Indiana suburbs see greatest population growth in 2021

INDIANAPOLIS — New knowledge reveals extra Hoosiers are shifting to suburban areas in comparison with different elements of the state.

U.S. Census estimates analyzed by the IU Kelley College of Enterprise present Westfield was the fastest-growing neighborhood within the state, with 7.7% inhabitants development in 2021 in comparison with the earlier yr.

Out of the highest 20 cities for inhabitants development, 17 are situated close to Indianapolis or in Lake County, in keeping with Matt Kinghorn, senior demographer for the Indiana Enterprise Analysis Middle on the IU Kelley College of Enterprise.

“The motion to the suburbs has been occurring for many years,” he stated.

Kinghorn stated he expects that development in metropolitan areas to proceed.

“Not solely is it a few of these rising suburban communities like Whitestown or Westfield or McCordsville, nevertheless it’s additionally even the biggest city communities,” Kinghorn added. “I feel it’s fascinating each Fishers and Carmel each moved previous 100,000 residents final yr.”

In the meantime, a number of of Indiana’s main cities – together with Indianapolis, South Bend and Evansville – noticed their populations decline, in keeping with the information. The exception is Fort Wayne, the neighborhood with the second-highest variety of new residents final yr out of all Indiana communities.

Cities shedding residents may very well be linked to the pandemic, Kinghorn stated, including that he doesn’t anticipate that to be an ongoing development.

“We see actually only a handful of areas within the state which are rising, and we see massive swaths of the state which are shedding inhabitants,” he stated.

That features rural areas. U.S. Census knowledge reveals between 2010 and 2020, greater than half of Indiana’s counties noticed their populations lower, and that performed a job in redistricting.

“It provides us a greater sense of understanding of the place the ability is shifting,” stated Laura Wilson, affiliate professor of political science on the College of Indianapolis.

These adjustments imply extra representatives on the Statehouse for metropolitan areas and fewer lawmakers representing rural communities, Wilson defined.

The inhabitants shift might additionally impression the politics in suburban areas, she added.

“You anticipate to see extra aggressive races as a result of there are extra folks coming collectively,” Wilson stated. “And doubtless extra variety when it comes to opinions, extra distinction when it comes to concepts and extra people who’re fascinated about being represented.”