American suburbia — once marked by dying malls and empty office parks — is thriving.

The big picture: Demographic, housing and business trends are coming together to revive the suburbs, Axios' Erica Pandey writes.

By the numbers: Between 2010 and 2020, the share of Americans living in the suburbs grew by 10.5%, per census data — and the pandemic only accelerated this trend, the New York Times reports.

Why it matters: The Indianapolis suburbs are driving population growth in an otherwise stagnant state.

• Indiana gained 19,505 residents last year, the fewest since 2015, for a total population of 6.83 million, per census data.
• The 11-county Indianapolis metro area accounted for 67% of that net growth, adding more than 13,000 people.

Zoom in: The donut counties are the fastest-growing areas of the state, led by Hamilton County (2.1% population gain), Hendricks County (1.7%), Boone County (1.6%) and Hancock County (1.5%).

• Overall, Hamilton County gained 7,591 residents, more than twice as many as Hendricks County's 2,979.

What's happening: An increasing share of millennials, the largest generation, are buying homes and settling down. They're choosing to do so outside of cities.

• "We've always talked about millennials as urban people, living in apartments, using Uber and going out for brunch," says Hyojung Lee, a professor of housing and property management at Virginia Tech. "But it turns out they're not that cool anymore."
• About 45% of millennials expect to buy a home in the suburbs, according to a recent Bank of America survey, reported by Fortune.

💭 James' thought bubble: At one point, my wife and I lived in a 529-square-foot Baltimore apartment without a car, as good millennials do.

• We aged, wanted more space, had a kid and moved to Carmel — where apartments are bigger and the rental price per square foot is cheaper than downtown Indianapolis — before buying a house in quasi-suburb Irvington.

The intrigue: The population changes are shifting the demographics of the suburbs, including some of Indy's, which have long been thought of as whiter and less diverse than cities.

• Many suburbs are now more racially diverse than the country as a whole, according to a Brookings Institution analysis.

The super team era has officially hit the WNBA, which kicks off its 27th season Friday with four games.

• A crazy offseason full of former MVPs and All-Stars joining forces sets the table for what could be an epic summer of basketball.

Why it matters: The Indiana Fever largely sat out of free agency but added another hugely talented rookie class during the WNBA Draft.

• Indiana has just four players with more than a year of experience — by far the youngest roster in the league — and they're being coached by Christie Sides, a career assistant and first-time head coach.
• The good news is that two of those players are Aliyah Boston (2023 No. 1 overall pick) and NaLyssa Smith (2022 No. 2 overall).

Reality check: The problem is that the Fever keep cutting their top draft picks. Emily Engstler (No. 4 overall pick, 2022), Kysre Gondrezick (No. 4, 2021) and Lauren Cox (No. 3, 2020) were all waived for nothing in return.

• In a league where young players often take years to fully contribute, there are concerns about the Fever's ability to develop fresh talent.

What's next: The Fever will play the Connecticut Sun at 7pm Friday at Gainbridge Fieldhouse.

⚽ The Indy Eleven are planning to add a women's team as part of the USL Super League, a new professional women's soccer league kicking off in August 2024. Indy's team won't launch until the new Eleven Park stadium is complete, expected to open in 2025. (IBJ)

🏫 Indianapolis Public Schools plans to reuse four of six schools slated to close at the end of this school year, including partnering with the Indiana School for the Blind and Visually Impaired to use two buildings. (Chalkbeat Indiana)

🐶 The Hamilton County Humane Society was open yesterday — its first time opening for adoptions on a Wednesday — to help get more good boys and girls adopted. (WRTV)

⛔ El Chila Sports Bar will permanently close next month. After months of controversy, the Indiana Alcohol & Tobacco Commission voted this week to deny the troubled bar's liquor license renewal. (IndyStar)

Earlier this week, we told you about the books state librarians chose to represent Indiana at the National Book Festival — and asked you to submit your suggestions.

Here's the Axios Indianapolis quintessential Hoosier reading list:

🎥 "The Starlite Drive-In" by Marjorie Reynolds is a favorite of Beth Anne R., who said, "It really spoke to me about growing up in a small town, and the story is a compelling and tragic one."

• Reynolds grew up in Mishawaka.

👀 Betty S. suggested "any of John Green's books, especially since one of his books is being banned!"

• The Indianapolis-based author's debut novel "Looking for Alaska" was listed among the American Library Association's most banned books in 2022.

🔍 Eric B. nominated a trio of classics: Kurt Vonnegut's "Slaughterhouse-Five," Booth Tarkington's "The Magnificent Ambersons" and Rex Stout's "Fer-de-Lance."

• "Fer-de-Lance" is the first of 33 novels written by Noblesville-born Stout featuring his best-known character, detective Nero Wolfe.

✨ "Unfadeable" by Indy-based author Maurice Broaddus is the book Teri D. says her kids would pick.

• "Unfadeable," set in Indianapolis, is a story about "building community, finding family and the power of Black girl magic," according to the publisher.

🪜 One step at a time on our Local Job Board.

1. Program Manager (Chief Administration Office) at Indiana University Health.
2. Management and Program Analyst at US Customs and Border Patrol.
3. Deputy Director of Behavioral Health at City of Indianapolis.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Use code FIRST50 for $50 off your first job post.

👋 Thanks to everyone who joined us at Centerpoint Brewing last night. It was a blast getting to talk about our favorite city with y'all. Let's do it again soon!