Indiana
Hoosier State · Capital: Indianapolis · Midwest (Midwest Rust)
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Bordering states: Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, Kentucky.
About Indiana
Indiana is a Midwestern state between Illinois and Ohio, with Michigan to the north and Kentucky across the Ohio River, which belongs entirely to Kentucky because the border follows the river's 1792 low water mark. About 45 miles of Lake Michigan shore, home to Indiana Dunes National Park, lie in the northwest. The last ice sheet stopped near the latitude of Bloomington, so the north and centre are flat till plain while the south keeps hills, sinkholes and caves in the Salem Limestone, quarried around Bedford for the Empire State Building. Elevation spans only 320 to 1,257 feet. Twelve of the 92 counties keep Central Time, the rest Eastern.
The Miami town of Kekionga, now Fort Wayne, controlled the portage between the Great Lakes and the Wabash, and in 1791 a confederacy under Little Turtle and Blue Jacket destroyed St. Clair's army. The French post at Vincennes, founded around 1732, fell to George Rogers Clark in 1779. Indiana Territory was created in 1800 under William Henry Harrison, whose 1811 attack at Tippecanoe later helped carry him to the presidency. Indiana became the 19th state on 11 December 1816 and moved its capital to Indianapolis in 1825. In 1838 soldiers marched about 859 Potawatomi to Kansas on what Indiana calls the Trail of Death.
The 2020 census counted 6,785,528 residents, up 4.7 percent from 2010. Natural gas struck near Portland in 1886 drew the Ball brothers' jar works to Muncie, US Steel founded Gary in 1906, and Indiana produces more steel than any other state. The Indianapolis Motor Speedway, paved with 3.2 million bricks in 1909, held the first Indianapolis 500 in 1911. High school basketball runs deep, from Milan's 1954 title to Larry Bird of French Lick. Abraham Lincoln grew up in Spencer County from 1816 to 1830, and Indiana natives include Michael Jackson, born in Gary in 1958, and Kurt Vonnegut of Indianapolis.
4 fun facts about Indiana
- The Indianapolis 500, held every Memorial Day weekend, is the largest single-day sporting event in the world.
- Michael Jackson was born in Gary, Indiana, in 1958, the 8th of 10 children.
- The state name means "Land of the Indians", though the state's Native population was forcibly removed by the 1840s.
- "Hoosier Hysteria" is the name for Indiana's passion for high school basketball; the film Hoosiers retold Milan High School's 1954 state title.
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Frequently asked questions about Indiana
Is Indiana a US state?
Yes, Indiana is one of the 50 US states. It was admitted to the Union in 1816, making it the 19th state. Its capital is Indianapolis and its largest city is Indianapolis.
What is the capital of Indiana?
The capital of Indiana is Indianapolis.
When did Indiana become a state?
Indiana became a US state in 1816. It is the 19th state admitted to the Union.
What is the abbreviation for Indiana?
The 2-letter USPS abbreviation for Indiana is IN.
How big is Indiana?
Indiana ranks #38 of 50 US states by area. With 189.4 residents per square mile in 2020, it was the 16th most densely populated state.
What is the population of Indiana?
Indiana had 6,785,528 residents at the 2020 census, the 17th largest population of the 50 states, up 4.7% since 2010. That count gives it 9 seats in the US House of Representatives.
What region is Indiana in?
Indiana is in the Midwest region of the United States, per the US Census Bureau.
What time zone is Indiana in?
Indiana observes Eastern Time (the state spans multiple time zones).
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How to learn the 50 states (full guide)
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