Pendleton, Indiana

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title: "Pendleton, Indiana" type: doc version: 1 created: 2026-02-28 author: "Wikipedia contributors" status: active scope: public tags: ["pendleton,-indiana", "towns-in-indiana", "towns-in-madison-county,-indiana"] topic_path: "geography/india" source: "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pendleton,_Indiana" license: "CC BY-SA 4.0" wikipedia_page_id: 0 wikipedia_revision_id: 0

::data[format=table title="Infobox settlement"]

Field	Value
name	Pendleton, Indiana
settlement_type	Town
image_blank_emblem	PendletonINlogo.png
blank_emblem_type	Logo
blank_emblem_size	120px
motto	"Strong roots empower healthy growth."
image_skyline	Pendleton, Indiana.jpg
imagesize	290px
image_caption	Downtown Pendleton
image_map	File:Madison County Indiana Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Pendleton Highlighted 1858662.svg
mapsize	250px
map_caption	Location in Madison County, Indiana
subdivision_type	Country
subdivision_name	United States
subdivision_type1	State
subdivision_name1	Indiana
subdivision_type2	County
subdivision_name2	Madison
subdivision_type3	Township
subdivision_name3	Fall Creek
government_type	Town council
established_title	Platted
established_date	1830
unit_pref	Imperial
area_footnotes
area_total_km2	34.79
area_land_km2	34.61
area_water_km2	0.18
area_total_sq_mi	13.43
area_land_sq_mi	13.36
area_water_sq_mi	0.07
population_as_of	2020
population_footnotes
population_total	4717
population_density_sq_mi	352.99
population_density_km2	136.29
population_est	6535
pop_est_as_of	2025
timezone	Eastern (EST)
utc_offset	-5
timezone_DST	EDT
utc_offset_DST	-4
elevation_footnotes
elevation_ft	876
coordinates
postal_code_type	ZIP code
postal_code	46064
area_code	765
blank_name	FIPS code
blank_info	18-58662
blank1_name	GNIS feature ID
blank1_info	2396852
website
::

History

Pendleton was platted in 1830, and incorporated as a town in 1854. It was named for town founder Thomas Pendleton.

Fall Creek Massacre

The Fall Creek Massacre is the name given to the brutal murders of a peaceful group of Seneca and Miami Indians by white settlers. The massacre occurred on March 22, 1824, in Madison County between Fall Creek and Deer Lick Creek. James Hudson's trial was held October 7–9, 1824. Trials of the other men were held in 1825. The trial set an important precedent in recognizing the civil rights of Native Americans. The three men were hanged for their crimes in Pendleton. This marked the first time white men were executed for the murder of Native Americans in the United States. A historical marker in Falls Park marks the place of the hanging. The inscription reads: "Three white men were hung here in 1825 for killing Indians."

Attack on Frederick Douglass

Frederick Douglass wrote of being attacked by a mob as he promoted the Abolition cause in 1843. His party had erected a platform in nearby woods. A crowd of "rough characters", largely from "Andersonville", tried to silence them, then severely beat them. He defended himself with a stick, but was knocked unconscious. He was nursed back to health over days by the Quaker Neal Hardy and his wife. Douglass never regained full use of his injured hand.

2019 tornado

Pendleton was struck by a strong tornado during the evening of May 27, 2019, during a major tornado outbreak. Moderate damage was reported to the town, with search and rescue efforts beginning that night. The tornado received a rating of high-end EF-2, with winds of 130 mph. ::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/bd/Pendleton,Indiana.jpg" caption="Photo from Small Town Indiana survey"] ::

::figure[src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e4/Fallspark.jpg" caption="Falls Park"] ::

Geography

Pendleton is located in southern Madison County. It is bordered to the north by the city of Anderson, the county seat. It is bordered to the west by the town of Lapel and to the southwest by the town of Ingalls.

Interstate 69 passes through the west side of the town and travels along its northern border, with access from Exits 219 and 222. I-69 leads southwest 30 mi to Indianapolis and north-northeast 91 mi to Fort Wayne. U.S. Route 36 passes through the southeast side of Pendleton, leading southwest to Indianapolis and east 62 mi to Greenville, Ohio. Indiana State Road 9 passes through the east side of Pendleton, leading north 10 mi to Anderson and south 15 mi to Greenfield. State Road 38 passes through the center of Pendleton as State Street, leading east-southeast 21 mi to New Castle and west-northwest 14 mi to Noblesville. State Road 132 (Lapel Road) leads northwest from Pendleton 7 mi to Lapel.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Pendleton has a total area of 13.43 sqmi, of which 0.07 sqmi, or 0.52%, are water. Fall Creek passes through the town west of its center, flowing southwest to the White River in Indianapolis.

Demographics

|1850= 389 |1870= 675 |1880= 614 |1890= 996 |1900= 1512 |1910= 1293 |1920= 1244 |1930= 1538 |1940= 1681 |1950= 2082 |1960= 2472 |1970= 2243 |1980= 2130 |1990= 2309 |2000= 3873 |2010= 4253 |2020= 4717 |estimate= 6535 |estyear= 2025 |estref= |footnote=US Decennial Census Pendleton is part of the Indianapolis–Carmel–Anderson metropolitan statistical area.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 4,253 people, 1,754 households, and 1,154 families in the town. The population density was 380.8 PD/sqmi. There were 1,893 housing units at an average density of 169.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 96.6% White, 1.0% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.8% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.3% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.0% of the population.

There were 1,754 households, of which 34.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.4% were married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.2% were non-families. 30.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.94.

The median age in the town was 37.6 years. 26.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.4% were from 25 to 44; 24.5% were from 45 to 64; and 15% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 47.3% male and 52.7% female.

2000 census

As of the 2000 United States census, of 2000, there were 3,873 people, 1,550 households, and 1,052 families in the town. The population density was 577.6 PD/sqmi. There were 1,631 housing units at an average density of 243.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 98.27% White, 0.39% African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.46% Asian, 0.21% from other races, and 0.57% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.52% of the population.

There were 1,550 households, out of which 34.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.3% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.1% were non-families. 27.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.94.

The town population contained 25.7% under the age of 18, 7.2% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 15.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $46,204, and the median income for a family was $54,556. Males had a median income of $39,545 versus $25,753 for females. The per capita income for the town was $20,074. About 3.7% of families and 4.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.7% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

Arts and culture

Museums and other points of interest

The Pendleton Historic District covers an area roughly bounded by Fall Creek, the Conrail right-of-way, and Madison and Adams streets. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places along with Madison County Bridge No. 149.

Education

It is in the South Madison Community School Corporation. The town houses the schools for that school district. The district has three elementary schools: Pendleton Elementary (formerly South Elementary), East Elementary and Maple Ridge Elementary. Pendleton Heights High School sits atop a hill on the edge of the east side of town and serves as the local high school. A newly constructed Pendleton Heights Middle School opened in August 2009 across from the high school. The former middle school, located in the downtown area just north of Pendleton Elementary, now serves as Pendleton Elementary School - Intermediate.

The town has a lending library, the Pendleton Community Public Library.

Newspaper

The Times-Post is a weekly newspaper serving Pendleton and the surrounding communities. The paper was formerly known as The Pendleton Times, and was the first to feature Jim Davis' original comic strip "Gnorm Gnat" and "Jon", a prototype of Garfield.

Radio

WEEM (91.7 FM) is a radio station located on the campus of Pendleton Heights High School and run by the students. It is a non-commercial, 1200 watt station that covers about 20 mi and also supports a mobile application on both iOS and Google Play. The format of the station is contemporary rock. WEEM has been operational since 1970. WEEM competes in the annual IASB State Radio Contest.

Transportation

Highways

Major highways and roads that serve Pendleton include I-69, State Road 9, State Road 38, State Road 67, and U.S. Route 36.

Ambulance service

According to the Indiana EMS commission, Pendleton Emergency Ambulance operates one of only two volunteer Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulance services in Indiana.

Prisons

Three facilities of the Indiana Department of Corrections are in Fall Creek Township, near Pendleton

The Pendleton Correctional Facility is located on the south edge of town. Famous former inmates include: John Dillinger, Harry Pierpont, Jim "Goose" Ligon and Homer Van Meter. The Pendleton Reformatory is a maximum security prison and is located at 4490 Reformatory Rd.

Notable people

George Daugherty (1955– ), Emmy Award nominated director for the ABC television network
Dick Dickey (1926–2006), played basketball at North Carolina State and played guard for the Boston Celtics
Kellen Dunham (1993– ), professional basketball player at Butler University and for Okapi Aalstar.
Don Hankins (1902–1963), Major League Baseball pitcher for the 1927 Detroit Tigers
Joseph Swain (1857–1927), president of Indiana University and Swarthmore College.
Walter Dorwin Teague (1883–1960), industrial designer and architect
William Walker (1896–1992), actor as of Reverend Sykes in To Kill a Mockingbird in 1962.
Fred Wilt (1920–1994), set the world record in the two mile at 8:51 in 1952.

References

"Town of Pendleton Indiana". Town of Pendleton Indiana.
"2022 U.S. Gazetteer Files: Indiana". United States Census Bureau.
"P1. Race – Pendleton town, Indiana: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)". U.S. Census Bureau.
"US Census website". US Census Bureau.
{{GNIS. 2396852
(1897). "Historical Sketches and Reminiscences of Madison County, Indiana". Wilson, Humphreys & Co..
"Profile for Pendleton IN". ePodunk.
"Three White Men Were Hung Here Historical Marker".
Douglass, Frederick. (1882). "Life and Times of Frederick Douglass".
"Indiana weather: Tornado watches extended, search and rescue underway in Pendleton. During the tornado other tornados were spotted about 10 miles away from Pendleton which were classified as EF-2 with winds reaching 135 mph.".
"Pendleton Demographic Statistics". Indiana Demographics by Cubit.
"Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov.
"US Census website". US Census Bureau.
{{NRISref
Geography Division. (December 18, 2020). "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Madison County, IN". [[U.S. Census Bureau]].
"South Madison Community School Corporation". South Madison Community School Corporation.
"Indiana public library directory". Indiana State Library.
"Times Post Pendleton Indiana". Times Post Pendleton Indiana.
(March 2018)

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