Young Hoosiers amplify Indiana's key demographic shifts

Matt Kinghorn

The growing diversity of the Indiana population is most evident among the state’s younger residents.

As far as Indiana is concerned, two major headlines emerge from Census 2020 data releases: 1) A handful of metropolitan areas are responsible for most of the state’s population growth and 2) the state continues to become more diverse. While these trends apply to the state’s population as a whole, they are seen to a much greater degree in Indiana’s population under the age of 18—which means that these trends are sure to continue in the decades ahead.

Looking statewide first, the number of Hoosiers under the age of 18 fell by more than 15,000 between 2010 and 2020, making Indiana one of 27 states to see a decline in its youth population over the decade (see Figure 1). The state’s pace of decline in this age group was relatively mild at -1.0%, while 13 states saw drops greater than 5%, including neighboring Ohio (-5.1%), Michigan (-7.7%) and Illinois (-10.1%).

The main causes of such widespread declines in the under-18 population include the comparatively large millennial generation aging out of this group and, more importantly, a steady drop in fertility rates that began with the Great Recession. Most states with steep declines in this age group also likely saw a net out-migration of residents over this period.  

Figure 1: Change in population under the age of 18 by state, 2010 to 2020

U.S. map: More than 5% = 8 states; 0% to 5% = 16 states; -5% to -0.1% = 14 states; -10.6% to -5.1% = 13 states.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Around Indiana

Although Indiana’s total population grew by nearly 5% between 2010 and 2020, only 43 of the state’s 92 counties posted a gain over this period. When focusing on the population under the age of 18, the number of counties to show an increase falls to only 19. That means that nearly 80% of Indiana counties saw their youth population decline over the last decade.

Not surprisingly, a trio of Indianapolis-area suburban counties lead the way in this measure with Boone County seeing a 17.8% increase in its population under 18, followed by Hamilton (13.7%) and Hendricks (11.4%) counties. Tippecanoe County and Jackson County had the highest growth rates outside of Central Indiana with both just shy of a 10% increase (see Figure 2).

In all, 14 of the 19 counties that had a growing youth population were part of a metropolitan area. Outside of the Indy area and Lafayette, counties in the Louisville, Bloomington, Fort Wayne and Columbus areas also showed relatively strong growth. The growth in rural Daviess, LaGrange and Adams counties is likely driven by the large Amish populations in those communities.

Figure 2: Change in population under the age of 18 by county, 2010 to 2020

Indiana county map: More than 9% = 6 counties; 0 to 9% = 13 counties; -6% to -0.1% = 28 counties;-10% to -6.1$ = 24 counties; -15.1% to -10.1% = 21 counties.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

When we group Indiana counties by broad type, only the 44 counties that are part of a metropolitan statistical area combine to show a slight increase in the youth population. Meanwhile, midsize (i.e., micropolitan areas) and rural counties as groups show sharp declines in the under 18 populations (see Figure 3).

Figure 3: Population change by county type and age group, 2010 to 2020

Bar graph showing 18 and older and under 18 population for metro area counties, midsize counties, rural counties and the Indiana total.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Greater diversity among young Hoosiers

Another notable demographic trend is Indiana’s increasing diversity. Statewide, roughly one-quarter of Hoosiers identified as part of a minority race or ethnic group in 2020. With the state’s population under the age of 18, however, the minority share of the total jumps to more than one-third (see Figure 4).

Figure 4: Minority population share of total by age group, 2020 Bar graph. Indiana: 18 and older = 21.7%; under 18 = 33.7%. U.S.: 18 and older = 39.2%; under 18 = 52.7%

Note: Minority population refers to any resident who does not identify as non-Hispanic white.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Looking around the state, Marion and Lake counties have the greatest minority shares of the population under the age of 18 with both above the 60% mark (see Figure 5). Other counties with relatively large minority shares of the youth population include St. Joseph (44.8%), Allen (41.5%) and Elkhart (41.2%).

Figure 5: Under 18 minority population share of the total by county, 2020

Indiana county map. More than 60% = 2 counties; 30% to 45% = 11 counties; 15% to 29.9% = 27 counties; 10% to 14.9% = 23 counties; less than 10% = 29 counties.

Note: Minority population refers to any resident who does not identify as non-Hispanic white.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau

Learn more

The purpose of this particular data release from the Census Bureau was to provide Indiana officials with the data needed to redraw congressional and legislative districts. These data at various levels of geography can be found at www.stats.indiana.edu. The Census Bureau will release data with even more age, sex, race and ethnicity detail in 2022.