When it comes to immigration and Indiana, the conversation should be less about politics and more about simple math.
According to the latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau for 2023, Indiana’s population growth continues to flatline posing a major threat to our communities and economy if urgent action isn’t taken. Many rural counties across the state are seeing their populations dwindle, particularly at the typical working-age of 15 to 64. Meaning, any population growth occurring in Indiana is largely happening in metropolitan areas.
In fact, the working-age population of all rural counties in Indiana peaked in 2010 with 298,000 people, decreasing precipitously to 278,000 as of 2020, according to a recent report by FWD.us. Dismally, projections indicate a further decline to 252,000 by 2040.
Given the existing worker shortages, this trend could have catastrophic effects on Indiana’s communities and economy. Gov. Holcomb’s call for Congress to allow states to sponsor immigrants aligns with the need to address growing worker shortages. This approach not only serves community needs, but also positions our state to excel in emerging industries like semiconductors and artificial intelligence, strengthening its role as a research and innovation hub.