Zionsville is a friendly town located in Boone County, Indiana, in the United States. It is northwest of Indianapolis. In 2020, about 30,693 people lived here.

Zionsville is known for its charming downtown area. This area looks like a small village. Its main street is paved with bricks. You can find many small shops and restaurants there. It's a popular spot for visitors!

History of Zionsville
Geography and Climate
- Zionsville's Climate
Population Changes
- Population in 2020
- Population in 2010
Education in Zionsville
- Schools in Zionsville
Cultural Attractions
Transportation
Notable People
See also

History of Zionsville

Historical marker near the corner of Main and Cedar streets.

Zionsville was founded in 1852. This happened when a railroad line was built through the area. The town was named after William Zion, who was an early settler.

An important moment in history happened here in 1861. Abraham Lincoln gave a short speech in Zionsville. He was on his way to become president. Later, in 1865, the train carrying Lincoln’s body passed through Zionsville. This was part of its long journey to his final resting place.

The old Town Hall, also called Castle Hall, is a historic building. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. This means it's an important place to protect.

Mural depicting the nickname "The Dahlia City" in Zionsville

In the 1920s, Zionsville was known as "The Dahlia City." This was because two plant nurseries in the area grew beautiful dahlia flowers. Starting in 2019, the Zionsville Cultural District brought this nickname back. They gave away free dahlia flowers and painted a mural to celebrate.

Geography and Climate

Zionsville is about 15 miles (24 km) northwest of Downtown Indianapolis. In 2010, the town covered about 10.3 square miles (26.7 square kilometers). Most of this area is land.

In 2010, Zionsville grew much larger. It added about 39.5 square miles (102.3 square kilometers) of land. This made the town's total area about 49.7 square miles (128.7 square kilometers). In 2014, it grew even more, adding 3.9 square miles (10.1 square kilometers). Now, the town's area is about 53.63 square miles (138.9 square kilometers).

Zionsville's Climate

The weather in Zionsville has four clear seasons. Summers are hot and humid. Winters are cold. The town has enough rain and snow throughout the year. This type of weather is called a humid continental climate.

Population Changes

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1860	365	—
1870	956	161.9%
1880	855	−10.6%
1890	825	−3.5%
1900	765	−7.3%
1910	840	9.8%
1920	957	13.9%
1930	1,131	18.2%
1940	1,314	16.2%
1950	1,536	16.9%
1960	1,822	18.6%
1970	1,857	1.9%
1980	3,948	112.6%
1990	5,281	33.8%
2000	8,775	66.2%
2010	14,160	61.4%
2020	30,603	116.1%
U.S. Decennial Census

Population in 2020

In 2020, Zionsville had 30,693 people living there. There were 10,061 households. Most people (91.4%) were White. About 4.3% were Asian, and 1.4% were African American. People of Hispanic or Latino background made up 2.2% of the population.

The average age in Zionsville was 39.1 years old. About 28% of residents were under 18. About 12.9% were 65 or older. The town had slightly more males (50.5%) than females (49.5%). The average income for a household was $137,265.

Population in 2010

In 2010, Zionsville had 14,160 people. There were 5,129 households. The racial makeup was mostly White (94%). About 2.7% were Asian and 1.2% were African American. Hispanic or Latino people made up 2.1% of the population.

Many households (44.1%) had children under 18. The average age was 39.6 years. About 31.6% of residents were under 18.

Education in Zionsville

Zionsville Community High School

The Zionsville Community School Corporation is very well-regarded. It includes schools in Eagle and Union townships. For many years, it has been ranked among the top public school systems in Indiana.

Zionsville schools have friendly rivalries with schools in nearby towns. These include Carmel, Lebanon, and Pike Township in Indianapolis. Rebecca Coffman is the current superintendent of schools.

Schools in Zionsville

Zionsville Community High School
Zionsville Middle School
Zionsville West Middle School
Eagle Elementary School
Pleasant View Elementary School
Stonegate Elementary School
Union Elementary School
Boone Meadow Elementary School
Trailside Elementary School

The town also has a public library. It is called the Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library.

Cultural Attractions

Gazebo at the site of the town's first railroad depot. Located in Lincoln Park.

Zionsville is home to the SullivanMunce Cultural Center. This center has a museum, an art center, and a place to research family history. It shows items from the town's past. The center also hosts many events throughout the year.

One popular event is the July Fourth fireworks show. The local Lion's Club hosts it every year. People from all over Indiana come to watch. There are concerts before the fireworks begin.

Another fun event is the Fall Festival. It happens for one weekend in September. The festival includes a parade with sports teams and marching bands. There are also rides, games, and food at the Lion's Park.

Zionsville also has the Goldman Union Camp Institute (GUCI). This is a Jewish camp that is part of the URJ (Union for Reform Judaism).

Transportation

Highways

Zionsville is connected by several major roads:

Interstate 65
Interstate 465
Interstate 865
US 52 (runs with I-65, I-465, and I-865)
US 421
State Road 32
State Road 267

Airports

The Indianapolis Executive Airport (KTYQ) is located north of downtown Zionsville. It helps take some air traffic away from the larger Indianapolis International Airport.

Railroads and Trails

A railroad line used to run through Zionsville. It was built in 1852 but stopped being used in 1976. In the 1990s, Zionsville turned parts of this old railroad line into a shared use path. It is now called the Big-4 Rail Trail.

The Rail Trail connects different parks, neighborhoods, and interesting spots in town. These include Heritage Park, Jennings Field, and Starkey Park. It is also close to Mulberry Fields and the downtown village. Trees surround most of the trail, making it a nice place to walk or bike. The trail is currently being extended.

Notable People

Many interesting people have lived in or are connected to Zionsville:

Albert B. Anderson, a federal judge
Mark Baltz, an NFL official
Jeff Belskus, a former CEO of Hulman & Company and president of Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Brandon Bernstein, an American drag racer
Antoine Bethea, a former safety for the Indianapolis Colts and Arizona Cardinals
Gary Brackett, a former linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts
Tom Carnegie, a famous announcer for the Indianapolis 500 race
Dallas Clark, a former tight end for the Indianapolis Colts
Austin Collie, a former wide receiver for the Indianapolis Colts
Austin Croshere, a former NBA basketball player
Dan Dakich, a former college basketball coach
Ryan Diem, a former offensive tackle for the Indianapolis Colts
Danny Granger, a former small forward for the Indiana Pacers and Miami Heat
Stéphan Grégoire, a race car driver
Arthur G. Hansen, a former president of Georgia Institute of Technology and Purdue University
Grace Hartzel, a fashion model
Bill Hodges, a college basketball coach
John-Michael Liles, an NHL defenseman
Tom Mastny, a former pitcher for the Cleveland Indians
Derrick McKey, a former NBA player
Rob Morris, a former linebacker for the Indianapolis Colts
Nancy Noel, an artist
Chuck Pagano, a former head coach for the Indianapolis Colts
Metta World Peace, a former forward for the Indiana Pacers
Kendall Phillips, a country music singer
Jerraud Powers, a former defensive back for the Indianapolis Colts
Jeff Saturday, a former center for the Indianapolis Colts and Green Bay Packers
David Shumate, a poet
Hunter Smith, a former punter for the Indianapolis Colts
Rik Smits, a former center for the Indiana Pacers
John Stehr, a former news anchor and current Mayor of Zionsville
Lance Stephenson, a former NBA player
Brad Stevens, president of basketball operations for the Boston Celtics
Hardress Nathaniel Swaim, a federal judge
Jacob Tamme, a former tight end for the Indianapolis Colts and Denver Broncos
Jack Trudeau, a former NFL quarterback
Kelly Williamson, a triathlete
Todd Witsken, a professional tennis player
Shannon Elkins, a teacher at Zionsville Middle School

Zionsville, Indiana facts for kids

Contents