Muncie, Indiana

"Muncie" redirects here. For other uses, see Muncie (disambiguation).

Muncie
City
Clockwise from top: Walnut Street Historic District, Appeal to the Great Spirit, Minnetrista Museum & Gardens, Ball State University
Flag of Muncie
Flag
Official seal of Muncie
Seal
Official logo of Muncie
Logo
Nickname: 
Middletown[1]
Location of Muncie in Delaware County, Indiana
Location of Muncie in Delaware County, Indiana
Muncie is located in Indiana
Muncie
Muncie
Muncie is located in the United States
Muncie
Muncie
Coordinates: 40°11′48″N 85°22′30″W / 40.19667°N 85.37500°W / 40.19667; -85.37500
CountryUnited States
StateIndiana
CountyDelaware
TownshipsCenter, Hamilton, Harrison, Liberty, Mount Pleasant
Founded1827
Incorporated (town)December 6, 1854
Incorporated (city)1865
Government
 • TypeMayor-Council
 • MayorDan Ridenour (R)[3]
Area
[4]
 • City27.60 sq mi (71.49 km2)
 • Land27.40 sq mi (70.98 km2)
 • Water0.20 sq mi (0.51 km2)
Elevation
[6]
935 ft (285 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • City65,194[2]
 • Density2,379.00/sq mi (918.54/km2)
 • Metro
111,903[5]
 • Demonym
Munsonian
Time zoneUTC−5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP Codes
47302–47308
Area code765
FIPS code18-51876[7]
GNIS feature ID2395138[6]
Interstate highways
  • I-69 (just west of town)
U.S. Highways
Major state roads
WaterwaysWest Fork of White River
AirportsDelaware County Regional Airport
Public transitMITS
Websitewww.cityofmuncie.com

Muncie (/ˈmʌnsi/ MUN-see) is an incorporated city and the seat of Delaware County, Indiana, United States. Previously known as Buckongahelas Town, named after the prominent Delaware Chief,[8] it is located in East Central Indiana, about 50 miles (80 km) northeast of Indianapolis.[9] At the 2020 United States Census, the city's population was 65,195, down from 70,085 in the 2010 Census. It is the principal city of the Muncie Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Delaware County. The city is also included in the Indianapolis–Carmel–Muncie, IN Combined Statistical Area.[10]

The Lenape (Delaware) people, led by Buckongahelas[8] arrived in the area in the 1790s, founding several villages, including one known as Munsee Town, along the White River. The trading post, renamed Muncietown, was selected as the Delaware County seat and platted in 1827. Its name was officially shortened to Muncie in 1845 and incorporated as a city in 1865. Muncie developed as a manufacturing and industrial center, especially after the Indiana gas boom of the 1880s. It is home to Ball State University. As a result of the Middletown studies, sociological research that was first conducted in the 1920s, Muncie is said to be one of the most studied United States cities of its size.[11]

  1. ^ Huppke, Rex (April 27, 2003). "Day of prayer turning into day of discord". Chicago Tribune. Chicago. Retrieved November 7, 2016.
  2. ^ "Muncie, Indiana QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
  3. ^ "Details".
  4. ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  5. ^ "Delaware County, Indiana QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
  6. ^ a b U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Muncie, Indiana
  7. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  8. ^ a b Flook, Chris. "Lenape Villages of Delaware County" (PDF). Delaware County PA History. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 13, 2023.
  9. ^ "Indianapolis, Indiana to Muncie, Indiana". Retrieved June 25, 2015.
  10. ^ "Indianapolis-Carmel-Muncie, IN Combined Statistical Area" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. 2012. Retrieved May 22, 2023.
  11. ^ "Center for Middletown Studies". Ball State University. Retrieved July 17, 2013.