Indiana Population 2024

Yearly estimates are given for states within the US, and the most recent suggests Indiana’s population had increased to 6,619,680 in 2015. Indiana has a 2016 growth rate of 0.33%, which ranks 29th.

As for the present day, the last official census within the United States took place in 2010 and at the time, the population of Indiana was declared at 6,483,802, a rise of 6.6% on the numbers from 2000.

Indiana Population Density and Area

In terms of pure land mass, the state of Indiana covers an area of 36,418 square miles (94,321 square kilometers), and this makes it only the 38th largest state in the country by area. However, Indiana ranks much better in terms of numbers and population density. The state has a population density of 181 people per square mile, which ranks it as the 16th most densely populated state in the country.

The largest city in Indiana is Indianapolis, which is also the state's capital, which holds over 860,000 individuals as residents. The largest county by population is Marion County with over 900,000 individuals residing within its borders.

Indiana Gender and Religion Statistics

The median age of the Indiana population is 37.4 years of age. Over the state's population, there is a slight gender gap with 50.8% females and 49.2% males.

In terms of popular religions, Indiana shows its preferences with 72% affiliated with the Christian faith, 2% non-Christian, and 26% non-affiliated with any religion.

Indiana Boundary, Census, and Statehood History

Indiana was included in the Northwest Territory (1787) but became a separate territory in 1800. At that time, in addition to most of present-day Indiana, the Territory included all of Illinois and Wisconsin, the western half of Michigan, and northeastern Minnesota. In 1802 the boundary with Ohio was altered and Eastern Michigan was added, but Michigan Territory was separated in 1805 and Illinois Territory in 1809, leaving Indiana Territory with the present State area except for a narrow band along the northern border; the territory also included a portion of the Michigan Upper Peninsula.

On December 11, 1816 Indiana was admitted as a State with essentially its present boundaries. However, even though it was admitted as a state to the US in 1816, the earliest population figures can actually be traced back to 1800.

In 1790 the Northwest Territory had no census coverage. The 1800 census of Indiana Territory enumerated scattered communities in southern Indiana, southwestern Illinois, northern Michigan, and Wisconsin; the populations reported from present-day Illinois and Michigan are shown under those States. In addition, Hamilton County, Ohio included some population in what is now Indiana. In 1810, census coverage of Indiana Territory was limited to southern Indiana, and coverage did not include the whole State until 1830.

Indiana has become increasingly diverse in recent years when comparing the 2000 Census results with the 2010 results. Its Hispanic population is rapidly growing, and is the fastest growing minority in the state. Data from 2011 showed that over 28% of children under the age of 1 were classified as minorities.

Indiana has also seen an increase in the population of its black and African American residents. While black residents are scattered throughout cities all over the state, about 62% of the black population resides in just two counties: Marion and Lake. In fact, among these counties, black residents account for over 25% of the total population.

The primary ancestries of Indiana residents include German, with almost one-quarter of the population claiming this ancestry. The state also has a sizable amount of inhabitants of English and Irish descent.