Indiana Romance 101: What to Expect When Dating a Hoosier

If you're going to date a Hoosier, there are definitely some things you should know before making a commitment.

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I met my wife in January 2018 while attending Vincennes University. Since we were both from Indiana, our cultural heritage and values were not all that different, making our early dating experience a little bit easier. We both knew Indiana geographically very well and were familiar with area festivals, customs, and even slang words like "ope." However, I had friends in college who were not from the area, or even the Midwest for that matter, who had a harder time mingling with Hoosier natives.

While we all live in the United States of America, cultures can vary greatly by region, making socializing—and especially dating—somewhat challenging for newcomers. According to the 2020 Census, Indiana has a total population of 6,785,528, but it's important to note that not all of those individuals are originally from the "Crossroads of America." Some people living in Indiana are from faraway states like New York or California, while others might have been born in another country.

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Census data from 2020 reveals that approximately 46.7% of folks currently residing in Indiana live in a married-couple family household. Therefore, it's safe to say there are quite a few single folks throughout the state. In fact, according to the Indy Star, nearly 70% of adults residing in Indianapolis were single as of 2018. Whether you’re new to the state or just want to confirm every item on this list, you can check out the top things to know about dating someone from Indiana below: