Speedway, Indiana

Nicknames: Coordinates: 39°47′43″N 86°15′18″W / 39.79528°N 86.25500°W / 39.79528; -86.25500CountryUnited StatesStateIndianaCountyMarionTownshipWayneIncorporatedJuly 14, 1926Government • Town ManagerGrant KleinhenzArea • Total4.79 sq mi (12.40 km²) • Land4.79 sq mi (12.40 km²) • Water0.00 sq mi (0.01 km²)Elevation728 ft (222 m)Population • Total13,952 • Density2,915.17/sq mi (1,125.55/km²)Time zoneUTC-5 (EST) • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)ZIP codeArea code317FIPS code18-71828^[4]GNIS feature ID2397670^[2]Websitewww.speedwayin.gov

Speedway is a town in Wayne Township, Marion County, Indiana, United States. The population was 13,952 at the 2020 census,^[3] up from 11,812 in 2010.^[5] Speedway, which is an enclave of Indianapolis, is the home of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

History

Speedway was laid out in 1912 as a residential suburb.^[6] It took its name from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, constructed three years earlier.^[7] It is an early example of a residential community planned for the industrial plants located nearby.^[8] Carl G. Fisher, James A. Allison, Frank Wheeler, and Arthur Newby, founders of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, planned the suburb of Speedway west of the track.^[9] Fisher and Allison owned plants that needed workers, the Prest-O-Lite factory and Allison Engine Company. The investors' goal was to create a city without horses, where residents would drive automobiles, as well as participate in creating mechanical parts for new modes of transportation.^[8]

Speedway was incorporated as a town in July 1926.^[10] The Speedway Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2005.^[11]

Geography

Speedway is located in western Marion County. It is 5 miles (8 km) west-northwest of downtown Indianapolis.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Speedway has a total area of 4.79 square miles (12.41 km²), of which 0.004 square miles (0.01 km²), or 0.08%, are water.^[1] The town is drained by Eagle Creek, which runs along the southwest edge of town, and its tributaries Dry Run and Little Eagle Creek, which flow past or around the speedway. Eagle Creek continues east to join the White River in southwest Marion County.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Speedway has a humid subtropical climate, Cfa on climate maps.^[12] With a January daily mean of −2 °C (28 °F) however, Speedway is very close to the humid continental type.

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1930	1,420		—
1940	2,325		63.7%
1950	5,498		136.5%
1960	9,624		75.0%
1970	14,523		50.9%
1980	12,641		−13.0%
1990	13,092		3.6%
2000	12,881		−1.6%
2010	11,812		−8.3%
2020	13,952		18.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[14]

2010 census

As of the census^[15] of 2010, 11,812 people, 5,550 households, and 2,931 families resided in the town. The population density was 2,481.5 inhabitants per square mile (958.1/km²). The 6,709 housing units averaged 1,409.5 per square mile (544.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 74.2% White, 16.7% African American, 0.3% Native American, 2.0% Asian, 4.4% from other races, and 2.3% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 7.6% of the population.

Of the 5,550 households, 26.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.4% were married couples living together, 15.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 47.2% were not families. About 39.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.84.

The median age in the town was 37.8 years. About 21.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.7% were from 25 to 44; 25.8% were from 45 to 64; and 14.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 48.3% male and 51.7% female.

2000 census

As of the census^[4] of 2000, 12,882 people, 6,151 households, and 3,278 families resided in the town. The 6,151 households had 24.5% with children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.6% married couples living together, 12.5% female householders with no husband present, and 46.7% not families. In the town, the population was spread out, with 20.9% under the age of 18, 10.1% from 18 to 24, 31.5% from 25 to 44, 20.2% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $37,713, and for a family was $49,005. Males had a median income of $36,756 versus $26,954 for females. The per capita income for the town was $21,468. About 5.6% of families and 8.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.7% of those under age 18 and 9.5% of those age 65 or over.

Education

• The School Town of Speedway has six campuses, including the Speedway Senior High School, and an enrollment of approximately 1,650 students.
• St Christopher School

The town has a lending library, the Speedway Public Library.^[16]

Economy

In addition to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway itself, several related companies are located south of the racetrack, including the United States Auto Club headquarters, the Dallara racecar factory, racing teams A. J. Foyt Racing, and Harding Racing, and the Speedway Indoor karting racetrack. Also, Allison Transmission has a factory nearby.^{[citation needed]}

Notable people

• Donald Davidson, historian
• Joyce DeWitt, actress
• Barbara Higbie, jazz musician and composer^[17]
• Mason Jobst, ice hockey player
• J. Emmett McManamon, 33rd Indiana Attorney General^[18]
• Stevie Reeves, racing driver
• Zachary Tinkle, racing driver

Sister cities

• Motegi, Tochigi, Japan
• Varano de' Melegari, Italy

See also

• Burger Chef murders
• Speedway bombings

References

External links

Excluded cities (Unigov)Excluded town (Unigov)TownshipsIncluded towns (Unigov)Footnotes