UFO Sightings in the Indianapolis Metro Area (2000–2023)

📍 Location

📝 Description

The Indianapolis metropolitan area was the subject of Axios' Map du jour: UFO sightings, which analyzed National UFO Reporting Center data covering 2000–2023 and found 31.6 UFO sightings per 100,000 residents in the Indy metro area. This rate is slightly below the national average of 34.3 per 100,000, consistent with other large metro areas with light pollution. As of December 2025, there have been no publicly published Indy-specific updates revising this 2000–2023 per-capita figure. In 2025, NUFORC reported a nationwide uptick in reported sightings (2,174 through the first half of 2025), but these figures are national and do not provide a new Indy-specific recalibration of the 2000–2023 rate. Data sources remain NUFORC and the Census, with Axios Visuals providing the Indianapolis map visualization.

🔍 Circumstances

Aggregation of public UFO/UAP reports to NUFORC (National UFO Reporting Center) and population data from the U.S. Census, mapped to the Indianapolis metropolitan area. The figure (31.6 sightings per 100k, 2000–2023) comes from Axios' analysis of NUFORC data, not from a targeted Indy field study or official government investigation.

👤 Physical Description

Not applicable; the Axios item is a per-capita map derived from NUFORC reports, not a single observed object.

ℹ️ Additional Details

No Indy-specific public updates since the 2024 Axios article revising the 2000–2023 per-capita rate. NUFORC continues to maintain its databank and map; nationwide reports in 2025 indicate a rising volume of sightings, but there is no publicly disclosed Indy-only revision to the 31.6/100k figure. For context, sources include Axios' Indy map article and NUFORC’s databank/map pages; some outlets citing The Hill discuss 2025 nationwide figures.

🔗 Sources (4)

👥 Community Contributions

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