100 Dumb US Laws (With Proof They Exist)
Indiana (IN) sits in the American Midwest, and the state hosts the famous Indianapolis 500 auto race. Indianapolis is both the capital and the largest city. Indiana’s economy relies on the automotive and steel industries, while agriculture focuses on corn and soybeans. Top tourist attractions include Indiana Dunes National Park.
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Table of Contents
Quick Facts
Name Indiana Abbreviation IN Capital Indianapolis Largest city Indianapolis (Population: 879 293) Current time 1:50 Time zone EST (UTC-5) time zone is in effect in most of the state’s districts, CST (UTC-6) is in effect in the remaining 12 districts. The state observes Daylight Saving Time EDT (UTC-4) and CDT (UTC-5) Population 6,785,442 (#17 most populous US state) Area 36,417 sqmi (#38 largest US state) Admitted to the Union December 11, 1816 (#19 state to join) ⭐ Capital of Indiana
The capital of Indiana is Indianapolis, founded for that purpose in 1821. It became the capital upon completion in 1825.
🏙️ Largest City in Indiana
The largest city in Indiana is Indianapolis, home to 879,293 residents in 2023. The second largest is Fort Wayne with a population of 269,994, and third is Evansville with 115,332 inhabitants.
🕒 Time in Indiana
The current time in Indianapolis is 1:50. In 80 counties across Indiana, Eastern Standard Time (EST, UTC-5) applies, and from March to November the state observes Daylight Saving Time as EDT (UTC-4). The remaining 12 counties observe Central Standard Time (CST, UTC-6) and switch to CDT (UTC-5) in the summer months.
🧑🤝🧑 Population of Indiana
As of 2023, Indiana had a population of 6,785,442, which makes it the 17th most populous state in the USA.
📍 Area of Indiana
Indiana’s total area is 36,417 sqmi, of which 35,868 sqmi is land and 550 sqmi is water. By area, Indiana ranks as the 38th largest state in the USA.
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Fun Facts About the State of Indiana
🧩 Which States Border Indiana
Indiana shares land borders with four U.S. states. To the west lies Illinois, to the north Michigan, to the east Ohio, and to the south Kentucky. Indiana also has a 40 mi long shoreline along Lake Michigan in the north.
📅 Date of Indiana Statehood
Indiana joined the Union on December 11, 1816 as the 19th state, formed from the former Indiana Territory.
📛 Indiana State Nickname
Indiana is nicknamed “The Hoosier State,” which, according to one theory, refers to the traditional name for its residents. The origin of the word “Hoosier” is unclear, dating to around the 1840s, and it still appears widely in business names and sports teams today.
⛰️ Highest Point in Indiana
The highest point in Indiana is Hoosier Hill at 1,257 ft, located in Wayne County.
🏞️ Rivers in Indiana
The longest river associated with Indiana is the Ohio River, with a total length across all states of 981 mi. Other major rivers include the Wabash River (503 mi), White River (362 mi), St. Joseph River (206 mi), and East Fork White River (192 mi).
🎓 Universities in Indiana
The largest university in Indiana is Purdue University, founded in 1869 in West Lafayette and attended by roughly 52,000 students. Other major institutions include Indiana University Bloomington with 47,000 students and Ball State University with about 20,000 students.
✉️ ZIP Codes in Indiana
Indiana is assigned the ZIP code range 460xx–479xx. Learn more in the article ZIP Codes in the USA, and look up a ZIP code for a specific address on the USPS website.
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Weather in Indiana
The best time to visit Indiana is September and early October, when temperatures are still pleasant and nature is at its most colorful.
Spring in Indiana brings a marked warmup. While March temperatures in Indianapolis usually range from 34 °F to 52 °F, May often feels very comfortable at 54 °F to 73 °F. As temperatures rise, rainfall totals increase too, with the wettest months typically April and May. Strong storms can develop along passing fronts, sometimes with hail.
Summers are warm and humid, with June through August temperatures usually between 64 °F and 84 °F. High humidity can make it feel even hotter. Thunderstorms are common in July and August and can bring heavy rain and strong winds.
Fall brings a drop from the 55 °F to 79 °F typical of September to a cooler 36 °F to 52 °F in November. Rainfall is regular yet generally light, and the first half of fall is a great window for admiring the region’s foliage.
Winters are very cold. From December to February, temperatures usually hold near 25 °F to 39 °F. On some days and in some areas they can fall well below 14 °F. Snow is common, with the biggest accumulations often in January. Freezing rain can cause travel issues, especially in rural parts of Indiana.
🌡️ Average Temperatures and Precipitation in Indiana
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What to See in Indiana
1️⃣ Indiana Dunes National Park
Indiana Dunes National Park stretches along the shore of Lake Michigan. Its main attractions are three specific sand dunes, and the tallest, Mount Baldy, reaches 120 ft. A popular challenge is racing the clock to summit all three dunes. Across dunes, forests, and wetlands you will find around 50 mi of hiking trails of varying difficulty.
2️⃣ Indianapolis Motor Speedway
Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the oval where the prestigious Indianapolis 500 is held. The venue can seat an astonishing 250,000 people. The complex includes a museum showcasing trophies and historic race cars. Touring the track itself is a highlight for motorsport fans.
3️⃣ The Children’s Museum of Indianapolis
The world’s largest children’s museum is easy to spot thanks to the giant dinosaur that looks like it is tearing through the building. Inside, you will find a wide range of interactive exhibits focused on science, history, culture, and art.
Everything is designed so kids can grasp it, and adults stay engaged too. Visitor favorites include the sections devoted to dinosaurs and space, which make it a great stop for families.
4️⃣ Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari Amusement Park
Holiday World combines a classic amusement park with coasters and a water park filled with attractions that will leave you soaked. The lineup of slides and rides is extensive, and some have held world records.
Sections of the park are themed to holidays like Christmas, Halloween, and Thanksgiving. There is a good reason for that, the park is located in the town of Santa Claus.
5️⃣ Marengo Cave
Marengo Cave is one of the largest and best-known caves in Indiana, located in the town of Marengo and discovered in 1883. Visitors can choose from two tour options that showcase stunning formations up close. The cave is a protected National Natural Landmark, and the surrounding area offers hiking trails as well.
6️⃣ Indianapolis Zoo
The Indianapolis Zoo ranks among the best in the United States and includes an aquarium and a botanical garden. More than 1,400 animals from around the world live in its habitats, and the zoo is known for interactive exhibits where visitors can touch stingrays or watch dolphins during training sessions. The botanical garden features several exotic and endangered plants.
7️⃣ Brown County State Park
Brown County is Indiana’s largest state park, and its main draw is the sweeping views over rolling hills. The best time to visit is fall, when deciduous trees turn brilliant shades of orange and red, a magnet for photographers and nature lovers. Trails crisscross the entire park, and campgrounds give visitors the option to stay overnight.
8️⃣ Newfields Art Museum
The Newfields art museum in Indianapolis houses a vast collection spanning from antiquity to the present. The holdings include works by European masters, Asian art, African sculpture, and American modern art. The museum is part of the larger Newfields campus, where exhibitions, workshops, and other cultural events are held regularly.
9️⃣ Clifty Falls State Park
Clifty Falls State Park lies east of Indianapolis and is known for rugged terrain and beautiful waterfalls. Several hiking trails lead to overlooks with views into the canyon and across rock formations. Old railroad tunnels offer intriguing exploration opportunities, though some may be closed to the public. Multiple campgrounds in the park make it easy to stay overnight.
🔟 White River State Park
White River State Park sits in the center of the capital city, Indianapolis. It is one of the largest urban parks in the state and includes a zoo, a museum, and several cultural institutions. Visitors will find plenty of outdoor activities, bike paths, and picnic spots along the banks of the White River.
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Largest Cities in Indiana
The table lists the ten largest cities in Indiana in 2023. The data source is the federal agency United States Census Bureau, whose primary task is the decennial census.
City County Population 1 Indianapolis Marion 879,293 Map of Indianapolis 2 Fort Wayne Allen 269,994 Map of Fort Wayne 3 Evansville Vanderburgh 115,332 Map of Evansville 4 Fishers Hamilton 104,094 Map of Fishers 5 South Bend St. Joseph 103,395 Map of South Bend 6 Carmel Hamilton 102,296 Map of Carmel 7 Bloomington Monroe 78,840 Map of Bloomington 8 Hammond Lake 76,193 Map of Hammond 9 Noblesville Hamilton 73,916 Map of Noblesville 10 Lafayette Tippecanoe 71,216 Map of Lafayette -
Sports Teams in Indiana
🏒 Hockey (NHL)
There is no NHL team from Indiana.
🏈 American Football (NFL)
The Indianapolis Colts are Indiana’s only NFL team. They have played since the 1953 season and belong to the AFC South Division. Until 1983, the team was based in Baltimore in Maryland as the Baltimore Colts. The club colors are royal blue and white. The team plays home games at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis.
🏀 Basketball (NBA)
The Indiana Pacers have been part of the NBA since the 1976 season and compete in the Central Division of the Eastern Conference. The club colors are navy, gold, and silver, and home games are played at Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis.
⚾ Baseball (MLB)
No team from Indiana plays in MLB.
⚽ Soccer (MLS)
There is no MLS team from Indiana.
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Indiana State Symbols
Official symbols are designated by the Indiana General Assembly and become valid once signed into law by the governor. This article lists only some of the symbols.
Indiana State Flag
The current design of the flag was adopted on May 31, 1917, based on a proposal by Paul Hadley, an Indianapolis native who worked as an art designer and watercolorist. Thirteen stars in the outer ring symbolize the original thirteen American colonies. Five stars in the inner ring represent the five states admitted before Indiana. The single star above the torch stands for Indiana.
Indiana State Seal
The Great Seal of Indiana was adopted in 1816 when the state joined the Union, which is reflected in the date at the bottom. Its main elements are a leaping bison, a woodsman felling a tree, and the sun setting over the hills.
State Flower
In 1957, the peony (Paeonia) was chosen as the floral emblem. It grows throughout the state.
State Bird
The northern cardinal (Cardinalis cardinalis) is a 21 cm to 23 cm long songbird. Males are bright red, while females are mostly brown with a reddish tint. The cardinal has been a state symbol since 1933 and is present in Indiana year-round.
State Tree
The tulip tree, or tuliptree (Liriodendron tulipifera), was designated the official state tree in 1931. It commonly grows in the eastern United States and can reach heights of up to 190 ft.
State River
In 1996 the Wabash became the official state river. It rises in Ohio, flows across Indiana, and forms part of the border with Illinois. Its total length across all states is 503 mi.
State Snack
According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Indiana was the nation’s largest producer of popcorn in 2021, with most farms in White and Pulaski Counties. That same year, state lawmakers recognized popcorn as Indiana’s official state snack.
State Stone
Indiana limestone is a household name in the United States. It was used to build the Empire State Building, the Pentagon, and 35 of the 50 state capitol buildings. This typically white-gray stone is traditionally quarried around Bedford in southern Indiana. Limestone has been the state stone since 1971.
State Firearm
Since 2012, the official symbols have included a firearm. The Grouseland rifle was crafted in the early 19th century by gunsmith John Small for then Indiana Governor William Henry Harrison. It was named after the governor’s residence, Grouseland.
State Poem
Since 1963, the official state poem has been Indiana by poet Arthur Franklin Mapes, which celebrates the natural beauty of the state.
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