11 Indiana Towns Losing People So Fast They May Not Exist by 2035

Introduction to Indiana's Shrinking Towns00:00:00

An overview of 11 diverse Indiana communities facing population decline, ranging from tiny river towns to major industrial cities that once boomed.

Canton and Alton: The River Town Decline00:01:14

The story of Canton, which transitioned from a major mill site to a sleepy town, and Alton, a town that struggled once river-based trade was bypassed by modern transport.

Knightsville and Kingsbury: Industry-Driven Booms and Busts00:05:37

Analysis of Knightsville's coal-mining era and Kingsbury's rapid rise and fall as a World War II munitions hub.

Liberty and Arcadia: Rural Challenges and Urban Sprawl00:09:42

A look at Liberty's ongoing decline despite its status as a county seat, and Arcadia's unique struggle to maintain population within a rapidly growing county.

Hartford City and Dunkirk: The Gas Boom Legacy00:14:18

The history of the Indiana Gas Boom and the subsequent decline of glass manufacturing that defined the economies of Hartford City and Dunkirk.

East Chicago, Hammond, and Gary: The Steel Industry's Long Shadow00:18:41

A deep dive into the industrial peaks and subsequent population loss of major northern Indiana cities, including the environmental and economic hurdles they face today.

Conclusion and Future Outlook00:25:09

A summary of demographic trends in Indiana, noting that while the state is growing, most rural and midsize counties face an aging population and continued contraction.