Kempton is red-hot

Ever heard of Kempton? Itâ??s a burg between Indianapolis and Kokomo that just happens to be the second-fastest growing town
in the state.

Kemptonâ??s population last year was 716, an increase of 27 percent in just one year, according to an Indiana University population
study released today. Only Winfield in Lake County grew faster.

Itâ??s too far outside of Indianapolis to be the next Westfield, at least not yet.

Tipton County Assessor Linda Altherr says itâ??s actually a dumpy ghost town. â??Thereâ??s nothing going on there right now, Iâ??ll
tell you,â?? Altherr says.

Itâ??s so dead, she adds, that the town recently bought several abandoned buildings at a tax sale with the aim of tearing some
of them down.

So, what gives?

People are starting to plunk houses in the Kempton area, Altherr says. Theyâ??re modest dwellings built by retirees and factory
workers who commute to Kokomo, Lafayette and other places. A few new houses, and the population spikes.

Now you know.