As we barrel through the dog days of summer, Indiana’s towns are facing a complex mix of promise and pressure. Some communities are booming with new residents, rising home values, and economic growth, while others are grappling with population loss, stressed infrastructure, and budget tightening. In this week’s conversation, we sat down with local government advocate Matt Greller of Aim (Accelerate Indiana Municipalities) to unpack where things stand and what’s ahead for Hoosier towns.
Greller highlights how towns like Fishers, Carmel, and Leo-Cedarville have seen massive growth since 2010, with home values more than doubling in some places. This surge reflects Indiana’s appeal as a more affordable, family-friendly alternative to urban sprawl—especially for remote workers and climate migrants fleeing higher costs or natural disasters in other states.
But the gains are uneven. Many rural areas continue to lose residents and struggle to maintain essential services. Health care access, public broadcasting, and housing affordability are under serious strain. As Greller puts it, “We’ve got towns with momentum and others gasping for air.”…