Welcome home: Indiana's population sees largest increase since 2008

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH-TV) — Indiana’s population grew by 44,144 residents in 2024, reaching a total of 6.92 million. It marks the state’s largest annual increase since 2008, according to the Indiana Business Research Center at Indiana University Kelley School of Business.

The growth was primarily driven by net international migration, which accounted for 70% of the increase, according to the IBRC.

“While the size of Indiana’s growth in 2024 was similar to 2008, the drivers of change in these years were drastically different,” Matt Kinghorn, senior demographer at the Indiana Business Research Center, said in a release.

Last year, researchers found that Indiana experienced a net international migration of 30,852 residents, significantly contributing to the state’s population growth. This contrasts with 2008, when natural increase, or the difference between births and deaths, was the primary growth driver.

Indiana also recorded nearly 9,160 more births than deaths in 2024. That’s the highest level of natural increase since 2020, yet still below pre-pandemic levels.

The state also saw a net inflow of 4,268 domestic migrants. Boone and Hancock counties were the fastest-growing counties in the state, with growth rates of 3.4% and 3.1%, respectively.

The Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood metro area added 26,661 residents, accounting for 60% of the state’s net growth. Rural counties in Indiana saw a net inflow of 1,550 residents, marking the fourth consecutive year of positive net in-migration, although they experienced a natural decrease of 716 residents. Overall, 73 of Indiana’s 92 counties grew in 2024, the largest number since 1997. The state’s metropolitan areas, particularly the Indianapolis metro area, played a significant role in this growth.

Indiana’s population growth in 2024 highlights the significant impact of international migration and the continued expansion of metropolitan areas, with the Indianapolis metro area leading the way.