Carmel, Indiana is a fast-growing, economically-thriving suburban edge city on the North Side of Indianapolis. Home to about 86,000 residents (2013), the once sleepy suburban community has been transformed over the past 20 years by ambitious redevelopment projects that have led to the making of a vibrant city that is no longer simply a place to sleep at night.
The City of Carmel spans 47 square miles across Clay Township in Hamilton County. The City is bordered by the White River to the east; Michigan Road (U.S. 421) and the county line to the west; 96th Street to the south and 146th Street to the north. Known for its highly educated and affluent population, Carmel households have average median income levels of $107,505 and the median average price of a home is $293,600, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
With excellent schools, low taxes, safe neighborhoods and ease of transportation, Carmel has emerged as one of the most coveted places to live, not just in Indiana, but in the United States. In 2012, CNN Money Magazine named Carmel the No. 1 place to live in America (for cities ranging from 50,000 to 300,000 in population.
From border to border, Carmel is known for its distinct residential neighborhoods, rich in architectural diversity, including many beautiful estates that have attracted many of Indiana’s noteworthy citizens, including the owners of professional sports franchises, corporate CEO’s, professional athletes and at one point the Vice President of the United States.
In addition, a progressive city government has adopted a new-urbanism approach to planning, welcoming in certain city areas a high-density approach to development. This has attracted a growing number of apartments and condominium developments designed to cater to a younger population just starting out in their careers and a place for our seasoned citizens who are seeking empty-nester living. Such developments are also benefitting from the City’s approach to walkability, where a system of trails and bike-lanes have made Carmel one of the most bike-friendly communities in Indiana. Many residents can live, work, shop and enjoy entertainment without using their cars.
An Arts & Design District spans several city blocks and includes art galleries, restaurants and shops, along with the Indiana Design Center. The area continues to evolve within the oldest part of the city, which had been in decline for many years.
A beautiful Center for the Performing Arts with the world-class, 1,600-seat Palladium concert hall; two separate theaters; and the home of Grammy Award winning performer Michael Feinstein and his Great American Songbook Initiative.
A comprehensive system of multi-use trails, miles of dedicated bicycle lanes on city streets and more than 500 acres of park land – including the Monon Community Center with its outdoor water park that attracts thousands of visitors from across the state.
More than 80 roundabouts – the most of any city in America – have replaced many traffic signals and 4-way stops throughout the community, making Carmel one of the most commuter-friendly cities in America. Roundabouts have become highly regarded by federal highway safety officials and have become a preferred option for cities across America because roundabouts greatly reduce the number of accidents with injury.
The development of several high-density employment centers – including Indiana’s second highest concentration of office workers – the U.S. 31corridor – has helped Carmel attract more than 40 corporate headquarters of major companies that do business worldwide. Most recently, in 2013, GEICO established its first major corporate center in Indiana in Carmel; NextGear Capital opened a new headquarters and made plans to expand its workforce; Baldwin & Lyons, Inc. relocated its headquarters to Carmel; and American Specialty Health announced plans to move its corporate headquarters from San Diego, CA, to Carmel. These announcements will increase Carmel’s workforce six percent during the next five years.
The City of Carmel has been recognized with numerous awards and ratings for its programs and services.
Carmel ranked #1 Best Place to Live in America by CNN Money Magazine in 2012 for cities with a population between 50,000 and 300,000.
Carmel was ranked #1 Best Town for Young Families based on public school rating, median home value, ongoing cost of home ownership, median income and economic growth.
Forbes: The Surprising Cities Creating The Most Tech Jobs – (11-20-13) – Read the full story about the Indy-Carmel metro region ranking 9th in the nation for the creation of high tech jobs.
CNBC voted Indianapolis/Carmel “Best Cities to Relocate to in America"
Carmel voted #14 best place to live by CNN Money Magazine
Carmel Utilities received water quality awards from the Indiana Department of Health.
City’s annual Arbor Day program won International Society of Arborculture’s highest award – the Gold Leaf Award.
The Keystone Parkway project received an Engineering Excellence Award from the American Council of Engineering Excellence.
The U.S. Conference of Mayors awarded the “Climate Protection Award” to Carmel for its roundabout program and other environmental initiatives.
The League of American Bicyclists designated Carmel a Bicycle Friendly Community at the bronze level — an award presented to communities with remarkable commitments to bicycling.
Urban Forestry awards and grants
Homes in Carmel, Indiana offer a wide array of living options designed to accommodate your lifestyle. From condos on the Monon Trail and custom-built luxury homes on the golf course to many wonderful subdivisions in Carmel, starting in the mid-high $100,000s. Carmel is a popular choice for many homebuyers and builders in the Indianapolis area.
The average price of homes for sale in Carmel ranges from the mid- to upper-$200,000s. Condos in Carmel start near $100,000 and up to 1 million for a luxury condo in the heart of Carmel City Center.
Located in the southern portion of Hamilton County and north of Indianapolis, Carmel, Indiana encompasses approximately 39 square miles. With a population of just over 53,000, the median age of residents is in the mid- to upper-30s. Average household income is almost $90,000, making the community one of the more affluent areas flanking Indianapolis.
Children living in the municipality attend Carmel-Clay Schools. The district includes 11 elementary schools, three middle schools and one high school, servicing a student population of 15,000. The school system has earned the distinction of being accredited as a district through AdvancED, the nation’s most exacting school accreditation program. Just like the community as a whole, the school system’s foundation promotes forward thinking, continuous growth and improvement.
Although business and science are cornerstones of the success of the municipality, the true core of Carmel is its dedicated focus on arts and environment. The city is part of the Tree City USA program and has been recognized for exceeding the traditional requirements for the program. A portion of the downtown area is a dedicated arts and design district.The Carmel parks and recreation department grooms and manicures a number of park areas throughout the city and operates the Carmel Monon Center, a state-of-the-art fitness center and water park. The Carmel City Center features a unique combination of business, residential and performing arts venues in the downtown area.
Innovation is no stranger here. The city is the site of one of the first automated traffic lights in the country. As time and technology have progressed, Carmel has become the home to a number of large companies and smaller industries. Pearson Education, Conseco, Midwest ISO and ITT Technical Institute maintain their national headquarters in the city. Business in the area is proliferated by an expansive array of retail, including a variety of shopping malls and strip centers, restaurants and office complexes.
Thriving municipalities are typically built with a vision of planned and measured growth, as is the city of Carmel. With its humble beginnings of 14 platted lots in April 1837, this city took root as a fur trading post. Since that time, Carmel has become a strategically planned home to a number of businesses, retail and families.
Excellence has been rewarded with many national acclamations. Hamilton County has been named, "The Best Place to Raise a Family"; and Carmel Indiana has been ranked among "The Best Places to Live" by CNN Money in 2006 and 2010.
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