Lawrence Real Estate Information

One of the four excluded cities in Marion County, Lawrence, Indiana, is just outside and north of Indianapolis, the state’s capital. An excluded city, Lawrence is able to retain its own city government though the rest of Marion County chose to unify its government structure in 1969. Lawrence is home to an area of more than 20 square miles, and had a population of almost 40,000 as of the 2000 census. Annual median household income for city residents is around $48,000.

The city first existed as a stop along a Native American trail in the early parts of the 19th century. It was then first platted by settlers in 1849 and was originally named Lanesville and then changed to Jamestown. In 1866, the name again was changed to Lawrence – which this time stuck – after Capt. James Lawrence, a Naval hero from the War of 1812.

The city is a diverse one, with nearly double the number of minority- and women-owned firms as the state’s average. Its central location, at less than three hours driving distance from Chicago, Cincinnati and Louisville and only a short ride from the Indianapolis International airport, make it attractive to potential businesses. The city’s largest employer if DFAS. A large Fourth of July festival is celebrated each year in town.

The city is home to Fort Harrison State Park, which houses Fort Benjamin Harrison, a military installation that was closed upon the end of the Cold War. It also is home to a large soccer complex with more than 20 fields, and the championship Pete Dye golf course. The city’s International District on Pendleton Pike features more than a dozen restaurants featuring foods from around the world. Students attend schools within the Metropolitan School District of Lawrence Township, which serves more than 16,000 students. It includes two high schools, a career center, three middle schools and almost a dozen elementary schools. For post-secondary education, there are more than a dozen colleges and universities in the Indianapolis area.