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Fort Wayne, IN

Frequently asked questions

Fort Wayne, IN

Fort Wayne is a city in and the county seat of Allen County, Indiana, United States. Located in northeastern Indiana, the city is 18 miles (29 km) west of the Ohio border and 50 miles (80 km) south of the Michigan border. The city's population was 263,886 as of the 2020 census, making it the second-most populous city in Indiana after Indianapolis and the 83rd-most populous city in the United States. It is the principal city of the Fort Wayne metropolitan area, consisting of Allen and Whitley counties which had an estimated population of 423,038 as of 2021. Fort Wayne is the cultural and economic center of northeastern Indiana.

Fort Wayne was built in 1794 by the United States Army under the direction of American Revolutionary War general Anthony Wayne, the last in a series of forts built near the Miami village of Kekionga. Named in Wayne's honor, the European-American settlement developed at the confluence of the St. Joseph, St. Marys, and Maumee rivers, known originally as Fort Miami, a trading post constructed by Jean Baptiste Bissot, Sieur de Vincennes around 1706. The modern city was platted in 1823 following its revitalization after the War of 1812 and its siege. It underwent tremendous growth after the completion of the Wabash and Erie Canal and the advent of the railroad.

Once a booming manufacturing town located in what became known as the Rust Belt, Fort Wayne's economy in the 21st century is based upon distribution, transportation, and logistics; healthcare, professional and business services; leisure and hospitality, and financial services. The city is a center for the defense industry which employs 1-2% of the population. Fort Wayne was an All-America City Award recipient in 1983, 1998, 2009, and 2021. The city also received an Outstanding Achievement City Livability Award by the U.S. Conference of Mayors in 1999.

Fort Wayne is in the East North Central region of the Midwestern United States, in northeastern Indiana, 18 miles (29 km) west of Ohio and 50 miles (80 km) south of Michigan. According to the 2010 census, Fort Wayne has a total area of 110.834 square miles (287.06 km²), of which 110.62 square miles (286.50 km²) (or 99.81%) is land and 0.214 square miles (0.55 km²) (or 0.19%) is water.

Fort Wayne focuses on health and wellness. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Fort Wayne Parks and Recreation Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Fort4Fitness, 3D Fitness, and Iron Society Gym. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Fort Wayne, such as Franke Park and Lakeside Park. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Fort Wayne, IN are Fort Wayne Children's Zoo, Fort Wayne Museum of Art, and Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory.

Population: 269,994 (2023). ZIP codes: 46802–46809, 46814–46816, 46818, 46819, 46825, 46835, 46845, 46850. Area code(s): 260. Elevation: 715 feet (218 m). Area: 110.79 sq mi (286.95 km²).

FAQs

What is Fort Wayne, IN known for?

Fort Wayne itself was authorized by Congress in 1841 as part of a chain of defensive fortifications along the country’s northern border. It was completed ten years later and sat largely unused until it played a training role during the Civil War. From the 1860s through the 1930s, the facility expanded during subsequent eras of federal investment and military expansion. Fort Wayne housed African American soldiers during World War I (the Armed Forces were segregated at the time) and played a critical role during the “Arsenal of Democracy” era of World War II when the site served as a logistics hub.

Is Fort Wayne, IN a nice place to live?

Fort Wayne is in Allen County and is one of the best places to live in Indiana. Living in Fort Wayne offers residents a dense suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Fort Wayne, there are a lot of coffee shops and parks. Many families and young professionals live in Fort Wayne and residents tend to lean conservative. The public schools in Fort Wayne are above average.

What is the crime rate in Fort Wayne, IN?

The crime rate in Fort Wayne is considerably higher than the national average across all communities in America from the largest to the smallest, although at 27 crimes per one thousand residents, it is not among the communities with the very highest crime rate. The chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime in Fort Wayne is 1 in 38. Based on FBI crime data, Fort Wayne is not one of the safest communities in America. Relative to Indiana, Fort Wayne has a crime rate that is higher than 91% of the state's cities and towns of all sizes.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Fort Wayne

Allen County

Wayne Parks and Recreation Department

Fort4Fitness

3D Fitness 

Iron Society Gym

Franke Park 

Lakeside Park

Fort Wayne Children's Zoo

Fort Wayne Museum of Art

Foellinger-Freimann Botanical Conservatory

Historic Fort Wayne

Niche

Neighborhoodscout

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.