Fastest growing cities in Indiana
Population growth in the United States is slowing. From 2010 to 2020, the population grew by just 7.4%—the lowest rate since the 1930s. Declining birth rates, an aging population, and fewer immigrants are all contributing to historically slow growth rates. But depending on where you are in the country, it might not always feel that way.
In every state, there were cities that experienced cumulative population gains over the course of the decade. But when you look at the growth rates from year to year, cities across the country are following a similar trajectory. Small, medium, and large cities all saw declining growth since 2016. Some of the largest cities—those with populations over 1 million—have actually seen a decrease in overall population, not just slower population growth.
Stacker compiled a list of the fastest-growing cities in Indiana using data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Cities are ranked by the highest population growth from 2010 to 2020.
Many cities experienced their most significant growth within the first few years of the decade. Experts postulate that the housing bubble burst in tandem with economic hardships of the Great Recession pushed many people of home-buying age to the cities. A decade later, in the wake of the pandemic, the U.S. is in a similar position.
#20. Lawrence
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +4,946
--- #1,021 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 11.1%
--- #167 among cities in Indiana, #8,372 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 49,370
--- #21 largest city in Indiana, #875 largest city nationwide
#19. Bargersville
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +5,672
--- #899 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 145.9%
--- #7 among cities in Indiana, #536 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 9,560
--- #86 largest city in Indiana, #4,211 largest city nationwide
#18. St. John
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +6,570
--- #795 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 47.8%
--- #48 among cities in Indiana, #2,324 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 20,303
--- #48 largest city in Indiana, #2,226 largest city nationwide
#17. Columbus
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +7,160
--- #731 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 16.5%
--- #133 among cities in Indiana, #6,498 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 50,474
--- #19 largest city in Indiana, #856 largest city nationwide
#16. Jeffersonville
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +7,299
--- #719 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 17.3%
--- #126 among cities in Indiana, #6,326 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 49,447
--- #20 largest city in Indiana, #874 largest city nationwide
#15. Crown Point
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +7,821
--- #669 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 30.0%
--- #80 among cities in Indiana, #3,847 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 33,899
--- #31 largest city in Indiana, #1,317 largest city nationwide
#14. Plainfield
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +7,982
--- #652 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 30.0%
--- #82 among cities in Indiana, #3,855 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 34,625
--- #28 largest city in Indiana, #1,280 largest city nationwide
#13. Whitestown
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +8,263
--- #635 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 431.5%
--- #2 among cities in Indiana, #113 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 10,178
--- #82 largest city in Indiana, #4,000 largest city nationwide
#12. Brownsburg
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +8,400
--- #624 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 40.8%
--- #53 among cities in Indiana, #2,790 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 28,973
--- #37 largest city in Indiana, #1,546 largest city nationwide
#11. Avon
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +9,821
--- #521 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 84.3%
--- #24 among cities in Indiana, #1,100 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 21,474
--- #47 largest city in Indiana, #2,118 largest city nationwide
#10. Fort Wayne
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +10,165
--- #508 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 4.0%
--- #272 among cities in Indiana, #12,254 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 263,886
--- #2 largest city in Indiana, #83 largest city nationwide
#9. Kokomo
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +13,718
--- #352 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 29.9%
--- #84 among cities in Indiana, #3,864 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 59,604
--- #14 largest city in Indiana, #698 largest city nationwide
#8. West Lafayette
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +15,251
--- #308 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 52.0%
--- #45 among cities in Indiana, #2,109 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 44,595
--- #23 largest city in Indiana, #972 largest city nationwide
#7. Greenwood
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +16,265
--- #279 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 34.2%
--- #71 among cities in Indiana, #3,345 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 63,830
--- #13 largest city in Indiana, #635 largest city nationwide
#6. Zionsville
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +17,159
--- #256 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 127.6%
--- #9 among cities in Indiana, #628 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 30,603
--- #33 largest city in Indiana, #1,469 largest city nationwide
#5. Westfield
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +18,665
--- #230 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 67.3%
--- #38 among cities in Indiana, #1,519 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 46,410
--- #22 largest city in Indiana, #933 largest city nationwide
#4. Noblesville
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +20,892
--- #193 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 42.9%
--- #50 among cities in Indiana, #2,644 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 69,604
--- #10 largest city in Indiana, #571 largest city nationwide
#3. Carmel
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +22,986
--- #168 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 29.9%
--- #83 among cities in Indiana, #3,859 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 99,757
--- #5 largest city in Indiana, #338 largest city nationwide
#2. Fishers
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +27,231
--- #124 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 38.0%
--- #61 among cities in Indiana, #2,998 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 98,977
--- #6 largest city in Indiana, #342 largest city nationwide
#1. Indianapolis (balance)
- 2010 to 2020 population change: +77,838
--- #29 among all cities nationwide
- 2010 to 2020 percent population change: 9.6%
--- #188 among cities in Indiana, #9,048 among all cities nationwide
- 2020 population: 887,642
--- #1 largest city in Indiana, #15 largest city nationwide
