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Decatur County, Indiana
Decatur County Courthouse, Greensburg, IN (48477403112)
Decatur County Courthouse in Greensburg
Map of Indiana highlighting Decatur County
Location in the state of Indiana
Map of the U.S
Indiana's location in the U.S.
Founded 12 December 1821 (authorized)
1822 (organized)
Named for Stephen Decatur, Jr.
Seat Greensburg
Largest city Greensburg
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water

373.32 sq mi (967 km²)
372.57 sq mi (965 km²)
0.76 sq mi (2 km²), 0.20%
Population
 - (2020)
 - Density

26,472
71.9/sq mi (28/km²)
Congressional district 6th
Website www.decaturcounty.in.gov
Footnotes: Indiana county number 16

Decatur County is a county in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 26,472.[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]

Decatur County Courthouse, Greensburg, IN (48477380817)

Tree on the Courthouse Tower in Greensburg, Indiana

Adjacent counties[]

City and towns[]

  • Greensburg (city/county seat)
  • Millhousen
  • New Point
  • St. Paul (part)
  • Westport

Census-designated places[]

  • Clarksburg
  • Lake Santee

Unincorporated places[]

  • Adams
  • Alert
  • Burney
  • Craig
  • Downeyville
  • Ewington
  • Forest Hill
  • Gaynorsville
  • Germantown
  • Harper
  • Harris City
  • Horace
  • Kingston
  • Knarr Corner
  • Letts
  • Letts Corner
  • McCoy
  • Mechanicsburg
  • Milford
  • New Pennington
  • Pinhook
  • Rossburg
  • Saint Maurice
  • Saint Omer
  • Sandusky
  • Sardinia
  • Slabtown
  • Smyrna
  • Tarkeo Corner
  • Waynesburg
  • Williamstown

Townships[]

  • Adams
  • Clay
  • Clinton
  • Fugit
  • Jackson
  • Marion
  • Salt Creek
  • Sand Creek
  • Washington

Major highways[]

  • I-74 Interstate 74
  • US 421 U.S. Route 421
  • Indiana 3 Indiana State Road 3
  • Indiana 46 Indiana State Road 46

Protected areas[]

  • Greenburg Reservoir State Fishing Area[7]

Lakes[]

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

Climate and weather[]

Climate chart for Greensburg, Indiana
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
2.56
 
34
19
 
 
2.42
 
40
22
 
 
3.66
 
50
32
 
 
4.31
 
62
42
 
 
5.03
 
72
53
 
 
4.32
 
81
62
 
 
4.12
 
85
65
 
 
4.21
 
83
63
 
 
3.07
 
77
56
 
 
3.07
 
65
44
 
 
3.81
 
51
35
 
 
3.20
 
40
25
temperatures in °Cprecipitation totals in mm
source: The Weather Channel[10]

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 (−31.1 °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[]

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]

United States presidential election results for Decatur County, Indiana[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 9,575 77.82% 2,439 19.82% 290 2.36%
2016 8,490 75.95% 2,121 18.97% 567 5.07%
2012 7,119 68.94% 2,941 28.48% 267 2.59%
2008 6,449 61.40% 3,892 37.06% 162 1.54%
2004 7,499 73.53% 2,621 25.70% 79 0.77%
2000 6,115 66.68% 2,889 31.50% 167 1.82%
1996 4,782 50.82% 3,190 33.90% 1,437 15.27%
1992 5,195 50.48% 2,774 26.96% 2,322 22.56%
1988 6,245 67.35% 2,979 32.13% 48 0.52%
1984 6,551 69.97% 2,766 29.54% 46 0.49%
1980 5,819 58.48% 3,646 36.64% 486 4.88%
1976 5,555 55.63% 4,365 43.72% 65 0.65%
1972 6,761 68.84% 2,994 30.48% 67 0.68%
1968 5,474 55.67% 3,602 36.63% 757 7.70%
1964 4,702 45.58% 5,564 53.94% 49 0.48%
1960 6,240 60.17% 4,080 39.34% 50 0.48%
1956 6,390 64.87% 3,427 34.79% 34 0.35%
1952 6,490 65.15% 3,393 34.06% 78 0.78%
1948 5,163 56.95% 3,808 42.00% 95 1.05%
1944 5,479 60.86% 3,471 38.55% 53 0.59%
1940 6,087 57.71% 4,417 41.88% 43 0.41%
1936 5,126 50.72% 4,887 48.35% 94 0.93%
1932 4,646 45.56% 5,437 53.31% 115 1.13%
1928 5,400 58.40% 3,791 41.00% 55 0.59%
1924 4,907 52.94% 4,092 44.15% 270 2.91%
1920 5,516 57.66% 3,896 40.73% 154 1.61%
1916 2,717 51.39% 2,374 44.90% 196 3.71%
1912 1,263 24.43% 2,246 43.44% 1,661 32.13%
1908 2,838 50.62% 2,564 45.73% 205 3.66%
1904 3,178 55.48% 2,341 40.87% 209 3.65%
1900 2,900 51.58% 2,598 46.21% 124 2.21%
1896 2,848 52.56% 2,520 46.50% 51 0.94%
1892 2,519 49.39% 2,355 46.18% 226 4.43%
1888 2,663 51.86% 2,400 46.74% 72 1.40%



Demographics[]

Historical populations
Census Pop.
1830 5,887
1840 12,171 106.7%
1850 15,107 24.1%
1860 17,294 14.5%
1870 19,053 10.2%
1880 19,779 3.8%
1890 19,277 −2.5%
1900 19,518 1.3%
1910 18,793 −3.7%
1920 17,813 −5.2%
1930 17,308 −2.8%
1940 17,722 2.4%
1950 18,218 2.8%
1960 20,019 9.9%
1970 22,738 13.6%
1980 23,841 4.9%
1990 23,645 −0.8%
2000 24,555 3.8%
2010 25,740 4.8%
US Decennial Census[16]
1790–1960[17] 1900–1990[18]
1990–2000[19] 2010–2020[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.[20] 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.[20] 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.[20]

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.[21]

2020 census[]

Decatur County Racial Composition[22]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 24,769 93.56%
Black or African American (NH) 90 0.34%
Native American (NH) 35 0.13%
Asian (NH) 154 0.6%
Pacific Islander (NH) 8 0.03%
Other/Mixed (NH) 802 3%
Hispanic or Latino 614 2.3%

See also[]

  • National Register of Historic Places listings in Decatur County, Indiana

References[]

  1. ^ a b "Decatur County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/18/18031.html. 
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx. 
  3. ^ a b "Government at Crossroads: An Indiana chronology". 5 January 2008. http://www.heraldbulletin.com/news/local_news/government-at-crossroads-an-indiana-chronology/article_3a07aa44-1cd4-5028-82e7-96b907121b31.html?mode=jqm. 
  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. https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ. 
  6. ^ De Witt Clinton Goodrich & Charles Richard Tuttle (1875). An Illustrated History of the State of Indiana. Indiana: R. S. Peale & co.. p. 555. https://archive.org/details/anillustratedhi02tuttgoog. 
  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. http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY10/0500000US18031. 
  10. ^ a b "Monthly Averages for Greensburg IN". The Weather Channel. http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USIN0255. 
  11. ^ a b Indiana Code. "Title 36, Article 2, Section 3". IN.gov. http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title36/ar2/ch3.html. 
  12. ^ a b c d Indiana Code. "Title 2, Article 10, Section 2". IN.gov. http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title3/ar10/ch2.pdf. 
  13. ^ "Indiana Senate Districts". State of Indiana. http://www.in.gov/sos/elections/3006.htm. 
  14. ^ "Indiana House Districts". State of Indiana. http://www.in.gov/sos/elections/3005.htm. 
  15. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS. 
  16. ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html. 
  17. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/. 
  18. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/in190090.txt. 
  19. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000". US Census Bureau. https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf. 
  20. ^ a b c "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". US Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US18031. 
  21. ^ "Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0400000US18%7c0500000US18031. 
  22. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Decatur County, Indiana". https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=Decatur%20County,%20Indiana&t=Race%20and%20Ethnicity&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2. 

External links[]

Coordinates: 39°18′N 85°30′W / 39.30, -85.50


This page uses content from the English language Wikipedia. The original content was at Decatur County, Indiana. The list of authors can be seen in the page history. As with this Familypedia wiki, the content of Wikipedia is available under the Creative Commons License.
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