Hamilton County | |
|---|---|
 Hamilton County courthouse in Noblesville, Indiana | |
 Seal | |
 Location within the U.S. state of Indiana | |
 Indiana's location within the U.S. | |
| Coordinates: 40°04′N 86°03′W / 40.07°N 86.05°W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Indiana |
| Founded | 1823 |
| Named for | Alexander Hamilton |
| Seat | Noblesville |
| Largest city | Carmel |
| Area | |
| • Total | 402.44 sq mi (1,042.3 km2) |
| • Land | 394.27 sq mi (1,021.2 km2) |
| • Water | 8.17 sq mi (21.2 km2) 2.03% |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 347,467 |
| • Estimate (2023) | 371,645  |
| • Density | 690/sq mi (266/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 5th |
| Website | www |
| |
Hamilton County is a county in the U.S. state of Indiana. The 2020 United States Census recorded a population of 347,467.[1] The county seat is Noblesville.
Hamilton County is part of the Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN Metropolitan Statistical Area. Since the beginning of the 21st century, Hamilton County has been the second most populous county in Central Indiana.
Hamilton County's roots are in agriculture. However, after World War II, development in Indianapolis grew northward, and cities/towns in the southern and central part of Hamilton County developed as suburbs. Residential and commercial development have replaced many farm fields, although the county's northern part remains largely agricultural. In the first decades of the 21st century, the county is one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States. According to 2007 estimates by the US Census, the county's population increased from 182,740 in 2000 to an estimated 261,661 in 2007, making it the fastest-growing county of Indiana's 92. As of the 2010 census, Hamilton County surpassed St. Joseph County in population, making it the state's fourth most populous.[2]
In 2020, Hamilton County was home to three of the state's 20 largest cities and towns: Carmel (5th), Fishers (6th), and Noblesville (12th).
Geist and Morse reservoirs are two man-made lakes in Hamilton County that offer boating, fishing, and waterfront living.
In June 2008, Hamilton County was named America's Best Place to Raise a Family by Forbes.com[3] due to its strong economy, affordable living, top-ranked schools, and close proximity to Indianapolis. The city of Carmel in southwestern Hamilton County was designated CNN Money's top place to live in 2013[4] and in 2017, the city of Fishers was named best place to live.[5]
- ^ "Hamilton County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 8, 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
- ^ "Hamilton takes top spot in county headcount". The Indianapolis Star. Gannett Company. March 21, 2008. Retrieved March 31, 2008.[dead link]
- ^ "In Depth: America's Best Places To Raise A Family - Forbes.com". Forbes. Archived from the original on March 3, 2016.
- ^ "Top Places to Live 2013".[dead link]
- ^ Lim, Christine (September 15, 2017). "Fishers, Indiana is MONEY's No. 1 Best Place to Live in America 2017". Money.com. Archived from the original on August 10, 2020. Retrieved July 17, 2018.