As Indiana’s state capital and largest city, Indianapolis is the economic and cultural engine of the Hoosier State. Founded in the state's midpoint in 1820, Indianapolis is responsible for Indiana’s reputation as the “Crossroads of America.” Four interstate highways intersect here, making Indianapolis a vital transportation hub for the Midwest and a convenient site for conventions and major sporting events such as the Indianapolis 500.
Indianapolis encompasses most of Marion County, leading the city and county to have a unified government structure known as the Unigov. The county and state governments are major employers, while three Fortune 500 companies are also based in the city: pharmaceutical manufacturer Eli Lilly, insurer Elevance Health, and agrochemical business Corteva. Indy has a typical Midwestern climate and experiences all four seasons, including cold winters that bring an annual average of about 25 inches of snow.
Indianapolis is surrounded by many Highways. I65 South connects Indy to Louisville.
Indianapolis' Eli Lilly is the worlds most valuable drug company with a value of $842 billion.
Up to 350,000 race fans fill Indianapolis' Motor Speedway during the Indianapolis 500.
Indianapolis' Soldiers & Sailors Monument stands at the center of downtown's Monument Circle.
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Indy 500 and other sporting events start the local economy's engine
For a place also known as “Naptown,” Indianapolis has a lot going on. First run in 1911, the Indianapolis 500 is Indy’s defining cultural event. Each May, the monthlong 500 Festival hosts events building up to the Memorial Day weekend race. Indianapolis Motor Speedway is the world’s largest sporting venue with a seating capacity of 237,500, circling the 2.5-mile oval. Spectators also crowd the infield on race day, bringing attendance to over 400,000 people — nearly half the population of Indy. IMS also hosts NASCAR’s Brickyard 400 race in late July.
The NFL’s Colts, NBA’s Pacers and WNBA's Fever play in downtown Indy, and their stadiums often host major events and concerts. Indianapolis has hosted the NCAA men’s basketball Final Four eight times. The Big Ten football championship game is held at Lucas Oil Stadium in December in the Babe Denny area. The NFL also uses the stadium to hold its annual draft scouting combine every spring. The Indianapolis State Fair, held at the State Fairgrounds in the northern Fairgrounds neighborhood, is the largest annual event in the state, with more than 800,000 attendees each summer.
Indianapolis' Indy 500 is the largest sporting event in the world.
Gainbridge Fieldhouse in Indianapolis, is home to the Pacers and Fever basketball teams.
Indianapolis' Lucas Oil Stadium is the home of the Colts, and many large concerts.
Just north of downtown Indianapolis is the 250 acre Indiana State Fairgrounds.
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Housing prices considerably lower than the national median
Indianapolis's population is 880,621, a decrease of nearly 1% since the 2020 Census but an uptick of 7.3% from 2010. Newcomers moving to Indy from around the globe and from more expensive cities has helped mitigate the tide of former Indy residents moving to booming northern suburbs like Carmel and Zionsville.
The median sales price in Indianapolis is around $250,000, considerably lower than the national median, which is above $410,000. "People come from different areas and are like, 'I can get what for how much?'" says Brian Smith, broker/owner of Great Woods Realty. "It's easy to sell anybody on Indianapolis, because it's cheaper than a lot of places." Still, Smith says lifelong Indy residents can experience sticker shock because the city's median price has doubled since 2013. Neighborhoods in southeast Indianapolis have seen the greatest appreciation since 2000, with renovated century-old homes in the Fountain Square , Bates-Hendricks and Fletcher Place neighborhoods gaining considerable value.
From 19th-century houses and modern condos near downtown Indy to midcentury suburban neighborhoods like Garden City inside the Interstate 465 loop and borderline rural communities on the city's outskirts, "everything is available," Smith says. Prices can range from fixer-uppers and investment properties under $100,000 to mansions on the city's north side that exceed $3 million.
Fountain Square's cottage homes bring a touch of charm to the Indianapolis neighborhood.
The charming Indianapolis suburb community of Zionsville Village has a mix of homes and shoppes.
West Carmel's West Clay area, north of Indianapolis, features homes with unique designs.
Many Wholesale District condos in Indianapolis share buildings with street-level businesses.
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Transportation challenges despite I-465 loop around city
Indianapolis is sometimes called the Circle City because its streets were laid out as spokes originating from a traffic circle in the center of the city. Since 1902, that circle has been home to Indy’s chief civic symbol, the 284-foot-tall Soldiers and Sailors Monument near North Meridian .
Indy’s accessibility to the surrounding region helps explain why conventions bring nearly 500,000 attendees to the city each year. Interstates 65, 69, 70 and 74 all lead to Indianapolis. Indianapolis International Airport is easy to reach via the I-465 loop around the city. In 2023, the airport was named the No. 2 airport in the United States by Conde Nast Traveler.
According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, Indianapolis residents drive more miles per capita than any American city. More people walk to work (1.8%) than take public transportation (1.5%). Indianapolis also has a lower walkability score than most American cities due to a lack of sidewalks outside of the downtown area.
An up-and-coming dining scene anchored by a venerable steak house
Indianapolis has a vibrant downtown district close to both of its major stadiums and the Indiana Convention Center. St. Elmo Steak House, operating in the same location since 1902, is Indy’s trademark spot for fine dining.
In 2022, “Food & Wine” named Indianapolis one of America’s seven next great food cities. The magazine highlighted Indy’s “abundance of affordable, quality dining options.” The city’s bakeries and a pair of food halls — The Garage and The AMP — contribute to its reputation as an up-and-coming dining destination. Indianapolis also has a growing reputation as a craft beer haven with more than 75 local breweries.
Circle Centre Mall, which incorporated existing historic downtown buildings when it opened in 1995, is a four-story mall encompassing two city blocks. There are several malls throughout greater Indianapolis, including Castleton Square and The Fashion Mall at Keystone in Far Northeast Indianapolis.
Indianapolis' famous St. Elmo Steak House is the oldest steakhouse in Indianapolis.
Indianapolis' Indiana Convention Center has 11 halls with 566,600 sq. ft. of exhibit space.
The Garage Food Hall in Indianapolis' Bottleworks District has over 20 food and drink vendors.
The Keystone Fashion Mall is a popular shopping destination in Nora-Far Northside.
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A school system for each township, and multiple universities
Marion County is subdivided into nine townships, each of which administers its own school district. Indianapolis Public Schools serve all of Center Township, with the attendance zone extending into parts of several neighboring townships. Three IPS high schools were closed in 2018, bringing the total down to four. Indianapolis Public Schools have a C-rating on Niche. Washington, Perry and Franklin townships schools all have A-minus ratings. Pike, Wayne and Lawrence townships schools all have B-ratings. Warren and Decatur townships schools are rated B-minus. Catholic schools are a popular private option. The archdiocese oversees 55 elementary and 12 high schools in Greater Indianapolis.
In 2024, the largest university in Indianapolis split into two campuses. Formerly known as IUPUI, Indiana University-Indianapolis and Purdue at Indianapolis are now two distinct schools, located in the Indiana Avenue community. In addition to serving as the medical and dental school of the Indiana University system, IU-Indianapolis enrolls more than 17,000 undergraduates. Just under 3,000 students are enrolled at Purdue-Indianapolis, an extension of the university's main campus in West Lafayette. Private schools Butler University, University of Indianapolis and Marian University each have more than 3,000 students based in Indy. Butler, like IU-Indianapolis, competes at the NCAA Division I level in athletics.
A master plan for more parks access is in place
Green space was a central tenet of Indy’s development in the early 20th century. Urban planner Edward Kessler’s Indianapolis Park and Boulevard System created a network of parks along the city's primary waterways. Today, Indianapolis has 212 public parks totaling 11,258 acres. However, Indy’s emphasis on green space took a backseat during the city’s post-World War II growth. Today, only 36% of the city’s population is within a 10-minute walk of a park — 19% below the national average. To address the issue, the city unveiled a 2023 Master Plan intended to greatly expand park accessibility to all residents.
The gem of the parks system is Eagle Creek Park, with 10 miles of trails and a large reservoir for boating and fishing. Located in the Eagle Creek neighborhood, the park draws around 1 million visitors annually and has hosted the NCAA collegiate rowing championships. White River State Park is a multipurpose green space near downtown Indy. The Indiana State Museum, Eiteljorg Museum of American Indians, NCAA Hall of Champions and Indianapolis Zoo are all located at the park, along with Everwise Amphitheater and Victory Field, one of the top Minor League baseball stadiums in the country.
Indianapolis' Indiana State Museum sits in White River State Park.
The White River Park in downtown Indianapolis has a lot of open green space.
The Indianapolis Zoo is located in downtown Indianapolis on the White River.
Indianapolis' Eagle Creek Park is a great place for nature lovers to spend the day.
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Crime
According to data from the FBI, Indy’s violent and property crime rates are higher than national and state figures. Violent crime spiked between 2007 and 2017 then dropped significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, remaining steady with a slight downward trend since 2022. Despite a surge in 2023, property crime rates have steadily declined since 2007. Among other crime-fighting measures, the city has attempted to improve law enforcement recruitment and retention with an 85% increase in pay for first- and second-year police officers since 2016.
I'm Troy Durbin, a top-producing real estate agent with Coldwell Banker Kaiser Real Estate, based in Carmel, Indiana. With years of experience and a strong connection to the greater Indianapolis area, I help people easily navigate the home buying and selling process. My approach centers on understanding your unique goals and creating a plan that simplifies every step to ensure a successful outcome. Whether you're moving locally or relocating to this growing region, I provide trusted guidance, market expertise, and a commitment to delivering the results you deserve.
Having lived in Indiana most of my life, I have a deep appreciation for the diverse communities and neighborhoods that make the Indianapolis metropolitan area such a great place to live. From peaceful suburban neighborhoods to lively city settings, I’m dedicated to helping you find the right home for your lifestyle. Throughout your real estate journey, you can count on me to guide you through each decision—whether it's choosing the right property, negotiating terms, or navigating the closing process—ensuring you feel informed and confident from start to finish.
Many satisfied clients share their positive experiences, highlighting my ability to make their real estate dreams a reality. Here’s what one of them says:
"Troy was amazing to work with. He helped us every step of the way to find and purchase a great home. Troy's expertise was extremely valuable in identifying potential issues in the homes we toured, understanding our priorities, and making it through the closing process. We couldn't have done it without him!"
— Madison H., Carmel, IN
Ready to start your journey? Contact me today to discover how I can help you achieve your real estate goals.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
