Muncie is located in Delaware County and it is the county seat. It lies southeast of Marion along highways 3, 67 and 32, on the banks of the Mississinewa River. The city also is near the White River.
The Munsee or Wolf Clan of the Delaware Indians established a tribal town along the White River. Munseetown, from which Muncie took its name, lay within Muncie's present city limits. In 1886 natural gas was discovered nearby, which attracted industries to the city from around the country. Ball State University was founded in 1918.
The top three employers are mining and construction, agriculture and services, and non-federal government. Places of interest include Broadview Farms Arabian Horses, Christy Woods on the Ball State campus, home of a diverse orchid collection; and the Emily Kimbrough House, birthplace of the author.
The 2000 Census pegs Muncie's population at 67,430. The city is said to lie within a day's drive of 60 percent of the U.S. population.
Muncie is part of the Muncie, Indiana metro area.
