History of Indianapolis in Timeline

Indianapolis, or Indy, is the capital and most populous city of Indiana, serving as the county seat of Marion County. Located in the state's central till plain along the White River's west fork, its slogan, "Crossroads of America," highlights its historical significance as a transportation hub and its central location relative to major North American markets.

May 15, 1902: Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument dedicated

On May 15, 1902, the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument was dedicated, later becoming the city's unofficial symbol.

1902: Enactment of height restriction laws

Following the dedication of the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument in 1902, Indianapolis enacted its first height restriction laws to protect views of the monument.

1902: Release of the film Ringling Brothers Parade Film

In 1902, Ringling Brothers Parade Film was released.

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1902: Herron School of Art and Design Established

In 1902, the Herron School of Art and Design was established; its first core faculty included Impressionist painters belonging to the Hoosier Group.

1902: Establishment of the Indianapolis Indians

In 1902, the Indianapolis Indians, a Minor League Baseball team, were established.

1902: Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument

In 1902, the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument was completed, becoming a signature example of Indiana limestone use in Indianapolis.

1905: Birch Bayh Federal Building and United States Courthouse

In 1905, the Birch Bayh Federal Building and United States Courthouse was built, prominently featuring Indiana limestone in its construction in Indianapolis.

1906: Fort Benjamin Harrison Operated by U.S. Army

From 1906, the U.S. Army operated Fort Benjamin Harrison in neighboring Lawrence.

1907: Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral

In 1907, Saints Peter and Paul Cathedral was constructed using Indiana limestone as a signature building material in Indianapolis.

1909: Indianapolis Park and Boulevard Plan

In 1909, George Kessler's Indianapolis Park and Boulevard Plan was created, linking notable parks with a system of parkways along the city's waterways.

1909: Indianapolis Masonic Temple

In 1909, the Indianapolis Masonic Temple was built, showcasing Indiana limestone as a key construction material.

1909: Completion of Indianapolis Motor Speedway

In 1909, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway was completed as an automotive test track.

1910: Old Indianapolis City Hall

In 1910, Old Indianapolis City Hall was constructed, featuring Indiana limestone as a prominent building material.

1910: Madam C. J. Walker Manufacturing Company founded

In 1910, the Madam C. J. Walker Manufacturing Company was founded in Indianapolis during a period of growth and innovation.

1910: Opening of Old National Centre

In 1910, the Old National Centre, the oldest stagehouse in Indianapolis, opened in the Mass Ave Cultural Arts District, featuring the Murat Theatre, Egyptian Room, and Corinthian Hall.

May 30, 1911: Inaugural Indianapolis 500

On May 30, 1911, Ray Harroun won the inaugural Indianapolis 500 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

1911: First Indianapolis 500

Since 1911, the Indianapolis Motor Speedway has hosted the Indianapolis 500, an open-wheel automobile race.

1913: Great Flood of 1913

In 1913, Indianapolis was one of the hardest hit cities in the Great Flood of 1913, resulting in five known deaths and the displacement of 7,000 families.

1913: Indianapolis streetcar strike of 1913

In 1913, the Indianapolis streetcar strike, subsequent police mutiny and riots led to the creation of the state's earliest labor-protection laws.

1914: Ford Motor Company

From 1914–1942, 1956–2008, Ford Motor Company maintained a presence in the city.

1915: Allison Transmission founded

In 1915, Allison Transmission was founded in Indianapolis during a period of growth and innovation.

1915: Allison Engine Company

Rolls-Royce North America dates its local presence to the establishment of the Allison Engine Company in 1915.

1917: Central Library

In 1917, the Central Library was built, using Indiana limestone as a key building material in Indianapolis.

1920: End of the Golden Age of Indiana Literature

Around 1920, Indianapolis marked the end of its Golden Age of Indiana Literature (which began around 1870). Several notable poets and writers based in the city achieved national prominence and critical acclaim during this period.

1921: Indiana Klan's rise

From 1921, led by D. C. Stephenson, the Indiana Klan became the most powerful political and social organization in Indianapolis through 1928, controlling the City Council and the Board of School Commissioners.

1925: Chrysler

From 1925–2005, Chrysler maintained a presence in the city.

1927: Opening of Madam Walker Legacy Center

In 1927, the Madam Walker Legacy Center opened on Indiana Avenue, hosting vaudeville shows and becoming a central part of the Indiana Avenue jazz scene from the 1920s through the 1960s.

1927: Scottish Rite Cathedral

In 1927, the Scottish Rite Cathedral was constructed, and Indiana limestone was featured prominently in the building of the cathedral in Indianapolis.

1928: Opening of Hinkle Fieldhouse

In 1928, Hinkle Fieldhouse opened as the world's largest basketball arena and "Indiana's Basketball Cathedral."

1928: Indiana Klan's decline

The Indiana Klan's period of influence ended in 1928, after having been the most powerful political and social organization in Indianapolis since 1921.

1929: Circle Tower

In 1929, Circle Tower was built, featuring Indiana limestone in its construction in Indianapolis.

1929: Release of the film Speedway

In 1929, the motion picture "Speedway" was filmed at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

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1930: General Motors

From 1930–2011, General Motors maintained a presence in the city.

1933: Indiana World War Memorial

In 1933, the Indiana World War Memorial was completed, featuring Indiana limestone as a primary construction material in Indianapolis.

1934: Indiana State Library and Historical Bureau

In 1934, the Indiana State Library and Historical Bureau was constructed, utilizing Indiana limestone as a key building material in Indianapolis.

July 14, 1936: Record High Temperature

On July 14, 1936, Indianapolis recorded its official highest temperature of 106 °F (41 °C).

1942: Ford Motor Company

From 1914–1942, 1956–2008, Ford Motor Company maintained a presence in the city.

1947: Area Code 317 Established

In 1947, area code 317 was established as the original area code for the Indianapolis area.

1948: James Baskett Receives Honorary Academy Award

In 1948, James Baskett received an Academy Honorary Award for his role in Walt Disney's "Song of the South", making him the first Black male Oscar recipient.

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1949: Sid Grauman Receives Honorary Academy Award

In 1949, Sid Grauman, one of the founders of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, received an Academy Honorary Award, recognized for raising the standard for film exhibition.

1950: Release of the film To Please a Lady

In 1950, the motion picture "To Please a Lady" was filmed at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

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1950: Post-World War II economic expansion

Starting in 1950, the post–World War II economic expansion and subsequent suburbanization greatly influenced the city's development patterns.

1956: Ford Motor Company

From 1914–1942, 1956–2008, Ford Motor Company maintained a presence in the city.

1962: City-County Building constructed

In 1962, the City-County Building was constructed, becoming the first high-rise in the city to surpass the monument’s height.

1963: Clowes Memorial Hall

In 1963, Clowes Memorial Hall was built, featuring Indiana limestone as a prominent part of the architecture in Indianapolis.

1963: Riley Towers completion

In 1963, the twin 295-foot (90 m) 30-floor Riley Towers, the tallest residential buildings in Indianapolis, were completed.

1963: John J. Barton's election

John J. Barton won the mayoral election in 1963, prior to Bart Peterson taking office in 2000.

1965: Cease of Publication for Indianapolis Times

In 1965, the Indianapolis Times ceased publication.

1967: Founding of the Indiana Pacers

In 1967, the Indiana Pacers were founded and began in the American Basketball Association (ABA).

1967: Republican Control of Mayor's Office

Republicans held the mayor's office in Indianapolis starting in 1967.

1968: Richard Lugar mayoral administration begins

In 1968, Richard Lugar began his mayoral administration, which lasted until 1976.

1968: Robert F. Kennedy's speech

In 1968, while campaigning in the city, Robert F. Kennedy delivered a lauded speech following Martin Luther King Jr.'s assassination.

1969: 1969 riots

As in most U.S. cities during the civil rights movement, Indianapolis experienced strained race relations, including 1969 riots.

1969: U.S. Clay Court Championships

In 1969, Indianapolis hosted the U.S. Clay Court Championships.

1969: Release of the film Winning

In 1969, the motion picture "Winning" was filmed at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

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January 1, 1970: Unigov consolidation effective

On January 1, 1970, the Unigov consolidation became effective, expanding the city's land area and population.

1970: Housing units built in Marion County

From 1950 to 1970, nearly 100,000 housing units were built in Marion County, most outside Center Township in suburban neighborhoods.

1970: City-County Council Controlled by Republicans

From its inception in 1970, the City-County Council was controlled by Republicans.

1970: Consolidated City-County Government

In 1970, Indianapolis officially became the Consolidated City of Indianapolis and Marion County under Indiana Code's Unigov provision.

1970: Pacers Win ABA Championship

In 1970, led by Mel Daniels, Roger Brown, and George McGinnis, the Indiana Pacers won an ABA championship.

1970: Unigov city-county consolidation

In 1970, the city-county consolidation, known as Unigov, began operating, directing local government administration under an elected 25-member city-county council headed by the mayor.

1971: Desegregation busing

In 1971, a federal court decision forced Indianapolis Public Schools to implement desegregation busing, which proved controversial.

1971: American Water Landmark

Since 1971, the segment of the Indiana Central Canal that runs north of 18th Street, has been recognized as an American Water Landmark.

1972: Pacers Win ABA Championship

In 1972, led by Mel Daniels, Roger Brown, and George McGinnis, the Indiana Pacers won an ABA championship.

1973: Pacers Win ABA Championship

In 1973, led by Mel Daniels, Roger Brown, and George McGinnis, the Indiana Pacers won an ABA championship.

1976: Richard Lugar mayoral administration ends

In 1976, Richard Lugar's mayoral administration ended, having begun in 1968.

1976: William Hudnut mayoral administration begins

In 1976, William Hudnut began his mayoral administration, which lasted until 1992.

1976: Pacers Join the NBA

In 1976, the Indiana Pacers joined the National Basketball Association (NBA) when the ABA and NBA leagues merged.

1979: White River State Park Development Commission

Since 1979, White River State Park has been owned and operated by the White River State Park Development Commission.

1982: National Sports Festival

In 1982, Indianapolis hosted the National Sports Festival.

1982: U.S. Olympic Festival in Indianapolis

In 1982, Indianapolis hosted the U.S. Olympic Festival as part of an economic development strategy.

1982: OneAmerica Tower

In 1982, the OneAmerica Tower was constructed, showcasing Indiana limestone in its building design in Indianapolis.

1983: The Bob & Tom Show on WFBQ

Since 1983, WFBQ has been the flagship station for the nationally syndicated radio program "The Bob & Tom Show".

1984: Baltimore Colts relocate to Indianapolis

In 1984, the Baltimore Colts relocated to Indianapolis as part of an economic development strategy.

1984: Relocation of the Indianapolis Colts

In 1984, the Indianapolis Colts relocated from Baltimore to Indianapolis.

1985: Redevelopment of canal downtown

Between 1985 and 2001, nearly 1.5 miles (2.4 km) of the former canal in downtown Indianapolis were redeveloped into a cultural and recreational amenity.

1985: NBA All-Star Game

In 1985, the NBA All-Star Game was held in Indianapolis.

1986: Release of the film Hoosiers

In 1986, the sports venues of Indianapolis served as backdrops for the film "Hoosiers".

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1987: Pan American Games and U.S. Clay Court Championships

In 1987, Indianapolis hosted both the Pan American Games and the U.S. Clay Court Championships.

1987: 1987 Pan American Games

In 1987, Indianapolis hosted the Pan American Games as part of an economic development strategy.

1988: Indianapolis Tennis Championships

In 1988, the Indianapolis Tennis Championships were held in Indianapolis.

1988: Release of the film Eight Men Out

In 1988, the sports venues of Indianapolis served as backdrops for the film "Eight Men Out".

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1990: Manufacturing Job Losses

Between 1990 and 2012, approximately 26,900 manufacturing jobs were lost in Indianapolis due to deindustrialization.

1990: Salesforce Tower Completion

In 1990, the 48-floor Salesforce Tower, was completed and is the city’s tallest, with a roof height of 701 feet (214 m).

1991: World Artistic Gymnastics Championships

In 1991, Indianapolis hosted the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships.

1991: Fort Benjamin Harrison Closed

In 1991, the U.S. Army ceased operating Fort Benjamin Harrison in neighboring Lawrence.

1992: WrestleMania VIII

In 1992, Indianapolis hosted WrestleMania VIII.

1992: Stephen Goldsmith mayoral administration begins

In 1992, Stephen Goldsmith's mayoral administration began, introducing austerity measures to address budget shortfalls.

1992: William Hudnut mayoral administration ends

In 1992, William Hudnut's mayoral administration ended, having begun in 1976.

January 19, 1994: Record Low Temperature

On January 19, 1994, Indianapolis experienced its official lowest temperature of −27 °F (−33 °C).

1994: World Rowing Championships

In 1994, the World Rowing Championships were held in Indianapolis.

1996: Fort Harrison State Park Established

In 1996, Fort Harrison State Park was established, covering 1,744 acres and managed by the Indiana Department of Natural Resources.

1996: Victory Field becomes the team's home

In 1996, Victory Field replaced Bush Stadium as the home of the Indianapolis Indians.

1997: Release of the film Going All the Way

In 1997, the motion picture "Going All the Way" was at least partially filmed in Indianapolis.

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1998: Spike in Homicides

In 1998, homicides in Indianapolis hit a spike when the city reached 162 murders.

1999: Gainbridge Fieldhouse replaces Market Square Arena

In 1999, Gainbridge Fieldhouse replaced Market Square Arena, shared by the Fever and Pacers.

1999: Last Edition of the Indianapolis News

In 1999, the Indianapolis News, an evening publication, printed its last edition.

1999: End of Republican Control of Mayor's Office

In 1999, the Republican party's 32-year control of the mayor's office in Indianapolis came to an end.

2000: Bart Peterson takes office

In 2000, Bart Peterson took office as mayor, the first Democrat elected since John J. Barton's 1963 election.

2000: United States Grand Prix

In 2000, Indianapolis hosted the United States Grand Prix.

2000: Pacers First NBA Finals Appearance

In 2000, led by Larry Bird and Reggie Miller, the Indiana Pacers made their first NBA Finals appearance.

2000: Debut of the Indiana Fever

In 2000, the Indiana Fever of the Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) debuted.

2000: Indianapolis Indians Win Championship

In 2000, the Indianapolis Indians won a championship.

2000: 2000 United States presidential election

In the 2000 United States presidential election, Marion County voters narrowly selected George W. Bush over Al Gore by a margin of 1.3%.

2000: Immigrant Population Growth

Since 2000, Indianapolis saw a 131% increase in its foreign-born population.

2000: Increased reinvestment in downtown Indianapolis

Since the 2000s, downtown Indianapolis and surrounding neighborhoods have seen increased reinvestment mirroring nationwide market trends.

2001: Redevelopment of canal downtown completed

Between 1985 and 2001, nearly 1.5 miles (2.4 km) of the former canal in downtown Indianapolis were redeveloped into a cultural and recreational amenity.

2001: Hoosiers added to the National Film Registry

In 2001, "Hoosiers" was added to the National Film Registry.

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2001: World Police and Fire Games

In 2001, Indianapolis hosted the World Police and Fire Games.

2001: Masjid Al Mu'mineen

In 2001, Masjid Al Mu'mineen was established, reflecting the growing religious diversity in Indianapolis.

2001: Charter schools authorized

In 2001, the mayor's office became the first in the U.S. to authorize charter schools.

2002: FIBA Basketball World Cup

In 2002, the FIBA Basketball World Cup was held in Indianapolis.

2003: Indianapolis Cultural Districts designated

In 2003, Indianapolis Cultural Districts were designated.

2003: End of Republican Control of City-County Council

In 2003, Republicans lost control of the City-County Council, a position they had held since 1970.

2003: National Register of Historic Places

In 2003, the Indianapolis parkway system, covering 3,474 acres, was added to the National Register of Historic Places.

2004: Release of the films Palindromes and Saving Star Wars

In 2004, the motion pictures "Palindromes" and "Saving Star Wars" were at least partially filmed in Indianapolis.

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2004: 2004 United States presidential election

In the 2004 United States presidential election, Marion County voters favored John Kerry over George W. Bush by a margin of 1.9%.

2005: Chrysler

From 1925–2005, Chrysler maintained a presence in the city.

2005: Eskenazi Hall

Since 2005, Eskenazi Hall at IU Indianapolis has been home to the Herron School of Art and Design.

2006: Increase in Murders

In 2006, murders in Indianapolis spiked again, reaching 153 murders.

2006: Hindu Temple of Central Indiana

In 2006, the Hindu Temple of Central Indiana was established, reflecting the growing religious diversity in Indianapolis.

2007: Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department established

In 2007, further consolidation of city and county units of government resulted in the establishment of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department.

2007: Colts win Super Bowl XLI

In 2007, led by Tony Dungy and Peyton Manning, the Indianapolis Colts won Super Bowl XLI.

2007: Median Household Income

In 2007, the U.S. Census Bureau reported the median household income for Indianapolis was $42,704.

2007: United States Grand Prix

In 2007, the United States Grand Prix was held in Indianapolis.

2008: Ford Motor Company

From 1914–1942, 1956–2008, Ford Motor Company maintained a presence in the city.

2008: Opening of Lucas Oil Stadium

In 2008, Lucas Oil Stadium replaced the RCA Dome as the home of the Indianapolis Colts.

2008: Chain Restaurants

In 2008, the Indianapolis metropolitan area had the highest concentration of chain restaurants per capita in the U.S.

2008: Completion of Indianapolis International Airport's new terminal and Lucas Oil Stadium

In 2008, two of Indianapolis's largest capital projects, the Indianapolis International Airport's new terminal and Lucas Oil Stadium, were completed.

2009: Indianapolis Tennis Championships

In 2009, the Indianapolis Tennis Championships were held in Indianapolis.

2009: Release of the film Amanda

In 2009, the motion picture "Amanda" was at least partially filmed in Indianapolis.

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2009: Microbreweries in Indianapolis

Since 2009, microbreweries have become a staple in Indianapolis, increasing fivefold.

2010: Median Age

In 2010, the median age for Indianapolis was 33.7 years, with a specific age distribution.

2010: Race and Ethnicity

In the 2010 census, 97.2% of the Indianapolis population reported as one race: 61.8% White, 27.5% Black or African American, 2.1% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, and 5.5% as other.

2010: Households and Families

The 2010 census reported 332,199 households in Indianapolis, with an average household size of 2.42 and an average family size of 3.08.

2011: General Motors

From 1930–2011, General Motors maintained a presence in the city.

2011: Increase in Annual Criminal Homicide Numbers

Since 2011, annual criminal homicide numbers had grown each year, reaching record highs from 2015 to 2018.

2011: American Community Survey

The U.S. Census Bureau's 2007–2011 American Community Survey indicated the median household income for Indianapolis city was $42,704, and the median family income was $53,161.

2012: Manufacturing Job Losses

Between 1990 and 2012, approximately 26,900 manufacturing jobs were lost in Indianapolis due to deindustrialization.

2012: Super Bowl XLVI

In 2012, Indianapolis hosted Super Bowl XLVI.

2012: The Fault in Our Stars Novel

In 2012, John Green, a young adult fiction writer, released his critically acclaimed novel "The Fault in Our Stars", which is set in Indianapolis.

The Fault in Our Stars

Check it on Amazon

2012: St. Elmo wins award

In 2012, St. Elmo Steak House was recognized with the America's Classics award by the James Beard Foundation.

2012: Construction of DigIndy begins

In 2012, construction began on DigIndy, a $2 billion tunnel system designed to reduce sewage overflows into the city's waterways.

2012: Fever Win Championship

In 2012, led by Lin Dunn and Tamika Catchings, the Indiana Fever won their first WNBA championship title.

2014: Political Science Review Research

According to 2014 research published in the American Political Science Review, Indianapolis's policy preferences are less conservative than the national mean when compared with other large U.S. cities.

2015: Households Without Cars

In 2015, 10.5 percent of Indianapolis households lacked a car.

2015: Brookings Characterization

In 2015, Brookings characterized the Indianapolis metropolitan area as a minor-emerging immigrant gateway with a growing foreign-born population.

2015: Contracting with Charter Organizations

In 2015, Indianapolis Public Schools began contracting with charter organizations and nonprofit managers to operate failing schools.

2015: Indianapolis Indiana Temple

In 2015, the Indianapolis Indiana Temple was established in Carmel, reflecting the growing religious diversity in the region.

2015: Release of the film Walter

In 2015, the motion picture "Walter" was at least partially filmed in Indianapolis.

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2015: Record Number of Murder Investigations

In 2015, with 144 criminal homicides, Indianapolis surpassed 1998 as the year with the most murder investigations in the city.

2016: Commuting Statistics and Car Ownership

According to the 2016 American Community Survey, 83.7% of working residents in Indianapolis commuted by driving alone. Indianapolis averaged 1.63 cars per household in 2016, compared to a national average of 1.8.

2016: Establishment of Film Indy

Film Indy was established in 2016 to support local visual artists, filmmakers, and aspiring filmmakers; recruit film and television-related marketing opportunities to the region, and provide resources for producers interested in filming in the city.

2016: Carrier Corporation Closure

In 2016, Carrier Corporation announced the closure of its Indianapolis plant, moving 1,400 manufacturing jobs to Mexico.

2016: Indianapolis named "most underrated food city"

In 2016, Condé Nast Traveler named Indianapolis the "most underrated food city in the U.S.", also ranking Milktooth as one of the best restaurants in the world.

2016: Bioblitz along riparian corridors

In 2016, a bioblitz along three of Indianapolis's riparian corridors identified 590 taxa of wildlife.

2016: Area Code 463 Added

In 2016, area code 463 was added as an overlay code for the same area as 317, making ten-digit dialing mandatory for all calls in the region.

2016: Religion in Indianapolis

In 2016, the Public Religion Research Institute identified the largest groupings of Protestantism by faith tradition: 23% Evangelical Protestant, 20% Mainline Protestant, and 11% Black Protestant, respectively.

2016: NCAA Division I women's basketball Final Fours

Indianapolis regularly hosted the NCAA Division I women's basketball Final Fours, most recently in 2016.

2016: Joe Hogsett administration begins

Since 2016, the administration of Joe Hogsett has focused on addressing a rise in gun violence and the city's racial disparities.

2017: Affluent urban neighborhoods in the U.S.

In 2017, the North Meridian Street Historic District was among the most affluent urban neighborhoods in the U.S., with a mean household income of $102,599.

2018: Most Violent Year on Record

In 2018, Indianapolis experienced 159 criminal homicides, marking it as the most violent year on record in the city.

2018: Electric Scooter-Sharing Systems

In 2018, electric scooter-sharing systems including Bird, Lime, and Veo launched in Indianapolis.

2018: Founding of Indy Shorts International Film Festival

In 2018, the Indy Shorts International Film Festival was founded. It is one of 34 film festivals in the world used to qualify for the Academy Awards.

2019: Indianapolis in 2019

As of 2019, Indianapolis was home to two major league sports teams, three Fortune 500 companies, eight university campuses, and numerous cultural institutions, including the world's largest children's museum.

2019: Indianapolis Mayoral and City-County Council Elections

In 2019, Joe Hogsett was re-elected as mayor with 72% of the vote, and the City-County Council elections expanded Democratic control of the council to a 20–5 supermajority over Republicans.

2019: NUVO Becomes Digital-Only

In 2019, NUVO, an alternative weekly, became digital-only.

2019: IndyGo Ridership

In 2019, pre-COVID-19 pandemic ridership of IndyGo was 9.2 million.

2019: Release of the film The MisEducation of Bindu

In 2019, the motion picture "The MisEducation of Bindu" was at least partially filmed in Indianapolis.

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2019: Criminal Homicide Numbers

Until 2019, annual criminal homicide numbers had grown each year since 2011, reaching record highs from 2015 to 2018.

2020: 2020 census

According to the 2020 census, Indianapolis proper had a population of 887,642, making it the 16th-most populous city in the United States and the fourth-most populous state capital.

2020: Logistics Establishments and Employment

According to the Indy Chamber, in 2020 the Indianapolis region was home to some 4,300 logistics establishments employing nearly 110,000.

2020: Community Farms and Gardens

As of 2020, there were 129 community farms and gardens in Indianapolis. Urban agriculture has made a comeback in recent years in an effort to alleviate food deserts.

2020: Population at 2020 census

At the 2020 census, Indianapolis had a population of 887,642 and a population density of 2,455 people per square mile.

2020: IndyGo Ridership

In 2020, IndyGo's fleet of 212 buses provided about 4.8 million passenger trips.

2020: LGBT Adult Population

In 2020, The Williams Institute reported that the Indianapolis metropolitan area had an estimated 4.6% LGBT adult population.

2020: George Floyd protests in Indiana

In 2020, the George Floyd protests in Indiana prompted a series of local police reforms and renewed efforts to bolster social services.

2020: Metropolitan Area Population

In 2020, the Indianapolis metropolitan area had a population of 2,111,040.

2020: Release of the film Athlete A

In 2020, the motion picture "Athlete A" was at least partially filmed in Indianapolis.

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2020: 2020 United States presidential election

In the 2020 United States presidential election, Marion County voters selected Joe Biden over Donald Trump by a margin of 63.3–34.3%.

2020: Indianapolis in the 2020 census

In the 2020 census, Indianapolis was among the 20 largest cities in the U.S. by both population and land area.

2020: Ganggang Support for Black Artists

Since 2020, Ganggang has prominently supported Black artists in Indianapolis, hosting the annual art fair "BUTTER" over Labor Day weekend, a multi-day art exhibition.

2020: Race and ethnicity census

Sometime between 2020 and 2023, Marion County became majority non-white.

2021: Public Art in Indianapolis

In 2021, Indianapolis boasted over 3,000 recorded works of public art, with more than a third concentrated downtown, including pieces from the Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis Public Art Collection, the Indiana Statehouse Public Art Collection, and the Indianapolis Cultural Trail. Murals were the most popular medium.

2021: Ringling Brothers Parade Film added to the National Film Registry

In 2021, Ringling Brothers Parade Film was added to the National Film Registry.

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2021: Opening of The AMP and The Garage food halls

In 2021, The AMP and The Garage food halls opened in Indianapolis as part of the city's emerging food scene.

2021: Mass shooting at FedEx facility

In 2021, a mass shooting occurred at a FedEx facility on the city's southwest side, killing nine and injuring seven others.

2022: College Football Playoff National Championship

In 2022, the College Football Playoff National Championship was held in Indianapolis.

2022: Community Justice Campus Opens

In 2022, the Community Justice Campus opened, housing the Marion County Sheriff's Office, a new courthouse, jail, and mental health and substance abuse clinic.

2022: Estimated Metropolitan Area Population

In 2022, the estimated population of the Indianapolis metropolitan area was 2,141,779.

2022: Release of the film Our Father

In 2022, the motion picture "Our Father" was at least partially filmed in Indianapolis.

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2022: Estimated Population

The estimated population of Indianapolis in 2022 was 880,621.

2023: Popularity of the Children's Museum

In 2023, The Children's Museum of Indianapolis, the world's largest children's museum, attracted approximately 1.2 million visitors, making it one of the region's most popular attractions.

2023: Homeless Population Count

In 2023, a Point-In-Time Count identified 1,619 homeless individuals in Indianapolis, with the majority being sheltered.

2023: Indianapolis Zoo Visitation

In 2023, the Indianapolis Zoo, housing over 1,400 animals, was visited by 1.1 million guests, making it one of the city's most visited attractions.

2023: GDP

Indianapolis anchors the 28th largest metropolitan economy in the United States, with a gross domestic product of US$199.2 billion in 2023.

2023: Marion County Became Majority Non-White

Sometime between 2020 and 2023, Marion County became majority non-white.

February 2024: Unemployment Rate

In February 2024, the unemployment rate in the Indianapolis metropolitan area was 3.7%.

2024: Dissolution of IUPUI

In 2024, Indiana University–Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) was dissolved.

2024: NBA All-Star Game

In 2024, Indianapolis hosted the NBA All-Star Game.

2024: Indianapolis International Airport Passengers

In 2024, the Indianapolis International Airport served 10.5 million passengers and offered nonstop service to 53 domestic and international destinations.