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Marion County, Indiana facts for kids

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Marion County
City-County Building
City-County Building
Map of Indiana highlighting Marion County
Location within the U.S. state of Indiana
Map of the United States highlighting Indiana
Indiana's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Indiana
Founded April 1, 1822
Named for Francis Marion
Seat Indianapolis
Largest city Indianapolis
Area
 • Total 403.01 sq mi (1,043.8 km2)
 • Land 396.30 sq mi (1,026.4 km2)
 • Water 6.71 sq mi (17.4 km2)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 977,203
 • Density 2,466/sq mi (952/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts 5th, 7th
  • Indiana county number 49
  • Most populous county in Indiana
  • Currently only Unigov county in Indiana

Marion County is located in the U.S. state of Indiana. The 2020 United States Census reported a population of 977,203, making it the largest county in the state and 55th most populated county in the country. Indianapolis is the county seat, the state capital, and largest city. Marion County is consolidated with Indianapolis through an arrangement known as Unigov.

Marion County is the central county of the Indianapolis–Carmel–Anderson MSA in Central Indiana.

Geography

According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 403.01 square miles (1,043.8 km2), of which 396.30 square miles (1,026.4 km2) (or 98.34%) is land and 6.71 square miles (17.4 km2) (or 1.66%) is water.

The White River flows through the county where it is joined by Eagle Creek and Fall Creek, both of which have dams in the county forming Eagle Creek Reservoir and Geist Reservoir, respectively.

Marion County contains two Indiana State Parks, Fort Harrison State Park and White River State Park, as well as numerous municipal parks.

Adjacent counties

Major highways

* I-69 currently ends in Indianapolis at the I-465 interchange in the northeast section of the county. The extension connecting Indianapolis and Evansville is expected to be completed around 2018.

Airports

  • KIND - Indianapolis International Airport
  • KEYE - Eagle Creek Airpark
  • Post-Air Airport

History

Marion County was created on April 1, 1822, from part of the so-called "New Purchase" lands that had been obtained by the Treaty of St. Mary's; the Lenape had previously occupied the area. It is named for Francis Marion, a Brigadier General from South Carolina in the American Revolutionary War.

The state capital was moved to Indianapolis in Marion County from Corydon on January 10, 1825. This began a period of rapid growth in population.

Climate and weather

Weather chart for Indianapolis, Indiana
J F M A M J J A S O N D
 
 
2.1
 
33
18
 
 
2.1
 
39
22
 
 
3.1
 
50
31
 
 
3.8
 
61
41
 
 
4.6
 
72
52
 
 
4.1
 
81
61
 
 
4.8
 
84
65
 
 
3.9
 
82
63
 
 
2.6
 
76
55
 
 
2.9
 
65
43
 
 
3.7
 
51
34
 
 
2.8
 
39
23
temperatures in °F
precipitation totals in inches
source: The Weather Channel

In recent years, average temperatures in Indianapolis have ranged from a low of 18 °F (−8 °C) in January to a high of 84 °F (29 °C) in July, although a record low of −22 °F (−30 °C) was recorded in January 1985 and a record high of 104 °F (40 °C) was recorded in June 1988. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 2.05 inches (52 mm) in January to 4.78 inches (121 mm) in July.

Demographics

USA Marion County, Indiana age pyramid
Age and gender distribution in Marion County
Historical population
Census Pop.
1830 7,192
1840 16,080 123.6%
1850 24,103 49.9%
1860 39,855 65.4%
1870 71,939 80.5%
1880 102,782 42.9%
1890 141,156 37.3%
1900 197,227 39.7%
1910 263,661 33.7%
1920 348,061 32.0%
1930 422,666 21.4%
1940 460,926 9.1%
1950 551,777 19.7%
1960 697,567 26.4%
1970 792,299 13.6%
1980 765,233 −3.4%
1990 797,159 4.2%
2000 860,454 7.9%
2010 903,393 5.0%
2016 (est.) 941,229 4.2%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2010-2013

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 903,393 people, 366,176 households, and 218,338 families residing in the county. The population density was 2,279.6 inhabitants per square mile (880.2/km2). There were 417,862 housing units at an average density of 1,054.4 per square mile (407.1/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 62.7% white, 26.7% black or African American, 2.0% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 5.4% from other races, and 2.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 9.3% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 18.9% were German, 11.8% were Irish, 8.4% were English, 6.6% were American, and 5.2% were Subsaharan African.

Of the 366,176 households, 32.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.9% were married couples living together, 17.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 40.4% were non-families, and 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.08. The median age was 33.9 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $47,697 and the median income for a family was $54,142. Males had a median income of $42,215 versus $34,169 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,498. About 13.5% of families and 17.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.7% of those under age 18 and 9.0% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

Marion County has a consolidated city-county government, known as Unigov, in which only four municipalities retain full government autonomy (including a mayor and city council) as "excluded cities". The remaining municipalities within the county are "included towns" and exercise very limited authority, mainly in zoning and appointing their own police departments and maintaining some of their own municipal services and town identities. They retain the ability to levy taxes for these purposes. Since many of these included towns were and remain fairly wealthy and influential within the county, they can still have considerable unofficial clout. Likewise, some neighborhoods that had already been formally incorporated into Indianapolis (such as Broad Ripple) possess similar influence.

Indianapolis-indiana-from-above
Downtown Indianapolis from the air.

Municipalities

Excluded cities in bold.

Townships

Marion County has nine townships roughly organized into a grid-like, three-by-three pattern. This arrangement can be seen below, with the top being north.

  • Washington
  • Center
  • Perry
  • Lawrence
  • Warren
  • Franklin

Transportation

Major highways

  • I-65
  • I-69* I-70
  • I-74
  • I-465
  • US 31
  • US 36
  • US 40
  • US 52
  • US 136
  • US 421
  • SR 37
  • SR 67
  • SR 134
  • SR 135

* I-69 currently ends in Indianapolis at the I-465 interchange in the northeast section of the county. The extension connecting Indianapolis and Evansville is expected to be completed in 2024.

Airports

  • KIND - Indianapolis International Airport
  • KEYE - Eagle Creek Airpark
  • Post-Air Airport
Indianapolis Intl Airport flight tower
Control tower at Indianapolis International Airport

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Marion (Indiana) para niños

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Marion County, Indiana Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.