Five of the Fastest Growing Cities in Indiana in 2016

Indiana has been trailing in GDP growth for the last four years, but that hasn’t stopped the state from receiving a considerable increase in its population. While the numbers are not as majestic as other major states in the country, they are nonetheless significant. Since GDP is a summary of the production totals from several different sectors, some areas tend to prosper more than others. Take a look at five of the fastest growing cities in Indiana in 2016.

1. Zionsville

The last known population of Zionsville was 25,700, in 2014. This represented 0.008 percent of the entire U.S population. Assuming that the city maintained the same population growth rate as in the period between 2010 and 2014 (2.27% per year), it would have an estimated population of 26,918 in 2016. Zionsville suburb is famous for its upscale and well-off demographic, and has experienced a surge in population since 2010 by blending with populated, independent parts of their counties.

In 2010, in particular, the town’s population was estimated to be 23,319. In just three years, this number had grown by 7.7 percent to reach 25,115, making Zionsville the 17th fastest growing city in the state. Experts believe that Zionsville will continue growing in the next few years by approximately 15-16 square miles and around 1,500 people. This essentially means that the town’s size will increase from 56 square miles to 71-72 square miles, bringing the total population to at least 26,000 residents. With its current size alone, Zionsville is the largest town in Indiana.

2. Bargersville

Bargersville, Indiana can be found in both White River and Union Townships in Johnson County. It is due south of both Greenwood and Indianapolis, and combines the natural tourist attractions of the south with the urban areas to the north. While the better part of Indianapolis region offers a plethora of entertainment venues, museums, and shopping centers, the south is filled with natural parks and state forests among the rolling hills.

Bargersville has a rich history and cultural diversity, and is a true representation of the rural Indiana. Its current unemployment rate is an impressive low of 3.8 percent (which is less than the average unemployment rate in U.S at 5.2%). The city has also received a positive job growth, with employment opportunities increasing by 2.92 percent. The cost of living in Bargersville is also relatively low, at 7.8 percent shy of the country’s average. The last population count was in 2014, which totaled to 6,846 residents.

This represented a staggering 307.26% growth rate since 2000. Citizens enjoy convenient transportation in the city as well, with the average commute time being just 26 minutes (same as the national average). Perhaps one of the major contributions to the tremendous growth can be attributed to the ease of owning a home, as the average home cost in the city is about $147,500. This represents an appreciation of -0.52 percent. Public schools, on the other hand, cost around $9,628 per student. This is slightly less than the average school expenditure in the entire country, which is estimated at $12,383.

3. Sellersburg

As of 1st July, 2016, a projected 8,490 people called Sellersburg home. The primary coordinates of the Town of Sellersburg is 85.7713 longitude and 38.4043 latitude in Clark County. The official boundaries of the city encompass 6.78 square miles of land and 0.06 square miles of water mass. Apart from being ranked as one of the fastest growing cities in Indiana, Sellersburg has an impressive job growth rate. The unemployment rate is just 4.2 percent, which signifies a job growth of 2.96 percent. The cost of living in Sellersburg is also noteworthy, at 16.5 percent lower than the country’s average. The current total population of the city symbolizes a 50.72 percent growth since 2000. Commuting in the city takes an average of 27 minutes, while the average cost of owning a home is $114,800. Unfortunately, this represents an average appreciation of 1.23 percent. The median school expenditure in Sellersburg is $9,396 per student, and there are approximately 18 students per teacher in the city.

4. Avon

What was once a shattered Midwestern old economy city has now been transformed into a display for a publicly funded and coordinated urban renewal. Avon represents a county/city “unigov” government system that has been efficient in coordinating public and planning redevelopment efforts. The city has a very appealing cost of living, and the freshly renovated downtown boasts world class arena, pedestrian zones, and attractive new buildings.

As of 1st July, 2016, Avon had around 16,685 residents, which was enough to see it make the upper quartile for Diversity Index against other towns, cities, and CDPs (Census Designated Places) in Indiana. A circular beltway and a grid with integrated radiating spokes facilitates transportation and access to the city. Additionally, there’s a wide spread of residential neighborhoods throughout the city, with the trendy Carmel, Noblesville, and Fishers towards the north.

The southern parts are more industrial and commercial, while those further down are filled with recreational opportunities in the hilly and wooded town of Nashville. Air service comes with some of the best discounts, primarily due to Southwest Airlines. On the flip side, the north has started experiencing some traffic problems and the auto industry has been significantly affected. Air quality has also worsened and crime rates increased above average. However, these are minor issues and the climate is generally continental and habitable.

5. Kokomo

Kokomo also made it into the top 5 fastest growing cities in Indiana in 2016 with an impressive population growth. The rate of unemployment was estimated to be 4.7 percent, representing a job growth of about 1.32 percent. The job growth is expected to rise by 37.94 percent in the next decade. The sales tax rates in the city are 7 percent, while the income tax is 4.9 percent. The income per capita, on the other hand, is an average of $22,102, including all children and adults.

The average household has an income of approximately $35,690. According to the United States Census data, the population in the City of Kokomo has increased considerably over the last 4 years. In particular, the area experienced a population growth of 230 new residents from 2010 to 2014. To date, Kokomo is projected to have a population of 57,085. This growth is mostly attributed to proper planning by making reasonable investments in quality-of-life projects and infrastructure in a bid to attract business developments and new residents.