Upland (pronounced as "up-land") is a town in Jefferson Township, Grant County, Indiana, United States. The population was 3,821 at the 2020 census. It is the home of Taylor University, a Christian college.

thumb|Upland, Indiana.

History

Most of the land that is now part of Upland was purchased by John Oswalt in the 1830s. He was a speculator, and believed that a canal connecting Indianapolis and Fort Wayne might pass through the area. The town was formed in the late 1860s by Jacob Bugher, who planned for it to be a depot point on the Indiana Central Railroad. The town's name comes from the fact it was believed to be the highest point on the rail line between Columbus and Chicago. By 1880, the town had a population of around 150 and included a school, two churches, several stores, a blacksmith shop, and a sawmill.

Upland benefited from the gas boom in central Indiana which started in 1886 and carried on until around 1900 when the gas supply began to decline. Gas was discovered in Upland in 1888, and this new resource allowed the town to flourish and grow. By the 1890s, the town had a population of over 1,000, street lights, water and gas lines, and a glass manufacturing plant.

Demographics

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2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Upland had a population of 3,821. The median age was 22.6 years. 13.6% of residents were under the age of 18 and 12.2% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 90.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 88.2 males age 18 and over.

0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.

There were 863 households in Upland, of which 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 53.4% were married-couple households, 14.9% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 26.1% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 27.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. of 2010, there were 3,845 people, 872 households, and 589 families living in the town. The population density was . There were 949 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the town was 94.6% White, 1.6% African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.2% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.9% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.3% of the population.

There were 872 households, of which 30.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.3% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 32.5% were non-families. 23.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.00.

The median age in the town was 21.8 years. 14.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 48.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 12.7% were from 25 to 44; 14.9% were from 45 to 64; and 9.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 47.7% male and 52.3% female.

2000 census

As of the census and an elementary school, Eastbrook South. Upland is also the home of Taylor University.

References

  • Town of Upland, Indiana website