Elkhart, IN Colleges & Universities: Get Your Degree

The city of Elkhart, Indiana has around 50,000 residents, but Elkhart is itself a part of the South Bend area, which is home to over 300,000 people. It is also part of the Elkhart-Goshen metropolitan statistical region, located in the area of Indiana often known as "Michiana" due to its close proximity to Michigan. While residents of Elkhart are an important part of the South Bend economy and culture, they are also only 93 miles away from Chicago and all the resources that the third-largest city in the country provides. Some Elkhartians even commute to Chicago for work.

With Lake Michigan only 20 miles away, citizens of Elkhart enjoy a great location in this small but vibrant city, known for its theater and arts scenes. Events such as the Elkhart Jazz Festival, Rhapsody in Green, and the Elkhart Air Show draw visitors and contribute to the city's high quality of life. Elkhart was recently named one of the top ten greenest cities by Country Home magazine, due to its environmentally friendly attitude.

The Elkhart-Goshen area had a per capita income of around $32,000 in 2005, placing it just below the national average. The major industries in Elkhart produce musical instruments and recreational vehicles (RVs). In fact, the Elkhart-Goshen area is often referred to as the "RV capital of the world." The biggest employer in nearby St Joseph County is Notre Dame University, which is located in South Bend. Healthcare is another important industry in this part of Indiana, with Memorial Health systems serving as a major local employer. There is currently a big effort to spur economic growth in the South Bend area, with much revitalization of old industry buildings in the works.

Sources:

• Bureau of Economic Analysis
• City of Elkhart