Washington
RANK #516 / 996 NAT · #23 / 28 IN · POP 175,639
1YR FORECAST: +0.5%
5YR OUTLOOK: +23%
Brownsburg, often called the "Racing Capital of the World" due to Lucas Oil Indianapolis Raceway Park, stands out in Hendricks County, Indiana. Located directly west of Indianapolis, the county offers a suburban and rural feel, with towns like Avon, Plainfield, and Danville each having their own character. Commuting to Indianapolis is generally convenient, taking about 20-30 minutes from the larger towns. The county provides various outdoor recreation opportunities, including numerous parks, trails for hiking and biking, and nature preserves like McCloud Nature Park.
Life in Hendricks County is often described as family-oriented, with highly rated public schools being a significant draw. The community is known for being friendly and active in local events. The economy is experiencing growth, driven by investments in commercial and residential development. Key sectors attracting investment include logistics, data centers, energy, and industrial operations, benefiting from the county's transportation infrastructure, including interstates and proximity to the Indianapolis International Airport. Public transportation options, such as the Plainfield Connector, also support commuting to major employment centers.
Above national median (4.7x)
Above national median
Well below national median
Harsh climate or flat terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 5.8x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Vantage Data Centers - Pittsboro Campus
Vantage Data Centers
|
$1,000M | Planned |
|
Plainfield Mixed-Use Complex
Unknown
|
$300M | Under Construction |
|
Walnut Hills Wind Project
Cordelio Power
|
$200M | Proposed |
|
Apple Distribution Center
Apple (operated by XPO Logistics Supply Chain)
|
$100M | Operating |
|
Hendricks County Economic Development Projects (EDIT Capital Improvement Plan)
Hendricks County
|
$25M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Hendricks County scores 48/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 996 U.S. counties (#516). Median household income is $95,261 and job growth is running at +1.6%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
By national standards, Hendricks County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $257,700, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.37 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $1,271/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Hendricks County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +2.1% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.6% clip. Home values shifted +0.6% in the past year.
In significant numbers — 6.1% of Hendricks County's current population relocated from another state, well above the national norm. That level of in-migration usually signals a county where jobs, affordability, or quality of life are pulling people in from elsewhere.