Welcome to Plainfield, Indiana: a suburb town surrounded by an open, rural community.

If you’re looking for a place that balances a small-town feel with big-city amenities, then Plainfield is the place for you! As the Executive Director of Communications and Marketing for Plainfield, it’s my job to tell our story and explain why we’re one the best communities to live, work, and play. However, it’s not just my job. I truly believe that Plainfield is one of the best places to live in Indiana. In fact, I’m excited to say that my family and I recently built our forever home right here in town!

When I accepted this job several years ago, I didn’t know much about Plainfield. But one of the things I quickly learned to love was the hospitality of my neighbors. Everyone was friendly, whether I encountered them on the trails, met them at the recreation center, or saw them at the many free events around town. I’ve also learned that Plainfield is still growing in many ways, and I’m thrilled to be part of such growth!

Where is Plainfield, Indiana?

Plainfield is the largest town in Indiana with a community of over 36,000 residents. The town is located just southwest of Indianapolis, next to the Indianapolis International Airport. And over the years, Plainfield has become an important hub for business in Central Indiana. 

Our business-friendly community has built itself into a nationally recognized center for logistics, distribution, and e-commerce. Across the town, Plainfield has over 50 million square feet of industrial space, and we continue to maintain one of the lowest tax rates in the region! 

Plainfield is so much more than a community built on logistics. Our town has excellent schools, extensive trails, a performing and fine arts center, and a recreation and aquatic center that includes Splash Island—a 4.3-acre outdoor water park.

Plainfield is a town with a rich history.

Many people wonder why Plainfield has remained a town, even though it meets the requirements to become a city. The answer is simple: we take pride in being a town because it allows for consistent leadership and long-term planning. While Plainfield is now one of the largest towns in Indiana, it hasn’t always been that way. 

The area now known as Guilford Township was once an unbroken stretch of wilderness along White Lick Creek. Delaware Indians occupied the land until white settlers began to arrive after the 1818 Treaty of St. Mary’s. Over time, the town of Plainfield grew and came about in this way:

• In 1822, Jeremiah Hadley of Preble County, Ohio, obtained a tract of land including the area now known as Plainfield. Ten years later, he sold it to his son, Elias Hadley. 
• Elias Hadley and Levi Jessup planned and laid out the town in 1839. 
• That same year, Plainfield first became incorporated as a town. But the charter was given up because of the town’s unsuccessful attempts at government. Township trustees at the time felt that township rule was preferable. 
• On June 25, 1904, Plainfield was incorporated as a town for the second time. But this time, the incorporation stuck.

Becoming an official town was a major achievement for Plainfield, but our town continued to grow and prosper. As Plainfield became rich in soil, our population grew, and the town developed a booming agriculture scene. The town eventually became known for its corn, wheat, oats, and soybeans as local farmers traveled to sell their products. And that commerce helped Plainfield become the business center it is today.

Plainfield is a community of values.

One thing to expect while living in Plainfield is our town values. At the core of our community is a unified value system that represents what our people believe is most important. That includes values like justice, kindness, integrity, and many others. But the focus of our value system has always been family. When family and values are strong in our community, then our people benefit from our positive, welcoming culture! 

Our Community of Values Program first began in 1991, when the school superintendent organized the initiative. He and a group of community leaders surveyed the town to identify their most important values. And then they promoted the top 12 values throughout the community, from classrooms to churches. Each month has its own value, and you’ll often see the Value of the Month around town. This program also led to the beginning of the Community Organizations Group, which brings together representatives from various local organizations. Together, they’ve accomplished many major projects to improve our community.  

Our town also hosts a wide array of community events. These events are our way of keeping Plainfield’s small-town feel despite our growing population. Annually, the town hosts free seasonal events within our community parks.

One of my favorite community celebrations is the Hendricks County International Festival! The festival invites people to come together and celebrate the diverse cultures in our community through food, dance, and art. Attendees get an event passport which they can stamp at each booth they visit, creating a fun visual representation of everything they’ve learned! With free admission and endless activities, it’s no surprise why this festival has quickly become a beloved town tradition. 

Raise your family in a community with quality schools.

From kindergarten to graduation, Plainfield is a town that cares about giving its residents a quality education. The Plainfield Community School Corporation (PCSC) is home to nearly 5,900 K-12 students and more than 700 dedicated employees. 

Our district consistently ranks among the top in the state and has received multiple Four Star School awards. Most recently, Van Buren Elementary School was honored as a National Blue Ribbon School of Distinction. And with five elementary schools feeding into a single middle and high school, our students benefit from a unified, supportive educational experience and have access to a wide range of curricular and extracurricular opportunities. 

Plainfield Community School Corporation students have even represented our community on the national and global stage, earning titles in robotics, We the People, and more.  

How can adults further their education in Plainfield?

For residents who’ve already graduated, the Plainfield Town Council established a dedicated community center for higher education. The MADE@Plainfield Higher Education Center is a collaboration between Ivy Tech, Vincennes University, WorkOne, Hendricks College Network, Indiana State University, and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security.

This higher education center allows students of all ages to enroll in courses and advance their careers. The center offers courses in medical assisting, information technology, accounting and business, industrial maintenance, robotics, and more! So, if you’re in the area, I’d definitely suggest looking into their programs. There’s always room to grow and learn, and that’s the best part about life!

What are the best things to do in Plainfield?

Whether you’re a nature enthusiast, an art lover, or self-proclaimed foodie, Plainfield offers something for everyone. In 2024, the Town proudly opened Hendricks Live!—a premier performing and fine arts center featuring a state-of-the-art 600-seat theatre, flexible event space, and a public art gallery. It’s quickly become the community’s go-to venue for year-round performances, exhibits, and events for all ages and interests. 

Speaking as someone who never considered herself an “arts and theatre” type, I’ve been surprised by how much I’ve enjoyed the shows and performances at Hendricks Live! It’s given me a new appreciation for the arts—and reminded me just how many incredible experiences are available right here in our beautiful town. 

Where can you enjoy the outdoors in Plainfield?

The Town of Plainfield has lots of scenic parks and a winding trail network, connecting you with nature. The majority of our parks are all along the White Lick Creek and are linked together by a corresponding trail. So, you can easily spend the day walking from greenspace to greenspace! 

While you’re in the area, be sure to visit the Al & Jan Barker Sports Complex—home to local baseball, football, and soccer games. Just a short drive away, you’ll find Echo Hollow Nature Park, formerly known as Sodalis Nature Park. This beautiful 210-acre park features scenic trails and a peaceful pond that’s perfect for fishing. Echo Hollow is also the centerpiece of an exciting master plan, as the Town prepares to transform 1,800 acres into a true regional destination with an RV park, nature center, and more. 

Looking for aquatic fun in the heart of Indy?

If you’re looking to soak up the summer sun, there’s no better place than the Splash Island Waterpark—a true waterpark experience right here in Central Indiana. As part of the Richard A. Carlucci Recreation & Aquatic Center, Splash Island offers both indoor and outdoor aquatic fun.

In the summer months, families and friends flock to enjoy the water slides, float along the lazy river, and swim laps in the six-lane competition pool. Thanks to a recent expansion, the park now features six thrilling adult slides, a splash pad for the little ones, and tiki hut rentals that make you feel like you’ve escaped to a tropical resort. And the fun doesn’t stop when summer ends. Inside, the aquatic center hosts year-round swimming lessons, water aerobics classes, and even birthday party rentals. 

What’s the best restaurant in Plainfield?

For me, I’m a total foodie at heart, and I highly recommend getting a taste of Plainfield! One of my favorite restaurants here is the Oasis Diner. The Oasis is an authentic 1954 diner located on Plainfield’s Historic National Road. Their outstanding menu serves loaded biscuits and gravy, tasty burgers, mouth-watering desserts, and more. But the Oasis is just the beginning! Our local restaurants also offer a wide range of cuisines like Mexican, Italian, and Indian food right here in our backyard.  

Plainfield is committed to preserving our history.

Over the years, Plainfield has invested in many projects to preserve the character of some of our most notable buildings. The Town acquired the Prewitt Theatre on Main Street and partnered with a private developer to preserve the building. Now, The Prewitt is a New Americana restaurant and lounge, serving trendy cocktails and delicious dishes while showcasing live music, trivia, and my favorite—mystery dinners! 

The Town also partnered with the Oasis Diner to relocate it to its new home in the center of town. This project was a direct effort to save this historic and iconic local restaurant. Now, the diner is hugely successful and prominently located on US 40. This project truly shows how Plainfield honors our history while supporting the small businesses that make our town vibrant. 

Another preservation effort involved transforming a historic iron bridge into a trail crossing over White Lick Creek at Friendship Gardens. And the town also restored the old Interurban Depot Train Station on Vine Street. 

Originally built in 1906, the depot was eventually purchased by the American Legion after the interurban stopped running. Then, after ownership transferred to the Town, the building was restored and dedicated to community use in 2003. Now, the depot is managed by the Parks Department, offering programs and private rentals for meetings, family gatherings, and events.

These projects demonstrate how Plainfield gives careful consideration to our town, always doing the ‘right project for the right reasons.’ Many of our residents value Plainfield’s unique character, and the Town Council celebrates that history through their ongoing preservation efforts. In fact, it’s that dedication and small-town feel that makes Plainfield feel like home!

Plainfield is a growing town that looks towards the future.

While preservation is all about our town’s history, Plainfield still remains focused on the future! Every town project and initiative considers how to best serve the community and foster its success in the coming years. 

As our town continues to grow, I’m eager to see all the new restaurants, shopping locations, and career opportunities that my family can enjoy here in Plainfield. 

I hope you’ll consider visiting this booming community, just 20 minutes west of Indianapolis! Many local residents enjoy the rural environment around Plainfield and simply commute to downtown Indianapolis for work. So, whatever suits your lifestyle, you can truly have the best of both worlds in our community!