Anderson, known as the county seat of Madison County and nicknamed the “Queen City of the Gas Belt,” is a mid‑sized city of around 55,000 residents as of the 2020 census. Situated along the White River northeast of Indianapolis, it rose to prominence in the late 19th century thanks to a boom in natural gas and glass manufacturing, and was once dubbed “Pittsburgh on White River”. Today, Anderson blends its industrial heritage with new energy—Anderson University, local arts institutions like the museum in the historic Carnegie library building, and attractions such as the Paramount Theatre and Gruenewald House enrich community life. While it has faced economic challenges following deindustrialization, the city maintains affordable living, a growing creative downtown, and regional healthcare and education jobs that anchor its evolving economy.