Life in Plainfield’s 46168

Known as the gateway to central Indiana and home to the county’s largest collection of hotels, Plainfield exemplifies modern convenience with small-town character and exceptional educational standards. With a population of 38,284 and a median household income of $87,315, the community attracts diverse families and professionals who value accessibility, quality schools, and comprehensive recreational opportunities. This demographic composition creates a stable, growth-oriented environment where 50.7% of residents are married and 35% of households include children.

The area’s demographics showcase an educated, professionally diverse community with a median age of 37.3 years and 36.6% of residents holding college degrees. With 62.2% of residents employed and only 3.2% unemployment, the community reflects economic stability enhanced by its strategic location near major transportation hubs. The diversity index indicates a welcoming community where 77.4% are white, with significant representation from various ethnic backgrounds creating an inclusive environment.

The Plainfield Community School Corporation stands as one of Indiana’s premier educational systems, ranking 18th out of 398 school districts statewide and in the top 5% for combined math and reading proficiency. Serving 5,854 students across 9 schools with 94.4% licensed teachers, the district achieves exceptional results with 59% math proficiency and 60% reading proficiency, far exceeding state averages of 38% and 41% respectively. This academic excellence provides families with confidence in their educational investment.

Splash Island Family Waterpark represents Plainfield’s commitment to providing world-class family recreation, featuring water slides, a lazy river, water playground, and comprehensive aquatic facilities. Combined with the year-round Plainfield Recreation and Aquatic Center offering indoor swimming, the community provides exceptional aquatic recreation opportunities that serve residents throughout all seasons.

The Shops at Perry Crossing serves as a premier outdoor lifestyle destination, featuring a movie theater, diverse restaurants, and extensive shopping options in an attractive open-air environment. This retail hub demonstrates Plainfield’s ability to attract quality commercial development while maintaining community character and providing convenient access to goods and services.

Plainfield’s extensive parks and trails system showcases the community’s commitment to outdoor recreation and environmental preservation. Sodalis Nature Park, a 210-acre natural area named after an endangered bat species, provides hiking trails, fishing opportunities, and environmental education programs. Hummel Park and other community facilities offer playgrounds, sports fields, and family recreation areas that serve diverse interests and age groups.

The community’s location advantages are unparalleled in central Indiana, with Indianapolis International Airport just 10 minutes away and downtown Indianapolis accessible within 20 minutes. This positioning makes Plainfield particularly attractive to business travelers, aviation industry professionals, and anyone who values easy access to domestic and international travel while maintaining suburban lifestyle benefits.

The town’s hotel infrastructure, representing the largest collection in Hendricks County, includes full-service facilities like Embassy Suites by Hilton with conference capabilities and numerous other accommodations offering airport shuttle services. This hospitality infrastructure supports both business and leisure travel while contributing to the local economy and providing employment opportunities for residents.

Places to Visit in 46168

• Splash Island Family Waterpark – This premier aquatic destination features extensive water slides, a relaxing lazy river, interactive water playground, and comprehensive swimming facilities. Operating seasonally, Splash Island provides world-class family entertainment and represents one of the Indianapolis area’s premier waterpark experiences, attracting visitors from throughout central Indiana.
• The Shops at Perry Crossing – This attractive outdoor lifestyle center combines shopping, dining, and entertainment in a pedestrian-friendly environment. Featuring a modern movie theater, diverse restaurant options, and extensive retail selections, Perry Crossing serves as Plainfield’s premier commercial destination and social gathering place.
• Sodalis Nature Park – This exceptional 210-acre natural preserve, named after an endangered bat species, offers hiking trails, fishing opportunities at a scenic lake, and environmental education experiences. The park provides both paved and natural trails suitable for all ability levels, making it a perfect destination for nature enthusiasts and families seeking outdoor recreation.
• Plainfield Recreation and Aquatic Center – This comprehensive facility provides year-round indoor swimming, fitness programs, and recreational activities. The center offers swimming lessons, lap swimming, and leisure zones, ensuring aquatic recreation opportunities regardless of season or weather conditions.
• Hummel Park – Also known as Guilford Township Hummel Park, this community recreation area features playgrounds, sports facilities, and open spaces for family activities. The park provides neighborhood-level recreation opportunities and contributes to Plainfield’s extensive parks system.
• Historic Downtown Plainfield – Centered around the National Road (US-40/Main Street), downtown Plainfield features the nostalgic Oasis Diner and other local businesses that preserve the community’s heritage while providing modern services. The downtown area represents Plainfield’s connection to its historic transportation significance.
• Sky Zone Trampoline Park – This popular indoor entertainment facility provides year-round family fun with extensive trampoline courts, fitness programs, and party facilities. Sky Zone offers active entertainment options for all ages and serves as a community gathering place for celebrations and recreation.
• Friendship Gardens Park and Swinsford Park – These community parks provide additional recreational opportunities with playgrounds, sports facilities, and green spaces that serve neighborhood needs. These parks contribute to Plainfield’s reputation for comprehensive recreational amenities and family-friendly environment.
• Indianapolis International Airport – While technically a transportation hub, the airport’s 10-minute proximity provides Plainfield residents with unmatched convenience for domestic and international travel. This accessibility advantage significantly enhances quality of life and business opportunities for area residents.
• Plainfield Chamber Farmers Market – This community market in downtown Plainfield provides access to locally-grown produce, artisan goods, and community connections. The market represents Plainfield’s commitment to supporting local agriculture and small businesses while fostering community relationships.

All of these destinations reflect the 46168 zip code’s character as a community that combines convenience, recreation, and quality amenities. Whether you’re enjoying world-class water recreation at Splash Island, shopping and dining at Perry Crossing, or exploring nature at Sodalis Nature Park, this area offers comprehensive lifestyle opportunities that serve diverse interests and age groups while maintaining easy access to metropolitan advantages.

Why Choose 46168?

The 46168 zip code offers an exceptional combination of convenience, educational excellence, and recreational amenities that makes it one of Indiana’s most strategically advantaged places to live. Plainfield Community School Corporation’s ranking in the top 5% of Indiana districts with 59% math proficiency and 60% reading proficiency provides families with educational confidence typically found only in the state’s most prestigious communities. This academic achievement, combined with reasonable per-student spending, demonstrates efficient use of resources and sustainable excellence.

The community’s location advantages are simply unmatched in central Indiana, with Indianapolis International Airport just 10 minutes away and downtown Indianapolis accessible within 20 minutes. This positioning provides residents with extraordinary convenience for business travel, vacation planning, and metropolitan access while maintaining the benefits of suburban living. For professionals in aviation, logistics, hospitality, or any field requiring frequent travel, this location advantage is invaluable.

Plainfield’s recreational amenities rival those of much larger communities, with Splash Island Family Waterpark providing world-class aquatic entertainment and the comprehensive parks system offering year-round outdoor opportunities. The combination of seasonal and year-round facilities ensures that families can maintain active lifestyles regardless of weather or season, contributing significantly to quality of life and community satisfaction.

The economic advantages of Plainfield include strong household incomes averaging $87,315 with reasonable housing costs and excellent employment opportunities both locally and throughout the Indianapolis metropolitan area. The community’s hotel and hospitality infrastructure provides diverse employment options while the proximity to Indianapolis International Airport creates opportunities in aviation, logistics, and business services sectors.

Plainfield’s blend of convenience and community character creates an environment where residents can enjoy suburban tranquility while accessing metropolitan advantages with minimal travel time. The Shops at Perry Crossing provides quality shopping and dining without requiring trips to larger cities, while the historic downtown maintains small-town character and local business relationships that enhance community connections.

The community’s commitment to growth and improvement is evident in ongoing investments in education, recreation, and infrastructure while maintaining fiscal responsibility. This balanced approach ensures that Plainfield continues to enhance its offerings while preserving the values and characteristics that make it attractive to families and professionals seeking long-term community investment.

If you’re looking for a place that offers educational excellence, unmatched convenience, world-class recreation, and strategic location advantages with easy access to both Indianapolis and international destinations, zip code 46168 could be the perfect place to call home. Whether you’re drawn to the school rankings, the airport proximity, the recreational amenities, or simply the community character that combines small-town values with metropolitan convenience, Plainfield provides an ideal setting for those seeking the absolute best in accessible suburban living.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is 46168 located?

46168 is a zip code in Plainfield, Indiana, located in Hendricks County just 10 minutes from Indianapolis International Airport and 20 minutes from downtown Indianapolis. As a community of over 38,000 residents known as the gateway to central Indiana, Plainfield is strategically positioned along the historic National Road (US-40) with unmatched transportation access and the county’s largest collection of hotels. The zip code encompasses central Plainfield, including The Shops at Perry Crossing, Splash Island Family Waterpark, and numerous residential neighborhoods served by the top-ranked Plainfield Community School Corporation, which ranks in the top 5% of all Indiana school districts.