Hamilton County apartments for rent

With so many parks, museums and entertainment venues, it’s no wonder Hoosiers refer to Hamilton County as “the playground of Indianapolis.” Two sites – Geist and Morse Reservoirs, man-made lakes in Hamilton County – offer endless recreational opportunities such as boating and fishing, and make the county a great place to play.

It’s a great place to live, as well. Hamilton is the most affluent county in Indiana, with a median household income of more than $82,000; and although money can’t buy everything, Hamilton was ranked “America’s Best Place to Raise a Family” by Forbes.com based on this strong economy, affordable living, top-ranked schools and close proximity to the city of Indianapolis.

Officially founded in 1823, Hamilton County is full of history, too, with a number of sites listed on the National Register. Among them is Conner Prairie, a living history museum that recreates part of life in Indiana in the 19th century.

Located in the town of Fishers, Conner Prairie was founded by pharmaceutical executive Eli Lilly in the 1930s. The restored William Conner house and related outbuildings on approximately 1,400 acres of surrounding farmland serve as the centerpiece for an authentic 1836 village. Built in 1823, the historic house is a two-story Federal style, believed to be one of the first brick buildings built in central Indiana.

Costumed staff demonstrate chores such as cooking, chopping wood, making pottery and tending to animals. Patrons are often invited to join in the activities. Conner Prairie became an affiliate in the Smithsonian Affiliations program; in 2010, the museum was awarded the National Medal for Museum and Library Service and a $10,000 prize in a ceremony at the White House.

The museum hosts a number of semi-regular events, including “Mystery on the Prairie” murder mystery evenings, the Headless Horseman ride in the autumn, candlelight tours and country fair. It also hosts American Civil War reenactments, the annual Spirit of the Prairie Awards, and Christmas holiday events and dinners.

The population of Hamilton County is 274,569. This is one of the fastest-growing counties in the nation, recently surpassing St. Joseph County in population, making it the fourth most-populous county in the state. Hamilton County is also home to three of the state’s largest cities and towns, Carmel, Fishers and Noblesville, the county seat.