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Shelbyville, IN

Frequently asked questions

Shelbyville, IN

Shelbyville is a city in Addison Township, Shelby County, in the U.S. state of Indiana and is the county seat. The population was 20,067 as of the 2020 census.

Shelbyville is located in Central Indiana and within the Indianapolis metropolitan area. It is 26 miles (42 km) southeast of Downtown Indianapolis. The city is at the fork of the Little Blue and Big Blue Rivers. According to the 2010 census, Shelbyville has a total area of 11.845 square miles (30.68 km²), of which 11.56 square miles (29.94 km²) (or 97.59%) is land and 0.285 square miles (0.74 km²) (or 2.41%) is water.

In 1818, the land that would become Shelbyville was ceded to the United States by the Miami tribe in the Treaty of St. Mary's. Also in 1818, the backwoodsman Jacob Whetzel and a party cut a trail through this "New Purchase" from the Whitewater River at Laurel due west to the White River at Waverly. This trail became known as Whetzel's Trace and was the first east-west road into the New Purchase of central Indiana. Whetzel's Trace was cut just 4 miles north of the site of Shelbyville and proved important in the settlement of Shelby County.

Shelbyville was platted in 1822. Shelbyville was named in honor of Isaac Shelby, the first and fifth Governor of Kentucky and soldier in Lord Dunmore's War, the Revolutionary War, and the War of 1812. The town was incorporated on January 21, 1850. The Shelbyville post office has been in operation since 1823. The city charter received at that time was destroyed in the City Hall fire on January 1, 1928.

As of the 2010 census, there were 19,191 people, 7,682 households, and 4,848 families living in the city. The population density was 1,660.1 inhabitants per square mile (641.0/km²). There were 8,658 housing units at an average density of 749.0 per square mile (289.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 91.9% White, 1.9% African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 3.2% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.1% of the population.

Health and wellness are integral to the fabric of Shelbyville. The Major Health Partners is a cornerstone of the city's healthcare infrastructure, ensuring quality medical services for residents. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Shelbyville 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 Anytime Fitness and Planet Fitness. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Shelbyville, such as the Blue River Trail and Sunset Park. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Shelbyville, IN include Shelbyville Cultural District, Blue River Memorial, and Horseshoe Indianapolis.

Population: 19,132 (2021). Elevation: 780 ft (238 m). Area: 12.81 sq mi (33.19 km²). ZIP Code: 46176. Area code: 317.

FAQs

What is Shelbyville, IN famous for?

Shelby County was the setting of Charles Major’s book The Bears of Blue River. The Shelby County Basketball Tourney is the hottest event of the year, drawing record crowds to our high school gyms. Shelby County is home to the Indiana Grand Racing and Casino, as well as the Indiana Derby.

Is Shelbyville, IN a good place to live?

Living in Shelbyville offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Shelbyville, there are a lot of parks. Many families live in Shelbyville and residents tend to be conservative. The public schools in Shelbyville are above average.

Why is it called Shelbyville, IN?

Shelbyville, city, seat (1822) of Shelby County, central Indiana, U.S. It lies along the forks of the Big Blue and Little Blue rivers, 23 miles (37 km) southeast of Indianapolis. Laid out in 1822 as the county seat, it was named for Isaac Shelby, American Revolutionary War hero and the first governor of Kentucky.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Shelbyville

Major Health Partners 

Shelbyville Parks and Recreation Department

Backyard Shelby

Anytime Fitness 

Planet Fitness

Blue River Trail 

Sunset Park

Shelbyville Cultural District

Blue River Memorial

Horseshoe Indianapolis

Life In Indy

Niche

Britannica

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