Carmel, Indiana

Carmel (Template:IPAc-en) is a suburban city in Hamilton County, Indiana, United States, immediately north of Indianapolis. With a population of 99,757 as of the 2020 census, the city spans Template:Convert across Clay Township and is bordered by the White River to the east and the Boone County line to the west. Carmel was home to one of the first electronic automated traffic signals in the country,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and constructed 154 roundabouts between 1997 and 2024.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

History

In the 1820s, the government put the lands in the area on sale, leading many farmers to settle on the west bank of White River.<ref name=":1" /> The original settlers were predominantly Quakers.<ref name=":1" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Carmel was originally called "Bethlehem". It was platted and recorded in 1837 by Daniel Warren, Alexander Mills, John Phelps, and Seth Green,<ref name="Haines">Template:Cite book</ref>Template:Rp who donated their adjoining properties of equal size to create the town. The donated parcels were situated along the Indianapolis-Peru Road (now Westfield Boulevard). The Carmel Clay Historical Society also started its first activities in 1837.<ref name=":1">Template:Cite web</ref>

The plot first established in Bethlehem, located at the intersection of Rangeline Road and Main Street, was marked by a clock tower donated by the local Rotary Club in 2002.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

A post office was established as "Carmel" in 1846 because Indiana already had a post office called Bethlehem.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The name Carmel is a reference to 1 Samuel 25:2 mentioning the biblical settlement Carmel.<ref name=":1" /> The town of Bethlehem was renamed "Carmel" and incorporated in 1874.<ref name=":1" /><ref name="Haines" />Template:Rp

The Monon Railroad started operations in the city in 1883. Electricity and telephone lines arrived during the first decade of the 20th century. The city's first library was started by the local Wednesday Literary Club and schoolteacher Mahlon Luther Hains in 1904. With a grant from the Carnegie Foundation, the library was built at 40 East Main Streett in 1913. During the first half of the 20th century, the city was the host on and off of the Carmel Horse Show. The town's only bank closed in 1930.<ref name=":1" />

In 1924, one of the first automatic traffic signals in the U.S. was installed at the intersection of Main Street and Rangeline Road. The signal was the invention of Leslie Haines and is currently in the old train station on the Monon Trail.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The Carmel Monon Depot, John Kinzer House, and Thornhurst Addition are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.<ref name="nris">Template:NRISref</ref><ref name="nps">Template:Cite web</ref>

During the 1950s and 1960s, the city anticipated a demographic boom and built large new public schools, leading to the creation of the Carmel Clay School District in 1964 (and the Carmel Clay Educational Foundation in 1967). Six churches were built during the 1950s. The urban expansion was so fast that a 1958 Indianapolis Star article tagged it a "bedroom community", but one that could contribute to sustain the growth of Indianapolis. Construction of Interstate 465 started in 1967 and created the proper conditions for a rapid demographic growth. A new $330,000 library was built and opened in 1971.<ref name=":1" />

The first Chamber of Commerce opened in 1960 but closed two years later. With the demographic boom of the 1970s, it reopened in 1970.<ref name=":1" />

The Carmel Symphony was launched by Latvian immigrant Viktors Ziedonis in 1976.<ref name=":1" /> That same year, Carmel was incorporated as a city.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

By the end of the 20th century, Carmel was one of Indiana's fastest growing cities. Suburban districts quickly replaced agricultural lands. The last farm operating within the city limits closed in 1993.<ref name=":1" />

Geography

Carmel occupies the southwestern part of Hamilton County, adjacent to Indianapolis and, with the annexation of Home Place in 2018, is now entirely coextensive with Clay Township. It is bordered to the north by Westfield, to the northeast by Noblesville, to the east by Fishers, to the south by Indianapolis in Marion County, and to the west by Zionsville in Boone County. The center of Carmel is Template:Convert north of the center of Indianapolis.

According to the 2010 census, Carmel has a total area of Template:Convert, of which Template:Convert (or 97.76%) is land and Template:Convert (or 2.24%) is water.<ref name="census-g001">Template:Cite web</ref>

Major east–west streets in Carmel generally end in a 6 and include 96th Street (the southern border), 106th, 116th, 126th, 131st, 136th, and 146th (which marks the northern border). The numbering system is aligned to that of Marion and Hamilton counties. Main Street (131st) runs east–west through Carmel's Art & Design District; Carmel Drive runs generally east–west through the main shopping area, and City Center Drive runs east–west near Carmel's City Center project.

North–south streets are not numbered and include (west to east) Michigan, Shelborne, Towne, Ditch, Spring Mill, Meridian, Guilford, Rangeline, Keystone, Carey, Gray, Hazel Dell, and River. Some of these roads are continuations of corresponding streets in Indianapolis. Towne Road replaces the name Township Line Road at 96th Street, while Westfield Boulevard becomes Rangeline north of 116th Street. Meridian Street (US 31) and Keystone Parkway (formerly Keystone Avenue/SR 431) are the major thoroughfares, extending from 96th Street in the south and merging just south of 146th Street. The City of Carmel is noted for having well over 100 roundabouts within its borders.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Demographics

2020 census

Carmel, Indiana – Racial and ethnic composition
Template:Nobold

Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic)	Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>Template:Cite web</ref>	Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>Template:Cite web</ref>	Template:Partial<ref name=2020CensusP2>Template:Cite web</ref>	% 2000	% 2010	Template:Partial
White alone (NH)	34,467	66,295	75,534	91.34%	83.72%	75.72%
Black or African American alone (NH)	550	2,299	3,256	1.46%	2.90%	3.26%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)	45	104	65	0.12%	0.13%	0.07%
Asian alone (NH)	1,645	6,988	11,966	4.36%	8.82%	12.00%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH)	12	17	20	0.03%	0.02%	0.02%
Other race alone (NH)	48	169	451	0.13%	0.21%	0.45%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)	317	1,310	3,944	0.84%	1.65%	3.95%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	649	2,009	4,521	1.72%	2.54%	4.53%
Total	37,733	79,191	99,757	100.00%	100.00%	100.00%

File:Race and ethnicity 2020 Carmel, IN.png

Map of racial distribution in Carmel, 2020 U.S. census. Each dot is one person: Template:Legend inline Template:Legend inline Template:Legend inline Template:Legend inline Template:Legend inline Template:Legend inline

According to a 2017 estimate, the median household income in the city was $109,201.

The median home price between 2013 and 2017 was $320,400.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite web</ref>

2010 census

As of the census<ref name="wwwcensusgov">Template:Cite web</ref> of 2010, there were 79,191 people, 28,997 households, and 21,855 families residing in the city. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 30,738 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the city was 85.4% White, 3.0% African American, 0.2% Native American, 8.9% Asian, 0.7% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 2.5% of the population.

There were 28,997 households, of which 41.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.6% were married couples living together, 6.3% had a female householder with no partner present, 2.4% had a male householder with no partner present, and 24.6% were non-families. 20.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.18.

The median age in the city was 39.2 years. 29.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.2% were from 25 to 44; 29.7% were from 45 to 64; and 10.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.7% male and 51.3% female.

Economy

The Meridian Corridor serves as a large concentration of corporate office space within the city. It is home to more than 40 corporate headquarters and many more regional offices. Several large companies reside in Carmel, and it serves as the national headquarters for OPENLANE (formerly KAR Global), Allegion, CNO Financial Group, MISO, and Delta Faucet.

Top employers

Template:As of, the city's 10 largest employers were:<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

#	Employer	# of employees
1	CNO Financial Group	1,600
2	GEICO	1,250
3	RCI	1,125
4	Capital Group Companies	975
5	Liberty Mutual	900
6	KAR Auction Services (Adesa)	892
7	IU Health North	800
8	Midcontinent ISO	700
9	NextGear Capital	694
10	Allegion	595

Carmel also serves as the global headquarters for several fraternities and sororities.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Arts and culture

Rollfast Gran Fondo

Indiana's only Gran Fondo, this cycling event attracts professional cyclists as well as recreational riders. In 2019, the event is the World Championship for the Gran Fondo World Tour. Each route is fully supported with food, drinks, and mechanical support.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Carmel Farmers Market

Founded in 1998, the Carmel Farmers Market is one of the largest in the state of Indiana, with over 60 vendors of Indiana-grown and/or produced edible products. The market, which is managed by an all-volunteer committee, is held each Saturday morning from mid-May through the first weekend of October on Center Green at the Palladium, the farmers market attracts over 60,000 people a year.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Carmel Monon Community Center

A water park and fitness center is the centerpiece of Carmel's Central Park.

Monon Trail

File:Carmel - Monon Trail.jpg

Monon Greenway in 2008

The Monon Greenway is a multi-use trail that is part of the Rails-to-Trails movement. It runs from 10th Street near downtown Indianapolis through Broad Ripple and then crosses into Carmel at 96th Street and continues north through 146th Street into Westfield and continues to Sheridan.

Carmel Arts & Design District

Designed to promote small businesses and local artisans, Carmel's Arts and Design District and City Center is in Old Town Carmel and flanked by Carmel High School on the east and the Monon Greenway on the west, with the state goal of celebrating the creativity and craftsmanship of the miniature art form. The district includes the Carmel Clay Public Library.<ref name="HAPLR">Template:Cite web</ref>

The district hosts several annual events and festivals. The Carmel Artomobilia Collector Car Show showcases classic, vintage, exotic and rare cars, along with art inspired by automobile design.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Every September, the Carmel International Arts Festival features a juried art exhibit of artists from around the world,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> concerts, dance performances, and hands-on activities for children.

The district includes the Museum of Miniature Houses.

Carmel City Center

Carmel City Center is a Template:Convert, $300 million, mixed-use development located in the heart of Carmel.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Carmel City Center is home to The Palladium at the Center for the Performing Arts, which includes a 1,600-seat concert hall, 500-seat theater, and 200-seat black box theater.

Shopping

Clay Terrace is one of the largest retail centers in Carmel. Other shopping areas include Carmel City Center,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Mohawk Trails Plaza, and Merchants' Square. The Carmel Arts & Design District has a number of retail establishments along Main Street, Range Line Road, 3rd Avenue, and 2nd Street.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Kawachinagano Japanese Garden

Ground was broken for the Japanese Garden south of City Hall in 2007. The garden was dedicated in 2009 as the 15th anniversary of Carmel's Sister City relationship with Kawachinagano, Japan, was celebrated.<ref name="City of Carmel, IN: History">Template:Cite web</ref> An Azumaya-style tea gazebo was constructed in 2011 and dedicated on May 2 of that year.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Great American Songbook Foundation

The Great American Songbook Foundation is the nation's only foundation and museum dedicated to preserving the music of the early to mid-1900s. The foundation is led by Michael Feinstein, who is also the artistic director of the Center for the Performing Arts.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Christkindlmarkt

Founded in 2017, under the direction of then Mayor James Brainard,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Carmel Christkindlmarkt is an open air Christmas market known for its Glühwein Pyramid, a Template:Convert structure lit with 3000 bulbs.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The market is one of Indiana's top tourist attractions hosting over 400,000 visitors annually.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Government

File:Carmel Indiana - Carmelfest (4772788604).jpg

Carmel City Hall in 2010

The government consists of a mayor and a city council. The current mayor is Sue Finkam, who has served since 2024.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Planned development

In mid-2017, the city council was considering a multimillion-dollar bond issue that would cover the cost of roundabouts, paths, roadwork, land acquisition by the Carmel Redevelopment Commission and would include the purchase of an antique carousel<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> from a Canadian amusement park for an estimated purchase price of CAD $3 million, approximately US$2.25 million.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> However, a citizen led petition drive against the purchase caused the city council to remove it from the bond issue.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

According to the Indiana Department of Local Government Finance, as of 2019 the City of Carmel had an overall debt load of $1.3 billion.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

List of mayors

No.	Portrait	Mayor	Term of office<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>	Election	Party<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
1		Albert Pickett	January 1, 1976 – January 1, 1980	1975	style="background-color:Template:Party color" |	Republican
2		Jane A. Reiman	January 1, 1980 – January 1, 1988	1979	rowspan=2 style="background-color:Template:Party color" |	Republican
				1983
3		Dorothy J. Hancock	January 1, 1988 – January 1, 1992	1987	style="background-color:Template:Party color" |	Republican
4		Ted Johnson	January 1, 1992 – January 1, 1996	1991	style="background-color:Template:Party color" |	Republican
5	File:Climate Impacts in the Midwest Becoming More Resilient (cropped).jpg	James Brainard	January 1, 1996 – January 1, 2024	1995	rowspan=7 style="background-color:Template:Party color" |	Republican
				1999
				2003
				2007
				2011
				2015
				2019
6		Sue Finkam<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>	January 1, 2024 – Incumbent	2023	style="background-color:Template:Party color" |	Republican

Education

File:Carmel Clay Public Library.jpg

Carmel Clay Public Library

Public schools

The Carmel Clay Schools<ref name="Home - Carmel Clay Schools">Template:Cite web</ref> district has 11 elementary schools (Kindergarten - Grade 5), three middle schools (Grades 6–8), and one high school (Grades 9–12).<ref name="Home - Carmel Clay Schools"/> Student enrollment for the district is above 14,500.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The elementary schools include:

• Carmel Elementary (Feeds into Carmel Middle School)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Cherry Tree Elementary (Feeds into Clay Middle School)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Clay Center Elementary (Feeds into Creekside Middle School)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• College Wood Elementary (Feeds into Creekside Middle School)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Forest Dale Elementary (Feeds into Carmel Middle School)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Mohawk Trails Elementary (Feeds into Clay Middle School)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Prairie Trace Elementary (Feeds into Clay Middle School)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Smoky Row Elementary (Feeds into Carmel Middle School)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Towne Meadow Elementary (Feeds into Creekside Middle School)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• West Clay Elementary (Feeds into Creekside Middle School)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Woodbrook Elementary (Feeds into Clay Middle School)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The middle schools include:

• Carmel Middle School<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Clay Middle School<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Creekside Middle School<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

All middle schools feed into Carmel High School.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Private schools

Carmel has several private schools, including:

• Coram Deo Academy (Kindergarten–Grade 12)
• Midwest Academy (Grades 3–12)
• Our Lady of Mount Carmel Catholic School (Kindergarten–Grade 8)
• Pilgrim Lutheran Preschool (Preschool)
• St. Elizabeth Seton Preschool (Preschool, Pre-Kindergarten, and Kindergarten)
• University High School<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> (Grades 9–12)
• Walnut Grove Christian Prep School (Kindergarten–Grade 12)

Notable people

• Bernie Allen, baseball player<ref>Bernie Allen bio at Society for American Baseball Research</ref>
• Ted Allen, television personality
• Franklin Booth, pen-and-ink artist
• Steve Chassey, IndyCar driver
• Pete Dye, golf course designer
• Alex Hall, author known for Ben Drowned (2010)
• Mark Herrmann, Purdue and NFL quarterback<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Jay Howard, British racing driver<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Steve Inskeep, host of Morning Edition, National Public Radio
• Drew Kibler, Olympic swimmer
• Kyle Krisiloff, racing driver
• Rebecca Kubacki, former Republican member of the Indiana House of Representatives
• Midwxst, rapper
• Cameron Lindley, soccer player
• Jake Lloyd, former actor known for his portrayal of young Anakin Skywalker in Star Wars: Episode I – The Phantom Menace
• Josh McRoberts, former professional basketball player for the Dallas Mavericks
• Dorothy Letterman Mengering, mother of comedian and talk show host David Letterman
• Jason Padgett, math savant
• Mike Pence, 48th vice president of the United States
• Rajeev Ram, professional tennis player, winner of 2019 Australian Open – Mixed Doubles tournament<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Matt Reiswerg (born 1980), soccer player, coach, and administrator
• Takuma Sato, Japanese racing driver
• Lee Schmidt, golf course designer
• Rob Schmitt, reporter and Fox News co-host, now host at Newsmax TV
• Aaron Shackell, Olympic swimmer
• Alex Shackell, Olympic swimmer
• Avriel Shull, architectural designer/builder and interior decorator
• Zach Trotman, former professional hockey player (Boston Bruins, Pittsburgh Penguins)
• Sheldon Vanauken, author known for A Severe Mercy (1977)
• Seema Verma, health policy consultant and former administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
• Todd Young, currently the senior United States senator from Indiana

Sister cities

Current

Carmel has six sister cities as designated by Sister Cities International.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

• Template:Flagdeco Kawachinagano, Osaka Prefecture, Japan (1994)
• Template:Flagdeco Jelgava, Semigallia, Latvia (2022)
• Template:Flagdeco Cortona, Tuscany, Italy (2022)
• Template:Flagdeco Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, India (2023)
• Template:Flagdeco Rueil-Malmaison, France (2023)
• Template:Flagdeco Seiffen, Saxony, Germany (2023)

Former

• Template:Flagdeco Xiangyang, Hubei, China (2012–2024)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

See also

• List of edge cities

External links

• Template:Official website