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Michiana

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Michiana
Michiana as defined by the Chamber of Commerce of St. Joseph County
Michiana as defined by the Chamber of Commerce of St. Joseph County
StatesBERJAYA Indiana
BERJAYA Michigan
Named afterMichigan and Indiana
Largest CityBERJAYA South Bend
Second Largest CityBERJAYA Elkhart
Counties7
(15 including Greater Michiana)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
867,747[1]
 • Estimate 
(2025)
867,074 Decrease
Time zoneEastern, Central
 • Summer (DST)Eastern, Central
Area codes219, 269, 574
Interstateslink = Indiana Toll Road link = Interstate 80 in Indiana link = Interstate 90 in Indiana link = Interstate 94 in Indiana link = Business routes of Interstate 94 in Michigan/Benton_Harbor-St._Joseph link = Interstate 196
U.S. Highwayslink = U.S. Route 6 in Indiana link = U.S. Route 12 link = U.S. Route 20 in Indiana link = U.S. Route 30 in Indiana link = U.S. Route 31 link = U.S. Route 35 in Indiana BERJAYA

Michiana (/ˌmɪʃiˈænə/ MISH-ee-AN-ə) is a region in northern Indiana and southwestern Michigan centered on the city of South Bend, Indiana. The Chamber of Commerce of St. Joseph County, Indiana defines Michiana as St. Joseph County and "counties that contribute at least 500 inbound commuting workers to St. Joseph County daily." Those counties include Elkhart, La Porte, Marshall, St. Joseph, and Starke in Indiana, and Berrien and Cass in Michigan. As of the 2020 census, those seven counties had a population of 867,747 (661,842 in Indiana and 205,905 in Michigan).

The name is a portmanteau of "Michigan" and "Indiana" and was chosen as the winning entry, purportedly submitted by Indiana politician Thurman C. Crook,[2] among others, in a contest to name the area held by the Associated South Bend Merchants in 1934.[3][4] The term is frequently used throughout the area, particularly by local radio and television stations based in South Bend-Mishawaka that serve the entire area, but also by businesses that seek to draw customers from Indiana into Michigan or vice versa. A 2016 report stated that residents in the Michigan portion are particularly fond of the term because it contains part of the state name as opposed to generic terms for the area such as "the South Bend region."[5]

Government

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The Michiana Area Council of Governments (MACOG) is the official Metropolitan Planning Organization for north central Indiana and the South Bend-Mishawaka metropolitan area. MACOG conducts planning for transportation, water quality, and economic development. Currently, 22 cities and towns as well as 29 townships participate in MACOG. Despite the Michiana name, none of these participants are currently from the state of Michigan,[6] although Berrien and Cass Counties were until they along with Van Buren County were combined into their own MPO, what is now called the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission.[7]

Counties

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2020 rank County State Seat 2020 Census 2010 Census Change Estimated Population Highest Population (Year)
1 St. Joseph Indiana South Bend 272,912266,931+2.24%[8] 272,861 Decrease (2025) 262,912 (2020)
2 Elkhart Indiana Goshen 207,047197,559+4.80%[9] 208,774 Increase (2025) 207,047 (2020)
3 Berrien Michigan St. Joseph 154,316156,813−1.59%[10] 152,444 Decrease (2025) 171,276 (1980)
4 LaPorte Indiana LaPorte 112,417111,467+0.85%[11] 111,294 Decrease (2025) 112,417 (2020)
5 Cass Michigan Cassopolis 51,58952,293−1.35%[12] 51,677 Increase (2025) 52,293 (2010)
6 Marshall Indiana Plymouth 46,09547,051−2.03%[13] 46,599 Increase (2025) 47,051
(2010)
7 Starke Indiana Knox 23,37123,363+0.03%[14] 23,425 Increase (2025) 23,556 (2000)

Largest cities

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2020 rank City County State 2020 Census 2010 Census Change Estimated Population Highest Population (Year)
1 South Bend St. Joseph Indiana 103,453101,168+2.26%[15] 103,201 Decrease (2025) 132,445 (1960)
2 Elkhart Elkhart Indiana 53,92350,949+5.84%[16] 54,092 Increase (2025) 53,923 (2020)
3 Mishawaka St. Joseph Indiana 51,06348,252+5.83%[17] 51,226 Increase (2025) 51,063 (2020)
4 Goshen Elkhart Indiana 34,51731,719+8.82%[18] 34,525 Increase (2025) 34,517 (2020)
5 Michigan City LaPorte Indiana 32,07531,479+1.89%[19] 31,338 Decrease (2025) 39,369 (1970)
6 Granger St. Joseph Indiana 30,33730,465−0.42%[20] — 30,465 (2010)
7 LaPorte LaPorte Indiana 22,47122,053+1.90%[21] 22,600 Increase (2025) 22,471 (2020)
8 Niles Berrien and Cass Michigan 11,98811,600+3.34%[22] 11,665 Decrease (2025) 13,842 (1960)
9 Plymouth Marshall Indiana 10,21410,033+1.80%[23] 11,081 Increase (2025) 10,214
(2020)
10 Benton Harbor Berrien Michigan 9,10310,038−9.31%[24] 8,803 Decrease (2025) 19,136
(1960)

Greater Michiana

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BERJAYA
The St. Joseph River flows through the heart of Michiana, southwest from Michigan to Indiana, west through Mishawaka (shown), turning north at South Bend, back into Michigan through Niles to Lake Michigan at St. Joseph.

Greater Michiana includes the following 15 counties in Indiana and Michigan:

The Chamber of Commerce of St. Joseph County (Indiana) defines Greater Michiana as "counties within a 60-mile [97 km] driving distance to St. Joseph County" that are not included in the seven counties making up Michiana "proper." However, the driving distance presumably refers to the distance between the metropolitan South Bend area and significant population centers in outlying areas, since a strict definition allowing for 60 miles from any point in St. Joseph County would add even more counties to the Greater Michiana area. For example, Walkerton in southwestern St. Joseph County is located approximately 30 miles (48 km) from Monterey in northeastern Pulaski County, yet Pulaski is not included in the Chamber's list of Greater Michiana counties.[citation needed]

Because Michiana is not a legal or political entity, opinions differ about what counties and communities constitute the region. Some definitions of the entire Michiana area include fewer than 15 counties; others include Pulaski County and exclude some other outlying counties, notably, those in extreme Northwest Indiana, whose residents identify more closely with Chicago than with the South Bend area.[citation needed]

Michiana's borders overlap with those of the Chicago metropolitan area, and the two regions have significant cultural ties. South Bend in particular has strong ties to Chicago: it is home to the last stop on the South Shore Line, a commuter rail line connecting Chicago's downtown and south side to Indiana,[25] and the nearby University of Notre Dame is noted for its strong connection with Chicago.[26] Berrien County, Michigan, is known as a common summer vacation destination for wealthy Chicagoans; The Wall Street Journal called the area "the Hamptons of the Midwest".[27][28]

Economy

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Throughout the twentieth century, the economy of Michiana was based on heavy industry, especially as connected to the automobile industry centered in nearby Detroit. In 1960, 41% of the employment was in manufacturing, followed by 17% in hospitality 8% in business services, 6% in transportation, 5% in education, and 5% in agriculture, with healthcare at 4% and government at 2%. Deindustrialization had a major impact after 1970, and by 2013, only 27% of the employment was in manufacturing, 20% was in hospitality, 12% in healthcare, 11% in government, 8% in business services, 5% in transportation, and 4% in education. In 2013, three of the top 10 Michiana employers were in the Elkhart area and focused on recreational vehicles, trailers, and related products, including Forest River with 7600 employees, Thor Industries with 7500, and Drew industries with 4700. Many hospitals were consolidated, as health spending doubled and tripled. By 2013 three health systems were among the top 10 employers: Beacon Health System (7000 employees; based in Elkhart and South Bend); Lakeland Regional Health System (4100 employees; based in St. Joseph and Niles), and Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center (2700; based in Mishawaka and Plymouth). The University of Notre Dame had 5700 employees in the educational sector, and the South Bend Community School Corporation had 3000. Whirlpool Corporation, the appliance maker, with 3400 employees, is based in Benton Harbor. Martin's Super Markets operated 21 grocery stores in the region with 3100 employees.[29] With the loss of manufacturing, per capita income in Michiana has declined from 105% of the national average in 1960 to 82% in 2013.[30][31]

Education

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Colleges and Universities

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Transportation

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Airports

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Commercial Use[43]

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Public Use[43][44]

[edit]

Train Stations

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South Shore Line[45]

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Amtrak[46][47]

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Former Stations[48]

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Points of interest

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For more information and other points of interest not listed below, see the articles on the individual communities in the region.

Historical sites

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Museums

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Parks

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See also

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References

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  1. ↑ "2020 Census".
  2. ↑ Mason, Kirk (2010-11-26). "Where Are They Now?: Michiana (video)". WSBT Special Reports: Where Are They Now?. WSBT-TV. Retrieved 2011-02-12.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: deprecated archival service (link) Note: Video not available online
  3. ↑ "South Bend Trading Area Name Is 'Michiana'; 100 Tied for Prize". South Bend Tribune. 1934-12-15. p. 1. Retrieved 2019-05-16.
  4. ↑ "Has 'Michiana' outlived its usefulness?". South Bend Tribune. 2000-01-06. p. A8. Retrieved 2019-05-16.
  5. ↑ Donnelly, Francis X. (2016-03-05). "Border residents cling to Michiana name". The Detroit News. Retrieved 2016-03-05.
  6. ↑ "What is MACOG?". Michiana Area Council of Governments. Retrieved on 2009-09-14.
  7. ↑ "History of the Southwest Michigan Planning Commission". Southwest Michigan Planning Commission (revised 2009-05-13). Retrieved on 2009-09-14.
  8. ↑ "St. Joseph County, Indiana". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2026-08-11.
  9. ↑ "Elkhart County, Indiana". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2026-08-11.
  10. ↑ "Berrien County, Michigan". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2026-08-11.
  11. ↑ "LaPorte County, Indiana". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2026-08-11.
  12. ↑ "Cass County, Michigan". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2026-08-11.
  13. ↑ "Marshall County, Indiana". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2026-08-11.
  14. ↑ "Starke County, Indiana". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2026-08-11.
  15. ↑ "South Bend, Indiana". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2026-08-11.
  16. ↑ "Elkhart, Indiana". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2026-08-11.
  17. ↑ "Mishawaka, Indiana". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2026-08-11.
  18. ↑ "Goshen, Indiana". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2026-08-11.
  19. ↑ "Michigan City, Indiana". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2026-08-11.
  20. ↑ "Granger, Indiana". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2026-08-11.
  21. ↑ "LaPorte, Indiana". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2026-08-11.
  22. ↑ "Niles, Michigan". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2026-08-11.
  23. ↑ "Plymouth, Indiana". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2026-08-11.
  24. ↑ "Benton Harbor, Michigan". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2022-07-03.
  25. ↑ "Maps & Stations". www.mysouthshoreline.com.
  26. ↑ O'Connell, Patrick M. (27 December 2018). "'To this day, I'm obsessed with Notre Dame': Chicago pipeline remains strong as Irish gear up for Cotton Bowl". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  27. ↑ De Zutter, Hank; Little De Zutter, Pamela (6 October 1988). "Invasion of the FIPs: boom time in southwestern Michigan". Chicago Reader. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  28. ↑ Jones, Al (6 April 2013). "Report: The Wall Street Journal calls the Southwest Michigan shoreline the Hamptons of the Midwest". mlive. Retrieved 21 September 2019.
  29. ↑ Kevin Allen, "South Bend and the Modern Economy," South Bend Tribune Oct 26, 2014.
  30. ↑ Kevin Allen, "Can we dream big?" South Bend Tribune
  31. ↑ See also "Can we dream big?" South Bend Tribune 2015 stories Deprecated link archived 2015-01-18 at archive.today
  32. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Higher Education in the South Bend-Elkhart Region". Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  33. 1 2 3 "Berrien County Colleges". Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  34. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 "Colleges and Universities - St. Joseph County Chamber of Commerce". Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  35. ↑ "Indiana Tech Service Centers". Retrieved August 15, 2026.
  36. ↑ "Ivy Tech Locations". Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  37. ↑ "Schools, Colleges & Education". Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  38. ↑ "Lake Michigan College Campus Locations". Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  39. ↑ "Marshall County Education". Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  40. ↑ "PNW The Westville Experience". Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  41. ↑ "Cass County Colleges". Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  42. ↑ "Twin City Beauty College". Retrieved August 14, 2026.
  43. 1 2 "Indiana Public Use Airports". Retrieved August 16, 2026.
  44. ↑ "Michigan airports". Retrieved August 16, 2026.
  45. ↑ "South Shore Stations & Map". Retrieved August 16, 2026.
  46. ↑ "Passenger Rail Service in Indiana". Retrieved August 16, 2026.
  47. ↑ "Michigan Services". Amtrak. Retrieved August 16, 2026.
  48. ↑ "Throwback Thursday: Riding the rails for more than a century on South Shore Line". South Bend Tribune. June 22, 2017. Retrieved August 16, 2026.
  49. ↑ Stan Muddox (March 29, 2022). "Amtrak Station Closing in Michigan City". Retrieved August 16, 2026.
  50. ↑ "Amtrak to drop Indiana route". September 10, 2004. Retrieved August 16, 2026.
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