Most Indiana homes are wood-frame houses with drywall over studs, many with brick veneer outside, and a large share have basements with poured concrete or block foundation walls. Older homes in cities such as Indianapolis, Fort Wayne and Bloomington can have plaster on lath, and brick and limestone appear in many historic districts.

median year homes were built: 1977; median year homes were built
built in 2000 or later: 23.9%; built in 2000 or later
built before 1960: 30.3%; built before 1960
single-family homes: 76.4%; single-family homes
in buildings with 5+ units: 13.5%; in buildings with 5+ units
mobile homes: 4.2%; mobile homes

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2024 1-year (tables B25035, B25034, B25024)

Common wall types

Wood-stud drywall walls

Where: Most single-family homes and townhomes, including postwar subdivisions around Indianapolis, Fort Wayne and Evansville.

Mounting: Studs are typically 16 inches on center. Find at least two studs and lag the mount in; use a stud finder and confirm with a small pilot hole.

Plaster on wood lath

Where: Homes built before about 1950 in older neighborhoods and historic districts, for example in Indianapolis, Richmond and Madison.

Mounting: Plaster is brittle and thicker than drywall. Pre-drill slowly, and use toggle-style anchors where studs do not line up. Wire runs are harder because the cavity can contain old insulation, lath and framing blocks.

Basement poured concrete or block walls

Where: Finished basements used for family rooms and home theaters across the state.

Mounting: Often framed with a stud wall in front of the foundation, so mount to those studs. Mounting directly to the concrete or block needs masonry anchors, and the wall should be checked for moisture first.

Brick and limestone masonry

Where: Historic brick and limestone houses and fireplace surrounds, including in Bloomington, the state's limestone area.

Mounting: Solid masonry takes concrete screws or sleeve anchors well, but old soft brick and mortar can crumble. Anchor into brick faces, not mortar, and avoid heavy mounts on thin veneer.

Light framing in manufactured homes

Where: About 4 percent of Indiana housing units are mobile homes.

Mounting: Wall panels are thin and studs may be spaced wider, so the mount must hit framing; heavy articulating mounts may need added blocking.

Tips before you mount

Lag the mount into at least two studs (usually 16" on center) with 5/16" lag bolts about 2.5" to 3" long; a full-motion arm puts much more leverage on the wall than a flat mount, so it should never hang on drywall anchors alone.
Plaster and lath: locate framing first and pre-drill slowly; where no stud lines up, use toggle bolts or snap toggles rated for the TV and mount weight rather than plastic plug anchors.
Basements: if the TV goes on a framed wall over a concrete foundation, lag into the studs of that wall. If it must go on the concrete or block itself, use 1/4" concrete screws or 3/8" sleeve anchors, and fix any dampness before building a media wall, since moisture can damage cabinets and electronics.
Brick, block and concrete: use 1/4" concrete screws or 3/8" sleeve or wedge anchors with a hammer drill and masonry bit, drilling into solid brick or the face shell of block rather than mortar joints where possible.
Hiding wires: the National Electrical Code (NEC 400.12) does not allow a regular TV power cord to run inside the wall. Use an in-wall rated recessed power kit, and choose low-voltage cable rated CL2 or CL3 for in-wall HDMI and speaker runs. On masonry walls in-wall runs are limited, so plan a paintable surface raceway.
Over a fireplace: check the TV maker's heat limits and measure surface temperature where the screen would sit; heat rises from the firebox, and a mantel or deeper surround can redirect it. Masonry and stone surrounds need masonry anchors, not drywall anchors.
Indiana winters are cold and humid summers are common: for a covered porch or patio TV, use an outdoor-rated model and stainless or coated hardware, and check the TV's operating temperature range.
Before work starts, tell the installer the wall type, the TV size and weight, and the mount type. These change the anchors, labor time and price.

Sources: Census Reporter, ACS 2024 1-year: Indiana (B25035, B25034, B25024) · Indiana DNR Division of Historic Preservation: National Register listings · Indiana Department of Homeland Security: Safe Room FAQ. General guidance only — your installer will confirm the right method for your wall.