Plainfield, Indiana

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Town of Plainfield, Indiana
settlement_type = Town


nicknames=P-town
imagesize =
image_caption =


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nicknames=P-town
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mapsize = 250x200px
map_caption = Location in the state of Indiana


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Indiana
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Hendricks
subdivision_type3 = Township
subdivision_name3 = Guilford, Liberty, Washington
government_type =
leader_title = Town Manager
leader_name = Rich Carlucci (R)
established_title = Incorporated
established_date = 1839
area_footnotes =
area_magnitude = 1 E8
unit_pref = Imperial
area_total_sq_mi = 18.1
area_total_km2 = 18.1
area_land_sq_mi = 18.0
area_land_km2 = 18.0
area_water_sq_mi = 0.1
area_water_km2 = 0.1
population_as_of = 2005
population_total = 23,532
population_density_sq_mi = 1023
elevation_m = 218
elevation_ft = 715
timezone = EST
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
latd = 39 |latm = 41 |lats = 51 |latNS = N
longd = 86 |longm = 23 |longs = 5 |longEW = W
website = [http://www.townofplainfield.com]
postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 46168
area_code = 317
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 18-60246GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0441219GR|3
footnotes = |

Plainfield is a town in Guilford, Liberty and Washington townships, Hendricks County, Indiana, United States. The population was 18,396 at the 2000 census. Its 2005 population, according to the Indiana demographic annual update, was 23,532. Plainfield is home to Metropolis, the largest mall on the west side of Indianapolis. The Plainfield School System is the only school system in the state to have all of its public schools receive 4 stars for two years in a row. Extensive renovation of State Road 267 has recently been completed in preparation for a 100+ million dollar High School.

Geography

Plainfield is located at coor dms|39|41|51|N|86|23|5|W|city (39.697471, -86.384672)GR|1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 18.0 square miles (46.7 km²), of which, 18.0 square miles (46.6 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (0.28%) is water.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 18,396 people, 7,051 households, and 4,914 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,023.1 people per square mile (395.0/km²). There were 7,449 housing units at an average density of 414.3/sq mi (160.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 95.11% White, 2.23% African American, 0.32% Native American, 0.91% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.36% from other races, and 1.06% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.36% of the population. Est. population in July 2002: 20,719

There were 7,051 households out of which 34.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.2% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.3% were non-families. 26.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the town the population was spread out with 26.6% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 30.2% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 101.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $46,782, and the median income for a family was $57,790. Males had a median income of $39,148 versus $29,315 for females. The per capita income for the town was $21,083. About 3.6% of families and 5.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.6% of those under age 18 and 9.1% of those age 65 or over.

History

In 1822 a tract of land which included the area now known as Plainfield was obtained by Jeremiah Hadley of Preble County, Ohio. Ten years later he sold it to his son, Elias Hadley. Levi Jessup and Elias Hadley laid out the town in 1839. Plainfield became incorporated as a town in 1839.

The town got its name from the early Friends (Quakers) who settled around the area and established several meetinghouses throughout the county, including the important Western Yearly Meeting of Friends in Plainfield. The Friends were "plain" people, and thus the name Plainfield. The high school continues to honor the Quakers, using the name for the school's mascot.

Plainfield has long been associated with the national road, U.S. Route 40, which goes through town as "Main Street." One incident which brought Plainfield national attention occurred in 1842 when President Martin Van Buren was spilled purposefully from his stage coach into the thick mud of the highway. The practical joke came as a result of Van Buren's vetoing a bill from Congress to improve the highway, a move which angered Western settlers. When Van Buren came through Plainfield on a swing to shore up his popularity for the 1844 election, a group of perpetrators set up the incident. The elm tree whose roots caused the president's carriage to topple became known as the Van Buren Elm. An elementary school near this site is named Van Buren Elementary School.

Education

Public School System

Plainfield's public education system is run by the Plainfield Commmunity School Corporation. The schools under this body include:
* [http://www.plainfield.k12.in.us/Kindergarten/index.htm Plainfield Kindergarten Center]
* [http://www.plainfield.k12.in.us/Brentwood/index.htm Brentwood Elementary School]
* [http://www.plainfield.k12.in.us/Central/index.htm Central Elementary School]
* [http://www.plainfield.k12.in.us/VanBuren/index.htm Van Buren Elementary School]
* [http://www.plainfield.k12.in.us/MiddleSchool/index.htm Plainfield Community Middle School]
*Plainfield High School (Indiana)

A new high school opened this year and the zoning was changed to leave more room in schools.

[http://www.plainfield.k12.in.us/ Official Plainfield Schools Website]

Private School Systems

Private schools in Plainfield include:

*Plainfield Christian School, which is run by Calvary Bible Weslyan Church of Plainfield, offers classes from kindergarten to 12th grade.
*Saint Susanna Catholic School, which is run by St. Susanna Catholic Church of Plainfield, offers classes from K-8.

Other facts

* [http://www.shopmetropolis.com/ Metropolis] , an outdoor shopping mall, opened in Plainfield in October 2005 . It is the largest on the suburban west side of Indianapolis. Continued expansions are planned for the future. Phase II, which will be roughly twice the size of the current mall, is on hold until money can be raised.
*Plainfield is the headquarters of the Islamic Society of North America.
*Plainfield is home to a Quaker Yearly Meeting Home, built in 1857.
*The Plainfield Recreation Center also holds Splash Island, a Caribean-style water park

References

External links

* [http://townofplainfield.com Town of Plainfield website]
* [http://www.tourhendrickscounty.com/ Hendricks County Convention and Visitors Bureau]
* [http://www.westernym.net Western Yearly Meeting of Friends Church]
* [http://www.plainfieldfriends.org Plainfield Friends Meeting]
* [http://www.plainfieldlibrary.net Plainfield-Guilford Township Public Library]