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Floyd County, Indiana

Coordinates: 38°19′N 85°54′W / 38.32°N 85.90°W / 38.32; -85.90
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Floyd County
County
Floyd County, Indiana
Floyd County, Indiana
Map of Indiana highlighting Floyd County
Location within the U.S. state of Indiana
Map of the United States highlighting Indiana
Indiana's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 38°19′N 85°54′W / 38.32°N 85.9°W / 38.32; -85.9
Country United States
State Indiana
Founded1819
Named forBrigadier General John Floyd
SeatNew Albany
Largest cityNew Albany
Area
 • Total148.96 sq mi (385.8 km2)
 • Land147.94 sq mi (383.2 km2)
 • Water1.02 sq mi (2.6 km2)  0.68%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2018)
77,781
 • Density504/sq mi (194.57/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district9th
Websitewww.floydcounty.in.gov
 
  • Indiana county number 22
  • Second smallest county in Indiana by area

Floyd County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2018, the population was 77,781.[1] The county seat is New Albany.[2] Floyd County has the second-smallest land area in the entire state. It was formed in the year 1819 from neighboring Clark, and Harrison counties.

Floyd County is part of the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY–IN Metropolitan Statistical Area.

From Floyds Knobs, the view of the Sherman Minton Bridge that crosses the Ohio River and connecting Indiana and Kentucky.

History

Further information: History of the French in Louisville

Floyd County, originally the Shawnee Indians hunting ground, was conquered for the United States by George Rogers Clark during the American Revolutionary War from the British.[3] He was awarded large tracts of land in Indiana, including almost all of present-day Floyd County. Clark sold land to the settlers who began arriving as soon as peace returned.

Pearl Street in downtown New Albany. The Knobs can be seen in the distance.
The woods of Mount Saint Francis in Floyds Knobs, Indiana.

In 1818, New Albany was large enough to become a county seat and form a new county. New Albany leaders sent Nathaniel Scribner and John K. Graham to the capital at Corydon to petition the General Assembly.[3] Legislation was passed on January 2, 1819 by the General Assembly, and the county was established on February 1.[3][4] The origin of the county's name is debated. According to the State Library, it was named for John Floyd, a leading Jefferson County, Kentucky pioneer and uncle of Davis Floyd.[5] John Floyd was killed in 1783 when his party was attacked by Indians in Bullitt County, Kentucky.[3] However, some maintain the county was actually named for Davis Floyd, who was convicted of aiding Aaron Burr in the treason of 1809. Davis Floyd had also been a leading local political figure and was the county's first circuit court judge.[3]

In 1814, New Albany was platted and was established as the county seat on March 4, 1819.[3] There was an attempt in 1823 to move the county seat, but the motion failed.[4] New Albany would be the largest city in the state for much of the early 19th century, eventually being overtaken by Indianapolis during the Civil War.[6]

House of Nathaniel Scribner

Between 1800 and 1860, Floyd County experienced a huge boom in population (doubling many times over).[7] A survey in the 1850s found that over half of Indiana's population that made more than $100,000 per year lived in Floyd County, establishing it as having the richest population in the state.[8]

The Duncan Tunnel, the longest tunnel in Indiana, was built in Floyd County in 1881 between New Albany and Edwardsville. Because no route over the Floyds Knobs was suitable for a railroad line, civil engineers decided to tunnel through them.[9] The project was originally started by the Air Line but was completed by Southern Railway. It took five years to bore at a cost of $1 million.[10] The Tunnel is 4,311 feet (1,314 m) long.[11]

Floyd County, during the 19th century, attracted immigrants of Irish, German, French and African American origins.[12] The French settlers located mostly in Floyds Knobs, Indiana. The Irish began arriving in 1817 and settled in large numbers between 1830 and 1850.[12] German immigrants settled mostly in New Albany. By 1850, about one in six county residents had been born in other countries. Mount Saint Francis, a multi-purpose complex owned and administered by the Conventual Franciscan Friars of the Province of Our Lady of Consolation, is located in Floyds Knobs along Highway 150. The property includes 400 acres of woods and Mount Saint Francis Lake, both which are open to the public. Numerous hiking trails meander through the woods and fields containing native prairie grasses. No hunting is allowed on the property.

The New Albany National Cemetery was one of the original seven first established in 1862 by Congress. More than 5,000 are buried here, from the Civil War to the Vietnam War.

Geography

According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 148.96 square miles (385.8 km2), of which 147.94 square miles (383.2 km2) (or 99.32%) is land and 1.02 square miles (2.6 km2) (or 0.68%) is water.[13] It is the second smallest county in area, behind only Ohio County.

A pasture scene in Greenville, off Georgetown-Greenville Road.
The rolling land of Georgetown features farmland, fields and woods that are dotted with homes and a few subdivisions.

City

Towns

Census-designated place

Townships

Floyd County is divided into five townships:

Geographical features

The Knobs Unit, which includes Floyd County, contains some of the hilliest country in Indiana. As a result, the area supports trees that prefer very dry sites and ridgetops, as well as those that prefer very wet sites, ravines, or “bottomland.” Tree types unique to the unit include blackjack oak and swamp tupelo. Part of the unit stands on sandstone bedrock; other areas developed over limestone. This difference accommodates a variety of trees and their associated flowering plants and shrubs. Trees found in Floyd County include the Sycamore, Flowering Dogwood, Virginia Pine, Easter Redcedar, American Beech, Sugar Maple, American Elm and Chestnut Oak.[14] The lowest point in the county is the shore of the Ohio River near New Albany at an elevation of 380 ft (120 m).[15]

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Climate and weather

New Albany, Indiana
Climate chart (explanation)
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█ Precipitation totals in inches
Source: The Weather Channel[16]
Metric conversion
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In recent years, average temperatures in New Albany have ranged from a low of 25 °F (−4 °C) in January to a high of 87 °F (31 °C) in July. The record low temperature was −22 °F (−30 °C), recorded in January, 1994, and a record high was 107 °F (42 °C), recorded in July, 1936. On July 4, 2012, the record for highest temperature in the county was almost broken; the temperature reached 106 °F (41 °C). Average monthly precipitation ranged from 2.79 inches (71 mm) in October of last year to 4.88 inches (124 mm) in May of last year.[16]

Government

See also: Government of Indiana

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

County Council: The county council is the legislative branch of the county government and controls all the spending and revenue collection in the county. Floyd county is divided into 44 precincts which are organized into four districts, each district elects one representative to the council. Three other members are elected to the county at large. The council members serve four-year terms. They are responsible for setting salaries, the annual budget, and special spending. The council also 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.[17][18]

Board of Commissioners: The executive body of the county is made of a board of commissioners. The commissioners are elected county-wide, in staggered terms, and each serves a four-year term. One of the commissioners, typically the most senior, serves as president. The commissioners are charged with executing the acts legislated by the council, collecting revenue, and managing the day-to-day functions of the county government.[17][18]

Court: Floyd County's court system consists of a Circuit Court, three Superior Courts and a Magistrate Court.

County Officials: The county has several other elected offices, including sheriff, coroner, auditor, treasurer, recorder, surveyor, and circuit court clerk. Each of these elected officers serves a term of four years and oversees a different part of county government. Members elected to county government positions are required to declare party affiliations and to be residents of the county.[18]

Floyd County has nine public parks within the county, the largest being the 104-acre Sam Peden Community Park in New Albany.

Floyd County is part of Indiana's 9th congressional district and is represented in Congress by Republican Trey Hollingsworth It is also part of Indiana Senate district 46 [19] and Indiana House of Representatives districts 70 and 72.[20]

Presidential elections results
Presidential elections results[21]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2016 56.6% 21,432 36.9% 13,945 6.5% 2,465
2012 56.2% 19,878 41.9% 14,812 2.0% 702
2008 54.4% 19,957 44.4% 16,263 1.2% 447
2004 58.7% 19,877 40.9% 13,857 0.5% 156
2000 54.9% 16,486 44.0% 13,209 1.1% 335
1996 42.9% 12,473 47.5% 13,814 9.6% 2,785
1992 40.2% 11,932 44.4% 13,166 15.4% 4,553
1988 56.3% 14,291 43.4% 11,024 0.3% 78
1984 58.9% 15,466 40.4% 10,616 0.8% 197
1980 48.9% 12,456 45.3% 11,543 5.8% 1,468
1976 46.4% 11,259 52.5% 12,744 1.0% 252
1972 58.3% 13,198 40.8% 9,243 0.9% 195
1968 41.0% 9,714 45.0% 10,671 14.0% 3,316
1964 33.1% 7,834 66.2% 15,656 0.6% 148
1960 48.4% 11,629 51.4% 12,346 0.3% 62
1956 55.2% 10,410 44.4% 8,378 0.4% 77
1952 51.8% 11,608 46.3% 10,368 2.0% 439
1948 43.8% 8,367 55.4% 10,593 0.8% 161
1944 44.1% 8,410 55.3% 10,541 0.6% 120
1940 42.5% 8,056 57.0% 10,799 0.5% 89
1936 38.5% 6,976 58.8% 10,654 2.7% 491
1932 40.4% 7,333 57.8% 10,497 1.8% 323
1928 58.5% 10,471 40.9% 7,327 0.6% 104
1924 46.5% 6,733 48.2% 6,971 5.4% 775
1920 49.7% 7,669 47.9% 7,391 2.5% 387
1916 44.0% 3,200 52.9% 3,850 3.1% 225
1912 9.7% 669 46.7% 3,236 43.7% 3,031
1908 43.9% 3,431 51.9% 4,064 4.2% 330
1904 49.1% 3,666 45.8% 3,421 5.1% 380
1900 48.2% 3,597 50.7% 3,781 1.1% 81
1896 51.7% 3,874 47.3% 3,544 0.9% 69
1892 40.3% 2,958 57.4% 4,219 2.3% 169
1888 42.9% 2,947 55.7% 3,824 1.5% 101

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18202,776—
18306,361129.1%
18409,45448.6%
185014,87557.3%
186020,18335.7%
187023,30015.4%
188024,5905.5%
189029,45819.8%
190030,1182.2%
191030,2930.6%
192030,6611.2%
193034,65513.0%
194035,0611.2%
195043,95525.4%
196051,39716.9%
197055,6228.2%
198061,16910.0%
199064,4045.3%
200070,82310.0%
201074,5785.3%
2018 (est.)77,781[22]4.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790–1960[23] 1900–1990[24]
1990–2000[25] 2010–2013[1]

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 74,578 people, 29,479 households, and 20,264 families residing in the county.[26] The population density was 504.1 inhabitants per square mile (194.6/km2). There were 31,968 housing units at an average density of 216.1 per square mile (83.4/km2).[13] The racial makeup of the county was 90.4% white, 5.2% black or African American, 0.9% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 1.2% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.6% of the population.[26] In terms of ancestry, 29.4% were German, 15.0% were Irish, 11.0% were English, and 10.6% were American.[27]

Of the 29,479 households, 33.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.4% were married couples living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 31.3% were non-families, and 25.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.98. The median age was 39.1 years.[26]

The median income for a household in the county was $47,697 and the median income for a family was $63,139. Males had a median income of $45,699 versus $33,749 for females. The per capita income for the county was $25,971. About 8.2% of families and 10.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.6% of those under age 18 and 7.7% of those age 65 or over.[28]

Education

New Albany-Floyd County Consolidated School Corporation serves the county. New Albany High School was the first public high school in the state, opening its doors in 1853. The school system has two high schools, New Albany High School and Floyd Central High School, nine elementary schools and three middle schools. The district's enrollment totals approximately 12,000 students in pre-kindergarten through high school programs. The district employs more than 1,200 full-time personnel, which includes approximately 750 teachers, and 375 part-time personnel, according to the 2017 NA-FC website.

All Floyd County residents are eligible to obtain a library card at the New Albany-Floyd County Public Library in New Albany.[29]

  • Baptist Floyd Health Hospital
    Baptist Floyd Health Hospital
  • New Albany YMCA building
    New Albany YMCA building
  • Riverview Towers, tallest building in the county
    Riverview Towers, tallest building in the county

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2020-02-14. Retrieved 2019-04-22.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. ^ a b c d e f The Encyclopedia of Louisville By John E. Kleber (University Press of Kentucky 2000) pages 300-302 ISBN 0-8131-2100-0
  4. ^ a b Floyd County History Archived 2007-07-04 at the Wayback Machine
  5. ^ "Indiana Historical Bureau - Origin of Indiana County Names". Archived from the original on 2008-03-23.
  6. ^ Findling, John ed. A History of New Albany, Indiana. (Indiana University Southeast, 2003). 53.
  7. ^ a b "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  8. ^ Miller, Harold. Industrial Development of New Albany, Indiana. Economic Geography (January 1938). 48.
  9. ^ "PBase.com". www.pbase.com. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  10. ^ Sunny Side of Louisville - Area History Archived December 23, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  11. ^ Railroad Depots of Southern Indiana, By David E. Longest. Pg 89. ISBN 0-7385-3958-9
  12. ^ a b The Encyclopedia of Louisville By John E. Kleber (University Press of Kentucky 2000) page 302 ISBN 0-8131-2100-0
  13. ^ a b "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2020-02-12. Retrieved 2015-07-10.
  14. ^ "USGS New Albany (IN, KY) Topo Map". TopoQuest. Retrieved 2008-06-29.
  15. ^ "USGS Lanesville (IN, KY) Topo Map". TopoQuest. Retrieved 2008-06-29.
  16. ^ a b "Monthly Averages for New Albany, Indiana". The Weather Channel. Retrieved 2011-01-27.
  17. ^ a b Indiana Code. "Title 36, Article 2, Section 3". IN.gov. Retrieved 2008-09-16.
  18. ^ a b c Indiana Code. "Title 2, Article 10, Section 2" (PDF). IN.gov. Retrieved 2008-09-16.
  19. ^ "Indiana Senate Districts". State of Indiana. Retrieved 2011-01-23.
  20. ^ "Indiana House Districts". State of Indiana. Retrieved 2011-01-23.
  21. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 9 April 2018.
  22. ^ "American FactFinder". Archived from the original on February 14, 2020. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
  23. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  24. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  25. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  26. ^ a b c "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2020-02-13. Retrieved 2015-07-10.
  27. ^ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2020-02-14. Retrieved 2015-07-10.
  28. ^ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2020-02-14. Retrieved 2015-07-10.
  29. ^ "How to Get a Library Card". New Albany-Floyd County Public Library. Retrieved 7 March 2018.

38°19′N 85°54′W / 38.32°N 85.90°W / 38.32; -85.90

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