Greenwood, Indiana

Greenwood is a city in Johnson County, Indiana, United States. The population was 49,791 at the 2010 Census,[7] and increased to 59,458 in the Census 2019 estimates.[8] Greenwood is located between Indiana State Road 37 and Interstate 65. The city shares a border with Indianapolis and is the most populous suburban municipality in the southern portion of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Area.

For the unincorporated community in Wayne County, see Greenwood, Wayne County, Indiana.

Greenwood, Indiana
City
Greenwood City Hall
Location of Greenwood in Johnson County, Indiana
Coordinates: 39°36′41″N 86°07′05″W
CountryUnited States
StateIndiana
CountyJohnson
TownshipsPleasant, White River, Clark
Government
 • MayorMark W. Myers [1]
Area
 • Total27.91 sq mi (72.28 km2)
 • Land27.91 sq mi (72.28 km2)
 • Water0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
804 ft (245 m)
Population
 • Total49,791
 • Estimate 
(2019)[4]
59,458
 • Density2,130.58/sq mi (822.63/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP codes
46142-46143
Area code(s)317
FIPS code18-29898[5]
GNIS feature ID0435464[6]
Websitewww.greenwood.in.gov

History

The first inhabitants of the area currently known as Greenwood were the Delaware Indians (Lenape). In 1818, the Treaty of St. Mary's opened central Indiana to European American settlement, and by 1823 the first cabin in northern Johnson County was erected by settlers John B. and Isaac Smock on land now occupied by Greenwood Park Mall.[9] Greenwood was first known as "Smocktown" or "Smock's Settlement" in honor of the Smock brothers, and became "Greenfield" in 1825. Since this clashed with another Greenfield located in Hancock County, the name of the settlement was changed to "Greenwood" in 1833.[10]

Greenwood was incorporated as a town under Indiana law in 1864.[11]

Greenwood was an early and key cog in the Electric Indianapolis Interurban Railway System. In 1895, Henry L. Smith proposed and organized the Indianapolis, Greenwood & Franklin Company and graded the line to Greenwood. The Indianapolis, Greenwood & Franklin Railway was opened between Indianapolis and Greenwood on January 1, 1900 and, according to Indianapolis historian Jacob Piatt Dunn, was the Hoosier capital's first real interurban electric railway.[12] The railway followed what is now Madison Avenue.

The J.T. Polk Canning Company was essential to Greenwood's early growth. The cannery was a major employer and canned a variety of vegetables grown in Indiana. Later, the company expanded into the dairy market and provided milk delivery to customers. At one point the cannery was the largest canning operation west of Baltimore.[9] The cannery was eventually purchased by the Stokely-Van Camp company and retained operations in Greenwood until the 1950s. Portions of the cannery are still standing on Main Street and have been repurposed for professional office space.[13]

Greenwood became a fifth-class city in 1960.[14]

In 1965, an Indiana Civil Rights Commission report found that Greenwood had recently been one of 19 sundown towns in Indiana, where African Americans were not allowed to live or stay after dark. The city had been exclusively white since the 1920s.[15][16]

Greenwood Commercial Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. This district encompasses 25 buildings and 32 acres (13 hectares).[17]

In 2010, the Greenwood City Council approved a measure to change the official status of Greenwood to second class city in accordance with Indiana Code Title 36, Article 4, Chapter 1.[18]

Geography and transportation

Greenwood is in northern Johnson County and occupies the northern half of Pleasant Township and the northeast portion of White River Township. The easternmost edge of Greenwood extends into Clark Township. It is bordered to the southwest by Bargersville, to the south by Whiteland and New Whiteland, and to the north, in Marion County, by the city of Indianapolis. Greenwood is 11 miles (18 km) south of Downtown Indianapolis and 12 miles (19 km) north of Franklin, the Johnson county seat.

According to the 2010 census, Greenwood has a total area of 21.231 square miles (54.99 km2), of which 21.23 square miles (54.99 km2) (or 100%) is land and 0.001 square miles (0.00 km2) (or 0%) is water.[19]

Bodies of water

There are no navigable bodies of water within city limits. Several creeks run through the area and influence local drainage patterns, topography, and storm water management systems. Pleasant Run Creek flows from east to west across the northern half of the city, leading 5 miles (8 km) to the White River. Several municipal parks occupy the lowlands next to the creek. Grassy Creek and Tracy Ditch flow south from the city, connecting Greenwood to the towns of New Whiteland, Whiteland, and Franklin. Honey Creek originates in the southwest section of the city and after flowing through White River Township eventually joins the White River near the intersection of Smith Valley Road and Highway 37.[20]

Road and street network

According to Greenwood's most recent Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, there were 209.6 miles (337.3 km) of public streets within the city limits as of 2015.[21]

Major east-west arterial routes in Greenwood are not numbered and include County Line Road, Fry Road, Main Street, Smith Valley Road, Stop 18 Road, and Worthsville Road. Greenwood's system of east-west streets and roads link residents and businesses in White River Township with the business and neighborhoods adjacent to Interstate 65.

Most major north-south corridors in Greenwood are numbered and are not property of the city. U.S. 31, State Road 135, and Interstate 65 serve as the major north-south routes in the city. Greenwood owns and maintain three secondary corridors east of U.S. 31: Madison Avenue connects the Greenwood Park Mall to the Old Town Historic District; Emerson Avenue serves as a major commercial and business corridor and connects St. Francis Hospital in Indianapolis to Smith Valley Road; and Graham Road, located east of Interstate 65, connects County Line Road to Worthsville Road and serves several large distribution centers.

Interstate access

As of 2019, three exits connect Greenwood to Interstate 65. The most recently constructed interchange, Exit 97 - Worthsville Road, features a diverging diamond traffic design. It is one of two such installations in Indiana.[22] The remaining two interchanges, Exit 99 - Main Street and Exit 101 - County Line Road, use conventional diamond and parclo A4 configurations, respectively. All three interchanges serve major commercial and industrial zones in the city.

Airport

Railroad

Freight rail service is provided by the Louisville and Indiana Railroad (LIRC). The LIRC line traverses Greenwood from north to south and roughly parallels U.S. 31 and Interstate 65.

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
1880448—
189086292.4%
19001,50374.4%
19101,6087.0%
19201,90718.6%
19302,37724.6%
19402,4995.1%
19503,06622.7%
19607,169133.8%
197011,86965.6%
198019,32762.8%
199026,26535.9%
200036,03737.2%
201049,79138.2%
2019 (est.)59,458[4]19.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[23]

2010 Census

As of the census[3] of 2010, there were 49,791 people, 19,615 households, and 12,845 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,345.3 inhabitants per square mile (905.5/km2). There were 21,339 housing units at an average density of 1,005.1 per square mile (388.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 91.1% White, 1.7% African American, 0.3% Native American, 3.7% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 2.1% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.0% of the population.

There were 19,615 households, of which 35.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.2% were married couples living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.5% were non-families. 27.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.09.

The median age in the city was 34 years. 26.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 29.8% were from 25 to 44; 23.1% were from 45 to 64; and 11.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.4% male and 51.6% female.

2000 Census

As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 36,037 people, 14,931 households, and 9,600 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,524.8 people per square mile (975.0/km2). There were 16,042 housing units at an average density of 1,123.9 per square mile (434.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.54% White, 0.44% African American, 0.19% Native American, 1.36% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.69% from other races, and 0.74% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.91% of the population.

There were 14,931 households, out of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.0% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.7% were non-families. 29.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.97.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.3% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 32.1% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 12.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $46,176, and the median income for a family was $57,298. Males had a median income of $40,291 versus $28,936 for females. The per capita income for the city was $23,003. About 4.6% of families and 7.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.5% of those under age 18 and 9.4% of those age 65 or over

Economic environment

Craft breweries

Three craft breweries are located within Greenwood. Oaken Barrel Brewing Co. has called Greenwood home since its opening in 1994. Oaken Barrel is the second oldest brewpub in Indiana.[24] Planetary Brewing established a production center and tasting room for Greenwood customers in 2013.[25] The city is also home to Mashcraft Brewing Company. Mashcraft operates a taproom on State Road 135.[26]

Education

Educational attainment

91.1% of Greenwood residents are high school graduates or higher. 26.1% of residents have attained a bachelor's degree or higher.[27]

Public schools

Three public school corporations serve Greenwood residents:[28] Greenwood Community School Corporation,[29] Clark-Pleasant Community School Corporation,[30] and Center Grove Community School Corporation.[31]

Greenwood Community School Corporation

High school: Greenwood Community High School

Middle school: Greenwood Community Middle School

Elementary schools:

  • Southwest Elementary School
  • Northeast Elementary School
  • V.O. Isom Elementary School
  • Westwood Elementary School

Clark-Pleasant Community School Corporation

High school: Whiteland Community High School

Middle school: Clark-Pleasant Middle School

Elementary schools:

  • Clark Elementary School
  • Grassy Creek Elementary School
  • Pleasant Crossing Elementary School

Center Grove Community School Corporation

High school: Center Grove High School

Middle schools:

  • Center Grove Middle School Central
  • Center Grove Middle School North

Elementary schools:

  • Center Grove Elementary School
  • North Grove Elementary School
  • Pleasant Grove Elementary School
  • Sugar Grove Elementary School
  • Maple Grove Elementary School
  • Walnut Grove Elementary School

Private schools
  • Our Lady of Greenwood – Preschool – 8th grade[32]
  • St. Francis and Clare Catholic School – Preschool – 8th grade[33]
  • Greenwood Christian Academy – K-12[34]
  • Suburban Christian School – Preschool – 12th grade[35]

Public library

The city is served by the Greenwood Public Library.[36] The Johnson County Public Library also operates a separate branch within Greenwood city limits.[37]

See also

References
  1. "About the Mayor". Greenwood.gov. Greenwood City Council. Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  2. "2019 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 16, 2020.
  3. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 11, 2012.
  4. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". United States Census Bureau. May 24, 2020. Retrieved May 27, 2020.
  5. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  6. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  7. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Census Summary File 1 (G001): Greenwood city, Indiana". American Factfinder. U.S. Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved May 18, 2018.
  8. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved July 30, 2019.
  9. "Story Map Tour". Retrieved October 24, 2016.
  10. "History of Greenwood Timeline". Retrieved June 8, 2020.
  11. Branigin, Elba L. (1913). History of Johnson County, Indiana. B. F. Bowen & Company. p. 531.
  12. "The Economic and Social Impact of the Electric Interurban Railways on Indianapolis: A Sketch for a Portrait" (PDF). www.indianahistory.org.
  13. "Greenwood". The Polis Center. Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
  14. "GREATER SOUTHEAST". polis.iupui.edu/. IUPUI. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
  15. Reed, Robert (March 28, 1965). "Report shows Greenwood had a 'sundown' law..." The Daily Journal. Franklin, Indiana. p. 1 – via Newspapers.com. The progressive city of Greenwood is one of 19 Indiana communities that once had an unwritten 'sundown law' forbidding Negroes to be in town after dark according to the Indiana Civil Rights Commission. ... The Civil Rights Commission noted that several Negroes lived in Greenwood until the 1920s. Several were highly respected and one graduated from Greenwood high school. Since then the town has been exclusively white.
  16. "Indiana's "Sundown Ordinances" - Fact or Fiction?". Indiana Civil Rights Commission. Indianapolis, Indiana. February 1965. p. 1. A Study of "Sundown Ordinances" in Nineteen Indiana Towns and Cities.
  17. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  18. "Growing central Indiana suburbs mull class status". www.ibj.com. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
  19. "G001 – Geographic Identifiers – 2010 Census Summary File 1". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  20. "Greenwood City Maps". City of Greenwood.
  21. "2015 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report" (PDF). City of Greenwood.
  22. "Diverging diamond interchange in Greenwood is only the second in Indiana". Retrieved August 5, 2016.
  23. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  24. Brown, Alex. "Expansion Brewing in Greenwood". Retrieved August 3, 2016.
  25. "About". Planetary Brewing Co. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
  26. "MashCraft Brewing Company in Greenwood, In". MashCraft Brewing Company. Retrieved August 3, 2016.
  27. "High school graduate or higher, percent of persons age 25 years+, 2010–2014". www.census.gov. Retrieved July 15, 2016.
  28. "SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP (2010 CENSUS): Johnson County, IN." U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on December 5, 2016.
  29. Administrator. "Home". gws.k12.in.us. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
  30. "Clark-Pleasant Community School Corporation". www.cpcsc.k12.in.us. Retrieved July 5, 2016.
  31. "Center Grove Community School Corporation / Overview". centergrove.k12.in.us. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
  32. "Our Lady of the Greenwood Catholic School". ol-g.org. Archived from the original on January 27, 2015. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
  33. "Saints Francis: Home". ssfcschool.org. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
  34. "Greenwood Christian Academy". gcak12.org. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
  35. "Suburban Christian School". suburbanbaptist.org. Retrieved January 27, 2015.
  36. "Indiana public library directory" (PDF). Indiana State Library. Retrieved March 8, 2018.
  37. "Locations and hours". Johnson County Public Library. Retrieved March 8, 2018.
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