For the third consecutive year, Boone and Hancock counties in the Indianapolis metro area were the state’s fastest-growing communities. Boone County set the pace once again in 2025 with a 2.6% growth rate, while Hancock County posted a 2.4% gain.
Our center provides 3 distinct economic forecast offerings: the BBKI acts as a monthly barometer of where the economy is and where it might be heading; CEMR produces forecasts for the nation, Indiana and Indiana metropolitan areas; and Futurecast offers annual economic outlook events around the state each fall.
The latest BBKI release shows the coincident indicator at 0.0 for January, suggesting that the economy is operating at its trend growth rate, which the model estimates at approximately 2.9%.
Except for a current-quarter rebound from the Q4 shutdown, our revised forecast is similar to January. This could easily prove optimistic.
Substantive, easy-to-read articles about Indiana's workforce and economy published on a bi-monthly basis.
Visit InContext
January-February 2026
Tariffs, inflation and weakening consumer confidence will continue to influence Indiana's metro economies in 2026. Read highlights from the Outlook issue's panel of experts. Read article →
Quarterly analysis and insight on Indiana’s economic and demographic issues.
Visit Indiana Business Review
Winter 2025
Indiana's growth in real GDP is expected to hover close to 1% in 2026, while the state's unemployment rate is expected to rise from 3.6% to 4.4%. Read article →
Biannual analysis of the housing market through a joint initiative with IU's Center for Real Estate Studies.
Visit Kelley Real Estate Outlook
Fall 2025
New home construction across the country is facing significant headwinds as a number of factors challenge the industry. Read article →
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