Indiana: State Flag, Bird and Facts
Indiana's state bird is the northern cardinal, and the peony is the official state flower.
- Capital
- Indianapolis
- Nickname
- The Hoosier State
- State bird
- Northern cardinal
- State flower
- Peony
- State tree
- Tulip tree
- Admitted
- December 11, 1816
- Population
- 6,785,528 (2020 census)
- Motto
- The Crossroads of America
- Region
- Midwest
- Area
- 94,321 km² (36,418 sq mi)
- Highest point
- Hoosier Hill (1,257 ft)
About Indiana
Nicknamed the Hoosier State, Indiana sits in the Midwest, bounded by Lake Michigan and the state of Michigan up north, Ohio to the east, Kentucky across the Ohio River to the south, and Illinois to the west. Indianapolis is the capital and the largest city, with more than two million people in its metro area. The state joined the Union in 1816 as the 19th state.
Natural gas drew heavy industry to the northern counties after the Civil War, and the early 20th century brought a boom in factories and car production in the north and center. The south stayed mostly rural. The current flag was adopted in 1917 as the third official one, designed by Paul Hadley. It has not changed since, though its exact specifications were set down in 1955. Before then it was called a banner.
Did you know?
- Hoosier Hill is the highest point in Indiana at 1,257 feet.
- Hoosier is also the official name for someone who lives in Indiana.
- The tulip tree is the official state tree of Indiana.
Questions about Indiana
Who designed the Indiana flag?
Paul Hadley designed it. The flag was adopted on May 31, 1917.
When did Indiana become a state?
Indiana was admitted as the 19th state on December 11, 1816.
Sources
- Wikidata Q1415, checked October 8, 2026
- Wikipedia: Indiana, checked October 8, 2026
- Wikipedia: Flag of Indiana, checked October 8, 2026
Facts are compiled from these open sources and rewritten in our own words. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.