Is Making Friends as an Adult Getting Harder in Central Indiana?

As Hendricks County continues to grow and more residents commute across Central Indiana for work and social life, some say building friendships as an adult isn’t as easy as it once was. Changing work patterns, remote jobs, and population growth are all reshaping how people connect — and where they find community.

One Indianapolis-based group says it has seen that shift firsthand.

BFF Indy, a women-focused social community founded in Indianapolis in 2021, began after founder FrancesMary Loughead moved to the city and struggled to build a social circle. What started as small gatherings quickly expanded into a network connecting tens of thousands of women across Central Indiana, including participants from surrounding counties such as Hendricks.

Today, the group reports reaching more than 45,000 women through online outreach and in-person events held throughout the Indianapolis metro area. Organizers say their goal is to create intentional spaces where women can meet face-to-face and form lasting friendships — something they believe many adults are actively seeking.

The organization recently hosted its second annual birthday celebration, drawing attendees from across the region. Organizers say many participants arrived alone and left with new friendships, something they see as a reflection of a broader demand for real-world connection as more social interaction moves online.

For fast-growing communities like those in Hendricks County, where many residents travel outside the county for work or social activities, the rise of organized social groups may reflect a shift in how people build support networks. Traditional avenues for meeting people — through workplaces, long-established neighborhoods, or community institutions — are evolving as lifestyles change.

In addition to its social focus, the group partners with local venues and small businesses across the Indianapolis metro, helping introduce members to restaurants, shops, and gathering spaces throughout Central Indiana.

Organizers say they plan to continue expanding events this year, including outdoor walking groups and additional meetups aimed at making it easier for participants to connect in person.

Whether the group’s continued growth signals a lasting change in how adults form friendships remains to be seen, but interest in in-person community across the Indianapolis region appears to be rising.