There is a matrix of data from the Census Bureau’s 2024 America Community Survey for each of Indiana’s 9 congressional districts (CDs). Briefly, I’ll report some of what is different among the districts. I’ll assume you know where these districts are located or you have the map attached below.

While the 9 districts each started with approximately 11.1% of the state’s population in 2022, different growth rates have left CD5 with 11.4% of the population and CD2 with 10.9%. One half of one [percent of Indiana’s population equals 346,000 persons. It will be 2032 before any imbalance is rectified.

The data on race is close to meaningless since only how many races a person reports is shown. That is, in CD8 (basically southwest Indiana) 94%of residents were reported as being of one race with the balance being of two or more races. What those races might be is not provided. In CD7 (the majority of Marion County), 88% were of one race and the balance of two or more races. The most we can gather from this is the population of northern Marion County is, in one sense, more diverse then the population of CD8.

Many people say, economically and demographically growth comes from the population 25 to 44. Thus, CD7 is where we should have the highest expectations as 31% of that area are in that age group. Only 25% of CD1 and CD8 are between 25 and 44 years old. But given its location, aren’t those younger people in CD7 likely to move to surrounding districts as rewards of their productivity?

From TV commercials, we might imagine households as being married couples with children under age 18. Only in 51% of the households of CD4 is that the case, with just 34% of CD7 households fitting that description.

Looking for persons with graduate or professional degrees? They are 16% of persons 25 and older in CD5, but only 8% of CD8. And in CD5 you’ll find 45% of the employed population 16 and older are in management, business, science and arts occupations. That figure is only 33% in CD3.

If your search is for the highest median household income, in 2024 it was $80,542 in CD5; the lowest was 64,843 in CD7. Income is derived from earnings from current work, retirement from past work, Social Security and other sources. The highest mean (average) earnings were $117,520 in CD5 where 77% had earnings; CD2 had the lowest mean earnings at $88,345 with 76% having earnings. By contrast, in CD7 with its younger population, 82% had earnings averaging $91,601.

These data and more should be considered by Congressional candidates and their supporters. That may be asking a lot. From the behavior of our present Congress, numeracy and literacy are valued less than subservience.
Morton J. Marcus is an economist formerly with the Kelley School of Business at Indiana University. His column appears in Indiana newspapers, and his views can be followed his podcast.

© 2026 Morton J. Marcus

-30-