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Writer's pictureAslam Abdullah

Indiana: A Demographic and Electoral Profile

Updated: Sep 18




Nicknamed the "Hoosier State" and known for its rustic individualism, Indiana shares its borders with Michigan to the north, Ohio to the east, Kentucky to the south-southeast, and Illinois to the west. It is estimated to have a population of about 6,876,047 and has grown by 6.05% since 2010. Indiana makes up approximately 2.04% of the U.S. population as a whole.

Indiana covers 36,420 mi², making it the 38th-largest state by total area; however, its population makes it the 17th-most-populous state in the country, with a density of 192 people per square mile (mi²). Indiana's largest city is its capital, Indianapolis, which has more than 907,802 residents. Indiana's smallest city is likely Burnettsville, which claimed 390 residents in the 2020 census.

Like many Midwest states, Indiana has a robust agricultural industry and joins its neighbor, Illinois, as part of the [corn belt] (/state-rankings/corn-belt-states). Indiana is the only seven-letter state in its immediate area and one of the Great Lakes states.

Indiana joined the Union in December 1816. It has been primarily Republican throughout history, and today is the "reddest" state in the Midwest. Since 1940, it has only voted Democratic in 1964, when Lyndon Johnson won a landslide over Barry Goldwater, and again in 2008, when Barack Obama edged John McCain in the third-closest race of that election (behind Missouri and North Carolina). Republicans have won by double-digits in the last three elections, with Donald Trump receiving 57% support to Joe Biden's 41% in 2020.

According to a 2022 study from the U.S. Census Bureau, this state's local governments consist of 91 counties, 1,571 cities, towns, and villages, and 696 special districts.

Marion County operates under a consolidated government with Indianapolis.

Indianapolis is the largest city in Indiana and the state capital. Over 860,000 residents live in Indianapolis, and Marion County is the largest county by population, with over 900,000 residents.

The median age of the Indiana population is 37.4. There is a slight gender gap, with 50.8% females and 49.2% males.

Indiana shows its preferences in terms of prevalent religions: 72% are affiliated with the Christian faith, 2% are non-Christian, and 26% are non-affiliated with any religion.

According to the most recent ACS, the racial composition of Indiana was:

  • White: 81.22%

  • Black or African American: 9.41%

  • Two or more races: 4.27%

  • Other race: 2.48%

  • Asian: 2.42%

  • Native American: 0.17%

  • Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander: 0.03%

  • There are about 50,000 Muslims, or 6 percent of the population.

 

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