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Center TownshipIN

5 bordering townsMap →
Photo: Evking22 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo of Center Township

Center Township, IN · Photo: Evking22 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Source ↗

Population
155,258
2025 Census estimate · +1.1% since 2020
Median home value
$170K
Census ACS
Household income
$55K
median
Median age
32.6
years
Jobs based here
203,114
A job hub
TownGrade
C−
#551 of 585 in IN

What is it like to live in Center Township?

For a city of 155,258, Center Township does unevenly: it grades C−, 551st of 585 graded towns in Indiana. It is more walkable than 98% of U.S. towns. The trade-offs: its public schools trail 85% of Indiana towns on state tests and graduation and CDC estimates put its residents' health behind 82% of the country. History is its standout character grade: an A+, better than 100% of U.S. towns, with 193 places on the National Register. 25% of residents live below the poverty line in Center Township, against 10% in Indiana’s towns and 9.6% across U.S. towns. Its National Register listings include Benjamin Harrison House and James Whitcomb Riley House. On the outdoors, just 53 of Indiana’s 1,098 towns do better.

StrongestA+HistoryA+WalkabilityA−OutdoorsWeakestC−SchoolsC−HealthCJobs & income

What makes Center Township stand out

Where Center Township beats most towns.

14.1of 20 on EPA’s indexCar-dependentWalkable
WalkabilityA+
More walkable than 98% of U.S. towns
10.1% of workers walk, bike or ride transit
EPA National Walkability Index; Census ACS.

Jobs vs. working residents

Jobs here203,114
Residents who work69,540
Work
2.9 jobs for every working resident
A regional job hub: more jobs per worker than 98% of U.S. towns
Census LEHD 2023.
Benjamin Harrison House
Benjamin Harrison House · National Register of Historic Places
Center Township’s story

Center Township in pictures

Benjamin Harrison House is one of 6 National Historic Landmarks here, the National Register’s top tier. Its 193 National Register listings are more than in any other Indiana town with a listing.

Census counts: 117,328 in 1890, a peak of 337,211 in 1950, 153,549 in 2020. The archive holds 2 old photos and papers going back to 2009 and 5 maps from 1948 on.

Explore the history →

How Center Township grades

Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within Indiana), ordered by how far Center Township is from typical.

How grading works

WalkabilityEPA walkability 14.1 of 20; 13.3% of households have no carA+Open →SchoolsC−Open →HealthIndiana University Health 1.6 miles awayC−Open →Jobs & incomeCOpen →Cost of livingTypical home $170K, 2.1 years of the Indianapolis metro’s $80K median household incomeBOpen →Hazard riskinland flooding tops the listC+Open →
Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.
Outdoors7% conserved landA−Open →HistoryA+Open →Civic life7.2 community nonprofits per 1,000 residentsA−Open →
Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.
Climate–Open →Who lives hereMedian age 32.6–Open →

How TownRatings grades towns →

Nearby attractions

Lucas Oil Stadium and 33 more within 40 miles

Museums, parks, gardens and other places to visit around Center Township. Close and well known come first.

All 51 attractions →
Big drawin town Stadium & arenaLucas Oil Stadiumin town Stadium & arenaGainbridge Fieldhousein town LandmarkSoldiers' and Sailors' Monumentin town MuseumThe Children's Museum of Indianapolis1.0M visitors a year5 mi Stadium & arenaHinkle Fieldhousein town Zoo & aquariumIndianapolis Zoo
Sources: National Park Service · ski areas © OpenSkiMap / OpenStreetMap contributors · Wikidata · Wikipedia readership · photos via Wikimedia Commons
Photo credits

Lucas Oil Stadium: Josh Hallett from Winter Haven, FL, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 · Gainbridge Fieldhouse: Durin at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument: alexeatswhales, CC BY 2.0 · The Children's Museum of Indianapolis: HstryQT, CC BY 3.0 · Hinkle Fieldhouse: Peetlesnumber1, CC BY-SA 3.0 · Indianapolis Zoo: User:Durin-en, CC BY-SA 2.5

Getting set up

Moving to Center Township: who provides what

Who provides power, water and the rest in Center Township, and how to reach them.

The full setup list →
PowerAES Indiana14.7¢/kWh · EIA 2025HIFLD · EIA
WaterCitizens Energy GroupNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet7 providers98% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & dumpNot on file yetWe don’t have Center Township’s trash rules yet
SchoolsIndianapolis Public SchoolsWhich school depends on your addressNCES
Register to voteOnlineIn Indiana you can register online until 29 days before Election Day, in person until 29 days before Election Day, or by mail (postmarked 29 days before).vote.gov
Who runs elections hereMarion County Election BoardMarion County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Sep 2025
ZIP codes46201, 46203, 46202, 4621846201 20% · 46203 19% · 46202 14% · 46218 14%Census 2020

EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Nov 18, 2024.

The data

Ordered by what stands out in Center Township.

Center Township draws workers from Indianapolis and beyond and is healthier than towns with similar incomes, but it has poverty well above the Indiana rate.

OutdoorsA−

Center Township has set aside 7.2% of its land for conservation

29 miles of trail in 82 parks and preserves. Center Township’s trail density is 0.7 miles per square mile. Lilly Recreation Park, at 273 acres with 1.9 miles of trail, is the biggest park or preserve.

#65for trails in IN
Center TownshipIndiana townsU.S. towns
Miles of trail per square mile0.7 miles per square mile0.20.4
Conserved land7.2%1.9%4.3%
7.2%
conserved · 1,956 of 27,233 acres
29 mi
of trails · 0.7 per sq mi
Biggest places to walkTrailsAcres
1. White River State Park3.6 mi219
2. Garfield Park2.9 mi120
3. Lilly Recreation Park1.9 mi273
Full pageCenter Township’s outdoors pageOpen the page
Trail map29 miles of trail, mappedPick a walk3.6 miles of trail · White River State ParkConserved land7.2% conserved · 1,956 acres protectedQuestions“Where can I hike in Center Township?”

Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US

SchoolsC−

Center Township earns a C− for schools

Three of its 71 schools are below, each with why it’s listed.

15%of IN districts it outscoresC−School Grade
SchoolLevelStudentsLetter
Paramount BrooksideLargest public elementary schoolGrades K–8Grades K–8843B+
Arsenal Technical High SchoolLargest public high schoolGrades 9–12Grades 9–122,360D
Herron High SchoolTop results in townGrades 9–12Grades 9–12981A+
Full pageCenter Township’s schools pageOpen the page
The districtsIndianapolis Public SchoolsVs. the neighborsBehind its 5 graded neighborsEvery school71 schools · Paramount BrooksideQuestions“Are Center Township’s schools good?”

NCES · EDFacts · graded within IN on state tests and graduation

Work & commuteJobs & income grade C

About two in three of Center Township’s working residents commute to Indianapolis

203,114 jobs are based in Center Township, 2.9 for every working resident, so most of the people who work here commute in.

About one in 3 of Center Township’s working residents works in town. The median household income in Center Township is $55,000. Since 2013, Center Township has added 15,539 jobs, to 203,114 in 2023.

32%work in town
Center TownshipIndiana townsU.S. towns
Working residents who work in town32%11%8%
Work from home16%7.8%11%
Median household income$55,000$71,000$80,000

Where working residents work

In Center Township32%
Indianapolis67%
Carmel4%
Greenwood2%
Plainfield2%
7 mi
median commute distance
203,114
jobs based in Center Township
A job hub
jobs vs. working residents
A+
Walkability grade: more walkable than 98% of U.S. towns
Full pageCenter Township’s work & commute pageOpen the page
The jobs here203,114 jobs based here · A job hubWhere people work32% work in Center TownshipCommute times24 minutes · The average commuteHow far they goHalf commute less than 7 miles

Census LEHD 2023 · ACS

HealthC−

A larger share of adults worry about having enough food in Center Township than in most of Indiana or the rest of the country

Against the 7,455 U.S. towns with household incomes like Center Township’s, it is less healthy than 65%, so its C− isn’t only a matter of income.

24% of adults worry about having enough food in Center Township. Center Township beats the Indiana average on 3 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 16. 37% of adults feel lonely in Center Township.

19%healthier than U.S. townsC−Health Grade
Center TownshipIndiana townsU.S. towns
Food insecurity (CDC PLACES)24%14%14%
Feel lonely (CDC PLACES)37%32%33%
Sleep under 7 hours (CDC PLACES)41%37%36%
Frequent mental distress (CDC PLACES)20%18%17%
32 measures vs. Indiana
3 better13 too close to call16 worse
What stands outCenter TownshipIN
Fewer adults who have had cancer5.6%8.3%
Fewer adults with arthritis24.7%28.3%
More adults facing a utility shut-off14.4%8.4%
Indiana University Health
1.6 mi away · emergency room
2 of 3
care shortages: primary care, mental health
26th
percentile among IN towns
Full pageCenter Township’s health reportOpen the page
Everyday habitsMore smokersHospitals & doctors nearby1.6 miles to an ER · Indiana University HealthHow adults are doingMore adults in fair or poor healthEvery CDC estimateBetter than IN on 3 of 32

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA

Who lives here

More young adults than Indiana overall

24.7% of residents live below the poverty line, against 12.3% across Indiana, which weighs on its C for jobs and income. Only 45.8% of households own their home, against 70.6% across Indiana.

Adults 18 to 34 are 34% of residents (23% statewide); people 65 and older are 12% of residents (17% statewide). 36% of Center Township adults 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree or more.

32.6median age · IN 38.1
Center TownshipIndiana townsU.S. towns
Median age32.6 years39.5 years40.5 years
Aged 65 or older11%18%18%
Bachelor’s degree or more, 25+36%22%29%
Under 1821%23%22%
Center TownshipIndianaUnited States

Ages · share of residents

Education · adults 25 and older

No diploma15%
High school27%
Some college17%
Associate’s5%
Bachelor’s22%
Graduate14%

Women and men · all residents

49.6% women, 50.4% men

That’s an even split within the survey’s margin of ±0.9 points. Across Indiana, 50.4% of residents are women. Median age: women 32.3, men 32.8.

Ages and education in Center Township
Center TownshipINU.S.
Under 1011.1%12.4%11.6%
10 to 179.7%10.9%10.3%
18 to 2411.2%9.6%9.1%
25 to 3422.8%13.1%13.7%
35 to 4412.4%12.7%13.2%
45 to 5410.3%12%12.2%
55 to 6411%12.5%12.7%
65 to 747.2%10.1%10.2%
75 and older4.3%6.7%7%
No diploma15.1%9.6%10.4%
High school27.1%32.5%26%
Some college16.8%19.3%19.1%
Associate’s5.3%9.1%8.8%
Bachelor’s21.7%18.7%21.6%
Graduate14%10.8%14.1%
Full pageCenter Township by the numbersOpen the page
Ages32.6 median age · 12% are 65 or olderSchooling36% have a four-year degreeHomes46% own their home · HomeownersIncome$55K a year · Median household income

U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates

Climate

Center Township has four seasons and pleasant summers

Center Township has chilly winters and warm summers. July afternoons reach 85°, January nights drop to 20° and about 26 inches of snow falls in a winter.

26″snow a winter

Typical low → high °F

Winter23–39°
Spring42–63°
Summer63–83°
Fall44–65°
Oct 26
typical first frost
Apr 15
typical last frost
+0.9°
vs. the 20th-century average
Full pageCenter Township’s climate pageOpen the page
A year of weatherJuly highs 85°, January lows 20°Rain & snow26″ of snow a winter · 43 inches of rain and snow a yearHeating & coolingMostly a heating billThen and now+0.9° vs. the 20th century · Warmer than the 20th-century average

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020

Natural hazardsHazard risk grade C+

Moderate risk in Center Township, with inland flooding at the top

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 52% of U.S. communities. Since 1978, 61 flood insurance claims have been paid out in Center Township.

52risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
52Moderate riskLowerHigher
Inland floodingTornadoesEarthquakes
61
paid flood claims since 1978
Full pageCenter Township’s hazards pageOpen the page
What it facesModerate riskFlood claims61 paid flood claims · Since 1978Past disasters16 disaster declarations · Declared for the countyGet ready2.9 events a year, on average · Ready for inland flooding

FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA

Keep exploring

Everything we know about Center Township

18pages on Center Township
The big questions
SchoolsC−Behind 85% of IN districts · 71 schoolsHealthC−Better than IN on 3 of 32 CDC measuresCost of livingBWork & commuteC$55K median household income · 203,114 jobs hereNatural hazardsC+FEMA risk higher than 52% of U.S. communities · inland flooding
Out and about
OutdoorsA−29 mi of trails · 7% conserved landPlacesAttractions51 nearby · Lucas Oil Stadium under 1 miLibraryA−Spades Park Branch LibraryCollegesIndiana University-Indianapolis is 1.8 mi away
The story
HistoryA+193 on the National RegisterTown Hall & politicsOne full-time town employee per 2,389 residentsClimate85° summer highs · 26″ of snow
Day to day
NewsWeatherHandbookTown SquareNeighbors
After high school

Colleges nearby

9 within 15 miles of the center of Center Township

Indiana University-IndianapolisUniversity or college · Public · Indianapolis1.8 mi$10,762 in-state tuitionIvy Tech Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · Indianapolis2.2 mi$5,154 in-state tuitionMartin UniversityUniversity or college · Private nonprofit · Indianapolis2.4 mi

About 8 of every 100 Center Township residents are enrolled in college, against 6 across Indiana.

Prices by family income, graduation and earnings →

A job hub

Every workday, about 180,820 people come to Center Township for work

Where Center Township’s working residents go each day. Line width shows the share.

67% → Indianapolis Indianapolis 67% 4% → Carmel Carmel 4% 2% → Greenwood Greenwood 2% 2% → Plainfield Plainfield 2% 2% → Fishers Fishers 2% 1% → Lawrence Lawrence 1% Center Township · 32% stay
203,114jobs based in Center Township
32%of working residents work in town
7 mimedian commute distance

Census LEHD 2023

Landmarks

193 places in Center Township on the National Register of Historic Places.

All landmarks →
Benjamin Harrison HouseNational Historic Landmark
James Whitcomb Riley HouseNational Historic Landmark
Athenaeum (Das Deutsche Haus)Built 1893 · National Historic Landmark
Broad Ripple Park CarouselNational Historic Landmark

About Center Township

Township in Indiana, United States

Official town website ↗

Center Township is one of nine townships in Marion County, Indiana, in the United States. As of the 2020 census, its population was 153,549, up from 142,787 in 2010, and it contained 80,885 housing units. It is the most populated township in Marion County. Center Township includes downtown Indianapolis and part of Beech Grove.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

Area
43 sq mi
Elevation
715 ft

Center Township’s neighbors

5 towns share a border with Center Township.

Explore the map →

All 5 graded towns on its borders grade higher than its C−; Wayne Township (C−) is closest.

Wayne TownshipWashington TownshipWarren TownshipPerry TownshipFranklin TownshipWayne TownshipWashington TownshipWarren TownshipPerry TownshipFranklin TownshipCenter Township
Wayne Township
W
Visit
Washington Township
N
Visit
Warren Township
E
Visit
Perry Township
S
Visit
Franklin Township
SE
Visit
How the neighbors grade
TownIN rankOverallCostSafetySchoolsHealth
Center Township#551C−B—C−C−
Wayne Township#542C−B+—C−C−
Washington Township#385B−C—C−A−
Warren Township#487CB+—C−C
Perry Township#257B+B−—BB−
Franklin Township#96AB−—A−A−

Center Township, Wayne Township, Washington Township, Warren Township, Perry Township and Franklin Township report no FBI crime data of their own. Compare Center Township with a neighbor →

Questions about Center Township

Short answers, built from the data on this page.

Is Center Township, IN a good place to live?

Center Township grades C− overall, better than 19% of U.S. towns and #551 of 585 in Indiana. It grades C− for health and C− for schools. Schools is its weak spot, with a C−.

Is Center Township, IN expensive?

Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades B.