Best Cities for Small Business in Indiana
Indiana for Small Business: The Full Picture
Indiana ranks #25 out of 50 for small business owners and entrepreneurs, with a mixed set of conditions for entrepreneurs. The state's fiscal health score of 65/100 signals a well-managed state government with sustainable finances β the kind of stability that benefits long-term business planning.
Tax policy directly impacts the bottom line. Indiana's overall tax burden is 9.09% of income, with a 5.02% income tax rate that applies to both personal and pass-through business income. The 7% combined sales tax rate is moderate and worth factoring into pricing strategy. The economic environment (score: 42/100) with 3.5% unemployment indicates tight labor markets β good for consumer spending but potentially challenging for hiring.
Population growth of 0.6% is a tailwind β a growing customer base and expanding labor pool benefit most small businesses. Workforce quality may require investment in training β the education score of 51/100 suggests gaps in preparation. Housing at $255,000 median helps attract and retain employees who can afford to live nearby.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Small Business
| # | City | Grade | Small Business Score | Overall | Fiscal Health | Economy | Growth | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Westfield | A+ | 77.1 | 68.8 | 85 | 77 | 94 | 51,109 |
| 2 | Carmel | A+ | 73.4 | 67.4 | 96 | 87 | 54 | 102,091 |
| 3 | Fishers | A | 66.2 | 63.2 | 86 | 78 | 40 | 101,789 |
| 4 | Noblesville | A | 65.5 | 61.9 | 77 | 71 | 59 | 76,124 |
| 5 | Greenwood | B+ | 60.4 | 56.9 | 61 | 57 | 69 | 64,237 |
| 6 | Columbus | B | 53.9 | 55.5 | 50 | 53 | 47 | 51,104 |
| 7 | Indianapolis city | C+ | 50.9 | 50.8 | 40 | 58 | 53 | 874,182 |
| 8 | Fort Wayne | C+ | 48.9 | 50.2 | 36 | 44 | 51 | 271,629 |
| 9 | Lafayette | C | 44.2 | 48.3 | 31 | 43 | 40 | 67,406 |
| 10 | Mishawaka | C | 43.1 | 47.3 | 33 | 37 | 37 | 50,907 |
| 11 | Anderson | C | 42.5 | 45.3 | 23 | 37 | 47 | 54,930 |
| 12 | Evansville | D | 40.8 | 40.3 | 29 | 41 | 40 | 113,291 |
| 13 | Kokomo | D | 40.1 | 43.5 | 35 | 25 | 33 | 59,375 |
| 14 | South Bend | D | 39.5 | 40.9 | 23 | 37 | 37 | 100,715 |
| 15 | Bloomington | C | 38.1 | 47.5 | 3 | 38 | 38 | 74,028 |
| 16 | Elkhart | F | 37.4 | 37.1 | 26 | 31 | 35 | 53,726 |
| 17 | Muncie | D | 37.0 | 43.5 | 4 | 33 | 41 | 64,599 |
| 18 | Hammond | F | 36.9 | 38.6 | 27 | 31 | 32 | 76,181 |
| 19 | Terre Haute | D | 35.1 | 39.3 | 9 | 32 | 39 | 58,491 |
| 20 | Gary | F | 22.4 | 28.2 | 0 | 4 | 21 | 68,269 |