Fayette County, Indiana

Fayette County is one of 92 counties in U.S. state of Indiana located in the east central portion of the state. As of 2010, the population was 24,277.[1] Most of the county is rural; land use is farms, pasture and unincorporated woodland. The county seat and only incorporated town is Connersville, which holds a majority of the county's population.[2]

Fayette County
U.S. county
Fayette County Courthouse in Connersville
Location within the U.S. state of Indiana
Indiana's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 39°38′N 85°11′W
Country United States
State Indiana
Founded1819
Named forMarquis de la Fayette
SeatConnersville
Largest cityConnersville
Area
 • Total215.16 sq mi (557.3 km2)
 • Land215.01 sq mi (556.9 km2)
 • Water0.15 sq mi (0.4 km2)  0.07%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2018)
23,047
 • Density113/sq mi (43.61/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district6th
WebsiteFayette County/ Connersville Website
Indiana county number 21
A round barn in Fayette County

The county was historically significant early in the 19th century as a conduit for settlement of the Northwest Territory, and again in the early 20th century as an automotive manufacturing center, but has been in economic decline since the 1960s and is now among the poorest counties in the state. Most employment is retail, schools and healthcare.

The county lacks a commercial airport and bus service, and has no major (U.S. or Interstate) highways.

The county was created in 1818 from portions of Wayne and Franklin counties and unincorporated ("New Purchase") territory.

Fayette County comprises the Connersville, IN Micropolitan Statistical Area.

History
See also: Connersville § History

The county and its seat Connersville rose from unincorporated territory surrounding an isolated trading post on the Whitewater River to the principal conduit for settlement of northern and central Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin and Illinois during the early 19th century, to an automotive manufacturing powerhouse in the first half of the 20th century, suffered recession and post-war industrial revival before declining to one of the poorest counties in Indiana and the central midwest. After early settlement, during industrial growth, the county's population concentrated in the town of Connersville. In 1841, Connersville became the first, and remains the only, incorporated town (chartered as a city in 1869) in the county.[3]

Native American cultures

The first European explorers in Indiana came in the 1670s, and the first settlers in Fayette County sometime before 1808. Prior to that Fayette County and Indiana were inhabited by Native Americans for at least two hundred years. Older civilizations called the Mound Builders preceded the modern tribes. They are called such for the distinctive mounds they constructed roughly 2,000 to 3,000 years ago, as well as the many metal and pottery artifacts left behind in mounds across Indiana and Ohio. However, by the time Europeans reached the Indiana Territory, the nomadic Miami, Shawnee and Potawatomi inhabited the area. Later, the Delaware Indians, displaced from their ancestral homelands in the east, migrated to the Whitewater Valley.

Indiana Territory

At the organization of the Indiana Territory from the Northwest Territory in 1800, the Northwest Territory including present day Indiana was divided between Knox County (seat Vincennes) in the south, and Wayne County, including northern Ohio (seat Detroit) north of Fort Wayne in the north. By the Ohio Enabling Act of 1802 settlers in the Whitewater valley became citizens of the Indiana Territory and residents of Clark county, which had been organized from the eastern part of Knox in 1801, with the county seat at Falls of the Ohio, later called Clarksville.[4]

On Sept. 30, 1809, the United States, on behalf of the Northwest Territory and Governor William Henry Harrison, concluded the Treaty of Fort Wayne, part of whose terms included the purchase from the Indians of a strip of land locally called "The 12 Mile Purchase" parallel to and west of "The Gore", enclosing the Whitewater Valley and comprising the largest portion of the future county. Conclusion of the treaty essentially ended Indian occupation of the county and cleared the way for settlement.

In southeastern Indiana, a part of the Northwest Territory nicknamed "The Gore" was ceded from Ohio to Indiana in 1803 and became Dearborn County. Wayne and Franklin counties were carved from Dearborn and Clark counties in 1811. At that time much of southeastern Indiana was divided between the two latter counties.[5]

The County

Fayette County was created by act of the Indiana General Assembly in December 1818 from portions of Wayne and Franklin counties and unincorporated ("New Purchase") territory in the northern portion of the county. It was named for the Marquis de la Fayette, a French hero of the Revolutionary War.[6][7] Connersville, then a small village of less than a hundred inhabitants, was designated the county seat. The county was divided into five townships (Harrison, Connersville, Jennings, Columbia, and Brownsville) in February 1819, Connersville Township containing the namesake town. In 1821, the organization of Waterloo Township subsumed the portion of Brownsville Township remaining in Fayette County, along with a portion of Harrison Township west of the Whitewater River.

The far eastern part of Fayette lying between the Treaty of Greenville treaty line of 1795 and the present eastern boundary line of Waterloo and Jennings townships was split off into the newly created Union County in 1821. In 1826, a small part in the southeastern portion of Jackson township not included in the limits of the county in 1818, being left a part of Franklin county, was attached to Fayette County.

Four additional townships were created in later years: Posey (1823), Orange (1822), Jackson (1820) and Fairview (1851), corresponding to settlement of the area.

Settlement of the Whitewater Valley

At the time of its organization in 1819, the county had approximately 3,000 residents. Two major events spurred early growth: the completion of the Whitewater Canal in 1847, and the arrival of the Cincinnati, Hamilton and Indianapolis Railroad through Connersville in 1862.

Automotive manufacturing

Economic productivity in the county, except for farming, has been centered almost exclusively in the one town of Connersville.

The automotive era of Connersville began in 1909, when the McFarlan first went into production. The following year, Lexington moved its plant to Connersville from its namesake city in Kentucky. Next came Empire, which built the Little Aristocrat. After Lexington went bankrupt in 1926, Auburn production moved to a factory complex known as Auburn Central. The “Baby Duesenberg” designed in Connersville eventually became the Cord 810 and 812. Connersville also was home to suppliers, including Central Manufacturing, which made bodywork for the 1940 Packard Darrin, along with some 500,000 Jeep bodies during World War II.

Geography

According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 215.16 square miles (557.3 km2), of which 215.01 square miles (556.9 km2) (or 99.93%) is land and 0.15 square miles (0.39 km2) (or 0.07%) is water.[8] It is almost 14 mi. wide at its widest east–west span, and 19 mi. long (through Posey township). The county is located in the northern portion of the Whitewater River Valley running south and southeasterly from Wayne County to Cincinnati on the Ohio River. The only major waterway in the county is the West Fork of the Whitewater River running north to south through the center of the county. There is only a single tiny (15 acre) lake in the county, Manlove's Lake in Posey Township. The county is mostly flat with low, rolling hills. The county (and all of Indiana) is part of the Eastern (U.S.) Broadleaf Forest biome dominated by deciduous trees including over 175 native species of oak. Most of the land use is farms (>80%), vacant woodland and pasture. The most common crops are corn and soybeans.

Adjacent counties

Political subdivisions

Townships

Cities and towns

Unincorporated towns

Transportation

Major markets are remote; the nearest large cities are Cincinnati 58 miles (93 km) to the southeast, Indianapolis 66 miles (106 km) to the west, Louisville 127 miles (204 km) to the south, and Columbus, Ohio, 135 miles (217 km) to the northeast.

Major highways

The accessible state roads are all 2-lane roads. The nearest major highways are U.S. 40 12 miles (19 km) to the north, and Interstate 70 14 miles (23 km) to the north, both in Henry and Wayne Counties. Three major state roads all pass through Connersville:

Airport, rail and bus

There is no commercial airport or bus service in the county. Amtrak passenger trains serve Connersville. Fayette County has CSX freight service in Connersville.

Waterways

Whitewater River, the only significant waterway in the county, is not commercially navigable.

Recreation

Robert's Park is a city park in Connersville providing pool, clubhouse, field, and grandstand facilities. The Whitewater Valley Railroad is a heritage railroad providing sightseeing tours between Connersville and Metamora. Manlove Lake near Milton, is a small lake and recreation area providing limited fishing and boating.

Economy

In 2010, the county ranked 92nd out of 92 Indiana counties in median household income. Most of the economic activity is local manufacturing, retail trade and healthcare services, concentrated in Connersville.

Climate and weather
Connersville, Indiana
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
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A
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J
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2.4
 
 
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48
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48
 
 
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21
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Source: The Weather Channel[9]

In recent years, average temperatures in Connersville have ranged from a low of 15 °F (−9 °C) in January to a high of 83 °F (28 °C) in July, although a record low of −31 °F (−35 °C) was recorded in January 1994 and a record high of 102 °F (39 °C) was recorded in July 1952. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 2.33 inches (59 mm) in February to 4.89 inches (124 mm) in May.[9]

Schools and colleges

The county is served by the Fayette County School system including elementary, middle and high schools. There are also a few parochial elementary schools in Connersville. Both Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana and Indiana University East offer classes in Connersville.

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 county council is the legislative branch of the county government and controls all the spending and revenue collection in the county. Representatives are elected from county districts. 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.[10][11]

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.[10][11]

Court: The county maintains a small claims court that can handle some 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.[11]

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.[11]

Fayette County is part of Indiana's 6th congressional district; Indiana Senate district 42[12] and Indiana House of Representatives district 55.[13]

Presidential elections results
Presidential elections results[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2016 71.8% 6,839 23.6% 2,252 4.6% 439
2012 57.1% 5,045 40.2% 3,555 2.7% 237
2008 51.9% 4,917 46.3% 4,389 1.8% 173
2004 60.9% 5,761 38.3% 3,626 0.9% 81
2000 58.5% 5,060 39.5% 3,415 2.0% 172
1996 44.9% 4,091 41.9% 3,822 13.2% 1,207
1992 40.9% 4,376 37.1% 3,969 22.1% 2,365
1988 58.9% 5,949 40.7% 4,118 0.4% 41
1984 63.0% 7,142 36.3% 4,122 0.7% 82
1980 55.9% 6,004 40.1% 4,304 4.0% 424
1976 50.5% 5,704 48.9% 5,519 0.6% 65
1972 67.2% 7,273 32.5% 3,519 0.3% 37
1968 46.9% 5,286 40.4% 4,549 12.7% 1,431
1964 40.7% 4,637 58.9% 6,713 0.4% 43
1960 56.0% 6,729 43.6% 5,246 0.4% 48
1956 56.3% 6,673 43.5% 5,156 0.3% 33
1952 57.1% 7,000 42.2% 5,178 0.8% 92
1948 47.6% 5,399 51.8% 5,876 0.6% 63
1944 51.2% 5,603 48.5% 5,299 0.3% 36
1940 49.9% 5,567 49.7% 5,542 0.3% 38
1936 46.4% 5,067 52.7% 5,756 0.9% 99
1932 47.9% 4,867 50.7% 5,148 1.4% 139
1928 62.6% 5,874 36.8% 3,455 0.5% 50
1924 62.2% 5,284 34.6% 2,940 3.3% 277
1920 54.3% 4,742 43.1% 3,768 2.6% 228
1916 51.5% 2,360 45.3% 2,074 3.2% 148
1912 25.6% 1,030 36.2% 1,455 38.2% 1,534[15]
1908 55.8% 2,394 39.6% 1,700 4.6% 199
1904 58.0% 2,414 35.7% 1,487 6.3% 260
1900 58.2% 2,320 40.1% 1,600 1.7% 68
1896 56.7% 2,145 42.5% 1,609 0.8% 29
1892 53.1% 1,813 43.8% 1,495 3.2% 109
1888 56.6% 1,953 42.7% 1,471 0.7% 24

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18205,950—
18309,11253.1%
18409,8378.0%
185010,2173.9%
186010,2250.1%
187010,4762.5%
188011,3948.8%
189012,63010.8%
190013,4956.8%
191014,4156.8%
192017,14218.9%
193019,24312.3%
194019,4110.9%
195023,39120.5%
196024,4544.5%
197026,2167.2%
198028,2727.8%
199026,015−8.0%
200025,588−1.6%
201024,277−5.1%
2018 (est.)23,047[16]−5.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[17]
1790-1960[18] 1900-1990[19]
1990-2000[20] 2010-2013[1]

2010 Census Data

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 24,277 people, 9,719 households, and 6,669 families residing in the county.[21] The population density was 112.9 inhabitants per square mile (43.6/km2). There were 10,898 housing units at an average density of 50.7 per square mile (19.6/km2).[8] The racial makeup of the county was 96.9% white, 1.3% black or African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% American Indian, 0.3% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.9% of the population.[21] In terms of ancestry, 20.4% were German, 15.2% were American, 11.8% were Irish, and 8.2% were English.[22]

Of the 9,719 households, 31.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.6% were married couples living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 31.4% were non-families, and 26.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.93. The median age was 40.8 years.[21]

The median income for a household in the county was $47,697 and the median income for a family was $46,601. Males had a median income of $41,211 versus $29,388 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,928. About 11.9% of families and 19.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.0% of those under age 18 and 9.9% of those age 65 or over.[23]

2000 Census Data

As of the census[24] of 2000, there were 25,588 people, 10,199 households, and 7,149 families residing in the county. The population density was 119 people per square mile (46/km2). There were 10,981 housing units at an average density of 51 per square mile (20/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.16% White, 1.67% Black or African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.13% from other races, and 0.66% from two or more races. 0.52% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 39.2% were of American, 18.9% German, 10.6% English and 9.7% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 10,199 households, out of which 30.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.60% were married couples living together, 10.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.90% were non-families. 25.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.30% under the age of 18, 8.60% from 18 to 24, 27.10% from 25 to 44, 24.50% from 45 to 64, and 15.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 94.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $38,840, and the median income for a family was $46,111. Males had a median income of $34,493 versus $23,082 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,624. About 6.00% of families and 7.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.40% of those under age 18 and 7.70% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

See also

Further reading
  • History of Fayette County, Indiana, Warner, Beers & Co. 1885

References
  1. "Fayette County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2011-06-07. Retrieved 2011-09-17.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 3, 2015. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. Connersville Charter, Ind. Local Laws, Indiana General Assembly, 25th Session, 1840-1 p.171–177
  4. Barrows, Frederick (1917). History of Fayette County. Bowen & Co. pp. 42–43.
  5. Barrows, Frederick (1917). History of Fayette County. Bowen & Co. p. 56.
  6. De Witt Clinton Goodrich & Charles Richard Tuttle (1875). An Illustrated History of the State of Indiana. Indiana: R. S. Peale & co. pp. 557.
  7. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 124.
  8. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2020-02-12. Retrieved 2015-07-10.
  9. "Monthly Averages for Connersville, Indiana". The Weather Channel. Retrieved 2011-01-27.
  10. Indiana Code. "Title 36, Article 2, Section 3". IN.gov. Retrieved 2008-09-16.
  11. Indiana Code. "Title 2, Article 10, Section 2" (PDF). IN.gov. Retrieved 2008-09-16.
  12. "Indiana Senate Districts". State of Indiana. Retrieved 2011-01-23.
  13. "Indiana House Districts". State of Indiana. Retrieved 2011-01-23.
  14. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 2018-05-14.
  15. The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 1,030 votes, while Socialist candidate Eugene Debs received 231 votes, Prohibition candidate Eugene Chafin received 68 votes, and Socialist Labor candidate Arthur Reimer received 21 votes.
  16. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved July 26, 2019.
  17. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  18. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  19. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  20. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  21. "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.
  22. "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.
  23. "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.
  24. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  25. "George Washington Steele". Ancestry.com. Retrieved October 10, 2012.
  26. Margolick, David (February 2011). "No Comfort For Old Men". Vanity Fair. New York City: Condé Nast. Retrieved August 11, 2018. Also: Gehring, Wes D. (2012). Robert Wise: Shadowlands. Indianapolis: Indiana Historical Society Press. p. 1. ISBN 978-0-87195-296-7.

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