Introduction

Indianapolis is located within Marion County and is the 12th largest city in the U.S. More than 65% of the U.S. population lives within a 700 mile radius of Indianapolis. More interstate highways converge in Indianapolis than in any other city in the nation making it one of America's most accessible cities. Indianapolis consistently ranks as one of the cleanest and safest cities in the nation, and its cost of living and unemployment rates are typically well below national averages.

Climate

The climate is temperate with no dry season; precipitation is distributed fairly evenly throughout the year. Warm summers and moderately cold winters are the norm. Late spring and early fall are considered the most pleasant seasons.

             Average relative humidity    70.1%
               Average annual rainfall    40 inches
               Average annual snowfall    23 inches
                  Average temperatures    1871 to 1993
  

                             Daily High    Daily Low
                  January      34.2          17.8
                  April        63.1          41.7
                  July         85.2          64.9
                  October      66.1          43.4

Location

Indianapolis is located approximately in the center of the State of Indiana and is the most centrally located city to the top 100 markets in the U.S. As such, it is a major distribution center. Indianapolis is on eastern standard time throughout the year.

                  Size (square miles)

                      Indianapolis MSA        3,523
                  City of Indianapolis          403

                  Population

                      Indianapolis MSA    1,424,000
                  City of Indianapolis      812,800

Taxes

The State of Indiana imposes a 5% sales tax exempting groceries, prescription drugs, eyeglasses, and newspapers. The state's income tax is a flat 3.4% of gross income after exemptions. Marion County (Indianapolis' county) has a county option tax of .7%.

There is a statewide automobile excise tax that varies according to vehicle age and price. Property taxes are imposed on a one-third value of the property; rates range from $5.93 to $13.15 per $100 of assessed valuation.

Housing

Indianapolis' housing cost is one of the least expensive nationally for major metropolitan centers.

                    Average home price     $109,175

              Average new home price  *              $116,375
              *3 bed, 2 bath, 1800 sqft

              Average monthly apartment rent  *      $536.00
              *2 bed, 2 bath, 1100 sqft
              Heat Included.

Cost Of Living

              City                   Composite Index

              Boston, MA                 137.1
              Los Angeles, CA            128.5
              Philadelphia, PA           128.4
              Washington D.C.            115.0
              Las Vegas, NV              108.8
              Portland, OR               108.3
              Columbus, OH               108.2
              Dallas, TX                 105.2
              Denver, CO                 105.1
              Peoria, IL                 104.5
              Cincinnati, OH             104.2
              Phoenix, AZ                103.6
              Minneapolis, MN            102.4
              Atlanta, GA                101.5
              Charlotte, NC              100.5
              INDIANAPOLIS                98.8 **

** Also, among the 20 largest cities in the U.S. with 
investor-owned utilities, Indianapolis' electric bills 
ranked 37% lower than average for residential usage.

Schools

Marion County primary and secondary schools are divided into the Indianapolis Public School system and eight township schools systems. Indianapolis suburbs in surrounding counties all have their own school systems. Higher education in the city is represented by Butler University, Indiana University-Purdue University (IUPUI), and Marian College among others. Vocational and technical education is provided at Indiana Vocational Technical College (Ivy Tech) and ITT Technical Institute.

Many other universities and colleges are located throughout the state including Indiana University at Bloomington, Purdue University at West Lafayette, and the University of Notre Dame at South Bend.

Sports

In the late 1960's and early 1970's, city leaders chose to use sports as an economic and community development tool. Since then Indianapolis has built or renovated more than $168 million worth of facilities, hosted more than 330 national and international sporting events, and become the headquarters for seven major national sports governing bodies and other sports organizations.

              Indianapolis' professional sports teams are:

              Indianapolis Colts-    football
              Indianapolis Pacers-   basketball
              Indianapolis Ice-      hockey
              Indianapolis Indians-  baseball

              In addition there is the Indianapolis 500 
              and Brickyard 400 (racing),
              and the RCA Tennis Championships.

Arts

Over 250 not-for-profit arts organizations are located here, including:

              Indianapolis Symphony
              Indianapolis Opera Company
              Indianapolis Art Center
              Indianapolis Chamber Orchestra
              Indianapolis Ballet Theatre
              American Cabaret Theater
              Civic Theatre
              Beef and Boards Dinner Theatre
              Arts Council of Indianapolis
              Indiana Repertory Theatre

Museums

              The Children's Museum  (largest in the world)
              Indianapolis Museum of Art
              Connor Prairie Pioneer Settlement
              Eiteljorg Museum of American Indian and Western Art
              Indianapolis Motor Speedway Hall of Fame and Museum