Indiana is the 38th largest state in the US, with an estimated population of 6.7 million people. It is a relatively sparsely populated state, with an average population density of 181 people per square mile. However, the population density of Indiana's 92 counties varies significantly. In this article, we will take a look at the population densities of each of Indiana's counties, and explore what factors contribute to the variation.
The Highest Population Density Counties in Indiana
The county with the highest population density in Indiana is Marion County, with a population density of 2,433 people per square mile. This is far above the state average, and is largely due to the city of Indianapolis, which is located in Marion County and accounts for much of the population in the county. The second highest population density county is Lake County, which has a population density of 1,390 people per square mile. Like Marion County, Lake County's population is largely concentrated in one city (in this case, Gary).
The third highest population density county in Indiana is Allen County, with a population density of 1,142 people per square mile. Allen County is home to the city of Fort Wayne, which is the second largest city in the state and accounts for much of the population density in the county. The fourth highest population density county is St. Joseph County, with a population density of 1,068 people per square mile. This county's population is largely concentrated in the city of South Bend, which is home to the University of Notre Dame.
The Lowest Population Density Counties in Indiana
In stark contrast to the highest population density counties in Indiana, the county with the lowest population density in the state is Randolph County, with a population density of just 48 people per square mile. Randolph County is located in the east-central part of the state and is largely rural, accounting for its low population density. The second lowest population density county is Newton County, which has a population density of just 53 people per square mile. Newton County is located in the northwest corner of the state and is also largely rural.
The third lowest population density county in Indiana is Clay County, with a population density of just 58 people per square mile. Clay County is located in the western part of the state and is also largely rural. The fourth lowest population density county is Sullivan County, with a population density of just 63 people per square mile. Sullivan County is located in the southwestern part of the state and is also largely rural.
Factors Contributing to Population Density Variation
The population density of each county in Indiana is largely determined by the number of people living in each county and the available land area in each county. Counties with larger cities tend to have higher population densities, as these cities attract people from all over the state and the surrounding areas. On the other hand, counties with less urbanization tend to have lower population densities, as there is less of a draw for people to move to these areas.
In addition to urban