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The State of Indiana

The US state of Indiana is located in the Midwestern region of the country. With an area of 36,418 square miles and an estimated population of 6,633,053, Indiana is the 38th largest US state by area and the 17th most populated. According to state law, a municipality can be designated as a city only if its population exceeds 2,000 people. Cities are further divided into three classes: "third-class" cities have a population between 2,000 and 35,000, and are governed by a seven-member city council and an elected clerk-treasurer; "second-class" cities have a population between 35,000 and 600,000, and are governed by a nine-member city council and an elected clerk; Indiana has only one "first-class" city, Indianapolis, which is the state capital and has a consolidated city-county government called Unigov.

The Five Most Populated Cities in Indiana

1. Indianapolis

According to the 2010 census, Indianapolis has a population of 820,445 people. Located in Marion County, it serves as the capital and is the 16th biggest city in the United States and the 3rd biggest in the American Midwest in terms of population. Indianapolis covers an area of 936.1 square km, making it the country鈥檚 16th biggest by land area.

2. Fort Wayne

Indiana鈥檚 second biggest city, Fort Wayne, has a population of 253,691. It is the seat of Allen County, and is located in the northeastern part of the state, about 29 km west of the Indiana-Ohio border. It is the country鈥檚 75th most populous city. Fort Wayne is the economic and cultural hub of northeastern Indiana.

3. Evansville

Evansville, the county seat of Vanderburgh County, has a population of approximately 117,429 people. It ranks as the third most populous city in the state, and the 232nd most populous in the country. Evansville is the largest city in southern Indiana, and serves as that region's cultural and commercial hub. The city is often nicknamed the "River City" or "Crescent Valley" given its location on an oxbow of the Ohio River.

4. South Bend

With a population of approximately 101,168, South Bend is the fourth most populous city in Indiana. It is the county seat of St. Joseph County, and serves as the cultural and economic hub of northern Indiana. The city's name is derived from its location near the southernmost bend of the St. Joseph River.

5. Carmel

With a population of 79,191, Carmel is Indiana鈥檚 fifth biggest city. It is located north of Indianapolis and is experiencing rapid growth. In 2012, CNN's Money magazine designated Carmel as the "Best Place to Live in the United States."

Population Growth in Indiana

Since 1990, Indiana鈥檚 population growth has been concentrated in counties around its capital, Indianapolis. The state's fastest growing counties include Hamilton, Hendricks, Johnson, and Hancock.