Washington County, Indiana

Washington County is a county in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 28,262.[1] The county seat (and the county's only incorporated city) is Salem.[2]

For counties with a similar name, see Washington County (disambiguation).
Not to be confused with Washington, Indiana.
Washington County
U.S. county
Washington County courthouse in Salem
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Indiana
Indiana's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 38°36′N 86°07′W
Country United States
State Indiana
Founded1814
Named forGeorge Washington
SeatSalem
Largest citySalem
Area
 • Total516.60 sq mi (1,338.0 km2)
 • Land513.72 sq mi (1,330.5 km2)
 • Water2.87 sq mi (7.4 km2)  0.56%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2018)
27,943
 • Density54.4/sq mi (21.0/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district9th
Websitewww.washingtoncounty.in.gov
Indiana county number 88

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

History

In 1787, the fledgling United States 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 territory's first governor, and Vincennes was established as the territorial capital.[4] After the Michigan Territory was separated and the Illinois Territory was formed, Indiana was reduced to its current size and geography.[3]

In 1790 Knox County was laid out. In 1801, Clark County was established, and in 1808 Harrison County was laid out, including the territory of the future Washington County.

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 Treaty of Grouseland (1805), by which a large portion of the southern Indiana Territory became property of the government. This included the future Washington County. As early as 1802, a man named Frederick Royce lived among the Ox Indians at a place known as the Lick, two miles east of Salem and is probably the first white man to inhabit this county. He was a hunter-trader and salt manufacturer. In 1803, Thomas Hopper settled in this county near Hardinsburg. Washington County was created by act of the Territorial legislature dated 21 December 1813, taking territory from Harrison and Clark counties. Interim commissioners were named and directed to determine the proper choice of the seat of government. Accordingly, they began deliberating in January 1814, and by 2 February had selected an uninhabited site near the center, naming it 'Salem'.[5] In the territorial act creating the county, it was named for U.S. President George Washington,[6] who had died fourteen years earlier.

On 1 September 1814 the original boundary of Washington County was increased, by act of the Territorial legislature, but on 26 December 1815 much of this added territory was partitioned off to create Orange and Jackson counties.[7] In December 1816 the Indiana Territory was admitted to the Union as a state. On 12 January 1820 the state partitioned a further portion of Washington County to create Scott County.[8] In 1842, and again in 1873, the border between Scott and Washington counties was adjusted.

Beginning in 1903, and for an undetermined number of years afterward, Washington County had a sundown town policy forbidding African Americans from living in the county.[9][10]

Geography

The low rolling hills of Washington County were tree-covered before settlement, but have been largely cleared and devoted to agriculture, although drainage areas are still wooded.[11] The north portion of the county is drained by the Muscatatuck River, which forms the eastern portion of the county's north border. The East Fork of the White River joins the Muscatatuck near the center of the county's north line. The south part of the county is drained by the Blue River, which rises in the county and flows southwestward into Harrison County on its way to the Ohio River. The highest point on the terrain (1,050 feet/320 meters ASL) is an isolated rise two miles (3.2 km) NNW from New Philadelphia in the eastern part.[12]

According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 516.60 square miles (1,338.0 km2), of which 513.72 square miles (1,330.5 km2) (or 99.44%) is land and 2.87 square miles (7.4 km2) (or 0.56%) is water.[13]

Adjacent counties

City

Towns

Unincorporated communities

Townships

Major highways

Climate and weather
Salem, Indiana
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
3.3
 
 
39
21
 
 
3.2
 
 
46
25
 
 
4.3
 
 
56
33
 
 
4.6
 
 
67
42
 
 
4.9
 
 
76
51
 
 
3.9
 
 
84
60
 
 
4.4
 
 
87
64
 
 
4
 
 
86
62
 
 
3.1
 
 
79
55
 
 
2.9
 
 
68
44
 
 
3.9
 
 
55
36
 
 
3.7
 
 
44
26
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Source: The Weather Channel[14]

In recent years, average temperatures in Salem have ranged from a low of 21 °F (−6 °C) in January to a high of 87 °F (31 °C) in July, although a record low of −32 °F (−36 °C) was recorded in February 1951 and a record high of 105 °F (41 °C) was recorded in July 1954. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 2.87 inches (73 mm) in October to 4.86 inches (123 mm) in May.[14]

Five people were reported killed in Washington County during the tornado outbreak of March 2–3, 2012.[15] Four were found dead in a home on Old Pekin Road according to Washington County officials. The fifth, a 15-month-old from the same family, had been found in a field, and died later in hospital.[16]

Government
Presidential election results
Presidential Election Results[17]
Year Republican Democratic Third Parties
2016 72.1% 8,209 23.2% 2,636 4.7% 537
2012 60.9% 6,533 36.4% 3,909 2.8% 295
2008 57.4% 6,519 40.2% 4,562 2.4% 271
2004 63.6% 6,915 35.7% 3,879 0.8% 86
2000 59.9% 5,868 37.5% 3,675 2.6% 258
1996 44.1% 4,066 41.5% 3,819 14.4% 1,326
1992 40.2% 4,043 40.7% 4,092 19.1% 1,922
1988 59.4% 4,998 40.0% 3,370 0.6% 48
1984 62.6% 5,874 35.5% 3,334 1.8% 172
1980 56.3% 5,234 39.4% 3,663 4.3% 400
1976 45.6% 3,794 53.0% 4,409 1.4% 115
1972 60.1% 4,758 39.0% 3,086 1.0% 78
1968 48.6% 3,891 36.7% 2,936 14.7% 1,177
1964 42.0% 3,598 57.7% 4,943 0.4% 32
1960 56.7% 5,057 42.9% 3,821 0.4% 35
1956 55.7% 4,864 44.0% 3,849 0.3% 26
1952 55.5% 4,849 44.0% 3,844 0.6% 52
1948 47.2% 3,660 52.0% 4,033 0.8% 64
1944 50.3% 4,033 49.2% 3,940 0.5% 42
1940 48.4% 4,216 51.3% 4,471 0.3% 29
1936 43.5% 3,690 56.2% 4,766 0.3% 26
1932 40.5% 3,316 58.8% 4,809 0.7% 56
1928 52.0% 3,835 47.7% 3,518 0.4% 28
1924 46.4% 3,479 52.6% 3,942 1.1% 81
1920 46.9% 3,708 52.5% 4,157 0.6% 48
1916 42.8% 1,871 55.2% 2,414 2.0% 86
1912 17.0% 712 53.3% 2,233 29.7% 1,244
1908 42.6% 1,976 55.4% 2,573 2.0% 92
1904 45.4% 2,094 51.2% 2,364 3.4% 159
1900 43.7% 2,152 55.3% 2,723 1.0% 48
1896 45.5% 2,214 53.7% 2,613 0.8% 37
1892 41.3% 1,833 52.3% 2,322 6.4% 283
1888 43.4% 1,847 56.1% 2,389 0.5% 22

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.[18][19]

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 the acts legislated by the council, collect revenue, and manage the county government.[18][19]

Court: There are two judges in Washington County. The Judge of the Circuit Court is the Hon. Robert L. Bennett (D). The Judge of the Superior Court is the Hon. Frank E. Newkirk, Jr. (R). Case distribution is determined by local court rules. Each judge serves a six-year term.

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 party affiliations and to be residents of the county.[19]

See also: Government of Indiana
Washington County
Sheriff's Department
Jurisdictional structure
Operations jurisdictionWashington, Indiana, United States
Legal jurisdictionAs per operations jurisdiction
General nature
Operational structure
Agency executive
  • Claude Combs, Sheriff

Washington County is part of Indiana's 9th congressional district and is represented in Congress by Republican Trey Hollingsworth.

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18209,039—
183013,06444.5%
184015,26916.9%
185017,04011.6%
186017,9095.1%
187018,4953.3%
188018,9552.5%
189018,619−1.8%
190019,4094.2%
191017,445−10.1%
192016,645−4.6%
193016,285−2.2%
194017,0084.4%
195016,520−2.9%
196017,8197.9%
197019,2788.2%
198021,93213.8%
199023,7178.1%
200027,22314.8%
201028,2623.8%
2018 (est.)27,943[20]−1.1%
US Decennial Census[21]
1790-1960[22] 1900-1990[23]
1990-2000[24] 2010-2013[1]

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 28,262 people, 10,850 households, and 7,799 families in the county.[25] The population density was 55.0 inhabitants per square mile (21.2/km2). There were 12,220 housing units at an average density of 23.8 per square mile (9.2/km2).[13] The racial makeup of the county was 98.1% white, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.2% black or African American, 0.3% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.1% of the population.[25] In terms of ancestry, 25.2% were German, 14.3% were American, 13.7% were Irish, and 9.6% were English.[26]

Of the 10,850 households, 34.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.8% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 28.1% were non-families, and 23.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.02. The median age was 39.2 years.[25]

The median income for a household in the county was $47,697 and the median income for a family was $45,500. Males had a median income of $38,100 versus $28,092 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,278. About 12.2% of families and 16.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.7% of those under age 18 and 14.9% of those age 65 or over.[27]

Education

The county is served by 3 school districts:[28]

  • Salem Community Schools
  • East Washington School Corporation
  • South Central Area Special Ed
  • West Washington School Corporation.

East Washington School Corporation (Superintendent:Steve Darnell[29]) includes:[30]

  • East Washington Elementary School
  • East Washington Middle School
  • Eastern High School

Salem Community Schools (Superintendent:Dr. D. Lynn Reed) includes:[31])

  • Salem High School
  • Salem High School
  • Salem Middle School
  • Bradie Shrum Elementary School

West Washington School Corporation (Superintendent:Gerald Jackson) includes:[32])

See also

References
Specific
  1. "Washington County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Retrieved 25 September 2011.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
  3. "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. Stevens (1916). pp. 78, 81
  6. De Witt Clinton Goodrich & Charles Richard Tuttle (1875). An Illustrated History of the State of Indiana. Indiana: R. S. Peale & Co. pp. 575.
  7. Stevens (1916). p. 79
  8. Stevens (1916). p. 80
  9. "Singular Isolation". The Evening Item. Richmond, Indiana. October 24, 1903. p. 6 – via Newspapers.com. She had seen many Indians in the pioneer days, but until she reached this city had never seen any person of African descent, as negroes are not allowed to live in Washington county.
  10. "'Pigeon Roost Massacre' Historical Event Told About Family of Mrs. Lewis, DAR Regent". The Victoria Advocate. Victoria, Texas. November 3, 1957. p. 46 – via Newspapers.com. No Negroes were allowed to live in Washington County, but Beezon Baynes brought in a family and established them in a small house on the farm. However, the people in the community forced him to get rid of the family—so he sent them on to Canada.
  11. Washington County IN (Google Maps, accessed 29 September 2020)
  12. Washington County High Point, Indiana (PeakBagger.com, accessed 29 September 2020)
  13. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 12 February 2020. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  14. "Monthly Averages for Salem IN". The Weather Channel. Retrieved 27 January 2011.
  15. "Tornado Climatology of Washington County, Indiana". National Weather Service. Retrieved 25 January 2018.
  16. "US Tornadoes: Toddler Found in Field Dies After Coming off Life Support". The Guardian. London. 5 March 2012. Retrieved 5 March 2012.
  17. Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.
  18. Indiana Code. "Title 36, Article 2, Section 3". IN.gov. Retrieved 16 September 2008.
  19. Indiana Code. "Title 2, Article 10, Section 2" (PDF). IN.gov. Retrieved 16 September 2008.
  20. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved July 26, 2019.
  21. "U.S. Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  22. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  23. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  24. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  25. "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.
  26. "Selected Social Characteristics in the US – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 14 February 2020. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  27. "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.
  28. Education, Indiana Department of (2009). "Indiana Public Superintendent Directory 2009" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 31 May 2009. Retrieved 28 May 2009.
  29. Corporation, East Washington School (2009). "Central Office". Retrieved 28 May 2009.
  30. Corporation, East Washington School (2009). "Welcome to the EWSC". Retrieved 28 May 2009.
  31. Schools, Salem Community (2009). ":: Salem Community Schools ::". Retrieved 28 May 2009.
  32. Corporation, West Washington School. "West Washington School". Archived from the original on 8 March 2008. Retrieved 28 May 2009.
General
  • American Legion Pekin Post 203, The. History of Pekin, Indiana (1959). The American Legion Pekin Post 203
  • Everton Publishers, Inc, The. Handy book for Genealogists (1971). Everton Publishers, Inc.
  • History of Washington County 1884 (1884).
  • Indiana Historical Commission. Indiana History Bulletin (August 1924). Wm. B. Burford
  • B. F. Bowen & Co., Indianapolis, Indiana. Centennial History of Washington County, Indiana: Its People, Industries and Institution (1916). Warder W. Stevens

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