs at least 2,000 people to be called a "city." Most cities are called "third-class" cities. They have a city council with seven members and an elected clerk-treasurer. Bigger cities, with 34,000 to 600,000 people, are "second-class" cities. They have a larger city council with nine members and an elected clerk. Indianapolis is the only "first-class" city in Indiana. It has a special combined government for the city and county, called Unigov.

A "town" is different from a city because it can't become a city until it has at least 2,000 people. Towns also have a different type of government. In a town, the council acts as both the lawmakers and the leaders. The mayor is chosen by the council members and is like the "first among equals," meaning they are a leader but work closely with the council.

Indiana's Biggest Cities

Here are some of the largest cities in Indiana, where many people live:

What is a Municipality?

A municipality is a city or town that has its own local government. This government helps manage things like roads, parks, and public safety for the people living there. Each municipality in Indiana has a unique history and its own special features.

How Do Cities and Towns Grow?

The population of cities and towns can change over time. Some places grow a lot, while others might stay about the same size or even get a little smaller. This growth or change is often tracked by a census, which counts how many people live in an area.

County Seats: Important Towns and Cities

Many cities and towns in Indiana are also "county seats." This means they are the main city for a larger area called a county. The county government offices, like the courthouse, are usually located in the county seat.

Here are a few examples of different types of municipalities in Indiana:

• Albion is a town in Noble County. It's also the county seat, meaning it's an important center for the county.
• Alexandria is a city in Madison County. It's a "third-class" city, which is the most common type of city in Indiana.
• Avon is a town in Hendricks County. It has grown a lot, showing how some towns can become quite large.
• Bloomington is a city in Monroe County and is also a county seat. It's known for its university.
• Carmel is a city in Hamilton County. It's one of the fastest-growing cities in Indiana.
• Crown Point is a city and the county seat of Lake County. It's an important city in the northwest part of the state.
• Dyer is a town in Lake County. Even though it's a town, it has a large population.
• East Chicago is a city in Lake County. It's an older industrial city with a rich history.
• Fishers is a city in Hamilton County. It has seen a huge increase in its population recently.
• Fort Wayne is a city and the county seat of Allen County. It's the second-largest city in Indiana.
• Gary is a city in Lake County. It's known for its steel industry and history.
• Indianapolis is the state capital and the county seat of Marion County. It's the largest city in Indiana.
• Jeffersonville is a city and the county seat of Clark County, located on the Ohio River.
• Kokomo is a city and the county seat of Howard County. It's known for its automotive history.
• Lafayette is a city and the county seat of Tippecanoe County. It's home to a major university.
• Lawrence is a city in Marion County. It's part of the greater Indianapolis area.
• Lowell is a town in Lake County. It's a growing community.
• Mishawaka is a city in St. Joseph County, near South Bend.
• Muncie is a city and the county seat of Delaware County. It's home to Ball State University.
• Munster is a town in Lake County. It's a suburban community.
• New Albany is a city and the county seat of Floyd County. It's across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky.
• Noblesville is a city and the county seat of Hamilton County. It has grown significantly.
• Plainfield is a town in Hendricks County. It's a large and expanding town.
• Portage is a city in Porter County, located near Lake Michigan.
• Richmond is a city and the county seat of Wayne County. It's known for its history and music.
• Schererville is a town in Lake County. It's a busy commercial area.
• South Bend is a city and the county seat of St. Joseph County. It's a major city in northern Indiana.
• Speedway is a town in Marion County, famous for the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
• Terre Haute is a city and the county seat of Vigo County. It's a college town.
• Valparaiso is a city and the county seat of Porter County. It's home to Valparaiso University.
• West Lafayette is a city in Tippecanoe County. It's home to Purdue University.
• Westfield is a city in Hamilton County. It's another rapidly growing area.
• Zionsville is a town in Boone County. It's known for its charming village style.

More About Indiana's Places

If you want to learn more about different areas in Indiana, you can check out these lists:

• List of metropolitan areas in Indiana
• List of Micropolitan Statistical Areas of Indiana
• List of census-designated places in Indiana