The 5 Largest Cities in Indiana in 2024

Indiana is a state in the Midwest region of the United States, known for its friendly people and midwestern charm. It is the 17th most populous state in the country, with an estimated population of 6.6 million as of 2020. The state has 74 cities with populations between 10,000 and 100,000 and six cities with populations over 100,000. Today, we will explore the five largest cities in Indiana by population, land area, and economic impact. Let’s get started.

Largest Cities in Indiana: Population

Let’s take a look at the largest cities in Indiana by population, according to the 2024 population statistics on World Population Review.

1. Indianapolis

The capital and largest city of Indiana, Indianapolis has a population of 871,449 people, making it the 16th most populous city in the United States. It has a population density of 2,366 people per square mile. Indianapolis is a major economic, cultural, and sports center, hosting the Indianapolis 500, the largest single-day sporting event in the world.

2. Fort Wayne

The second-largest city in Indiana, Fort Wayne has a population of 270,989 people, making it the 77th most populous city in the United States. It has a population density of 2,391 people per square mile. Fort Wayne is a historical and cultural hub known for its local art, music, and architecture. Fort Wayne is located in the northeastern part of the state towards the Ohio border.

3. Evansville

The third-largest city in Indiana, Evansville has a population of 118,588 people. It has a population density of 2,378 people per square mile. Evansville is a commercial and industrial center located on the Ohio River and near the Kentucky border.

4. Fishers

The fourth-largest city in Indiana, Fishers has a population of 104,701 people. It has a population density of 2,952 people per square mile. Fishers is mostly suburban and is much smaller than Indianapolis, but it was ranked one of the best places to live in the United States, coming in eighth overall.

5. South Bend

The fifth-largest city in Indiana, South Bend has a population of 101,928 people. It has a population density of 2,440 people per square mile. South Bend is best known as the home of the University of Notre Dame, one of the most prestigious and influential Catholic universities in the world. It is also a center of education, with a growing technology and healthcare sector. South Bend is a distinct college town located in the northern part of the state towards the Michigan border, near Lake Michigan. It’s also located a couple of hours east of Chicago.

Largest Cities in Indiana: Land Area

1. Indianapolis

The largest city in Indiana by land area is Indianapolis, with an area of 361 square miles. Indianapolis is located in Marion County, in the central part of the state, at the meeting of Fall Creek and White River. Indianapolis has a humid continental climate, with four distinct seasons and moderate precipitation throughout the year. Notable attractions include the Indianapolis Motor Speedway (home of the Indianapolis 500), Monument Circle, and the Indianapolis Museum of Art.

2. Fort Wayne

The second-largest city in Indiana by land area is Fort Wayne, with an area of 110.65 square miles. Fort Wayne is the county seat of Allen County and is located about 18 miles west of the Ohio border. Like most of the cities in Indiana, Fort Wayne has a humid continental climate, with hot summers and cold winters. Notably attractions in the city include Historic Fort Wayne, Old City Hall, as well as many buildings created in the Greek and Gothic Revival style architecture.

3. Zionsville

The third-largest city in Indiana by land area is Zionsville, with an area of 110.64 square miles. Zionsville is a town in Eagle and Union townships of Boone County and is located about 15 miles northwest of downtown Indianapolis. Zionsville has a humid continental climate, with hot summers and cold winters. Notable attractions in the town include the Zionsville Farmers Market, the Fanimation Antique Fan Museum, the Sullivan Munce Cultural Center, and the Heritage Trail Dog Park. Zionsville is also known for its historic brick Main Street and its shops and restaurants.

4. Gary

The fourth-largest city in Indiana by land area is Gary, with an area of 49.73 square miles. Gary is a city in Lake County and is located along the southern shore of Lake Michigan, about 25 miles southeast of downtown Chicago. Gary has a humid continental climate, with hot summers and cold winters. Notable attractions in the city include the Michael Jackson Family Home, the Gary Aquatorium, the U.S. Steel Yard, the Marquette Park, and the Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore. Gary is also known for its industrial heritage, its cultural diversity, and its musical legacy.

5. Carmel

Carmel is a suburban city in Hamilton County, Indiana, with an area of 49.06 square miles. It is located about 15 miles north of downtown Indianapolis and has a humid continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. Notable attractions in the city include the Center for the Performing Arts, the Carmel Arts & Design District, the Monon Trail, and the Carmel Christkindlmarkt. Carmel is also known for its upscale shopping, cultural attractions, and roundabouts. Carmel is known for its upscale shopping, cultural attractions, and roundabouts.

Largest Counties in Indiana: Economic Impact

There isn’t a whole lot of current data on GDP rankings by city, so this section will tackle the question by county. We will note some of the major cities within each of the counties listed for easy referencing. The BEA (Bureau of Economic Analysis) released county data in 2021, and is what we based this data on.

1. Marion County

Marion County is the largest county in Indiana by economic impact, with a GDP of $86 billion in 2021. The county seat and largest city is Indianapolis, which is also the state capital and a major hub for sports, culture, and education. Some of the notable cities within Marion County are Beech Grove, Lawrence, Southport, and Speedway.

Marion County has a diverse economy, with many notable companies and industries. Some of the largest employers in the county include:

• Eli Lilly and Company, a global pharmaceutical company
• Lippert Components, vehicle parts
• Anthem, a health insurance provider.

The county also has a strong presence of transportation equipment, industrial machinery, and metal products.

2. Lake County

Lake County is the second-largest county in Indiana by economic impact, with a GDP of $21 billion in 2021. The county seat is Crown Point, which is known for its historic courthouse and square. Some of the notable cities within Lake County are Gary, Hammond, East Chicago, and Merrillville.

Some of the largest employers in the county are:

• U.S. Steel, a steel producer
• ArcelorMittal, a steel and mining company
• Franciscan Health, a health care system
• Horseshoe Casino, a gaming space.

Some of the regional industries for Lake County’s are steelmaking, oil refining, chemical production, and rail transportation.

3. Allen County

Allen County is the third-largest county in Indiana by economic impact, with a GDP of $19 billion in 2021. The county seat and largest city is Fort Wayne, which is also the second-largest city in Indiana and a major center. Some of the notable cities within Allen County are New Haven, Huntertown, Leo-Cedarville, and Woodburn.

Major employers in the county are:

• Parkview Health, a healthcare system
• General Motors, an automobile manufacturer
• Lincoln Financial Group, a financial services company
• Vera Bradley, a luggage and handbag designer.

Some of the regional industries that contribute to Allen County’s economic impact are defense contracting, medical device production, food processing, and logistics.

Conclusion

Indiana is a great state with a ton to offer, especially when it comes to its cities. Indianapolis is by far and away the largest city by most metrics, although other large cities in the state include South Bend and Fort Wayne. When it comes to GDP, Indianapolis has the biggest pull and turns Marion into the most economically prosperous county in the state. Indiana’s weather is relatively similar across the state, with variations at the city level being somewhat unimportant besides hyperlocal and geological influences like Lake Michigan.