Hartford City, Indiana

Overview

As a critical healthcare facility in Hartford City, Indiana, Indiana University Health Blackford Hospital occupies a central position within the regional infrastructure. This hospital connects residents across multiple incorporated places, making it a focal point for the surrounding area. Analyzing the population within a 30-minute drive sheds light on how this location fits into the broader community network.

Population catchment

The catchment area surrounding Indiana University Health Blackford Hospital includes 20 incorporated communities with a combined population of roughly 125,886. Muncie anchors this population base at 65,194 residents, comprising approximately 52% of the total. Marion and Gas City, with populations of 28,310 and 6,157 respectively, round out the top three communities by population in the 30-minute radius. The distribution of population across these communities paints a picture of the regional demographic landscape.

Regional dependence

The data reveals that 18 communities out of 20 near Indiana University Health Blackford Hospital have fewer than 10,000 residents. These smaller incorporated places look to Muncie and its surrounding infrastructure for commerce, employment, and civic services. This hub-and-spoke dynamic underscores how locations like Indiana University Health Blackford Hospital function as critical nodes in the regional network of Indiana.

Geographic interpretation

The suburban nature of the area around Indiana University Health Blackford Hospital is reflected in the population data. The region blends suburban and semi-rural characteristics, with 2 communities above 10,000 residents alongside a collection of smaller incorporated places. With Muncie as the primary urban anchor and numerous smaller places in the vicinity, the region displays a moderately concentrated demographic pattern. The median community size of 1,528 residents reveals that the majority of incorporated places in the area are substantially smaller relative to Muncie. These geographic factors contribute to the significance of Indiana University Health Blackford Hospital within the surrounding community network.