Zionsville promotes itself as a tourist attraction, centered on its village-styled downtown area. This area consists primarily of Main Street, paved entirely in brick, which is lined with small retail stores and restaurants.
History
Historical marker near the corner of Main and Cedar streets.
Zionsville was laid out in 1852 when the railroad was extended to that point.[7] It was named for William Zion, a pioneer settler.[8]
Abraham Lincoln made a whistle-stop speech in Zionsville in 1861 when traveling to his inauguration. Later, after his assassination in 1865, the train carrying Lincoln’s body passed through Zionsville on its circuitous route to his final rest in Springfield, Illinois. [9]
Mural depicting the nickname "The Dahlia City" in Zionsville
In the 1920s, the town was known as "The Dahlia City" due to the success of two nurseries in the area in growing the flower. Starting in 2019, the Zionsville Cultural District brought the name back to promote the city, in conjunction with giving away free flowers to grow and the painting of a mural.[11]
Geography
Zionsville is located approximately 15 miles (24 km) northwest of Downtown Indianapolis. According to the 2010 census, Zionsville has a total area of 10.298 square miles (26.67 km2), of which 10.26 square miles (26.57 km2) (or 99.63%) is land and 0.038 square miles (0.10 km2) (or 0.37%) is water.[12]
In 2010, Zionsville annexed 39.5 square miles (102.30 km2) of land in Eagle and Union townships. This increased the area of the town to 49.7 square miles (128.72 km2) and added 9,159 residents as of 2013.[13][14] In 2014, Zionsville gained an additional 3.9 square miles (10.10 km2) of area as a result of annexing portions of Perry Township, bringing the current area of the town to 53.63 square miles (138.90 km2).[15]
Climate
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and cold winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Zionsville has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfa" on climate maps. Its inclusion in this climatic type is because of its four distinct seasons, large ranges between high summer temperatures and low winter temperatures, and enough precipitation to exclude arid or semi-arid classification.[16]
Railroads and Trails
The Lafayette and Indianapolis Railroad line traversing Zionsville was owned and operated by a number of companies from its inception in 1852 until it was abandoned in 1976.[17][18] In the 1990s, Zionsville re-purposed portions of the former railroad line as a shared use path. It is currently known as Big-4 Rail Trail.[19] The Rail Trail links various parks, neighborhoods, and points of interest throughout the town, including Heritage Park, Jennings Field, and Starkey Park, and is within walking distance of Mulberry Fields and the downtown village. The trail is surrounded by trees for most of its length. It is currently undergoing construction to expand its south end.
According to the 2016-2020 American Community Survey,[21] the median income for a household in the town was $137,265,[22] and the per capita income was $66,898.[23] 3.8%[24] of the population were estimated to be below the poverty line. The median value of owner-occupied housing units in the town was $406,800.[25]
2020 census
As of the census of 2020, there were 30,693 people, and 10,061 households in the town.[26] The population density was 455.3 inhabitants per square mile (175.8 inhabitants/km2).[27] The racial makeup of the town was 91.4% White, 1.4% African American, 0.2% Native American, 4.3% Asian, and 2.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.2% of the population.
There were 10,061 households, of which 73.9% were married couples living together, 4.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 15.7% were non-families. The average household size was 2.78 and the average family size was 3.06.
The median age in the town was 39.1 years. 28.0% of residents were under the age of 18, and 12.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 50.5% male and 49.5% female.[28]
The median income for a householder in the town was $137,265. Males had a median income of $92,833 versus $65,622 for females. The per capita income for the town was $66,898.[29]
2010 census
As of the census[30] of 2010, there were 14,160 people, 5,129 households, and 3,872 families living in the town. The population density was 1,380.1 inhabitants per square mile (532.9/km2). There were 5,539 housing units at an average density of 539.9 per square mile (208.5/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 94.0% White, 1.2% African American, 0.1% Native American, 2.7% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.1% of the population.
There were 5,129 households, of which 44.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.9% were married couples living together, 6.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 24.5% were non-families. 22.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.25.
The median age in the town was 39.6 years. 31.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 4.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.2% were from 25 to 44; 29.6% were from 45 to 64; 10.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 48.7% male and 51.3% female.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 8,775 people, 3,063 households, and 2,407 families living in the town. The population density was 1,512.9 inhabitants per square mile (584.1/km2). There were 3,169 housing units at an average density of 546.4 per square mile (211.0/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 97.78% White, 0.33% African American, 0.11% Native American, 1.07% Asian, 0.32% from other races, and 0.39% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.97% of the population.
There were 3,063 households, out of which 45.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.5% were married couples living together, 6.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.4% were non-families. 19.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.80 and the average family size was 3.23.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 31.7% under the age of 18, 4.2% from 18 to 24, 27.8% from 25 to 44, 25.6% from 45 to 64, and 10.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.8 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $81,770, and the median income for a family was $95,359. Males had a median income of $62,334 versus $35,823 for females. The per capita income for the town was $35,049.
Government
Zionsville has utilized a mayor-council government since 2015,[31] and is one of only two Indiana "towns" with a mayor.[32] The current mayor, John Stehr, was elected in 2023.[33] The Town Council consists of 7 members, currently 6 Republicans and 1 Democrat.[34]
Gazebo at the site of the town's first railroad depot. Located in Lincoln Park.
The Sullivan Munce Cultural Center is an art center, genealogy center, and museum in Zionsville. It features a history of the town and a collection of Zionsville artifacts.[36] Every year, the Sullivan Munce Cultural Center hosts the Ghost Walk, a tour through the town telling stories of Zionsville's history where participants act out small skits.[37]
One of Zionsville's seasonal attractions, the July Fourth fireworks show hosted by the local Lion's Club, brings in people from across Indiana. Unlike many of the Independence Day celebrations in major cities, the Zionsville fireworks show has no music integrated into the performance, although there are concerts before the display.
There is also the Fall Festival which has a parade featuring sports teams, organizations from Zionsville and surrounding communities, and the Middle and High School marching bands. There is also a festival at the Lion's Park with attractions like rides, games, and food. It lasts for one weekend in September.[38]
Zionsville contains the Goldman Union Camp Institute (or GUCI), a Jewish camp that is part of the URJ (Union for Reform Judaism).[39]
Zionsville Community Schools, which encompasses an area in Eagle and Union townships extending beyond Zionsville town limits, enjoys a very strong reputation. For the past half decade, it has been ranked among the top five public school corporations in Indiana by Indianapolis Monthly magazine. Zionsville schools have rivalries with schools in neighboring Carmel, Lebanon, and Pike Township in Indianapolis.[40] The superintendent of schools is Rebecca Coffman, who started with Zionsville schools in 2001.[41] She replaced Scott Robison, who joined the district in 2006 and served as the superintendent until his retirement in 2023.[42]
List of schools - Zionsville Community School Corporation
