The Indianapolis region’s population grew by over 18,000 people from 2015 to 2016, according to the newest American Community Survey (ACS) results, published to SAVI in April. The region is now home to 1.97 million people, based on the 2016 ACS 5-Year Average.
The overall trends show Indianapolis losing White population but experiencing steady net growth driven by people of color, while suburban counties are growing faster than the regional average. Rural counties have relatively static population from 2015 to 2016.
Overall, the region grew 0.9 percent from 2015 to 2016. Boone, Hamilton, and Hendricks counties grew faster than average (around 2 percent), while Brown, Madison, Morgan, Putnam, and Shelby counties all had relatively static or slightly declining populations.
Hamilton County grew more than any other county, adding 6,407 residents in one year. Marion County added 5,807 residents. While growth in Hamilton County was driven largely by an increasing White population, Marion County’s growth was attributable to growth in Black, Latino, and Asian populations.
Marion County experienced a net loss of White population from 2015 to 2016, while adding on net 4,123 Blacks, 2,773 Asians, and 1,826 Latinos. As a result, 43 percent of Marion County residents are people of color, up from 42 percent a year earlier. By contrast, Hamilton County, gained 4,907 Whites on net, as well as 853 Asians, 349 Latinos, and 236 Blacks. Across the region, growth among Blacks, Asians, and Latinos account for almost 13,000 of the 18,000 in total net growth.
Boone County grew faster than any other, increasing its population by 2.3 percent. The county’s average population from 2012-2016 is estimated to be 61,884, an increase of 1,373 over the 2011-2015 average. Worth Township (where Whitestown is located) grew by 10 percent, from 2,859 to 3,155. Clinton Township grew by 34 percent, from 765 to 1,022.
Hamilton County’s growth rate was similar to Boone County’s, at 2.2 percent. In Hamilton County, Clay Township (where Carmel is located) added 2,059 residents and Fall Creek Township added 1,656. White River Township lost 19 percent of its population, shrinking from 2,903 to 2,349 residents.
Growth rates were similar for all Marion County townships, between 0.5 and 0.7 percent. Center Township added the most population (a net gain of 994 residents), followed by Wayne Township (945 residents). The lowest growth was in Decatur Township, which added only 174 residents.
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