Axios Indianapolis

March 30, 2026
Monday is back! Hooray?
🌤️ Today's weather: Partly sunny with a high near 76.
🎂 Happy birthday to Axios Indianapolis member Jonathan Coffin!
Today's newsletter is 1,050 words — a 4-minute read.
1 big thing: Population grows as immigration drops

Population growth is slowing in most counties nationwide amid a massive drop in immigration, but the Indianapolis metro is doing its best to buck the trend.
Why it matters: New Census data offers the best look yet at how tighter immigration enforcement is affecting America's demographic makeup.
By the numbers: Our metro area grew by over 22,000 people from 2024 to 2025 — more than 1%, double the national growth average.
- The area's total population was 2,205,695 people last year.
- Statewide, an Indiana University Kelley School of Business analysis found that the Hoosier State added 38,579 residents in 2025 to reach a total population of 6.97 million.
Between the lines: For the third straight year, Boone and Hancock counties were the fastest-growing in Indiana. Boone County had a 2.6% growth rate, and Hancock County grew by 2.4%.
- Clark (2.1%), Hamilton (1.9%) and Johnson (1.9%) counties rounded out the top five.
What they're saying: "Since 2023, Indiana has had an average annual growth of more than 43,900 residents per year, which is the state's largest increase over a three-year stretch since adding roughly 48,700 residents a year from 2006 to 2008," Matt Kinghorn, senior demographer at the Indiana Business Research Center, said in a statement.
Zoom in: From 2006 to 2008, the difference between births and deaths accounted for 70% of Indiana's growth. Over the past three years, migration has been responsible for 81% of gains.
Yes, but: Net international migration to Indiana declined by 53% from 2024 to 2025, according to IU.
Zoom out: International migration fell in nine out of 10 U.S. counties between 2024 and 2025 compared with the prior period, the Census Bureau says.
2. Purdue's Indy strategy
Purdue's Indianapolis expansion continues to grow, this time with a new business program planned for launch in the fall.
The big picture: The school's online Master of Business and Technology (MBT) program will launch a new option — an in-person experience that will allow online students to network and collaborate.
- It'll add two in-person sessions to each of the program's core courses at the Indianapolis campus.
- The MBT program is designed for professionals from engineering, technical or other STEM-related backgrounds who want to move into leadership roles.
State of play: Already, the school's executive education and integrated business and engineering programs are up and running in Indianapolis — the start of a plan to eventually offer all of its programs here.
- "It'll be a matter of demand," Mitch Daniels, the former governor and Purdue president for whom the school is named, told Axios at an event in Indianapolis last week. "I hope there'll be lots of students who want to spend at least one of their years here."
- Daniels said the expansion to Indianapolis gives students exposure to the many opportunities the city provides, and provides employers access to Purdue's talented, well-educated students.
What's next: Purdue's been growing its footprint and academic offerings since it and IU split the campus they used to share.
- Work is underway on the 15-story, 248,000-square-foot Academic Success Building, set to be completed in May 2027.
- Near the intersection of West and Michigan streets, the facility will be the initial centerpiece of Purdue's Indianapolis expansion.
- Other new programs starting in the fall include hospitality and tourism management, sport management, industrial engineering and athletic training.
3. Pit stop: No Kings in Indy
🪧 Thousands of people marched to the Indiana Statehouse Saturday for the third major wave of coordinated No Kings rallies in opposition to President Trump's policies. (Indiana Capital Chronicle)
🏨 The Speedway Town Council will consider a resolution tonight to take action on the long-stalled Wilshaw hotel project at the southeast corner of 16th and Main streets. (IBJ)
⛹️ Greenfield native and 2025 Indiana Mr. Basketball Braylon Mullins is heading back home to Central Indiana for the Final Four after sinking a game-winning 3-pointer with 0.4 seconds left on the clock to lift UConn past Duke. (IndyStar)
⚾ The Indiana State Fair has announced the baseball-focused "Always a Hit" as the theme for this summer's event. (FOX59)
🎵 Grammy-nominated singer Benson Boone will bring his "Wanted Man Tour" to Gainbridge Fieldhouse on July 19. (WTHR)
4. 'Burb Bites: Westfield to add nearly 2,000 homes
This week's news from around the region includes a huge housing development in Westfield, a prestigious tennis facility in Noblesville, and a local woman set to make a splash on reality TV.
🏘️ The Westfield City Council narrowly approved Ironstone, a 765-acre development that will bring more than 1,700 single-family homes and townhouses and 250 apartments to the city's far north side.
- It's one of the largest residential projects in Westfield's history, and the 4-3 vote signals a rift between city leaders and some residents over how fast the city should grow.
💑 Despite a Carmel man having his "Bachelorette" debut called off this month, another HamCo native is getting a shot at love on the small screen.
- 26-year-old Delaney Kluger of Noblesville is part of the cast of "Love Overboard," Hulu's new yacht-based dating competition.
🎾 Also in Noblesville, Serena Williams' former tennis coach has plans to open a training facility near the Innovation Mile corridor.
- Founded by Patrick Mouratoglou, the Mouratoglou Tennis Center is being proposed for 14469 Olio Road at the Deer Creek Business Park.
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5. 🏀 2 elite endings to go
The Purdue men's team and the Notre Dame women's team both lost to top seeds in the NCAA Tournament's Elite Eight round during the weekend
Why it matters: Their eliminations mean there aren't any Indiana teams left in this year's tourney.
Zoom in: No. 2 Purdue lost to No. 1 Arizona 79-64 Saturday, and No. 6 Notre Dame lost to No. 1 UConn 52-70 yesterday.
Yes, but: Dashed national title dreams aside, both squads turned in 2026 performances that their fanbases can be proud of.
Plus: There's always next year!
What's next: The men's Final Four begins Saturday in Indianapolis with Illinois vs. UConn and Michigan vs. Arizona.
- The women's Final Four in Phoenix tips off Friday with UConn vs. South Carolina or TCU; and UCLA vs. Texas or Michigan.
Our picks:
🎳 Arika is off today, hanging out with her best friend and her son, who are visiting for his spring break!
🐰 Justin is wondering who is buying those 10-pound chocolate Easter bunnies at Costco.
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