Fastest Growing Industries In Indianapolis

Indianapolis is located in the central part of the state on the West Fork of the White River is derived from combining the words "Indiana" and "polis", the Greek word for city. Indianapolis is known to be the largest city in Indiana and the seat of Marion County. Indianapolis was settled in 1820, and five years later it was chosen as the state capital; it was incorporated as a city in 1832 and reincorporated in 1838. Also noted as the 14th largest city in the U.S., the third largest city in the Midwest (behind Chicago and Detroit), the second most populous state capital (after Phoenix, Arizona), the most populous state capital east of the Mississippi River, and the fastest growing region in the Midwest. The US Census estimated Indianapolis' population, excluding the surrounding towns, at 807,584 in 2009.

Indianapolis is a major commercial, industrial, and transportation center for the Midwest, and is located in close proximity to the vast agricultural region known as the "corn belt" and to the industrialized cities of the upper Midwest and the East; Indianapolis is supported by a varied economic base. Prior to the 1980s, the city had oriented itself around government and industry. The primary industry was manufacturing, which has been displaced by retailing and services. Having made a conscious decision to attain affluence through sports, Indianapolis quadrupled its tourism trade and doubled its hotel space during the period 1984-1991. Tourism, conventions, and the hotel industry (one of the fastest growing industries in Indianapolis) are major economic factors.

Indianapolis is filled with thriving business sectors that are well established on a local, national and global basis. And, like a true community, these industries sustain each other, and often collaborate to make available the best business solution. It is the chief processing point in a rich agricultural region and is a major grain and livestock market. It is also a focal point of commerce, transportation, and manufacturing for the region. Some leading industries include electronics, pharmaceuticals, and food processing. The financial sector, service and insurance industries are growing rapidly.

The leading industries in Indianapolis, Indiana are:

Educational, health and social services, 17%;

Manufacturing, 13%; and

Retail trade, 11%.

Compared to Indiana as a whole, Indianapolis jobs have a lower proportion in manufacturing and a higher concentration of jobs in wholesale trade, administrative support, waste management, professional, scientific, and technical services, and transportation and warehousing.