Santa Claus, Indiana | |
|---|---|
 Town Hall in Santa Claus | |
| Motto: America's Christmas Hometown | |
 Location of Santa Claus in Spencer County, Indiana. | |
| Coordinates: 38°07′00″N 86°55′46″W / 38.11667°N 86.92944°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Indiana |
| County | Spencer |
| Township | Carter, Clay, Harrison |
| Area | |
| • Total | 6.86 sq mi (17.76 km2) |
| • Land | 6.44 sq mi (16.67 km2) |
| • Water | 0.42 sq mi (1.09 km2) |
| Elevation | 449 ft (137 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 2,586 |
| • Density | 401.68/sq mi (155.09/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code | 47579 |
| Area code | 812 & 930 |
| FIPS code | 18-68022[3] |
| GNIS feature ID | 2396905[2] |
| Website | Town of Santa Claus |
Santa Claus is a town in Spencer County, Indiana, United States, in the southwestern part of the state. The population was 2,586 at the 2020 census. It is home to numerous Christmas themed attractions, including Holiday World & Splashin' Safari and Santa's Candy Castle.[2]
The town was established in 1854 and known as Santa Fe (/fiː/), but was unable to establish a post office as there was already another Santa Fe, Indiana. Several town meetings were held, during which the name Santa Claus was selected. The town has the world's only post office to bear the name of the eponymous Christmas figure. Because of this popular name, the post office receives thousands of letters to Santa from all over the world each year. A group of volunteers known as Santa's Elves ensures each child receives a reply from Santa Claus; this tradition has been in existence since at least 1914.[4] The post office also creates an annual Christmas hand-cancellation pictorial postmark for use during December, which also attracts mail from all over the world.
Santa Claus has grown substantially since the 1990 census, which recorded 927 residents. A majority of Santa Claus residents live within the gated community of Christmas Lake Village, which was developed in the late 1960s. It consists of 2,500 acres (10 km2) developed around three lakes: Christmas Lake, Lake Holly, and Lake Noel. The street names in Christmas Lake Village are all named after the Christmas season. Many residents also live in Holiday Village, a subdivision on the north side of town.
- ^ "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
- ^ a b c U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Santa Claus, Indiana
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ Wissing, Douglas (March 1, 2001). Indiana. Globe Pequot. p. 22. ISBN 9781560449065. Retrieved October 16, 2013.[permanent dead link]