Lawrence, Indiana
Civic Plaza in Lawrence, Ind., plays host to a series of events—“A Lawrence Christmas” among them, featuring ice-skating, tree-lighting, and a holiday parade.Courtesy of The City of Lawrence
- StateIndiana
- CountyMarion
- Population49,357
Despite being just 11 miles from downtown Indianapolis, Lawrence’s main influence isn’t its big-city neighbor but its deep military heritage.
Lawrence’s city center, dubbed Fort Ben, was once the active Army base Fort Benjamin Harrison, serving many roles throughout the 20th century, the training of thousands of World War II draftees among them. When the base was decommissioned in the 1990s, Lawrence turned its barracks, mule barns, and service buildings into spaces for local businesses and restaurants, while officers’ quarters became private homes. And the 1,744 acres of land previously used for military exercises became its Fort Harrison State Park and The Fort Golf Course.
Lawrence is lately focused on another transformation: building its Cultural Campus, which has meant updating its Theater at the Fort entertainment space and turning an old military communications site into galleries, studios, and classrooms. This section of the city also hosts many of Lawrence’s events and festivals, including Fiesta Lawrence, Lagers in Lawrence, and the Fort Ben Farmers Market.—KR
Lawrence’s city center, dubbed Fort Ben, was once the active Army base Fort Benjamin Harrison, serving many roles throughout the 20th century, the training of thousands of World War II draftees among them. When the base was decommissioned in the 1990s, Lawrence turned its barracks, mule barns, and service buildings into spaces for local businesses and restaurants, while officers’ quarters became private homes. And the 1,744 acres of land previously used for military exercises became its Fort Harrison State Park and The Fort Golf Course.
Lawrence is lately focused on another transformation: building its Cultural Campus, which has meant updating its Theater at the Fort entertainment space and turning an old military communications site into galleries, studios, and classrooms. This section of the city also hosts many of Lawrence’s events and festivals, including Fiesta Lawrence, Lagers in Lawrence, and the Fort Ben Farmers Market.—KR
Town Information
| Median sale price for single family residences (2022) | $245,238 |
| Median household income | $65,202 |
| Racial and ethnic makeup of current residents | Asian: 2.74%, Black: 31.6%, Hispanic: 12.41% |
| Racial and ethnic makeup of U.S. | Asian: 6.1%, Black: 13.6%, Hispanic: 18.9% |
| High school district graduation rate (averages of districts were applied when necessary) | 94.08% |
| Percent of schools serving students in the area that rank "above average" (averages of districts were applied when necessary) | 13% |
| Number of hospitals within 25 miles recommended by over 50% of patients | 18 |
| Number of above-average nursing homes within 50 miles, per 100,000 households | 39 |
| Sharecare Community Well-Being Index Score (out of 100) | 58 |
Sources: ATTOM, U.S. Census Bureau, GreatSchools, Healthgrades, Caring.com, Sharecare