ZIONSVILLE, IN

Zionsville is a suburban town located in the extreme southeast area of Boone County, Indiana, United States, northwest of Indianapolis. The population was 14,160 at the 2010 census, and grew to 28,357 in the 2019 estimates.

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

thumb|left|Historical marker near the corner of Main and Cedar streets.

Zionsville was laid out in 1852 when the railroad was extended to that point. It was named for William Zion, a pioneer settler.

Abraham Lincoln made a whistle-stop speech in Zionsville in 1861 when traveling to his inauguration.

Town Hall (Castle Hall) was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.

Geography

Zionsville is located at (39.953092, -86.269462), approximately northwest of Downtown Indianapolis. According to the 2010 census, Zionsville has a total area of , of which (or 99.63%) is land and (or 0.37%) is water.

In 2010, Zionsville annexed of land in Eagle and Union townships. This increased the area of the town to and added 9,159 residents as of 2013. In 2014, Zionsville gained an additional of area as a result of annexing portions of Perry Township, bringing the current area of the town to .

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.

Transportation

Highways

Airports

The Indianapolis Executive Airport (KTYQ) is located approximately five nautical miles (5.8 mi, 9.3 km) north of Zionsville's downtown area and acts as a reliever airport for Indianapolis International Airport.

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. 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. 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.

Demographics

According to the 2006-2010 American Community Survey, the median income for a household in the town was $108,420, and the per capita income was $48,692. 3.0% of the population were estimated to be below the poverty line. The median value of owner-occupied housing units in the town was $355,800.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 14,160 people, 5,129 households, and 3,872 families living in the town. The population density was . There were 5,539 housing units at an average density of . 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 people 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. The current mayor, Emily Styron, was elected in 2019.

List of mayors

Cultural features

thumb|right|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. 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.

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.

Zionsville contains the Goldman Union Camp Institute (or GUCI), a Jewish camp that is part of the URJ (Union for Reform Judaism).

Education

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. The superintendent of schools is Scott Robison, who joined the district in 2006.

;List of schools - Zionsville Community School Corporation:

The town has a lending library, the Hussey-Mayfield Memorial Public Library.

Notable people