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.
Indy’s Most Mixed-Income Neighborhoods
We measured income diversity in every neighborhood in the region, and the most mixed-income neighborhoods include the Old Northside, the tract containing Rocky Ripple and Crows Nest, and the area near Pike High School.
What Can the Opportunity Atlas Tell Us About Indianapolis?
The newly released Opportunity Atlas shows that children born in different neighborhoods can have vastly different outcomes. Children born in Indianapolis urban core have lower household incomes than those born in northern suburbs.
In Neighborhoods North of Speedway, Diversity Among Highest in Indy
Though they developed as all-white suburbs between 1940 and 1970, the neighborhoods near the Indianapolis Motor Speedway are some of the densest and most diverse in Indianapolis.
The Growing Divide Between Rich and Poor Neighborhoods
In 1970, there was a $22.6k gap between average family income in high- and low-income (80th and 20th percentile) neighborhoods. By 2016, the gap had doubled to $53.5k. Incomes grew for wealthy and middle-income neighborhoods, but fell for low-income neighborhoods.
After Public Investment, St. Clair Place’s Housing Market Significantly Stronger
Mortgage activity in St. Clair Place shows a dramatic increase in home purchases and home value since 2007. The area is more diverse than ever and poverty is falling for people of color. But home buyers are still 76 percent white.
With New Park Planned in Fishers, How Do Parks Relate to Property Value?
Indy has 51 sq. meters of park per person, while Fishers has only 4.3 sq. meters per person. In some neighborhoods, properties close to parks are worth more, in some they are worth less. On average, property near parks is worth $5K less than others in that neighborhood.
In Little Flower, More College Graduates, Young Adults, but Incomes are Falling
There’s a shrinking share of people in their 20s in this German/Irish neighborhood, but a growing of share in their 30s and 40s, as well as a growing population of children. These residents are less likely to live in poverty than other age groups, but they have still seen incomes decline 26 percent since 2010.
Income Inequality High Where Golden Hill and Northwest Indianapolis Converge
In the area where wealthy Golden Hills converges with the working-class neighborhoods of Northwest Indianapolis, income inequality is high and increasing. The area is also experiencing a growth of white households above the median income.
Turnout, Absentee Ballots Up In Primary Election
Voter turnout was up 46 percent compared to the last midterm primary, a return to typical turnout levels. This year, more absentee ballots were cast than ever, making up of a fifth of all votes.
Changes in Indy’s Historic Black Neighborhoods
In the 1970s, 4,000 residents left this nearly all-black neighborhood. Why? An increasingly desegregated housing market and closure of one of the country’s first public housing projects.
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