Brownsburg was first settled in 1824 by James B. Brown. When he arrived, the area was just a dense, unbroken stretch of wilderness. Delaware Indians lived in what is now called Lincoln Township, along White Lick Creek, which was then called "Wa-pe-ke-way" or "White Salt". Four years later, the first log schoolhouse built in Brown Township. Once a stagecoach line was established along a road built in 1820 connecting to Indianapolis, more settlers arrived. William Harris settled in the area north of what is now Main Street, selling sections of woods to incoming pioneers which gave the town its original name of Harrisburg in 1835. A post office was established in 1836 under the name of Harrisburg, but was later changed to Brownsburg since the name Harrisburg was being used by a post office in another Indiana County. Brownsburg tripled in size from 1840 to 1870, increased from six to sixteen acres, and added its first church. The town's first election was held in 1848. In 1863, it was divided into Brown Township and Lincoln Township. In 1985, part of the movie Hoosiers was filmed in the former College Avenue Gym.
Geography
According to the 2010 census, Brownsburg has a total area of, of which is land and is water. White Lick Creek, a tributary of the White River, flows from north to south through the town, passing just west of the town center.
Demographics
2010 census
At the 2010 census there were 21,285 people, 7,948 households, and 5,816 families in the town. The population density was. There were 8,376 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the town was 93.4% White, 2.2% African American, 0.1% Native American, 1.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.2% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.0%. Of the 7,948 households 40.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.7% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 26.8% were non-families. 22.4% of households were one person and 8.5% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.11. The median age in the town was 36 years. 28.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.8% were from 25 to 44; 24.1% were from 45 to 64; and 12% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the town was 48.0% male and 52.0% female.
At the 2000 census there were 14,520 people, and 5,366 households residing in the town. The population density was 1,983.5 people per square mile. There were 5,574 housing units at an average density of 761.4 per square mile. The racial makeup of the town was 97.44% White, 0.32% African American, 0.17% Native American, 0.78% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 0.35% from other races, and 0.86% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.18%. Of the 5,366 households 41.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.0% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.6% were non-families. 20.8% of households were one person and 8.2% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.10. The age distribution was 29.2% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 34.5% from 25 to 44, 17.9% from 45 to 64, and 11.7% 65 or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.0 males. The median household income was $63,629 and the median income for a family was $74,245. Males had a median income of $56,240 versus $38,685 for females. The per capita income for the town was $33,196. About 1.5% of families and 2.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.3% of those under age 18 and 4.4% of those age 65 or over.
