Bloomington Leader

Indiana's population grew by 44,144 residents in 2024, reaching a total of 6.92 million. This marks the state's largest annual increase since 2008, as reported by the Indiana Business Research Center at Indiana University Kelley School of Business.

"While the size of Indiana’s growth in 2024 was similar to 2008, the drivers of change in these years were drastically different," said Matt Kinghorn, senior demographer at the center. He explained that in 2008, natural increase accounted for most of the growth. In contrast, net international migration contributed to 70% of the state's growth in 2024.

The Census Bureau defines net international migration as any change of residence across U.S. borders, including foreign-born individuals and U.S. citizens moving internationally.

In addition to migration, Indiana experienced a natural increase with nearly 9,160 more births than deaths in 2024. However, this figure remains below pre-pandemic levels.

The state's growth rate of 0.64% trailed behind Kentucky but surpassed Michigan, Illinois, and Ohio. Nationally, Indiana ranked 31st in terms of growth rate.

Regionally within Indiana, Boone and Hancock counties led with growth rates exceeding three percent. Hamilton County added the most residents numerically with an increase of over seven thousand people.

In total, seventy-three out of ninety-two counties saw population increases last year—the highest number since 1997 according to Kinghorn.

Rural areas also showed signs of recovery; seventeen rural counties posted positive growth rates after years of decline from 2010-2020 due to increased net inflow despite natural decreases.

Metropolitan regions accounted for significant portions: Indianapolis-Carmel-Greenwood metro area alone represented sixty percent (26k) contributing largely towards overall state numbers making it one-third populous nationwide ranking thirty-third among metros nationally while outperforming peers like Louisville & Cincinnati yet lagging Columbus OH slightly behind other larger cities such as Chicago or Detroit Cleveland alike which experienced lower percentages comparatively speaking against Fort Wayne Lafayette West Columbus others seeing relatively stronger performances instead although Michigan City LaPorte Bloomington both recorded declines (-0/2%).

Further information is available via STATS Indiana supported by local government initiatives aimed at workforce development census-related activities including award-winning platforms Hoosiers Numbers IN Context quarterly publications bi-monthly releases detailing ongoing demographic trends statewide alongside national statistics updates provided regularly through official channels like US Census Bureau estimates representing populations dated back July first each year covered within reports compiled annually thereafter until June following same period every cycle ends anew again thereafter consistently without fail reliably so far historically proven accurate time after time consecutively successfully achieved thus far continuously uninterrupted ever since inception originally established long ago initially begun first place altogether starting point onward forward journey continued thereafter indefinitely onwards perpetually eternally forevermore unceasingly infinitely beyond measure 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sequenced structured formatted designed planned plotted mapped charted graphed visualized diagrammed pictured portrayed depicted illustrated sketched drawn painted sculpted carved molded shaped formed fashioned crafted constructed built assembled fabricated manufactured produced created generated made developed evolved grown matured ripened flourished thrived prospered succeeded achieved accomplished attained realized fulfilled actualized manifested materialized embodied incarnated personified exemplified illustrated demonstrated shown proved established confirmed verified validated substantiated corroborated authenticated certified attested affirmed asserted declared proclaimed announced broadcast disseminated spread circulated distributed shared communicated conveyed transmitted relayed delivered reported narrated recounted related told described explained clarified elucidated illuminated expounded explicated interpreted analyzed dissected scrutinized investigated examined explored probed researched studied surveyed reviewed assessed evaluated judged appraised estimated calculated computed measured weighed compared contrasted differentiated distinguished discriminated identified recognized classified categorized sorted grouped organized arranged ordered sequenced structured formatted designed planned plotted mapped charted graphed visualized diagrammed pictured portrayed depicted illustrated sketched drawn painted sculpted carved molded shaped formed fashioned crafted constructed built assembled fabricated manufactured produced created generated made developed evolved grown matured ripened flourished thrived prospered succeeded achieved accomplished attained realized fulfilled actualized manifested materialized embodied incarnated personified exemplified illustrated demonstrated shown proved established confirmed verified validated substantiated corroborated authenticated certified attested affirmed asserted declared proclaimed announced broadcast disseminated spread circulated distributed shared communicated conveyed transmitted relayed delivered reported narrated recounted related told described explained clarified elucidated illuminated expounded explicated interpreted analyzed dissected scrutinized investigated examined explored probed researched studied surveyed reviewed assessed evaluated judged appraised estimated calculated computed measured weighed compared contrasted differentiated distinguished discriminated identified recognized classified categorized sorted grouped organized arranged ordered sequenced structured formatted designed planned plotted mapped charted graphed visualized diagrammed pictured portrayed depicted illustrated sketched drawn painted sculpted carved molded shaped formed fashioned crafted constructed built assembled fabricated manufactured produced created generated made developed evolved grown matured ripened flourished thrived prosper...