There are three major races in America that come to most of our minds right away:
- White
- Hispanic
- African American
But those are only the major races, there’s a whole bunch of other races people are interested in knowing about.
And today, we are going to look at the percent of the population in Indiana that are Native American.
Native Americans are not a major portion of the current American Population, but they are still very important.
There are now over 2 million people who identify as Native American living in America, making up .65% of the total population. According to the most recent American Community Survey, the Native American population in Indiana is 12,148 – at 0.2% of the total population of Indiana.
So, what how does the Native American population stratify across Indiana? Which cities and towns in Indiana have seen the greatest increase in their Native American population?
Which city in Indiana had the largest Native American population?
Peru took the number one over all spot for the largest Native American population in Indiana for 2019. 1.45% of Peru identify as Native American.
Read on below to see how we crunched the numbers and how your town ranked.
To see where Indiana ranked as a state on diversity, we have a ranking of the most diverse states in America.
And if you already knew these places were Native American, check out the best places to live in Indiana or the most diverse places in Indiana.
For more Indiana reading, check out:
- These Are The 10 Best Counties To Live In Indiana
- 10 Cheapest Places To Live In Indiana
- 10 Best Places To Raise A Family In Indiana
How We Determined The Cities In Indiana With The Largest Native American Population For 2019
We still believe in the accuracy of data — especially from the census. So that’s where we went to get the breakdown of race across Indiana.
That lead us to the Census’s most recently available data, the 2013-2017 American Community Survey data from the US Census.
Specifically, we looked at table B03002: Hispanic OR LATINO ORIGIN BY RACE. Here are the category names as defined by the Census:
- Hispanic or Latino
- White alone*
- Black or African American alone*
- American Indian and Alaska Native alone*
- Asian alone*
- Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone*
- Some other race alone*
- Two or more races*
Our particular column of interest here was the number of people who identified as American Indian and Alaska Native alone.
We limited our analysis to places with a population greater than 5,000 people. That left us with 113 cities.
We then calculated the percent of residents that are American Indian and Alaska Native. The percentages ranked from 1.45% to 0.0%.
Finally, we ranked each city based on the percent of American Indian and Alaska Native population with a higher score being more American Indian and Alaska Native than a lower score. Peru took the distinction of being the most American Indian and Alaska Native, while Ellettsville was the least Native American city.
Read on for more information on how the cities in Indiana ranked by population of American Indian and Alaska Native residents or, for a more general take on diversity in America, head over to our ranking of the most diverse cities in America.
/10
Population: 11,510
% Native American: 1.45%
# Of Native American Residents: 167
Percent Change Since 2010: 24.63%
More on Peru: Real Estate | Data | Photos
Peru is a city in, and the county seat of, Miami County, Indiana, United States. The population was 11,417 at the 2010 census, making it the most populous city in Miami County. Peru is located along the Wabash River, which divides the city in two.

I was born in Peru Indiana. It is the least happy and most backward town I have ever lived in. The residents are mean. There is nothing to do. The education system there stinks.
The best place in Peru is probably the local pizza joint. The worst place was the high school.
/10
Population: 6,059
% Native American: 1.22%
# Of Native American Residents: 74
Percent Change Since 2010: 289.47%
More on Rochester: Real Estate | Data | Photos
Rochester is a city in, and the county seat of, Fulton County, Indiana, United States. The population was 6,218 at the 2010 census.
/10
Population: 6,695
% Native American: 0.66%
# Of Native American Residents: 44
Percent Change Since 2010: 37.5%
More on North Vernon: Real Estate | Data
North Vernon is a city in Jennings County, Indiana, United States. The population was 6,728 at the 2010 census.





I live in north Vernon and it’s a nice place to live. The house you shown is an older couple whom can’t afford to have their home upkeep. So please take pictures across the street and the surrounding neighborhood! We have good schools good neighborhoods as well as rough neighborhoods like other cities. Check into the surrounding cities, like Austin, Scottsburg, then rate North Vernon!
/10
Population: 7,295
% Native American: 0.62%
# Of Native American Residents: 45
Percent Change Since 2010: 80.0%
More on Tell City: Real Estate | Data | Photos
Tell City is a city in Troy Township, Perry County, in the U.S. state of Indiana, along the Ohio River. The population was 7,272 at the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of Perry County.
/10
Population: 28,573
% Native American: 0.54%
# Of Native American Residents: 153
Percent Change Since 2010: 2960.0%
More on Hobart: Real Estate | Data | Photos
Hobart is a city in Lake County, Indiana, United States. The population was 29,059 at the 2010 census. Although it has been historically primarily residential, recent annexation has added a significant retail corridor to the city.
/10
Population: 48,582
% Native American: 0.44%
# Of Native American Residents: 216
Percent Change Since 2010: -23.67%
More on Mishawaka: Real Estate | Data | Photos
Mishawaka is a city on the St. Joseph River, in Penn Township, St. Joseph County, in the U.S. state of Indiana. The population was 48,252 as of the 2010 census. Its nickname is ‘the Princess City.’

I grew up roughly half an hour away from Mishawaka and also lived there for two years as an adult so I have some experience with the area. The shopping is fantastic and that’s about the only good thing I can say. There are many decent hotel and restaurant options for people who are traveling.
The apartments are extremely overpriced for what they are and have largely negative reviews. Crime rates have gone up in recent years. Many rich people like to shop in this area and they tend to be confrontational and rude.
/10
Population: 10,272
% Native American: 0.43%
# Of Native American Residents: 44
Percent Change Since 2010: -78.33%
More on Wabash: Real Estate | Data | Photos
Wabash is a city in Noble Township, Wabash County, in the U.S. state of Indiana. The population was 10,666 at the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of Wabash County.
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Population: 16,077
% Native American: 0.39%
# Of Native American Residents: 63
Percent Change Since 2010: 133.33%
More on Dyer: Real Estate | Data | Photos
Dyer is a town in St. John Township, Lake County, Indiana, United States. The population was 16,390 at the 2010 census. It lies in the Chicago metropolitan area, 30 miles southeast of The Chicago Loop, and 12 miles from Chicago-s south side.





I live in Dyer and go to Lake Central High School. Its honestly one of the best places in the state.
/10
Population: 16,075
% Native American: 0.39%
# Of Native American Residents: 62
Percent Change Since 2010: 244.44%
More on Crawfordsville: Real Estate | Data | Photos
Crawfordsville is a city in Union Township, Montgomery County, in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 15,915. The city is the county seat of Montgomery County. It is home to Wabash College, which was ranked by Forbes as #12 in the United States for undergraduate studies in 2008.
/10
Population: 55,459
% Native American: 0.37%
# Of Native American Residents: 205
Percent Change Since 2010: 150.0%
More on Greenwood: Real Estate | Data | Photos
Greenwood is a city in Johnson County, Indiana, United States. The population was 49,791 at the 2010 Census, and increased to 56,545 in the Census 2016 estimates. Greenwood is located between Indiana State Road 37 and Interstate 65. The city shares a border with Indianapolis and is the most populous suburb in the southern portion of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Area. The current Mayor of Greenwood is Nicolas A. Dietz.
There You Have It – Native American Populations Across Indiana
If you’re looking for a breakdown of Native American populations across Indiana according to the most recent data, this is an accurate list.
If you’re curious enough, here are the least Native American places in Indiana:
- Ellettsville
- New Whiteland
- Nappanee
For more Indiana reading, check out:
- Best Places To Buy A House In Indiana
- These Are The 10 Best Places To Retire In Indiana
- These Are The 10 Richest Cities In Indiana
- 10 Safest Places In Indiana
What Are The Most Native American Places In Indiana?
Rank | City | % Native American |
---|---|---|
1 | Peru | 1.45% |
2 | Rochester | 1.22% |
3 | North Vernon | 0.66% |
4 | Tell City | 0.62% |
5 | Hobart | 0.54% |
6 | Mishawaka | 0.44% |
7 | Wabash | 0.43% |
8 | Dyer | 0.39% |
9 | Crawfordsville | 0.39% |
10 | Greenwood | 0.37% |
11 | South Bend | 0.35% |
12 | Schererville | 0.35% |
13 | Bedford | 0.34% |
14 | La Porte | 0.33% |
15 | Carmel | 0.31% |
16 | New Albany | 0.31% |
17 | Boonville | 0.3% |
18 | Portland | 0.3% |
19 | Highland | 0.29% |
20 | Madison | 0.28% |
21 | Kokomo | 0.28% |
22 | Bloomington | 0.27% |
23 | Frankfort | 0.27% |
24 | Evansville | 0.26% |
25 | Terre Haute | 0.26% |
26 | Valparaiso | 0.25% |
27 | Anderson | 0.24% |
28 | Columbus | 0.23% |
29 | Warsaw | 0.23% |
30 | Richmond | 0.23% |
31 | West Lafayette | 0.22% |
32 | Merrillville | 0.21% |
33 | Westville | 0.21% |
34 | East Chicago | 0.2% |
35 | Munster | 0.2% |
36 | Martinsville | 0.2% |
37 | Lake Station | 0.2% |
38 | Shelbyville | 0.19% |
39 | Indianapolis | 0.19% |
40 | Avon | 0.19% |
41 | Hartford City | 0.18% |
42 | Michigan City | 0.18% |
43 | Huntington | 0.18% |
44 | Scottsburg | 0.18% |
45 | Gary | 0.17% |
46 | Brownsburg | 0.17% |
47 | Chesterton | 0.16% |
48 | Portage | 0.15% |
49 | Fort Wayne | 0.15% |
50 | Clarksville | 0.15% |
51 | Noblesville | 0.15% |
52 | Zionsville | 0.14% |
53 | Lawrence | 0.14% |
54 | Lafayette | 0.13% |
55 | Hammond | 0.11% |
56 | Cedar Lake | 0.11% |
57 | Seymour | 0.1% |
58 | St. John | 0.1% |
59 | New Castle | 0.1% |
60 | Vincennes | 0.1% |
61 | Columbia City | 0.1% |
62 | Logansport | 0.1% |
63 | Elkhart | 0.1% |
64 | Goshen | 0.1% |
65 | New Haven | 0.09% |
66 | Washington | 0.09% |
67 | Speedway | 0.09% |
68 | Plainfield | 0.08% |
69 | Jeffersonville | 0.08% |
70 | Elwood | 0.08% |
71 | Kendallville | 0.06% |
72 | Brazil | 0.06% |
73 | Marion | 0.06% |
74 | Muncie | 0.05% |
75 | Beech Grove | 0.04% |
76 | Crown Point | 0.04% |
77 | Griffith | 0.03% |
78 | Garrett | 0.03% |
79 | Alexandria | 0.02% |
80 | Franklin | 0.0% |
81 | Bluffton | 0.0% |
82 | Greenfield | 0.0% |
83 | Charlestown | 0.0% |
84 | Greensburg | 0.0% |
85 | Lowell | 0.0% |
86 | Linton | 0.0% |
87 | Tipton | 0.0% |
88 | Lebanon | 0.0% |
89 | North Manchester | 0.0% |
90 | Huntingburg | 0.0% |
91 | Batesville | 0.0% |
92 | Jasper | 0.0% |
93 | Auburn | 0.0% |
94 | Angola | 0.0% |
95 | Yor | 0.0% |
96 | Greencastle | 0.0% |
97 | Sellersburg | 0.0% |
98 | Connersville | 0.0% |
99 | Monticello | 0.0% |
100 | Salem | 0.0% |