What Is a Hoosier?
A Hoosier is a resident of the state of Indiana — and one of the most debated demonyms in American English. The word has been in use since the 1830s, but its origin remains genuinely unknown. Linguists, historians, and Hoosiers themselves have proposed at least fourteen competing theories, none of which has been conclusively proven. Leading candidates include a frontier greeting ("Who's here?"), a contractor named Hoosier who preferred Indiana workers, and the dialectal word "hoozer" meaning something large. The mystery is considered a feature, not a bug.
What's not debated: Hoosiers are proud, friendly, unpretentious, and deeply attached to their state. Indiana sits at the crossroads of America — literally, it's on the license plates — and its people have built a culture around hard work, hospitality, and a pork tenderloin sandwich so oversized it hangs off the bun like a culinary declaration of independence.
Population Growth: 1800 to Present
Quick Facts
| Capital | Indianapolis |
| Statehood | December 11, 1816 (19th state) |
| Motto | The Crossroads of America |
| Area | 36,418 sq mi |
| Highest Point | Hoosier Hill (1,257 ft) |
| State Parks | 24 |
| Covered Bridges | 91 |
State Symbols
| Bird | Cardinal |
| Flower | Peony |
| Tree | Tulip Tree |
| Stone | Indiana Limestone |
| Pie | Sugar Cream Pie |
| River | Wabash River |
| Song | "On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away" |
| Insect | Say's Firefly |
| Fossil | Crinoid (sea lily) |
| Language | English (official since 1984) |
| Rifle | Grouseland Rifle |
| Soil | Miami silt loam |