Homecroft

Homecroft is a town in Perry Township, Marion County, Indiana. The population was 722 at the 2010 census. Incorporated in 1949, it has existed as an included town since 1970, when it was incorporated into Indianapolis as part of Unigov. It is part of Indianapolis, but retains a functioning town government under IC 36-3-1-11.[4]

Homecroft had its start in 1923 when Frank Gates and his son Oliver bought 150 acres (61 ha), and, after working with the Works Progress Administration in the early 1930s to install storm sewers to drain the swampy area, started selling lots on 80 acres (32 ha). The development's location close to the interurban line in the 1930s and 1940s, and, as the automobile became prominent, to Madison Avenue in the 1950s and 1960s, made it popular for prospective suburban homeowners.[5]

The town was incorporated in 1949. Two additional sections of 40 acres (16 ha) and 30 acres (12 ha), respectively, were developed in the early 1950s.[5]

The town was designed to be exclusively residential, although a few commercial establishments have been built along Madison Avenue. A large portion of the town has been recognized on the National Register of Historic Places as the Homecroft Historic District.[5]

Homecroft is located at 39°40′8″N 86°7′48″W  /  39.66889°N 86.13000°W  / 39.66889; -86.13000 (39.668945, -86.129862).[6] It is bounded roughly by Banta Road, the Louisville and Indiana Railroad tracks, Tulip Drive, and Shelby Street.[5]

According to the 2010 census, Homecroft has a total area of 0.24 square miles (0.62 km2), all land.[7]

The Homecroft town council has five elected members. Besides passing ordinances, resolutions, orders, and motions for the town's government, the council also is in control of the city's property and finances.[8]

The Chief of Police is appointed by the council. John Ryan is the current chief.[8]

As of the census[10] of 2010, there were 722 people, 308 households, and 214 families living in the town. The population density was 3,008.3 inhabitants per square mile (1,161.5/km2). There were 323 housing units at an average density of 1,345.8 per square mile (519.6/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 95.7% White, 0.8% African American, 0.7% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.1% of the population.

There were 308 households, of which 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.2% were married couples living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 30.5% were non-families. 26.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.82.

The median age in the town was 41.2 years. 21.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.2% were from 25 to 44; 32.2% were from 45 to 64; and 12.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 46.7% male and 53.3% female.

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 751 people, 310 households, and 227 families living in the town. The population density was 3,243.5 people per square mile (1,260.7/km2). There were 316 housing units at an average density of 1,364.8 per square mile (530.5/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 98.67% White, 0.13% African American, 0.40% Asian, 0.27% from other races, and 0.53% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.80% of the population.

There were 310 households, out of which 26.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.9% were married couples living together, 7.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.5% were non-families. 22.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.81.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 21.8% under the age of 18, 6.4% from 18 to 24, 29.2% from 25 to 44, 29.0% from 45 to 64, and 13.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.5 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $60,156, and the median income for a family was $70,859. Males had a median income of $51,563 versus $38,194 for females. The per capita income for the town was $28,888. About 1.3% of families and 2.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.3% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.