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Decatur County, Indiana

Coordinates: 39°18′N 85°30′W / 39.30°N 85.50°W / 39.30; -85.50
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Decatur County
County
Decatur County Courthouse in Greensburg
Decatur County Courthouse in Greensburg
Map of Indiana highlighting Decatur County
Location within the U.S. state of Indiana
Map of the United States highlighting Indiana
Indiana's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 39°18′N 85°30′W / 39.3°N 85.5°W / 39.3; -85.5
Country United States
State Indiana
Founded12 December 1821 (authorized)
1822 (organized)
Named forStephen Decatur, Jr.
SeatGreensburg
Largest cityGreensburg
Area
 • Total
373.32 sq mi (966.9 km2)
 • Land372.57 sq mi (965.0 km2)
 • Water0.76 sq mi (2.0 km2)  0.20%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2018)
26,794
 • Density71.9/sq mi (27.8/km2)
Congressional district6th
Websitewww.decaturcounty.in.gov
Indiana county number 16

Decatur County is a county in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 25,740.[1] The county seat (and only incorporated city) is Greensburg.[2]

History

In 1787, the US defined the Northwest Territory which included the area of present-day Indiana. In 1800, Congress separated Ohio from the Northwest Territory, designating the rest of the land as the Indiana Territory.[3] President Thomas Jefferson chose William Henry Harrison as the governor of the territory, and Vincennes was established as the capital.[4] After the Michigan Territory was separated and the Illinois Territory was formed, Indiana was reduced to its current size and geography.[3] By December 1816 the Indiana Territory was admitted to the Union as a state.

Starting in 1794, Native American titles to Indiana lands were extinguished by usurpation, purchase, or war and treaty. The United States acquired land from the Native Americans in the 1809 treaty of Fort Wayne, and by the treaty of St. Mary's in 1818 considerably more territory became property of the government. This included the future Decatur County, which was authorized by the state legislature on 12 December 1821. No settler was allowed in the area until the government survey was completed in 1820.

The Decatur County governing structure was formed in 1822. The county was named for Commodore Stephen Decatur, Jr., naval officer in the First and Second Barbary Wars, and in the War of 1812.[5] Decatur was killed in a duel in 1820.[6]

Geography

The low rolling hills are devoted to agriculture or urban development, with only the areas carved by drainages still wooded.[7] The highest point (1,097 feet/334 meters ASL) is a hillock 0.8 mile (1.3 km) SSE from Kingston.[8] The Flatrock River flows westward through the upper part of the county, continuing into Shelby County. Clifty Creek flows southwestward through the central part of the county, continuing into Bartholomew, and Sand Creek flows south-southwestward through the lower center of the county, continuing into Jennings County.

According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 373.32 square miles (966.9 km2), of which 372.57 square miles (965.0 km2) (or 99.80%) is land and 0.76 square miles (2.0 km2) (or 0.20%) is water.[9]

Tree on the Courthouse Tower in Greensburg, Indiana

Adjacent counties

City and towns

Census-designated places

Unincorporated places

Townships

Major highways

Protected areas

  • Greenburg Reservoir State Fishing Area[7]

Lakes

  • Greenburg Reservoir
  • Lake McCoy
  • Lake Santee[7]

Climate and weather

Greensburg, Indiana
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
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2.6
 
 
34
19
 
 
2.4
 
 
40
22
 
 
3.7
 
 
50
32
 
 
4.3
 
 
62
42
 
 
5
 
 
72
53
 
 
4.3
 
 
81
62
 
 
4.1
 
 
85
65
 
 
4.2
 
 
83
63
 
 
3.1
 
 
77
56
 
 
3.1
 
 
65
44
 
 
3.8
 
 
51
35
 
 
3.2
 
 
40
25
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
█ Precipitation totals in inches
Source: The Weather Channel[10]
Metric conversion
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
65
 
 
1
−7
 
 
61
 
 
4
−6
 
 
93
 
 
10
0
 
 
109
 
 
17
6
 
 
128
 
 
22
12
 
 
110
 
 
27
17
 
 
105
 
 
29
18
 
 
107
 
 
28
17
 
 
78
 
 
25
13
 
 
78
 
 
18
7
 
 
97
 
 
11
2
 
 
81
 
 
4
−4
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
█ Precipitation totals in mm

In recent years, average temperatures in Greensburg have ranged from a low of 19 °F (−7 °C) in January to a high of 85 °F (29 °C) in July, although a record low of −24 °F (−31 °C) was recorded in January 1985 and a record high of 105 °F (41 °C) was recorded in July 1954. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 2.42 inches (61 mm) in February to 5.03 inches (128 mm) in May.[10]

Government

See also: Government of Indiana

The county government is a constitutional body, and is granted specific powers by the Constitution of Indiana, and by the Indiana Code.

County Council: The legislative branch of the county government; controls spending and revenue collection in the county. Representatives are elected to four-year terms from county districts. They set salaries, the annual budget, and special spending. The council has limited authority to impose local taxes, in the form of an income and property tax that is subject to state level approval, excise taxes, and service taxes.[11][12]

Board of Commissioners: The executive body of the county; commissioners are elected county-wide to staggered four-year terms. One commissioner serves as president. The commissioners execute acts legislated by the council, collect revenue, and manage the county government.[11][12]

Court: The county maintains a small claims court that handles civil cases. The judge on the court is elected to a term of four years and must be a member of the Indiana Bar Association. The judge is assisted by a constable who is also elected to a four-year term. In some cases, court decisions can be appealed to the state level circuit court.[12]

County Officials: The county has other elected offices, including sheriff, coroner, auditor, treasurer, recorder, surveyor, and circuit court clerk. These officers are elected to four-year terms. Members elected to county government positions are required to declare a party affiliation and to be residents of the county.[12]

Decatur County is part of Indiana's 6th congressional district; Indiana Senate district 42;[13] and Indiana House of Representatives district 67.[14]

Presidential election results
Presidential elections results[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 77.9% 9,575 19.9% 2,439 2.2% 273
2016 76.0% 8,490 19.0% 2,121 5.1% 567
2012 68.9% 7,119 28.5% 2,941 2.6% 267
2008 61.4% 6,449 37.1% 3,892 1.5% 162
2004 73.5% 7,499 25.7% 2,621 0.8% 79
2000 66.7% 6,115 31.5% 2,889 1.8% 167
1996 50.8% 4,782 33.9% 3,190 15.3% 1,437
1992 50.5% 5,195 27.0% 2,774 22.6% 2,322
1988 67.4% 6,245 32.1% 2,979 0.5% 48
1984 70.0% 6,551 29.5% 2,766 0.5% 46
1980 58.5% 5,819 36.6% 3,646 4.9% 486
1976 55.6% 5,555 43.7% 4,365 0.7% 65
1972 68.8% 6,761 30.5% 2,994 0.7% 67
1968 55.7% 5,474 36.6% 3,602 7.7% 757
1964 45.6% 4,702 53.9% 5,564 0.5% 49
1960 60.2% 6,240 39.3% 4,080 0.5% 50
1956 64.9% 6,390 34.8% 3,427 0.4% 34
1952 65.2% 6,490 34.1% 3,393 0.8% 78
1948 57.0% 5,163 42.0% 3,808 1.1% 95
1944 60.9% 5,479 38.6% 3,471 0.6% 53
1940 57.7% 6,087 41.9% 4,417 0.4% 43
1936 50.7% 5,126 48.4% 4,887 0.9% 94
1932 45.6% 4,646 53.3% 5,437 1.1% 115
1928 58.4% 5,400 41.0% 3,791 0.6% 55
1924 52.9% 4,907 44.2% 4,092 2.9% 270
1920 57.7% 5,516 40.7% 3,896 1.6% 154
1916 51.4% 2,717 44.9% 2,374 3.7% 196
1912 24.4% 1,263 43.4% 2,246 32.1% 1,661
1908 50.6% 2,838 45.7% 2,564 3.7% 205
1904 55.5% 3,178 40.9% 2,341 3.7% 209
1900 51.6% 2,900 46.2% 2,598 2.2% 124
1896 52.6% 2,848 46.5% 2,520 0.9% 51
1892 49.4% 2,519 46.2% 2,355 4.4% 226
1888 51.9% 2,663 46.7% 2,400 1.4% 72

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18305,887—
184012,171106.7%
185015,10724.1%
186017,29414.5%
187019,05310.2%
188019,7793.8%
189019,277−2.5%
190019,5181.3%
191018,793−3.7%
192017,813−5.2%
193017,308−2.8%
194017,7222.4%
195018,2182.8%
196020,0199.9%
197022,73813.6%
198023,8414.9%
199023,645−0.8%
200024,5553.8%
201025,7404.8%
2018 (est.)26,794[16]4.1%
US Decennial Census[17]
1790–1960[18] 1900–1990[19]
1990–2000[20] 2010–2013[1]

2010 Census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 25,740 people, 9,977 households, and 6,995 families in the county.[21] The population density was 69.1 inhabitants per square mile (26.7/km2). There were 11,209 housing units at an average density of 30.1 per square mile (11.6/km2).[9] The racial makeup of the county was 97.3% white, 0.7% Asian, 0.3% black or African American, 0.2% American Indian, 0.6% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.7% of the population.[21] In terms of ancestry, In terms of ancestry, 35.5% were of English ancestry, 35.1% were of German, and 9.0% were of Irish ancestry according to 2010 American Community Survey.

Of the 9,977 households, 33.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.6% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.9% were non-families, and 25.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.02. The median age was 38.7 years.[21]

The median income for a household in the county was $47,697 and the median income for a family was $52,308. Males had a median income of $41,143 versus $30,226 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,719. About 8.3% of families and 10.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.3% of those under age 18 and 6.8% of those age 65 or over.[22]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Decatur County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 7 June 2011. Retrieved 17 September 2011.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 31 May 2011. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
  3. ^ a b "Government at Crossroads: An Indiana chronology". The Herald Bulletin. 5 January 2008. Retrieved 22 July 2009.
  4. ^ Brill, Marlene Targ (2005). Indiana. Marshall Cavendish. p. 35. ISBN 978-0-7614-2020-0.
  5. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 102.
  6. ^ De Witt Clinton Goodrich & Charles Richard Tuttle (1875). An Illustrated History of the State of Indiana. Indiana: R. S. Peale & co. p. 555.
  7. ^ a b c Decatur County IN (Google Maps, accessed 13 August 2020)
  8. ^ Decatur County High Point, Indiana (PeakBagger.com, accessed 13 August 2020)
  9. ^ a b "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 12 February 2020. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  10. ^ a b "Monthly Averages for Greensburg IN". The Weather Channel. Retrieved 27 January 2011.
  11. ^ a b Indiana Code. "Title 36, Article 2, Section 3". IN.gov. Retrieved 16 September 2008.
  12. ^ a b c d Indiana Code. "Title 2, Article 10, Section 2" (PDF). IN.gov. Archived (PDF) from the original on 27 December 2004. Retrieved 16 September 2008.
  13. ^ "Indiana Senate Districts". State of Indiana. Retrieved 23 January 2011.
  14. ^ "Indiana House Districts". State of Indiana. Retrieved 23 January 2011.
  15. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 14 May 2018.
  16. ^ "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved July 26, 2019.
  17. ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  18. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on December 12, 2009. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  19. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  20. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  21. ^ a b c "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 13 February 2020. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  22. ^ "Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 14 February 2020. Retrieved 10 July 2015.

39°18′N 85°30′W / 39.30°N 85.50°W / 39.30; -85.50

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