Small Town Breakdown No. 58: Edinburgh, Indiana
For this week’s small town breakdown we’re going from Elwood in Madison County to Edinburgh, which sits primarily in Johnson County. Edinburgh is 35 minutes south of downtown Indianapolis, 15 minutes north of Columbus, and one hour east of Bloomington.
What's it like in Edinburgh, Indiana?
Edinburgh, Indiana is home to the biggest tenderloin in the Hoosier State, premium outlets that pull in shoppers from hours away, and a golf course designed with the input of 1979 Masters champion Fuzzy Zoeller.
The History of Edinburgh, Indiana
Despite only covering a total of 3.11 square miles, Edinburgh spreads into three Indiana counties: Johnson, Bartholomew, and Shelby. It mostly sits in the far southeast corner of Johnson County, where it was the county’s first settlement.
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Edinburgh was platted in 1822 with 32 lots owned by Alexander Thompson and Lewis Bishop. The name had the “h” at the end in the beginning and when it became incorporated in 1853, but the “h” was dropped in 1899 and wasn’t brought back until the Town Council restored the “h” to the town’s name in 1977. There is no certainty on where Edinburgh got its name. It was believed that Thompson was a Scotsman, making some think it was named in honor of Edinburgh, Scotland. Others suggest that early settlers described the area as “Eden” because of its beauty.
As of the 2024 census, Edinburgh’s population is 4,478, making it the sixth-largest incorporated town/city in Johnson County, second in Bartholomew County, and second in Shelby County. It is the 143rd-largest city in Indiana.
Things to Do In or Near Edinburgh, Indiana
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