Whether you’re looking for a new start or circumstances are steering you toward the Midwest, moving to Indiana might be an ideal option for those seeking a change.
While many outsiders may perceive Indiana as a less vibrant part of the country, it has plenty of unique traits, charm, and affordable real estate that can make this move ideal for the right individuals or families. Especially if you’re moving to a new city from one of the pricier areas, you might be surprised to see the pricing of homes for sale and reasonable rates for apartments and homes to rent.
Here, we’ll examine some facts about Indiana’s current conditions and discuss some other facts about the Hoosier state.
What to Expect When You Move to Indiana
Like other states, Indiana has diverse offerings that can accommodate a wide range of tastes, lifestyles, and professional roles. Even moving to a new city in Indiana can offer a significantly different experience!
Here are some quick facts about the economy, demographics, and a few other useful bits of information about the state so you know what to expect before moving to Indiana:
Economy
- Indiana’s GDP was $405 billion in 2020 and has since grown to $495 billion as of 2023.
- The current unemployment rate (as of 2023) is 3.7%.
- Major industries include manufacturing, agriculture, healthcare, and technology.
- The state is home to several Fortune 500 companies, including Eli Lilly, Cummins, and Anthem.
Demographics
- The current population is around 6.8 million people.
- The median household income is estimated to be around $61,944.
- Approximately 96.8% of Indiana residents are US citizens. About 77.8% of the population is non-Hispanic white, 9.3% is Black or African American, 6.1% Hispanic or Latino, and 3.7% Asian.
- The largest city is Indianapolis, which is also the state capital.
Education
- Indiana is known for its higher education system, with several reputable universities, including Indiana University (which has several sites throughout the state), Purdue University in West Lafayette, and the sprawling Notre Dame University, located in South Bend.
- The state has a high school graduation rate of around 87%.
Healthcare
- Indiana has a high rate of healthcare coverage, with about 95% of residents having health insurance.
- Major healthcare systems include Indiana University Health, Community Health Network, and Franciscan Health.
Why Would People Move to Indiana?
The reality is, the state is home to a diverse population in its many urban and rural areas. Here, we’ll quickly cover some things to know when considering moving to Indiana you likely won’t find anywhere else.
Because of its numerous educational offerings, the state also attracts college students moving to Indiana during the school season – namely in the busier college towns like Bloomington, West Lafayette, Indianapolis, and South Bend. If you fall in the college-age range, you won’t have to go far to find peers, though the same can be said for just about any age group.
The people aside, there are many other things to know about Indiana. We’ll start at the top of the state and work our way down.
Prime Access to Lake Michigan
Lake Michigan is an hour or two away, at most, for those in the northern half of the state. Lake Michigan is an absolutely beautiful lake with sandy dunes to be found in Northwest Indiana. Indiana Dunes State Park attracts tons of tourists every season, though there are many other amazing beach fronts, like New Buffalo, which is right on the Indiana-Michigan state line.
Just take the advisories seriously when you visit—the waves and undertow of the lake can sink the strongest swimmers, and the dunes occasionally develop air pockets from decaying wood.
Stunning South Bend
“Cheer, cheer for old Notre Dame.” People from Indiana will tell you that nowhere in the world takes football as seriously as Indiana. If you’re an Irish fan, moving to Indiana is perfect as you’ll blend right in with the rest of South Bend in the north-central part of the state. South Bend has a rich history of industry, which has evolved substantially since the decline of Studebaker in the 1960s.
Near the beautiful Notre Dame campus, you’ll find exquisite housing and continuous development that make the area fun for sports fans. The greater South Bend area of St. Joseph County and its neighbor, Elkhart (the “RV capital of the world”), offer a wide range of living options, from some of the most economical living spaces in the country to high-echelon luxury housing.
Parks are Everywhere
From the top to the bottom of the state, there is no shortage of local and state parks. The northern part of the state has many large parks. Plus, most of the state parks offer camping sites and equipment rentals (e.g., kayaks, canoes, bikes, etc.) so visitors can enjoy the area as they see fit.
Past the capital city of Indianapolis that most residents simply refer to as “Indy,” you’ll find even more wilderness to explore. This can be ideal for anyone moving to Indianapolis who loves the outdoors.
College Towns With Exceptional Dining
Whether up north in South Bend, in the deceptively large city of Fort Wayne in the east, or more to the south near Bloomington, these towns know how to eat. Because of the diverse student bodies at each location, you can find all kinds of authentic meals from cultures around the world.
Indiana also has many smaller pubs, dive bars, and family-owned restaurants with their own unique (and often economical) dishes. If you’re moving to Indiana and worry about finding tasty non-alcoholic beverages, fret no more! There are excellent mocktails and other options available at even the most hole-in-wall dive bars – kombucha on tap is a pretty typical find unless you’re dining at a large franchise.
Count on Snow!
Northern Indiana is part of an area that receives “lake effect” weather, which is a unique occurrence resulting from northerly winds strengthening weather systems as they move across the Great Lakes. During the winters, you will likely get snowed-in once or twice in the northern part of the state!
Conditions are relatively predictable throughout the state, with hot, humid summers and damp, cold winters because of the Great Lakes and many wetlands found throughout the state. South of Bloomington, near the Kentucky state line, several serious storms typically occur. Because strong storms (and the occasional tornado) occur throughout the state, homeowner or renter’s insurance is a smart idea when moving to Indiana to help protect your possessions.
Still thinking about moving to a different state, like Indiana? For more information, follow the link to get up to speed on other fun facts and things to know about Indiana.
