Worlds Apart
An Update on Gaps in Life Expectancy in Central IndianaSAVI Talks – August 26, 2021
In 2015, the IU Fairbanks School of Public Health (FSPH) and The Polis Center published an issue brief, Worlds Apart: Gaps in Life Expectancy in the Indianapolis Metro Area, that brought to light a 14+ year gap in life expectancy between the longest and shortest living communities in Central Indiana. Because of the significant interest and community discussion that the report generated, we have collaborated to update our analysis. We will see which communities gained or lost life expectancy over a 10-year span (prior to COVID-19), and we’ll compare life expectancy at different ages across the life course to see how patterns differ.
In this August 26 SAVI Talks event, we will also share key findings from our deep dive with SAVI data examining underlying social factors and life expectancy in Central Indiana communities. Join us to be informed and help spur community action–because everyone deserves the opportunity for a long and healthy life.
Other partners include The Polis Center, SAVI, WFYI, and the Central Indiana Senior Fund, a fund of the Central Indiana Community Foundation, Inc

Articles and Story Maps
Explore other research and interactive content we have developed around equity.
The Changing Landscape of Poverty
One in four residents live in low-income neighborhoods or concentrated poverty. Poverty has been increasing in the Indianapolis region, as it has in many Midwestern metropolitan areas. In 2017, 14 percent of Central Indiana residents lived below the poverty...
Increasing Mortgage Values
Mortgage values are increasing across the county, indicating an increase in housing prices. We explore the fastest changing areas, as well as places with very little little mortgage activity.
Indy’s Poverty Increased over 50 Years, What about Peers?
The Indy region’s poverty rate increased over the past 50 years, mostly between 2000 and 2010. We looked at peer cities from Cincinnati to Austin to see if they experienced similar trends.
In Christian Park, a Postwar Neighborhood Experiences 21st Century Changes
Christian Park was subdivided in the 1920s, but mostly built after World War II. Once an all-white neighborhood with high home ownership, the area has become part of a Latino community on the southeast side, and home ownership has fallen.
Mapping Bands of Urban and Suburban Development
Using the age of housing stock in each neighborhood, we have created “development bands,” which group areas by the time period in which they were primarily built.
Children Transfer Often at Charter Schools, Low-Income Schools
When a student changes schools often, it can impact education outcomes. Charter schools tend to have the highest transfer rates, and a school’s share of students from low-income families has a strong relationship to transfer rates.
Indy Neighborhoods with Fastest Changing Income Diversity
Most neighborhoods became more mixed-income between 2011 and 2016. Farley, near Ben Davis, had the biggest increase in income diversity, while the historically black suburb Grandview had the biggest decrease.
Indy’s Least Mixed-Income Neighborhoods
Explore neighborhoods where residents are highly concentrated into a few income groups. We dive into examples of concentrations of low-income residents, high-income residents, and middle-income residents.
Estimated 200,000 Indy Residents Live in Food Deserts
Using recent, local data to improve on food access measures, we find that an estimated 200,000 Indianapolis residents have low food access and live in low income areas.
Where Schools Are Changing
Families often choose where to live based on neighborhood characteristics, especially the quality and reputation of nearby schools. But we live in a highly mobile society, in a rapidly changing region, and many of Central Indiana’s neighborhoods have seen significant...
Authors
Tess Weathers
IU Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health
Karen Comer
The Polis Center
Jay Colbert
The Polis Center
Matt Nowlin
The Polis Center
Jeramy Townsley
The Polis Center
Event Partners





SAVI Talks Presenters
Tess Weathers
IU Richard M. Fairbanks School of Public Health
Matt Nowlin
Data Analyst
Polis Center
SAVI Talks Panelists
Ashley Gurvitz
Exec. Director & CEO
Alliance for Northeast Unification
Sabae Martin
Butler Tarkington Neighborhood ASsaoc. Board Member
Ron Rice
DIP-IN Commnity Health Worker
Flanner House
LaShauna Triplett
School Director
Mackide Lovveal & Trip Outreach Center
Moderator
Farah Yousry
Health Equity Repoirter
WFYI Public Media