Wells County, Indiana

Wells County is a county in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 27,636.[1] The county seat (and only incorporated city) is Bluffton.[2]

Wells County
U.S. county
Wells County Courthouse in Bluffton
Location within the U.S. state of Indiana
Indiana's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 40°44′N 85°13′W
Country United States
State Indiana
Founded1837
Named forWilliam A. Wells
SeatBluffton
Largest cityBluffton
Area
 • Total370.25 sq mi (958.9 km2)
 • Land368.09 sq mi (953.3 km2)
 • Water2.16 sq mi (5.6 km2)  0.58%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2018)
28,206
 • Density76.6/sq mi (29.6/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district3rd
Websitewww.wellscounty.org
Indiana county number 90

Wells County is included in the Fort Wayne Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Fort Wayne–Huntington–Auburn Combined Statistical Area.

History

The future state of Indiana was first regulated by passage of the Northwest Ordinance in 1787. The governing structure created by this act created Wayne County as part of Indiana Territory in 1796. As the Territory's lands began filling with settlers, other counties were organized, and in December 1816 the State of Indiana was admitted to the Union. The state legislature approved (on 7 February 1835) an omnibus bill which authorized the division of portions of Wayne County into thirteen counties.[3] Wells was named for William A. Wells.[4] It was assigned to Allen County for legislative and administrative affairs at first.

On 2 February 1837 an act was passed by the state, authorizing Wells County to be organized independent of Allen County, and specifying 1 May for the date of first meeting. However, that meeting did not take place, so an act dated 20 January 1838 further authorized the meeting of appointed commissioners to decide on a county seat. That vote was completed on 5 March 1838, selecting Bluffton.[5]

Geography

The low rolling hills of Wells County have been deforested and are now completely devoted to agriculture and urban development. The Wabash River flows to the northwest, draining the central and upper part of the county, while the lower part is drained by the Salamonie River, also flowing to the northwest.[6] The highest point on the terrain (935 feet/285 meters ASL) is an isolated rise on the county's south borderline with Jay County, one-half mile (0.8 km) east of the NE corner of Blackford County.[7]

According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 370.25 square miles (958.9 km2), of which 368.09 square miles (953.3 km2) (or 99.42%) is land and 2.16 square miles (5.6 km2) (or 0.58%) is water.[8]

Adjacent counties

City and towns

Unincorporated communities

Townships

Major highways

Climate and weather
Bluffton, Indiana
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
2
 
 
30
16
 
 
1.8
 
 
34
19
 
 
2.6
 
 
46
29
 
 
3.2
 
 
58
40
 
 
4.1
 
 
70
51
 
 
3.9
 
 
80
61
 
 
3.9
 
 
84
64
 
 
3.7
 
 
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3.1
 
 
75
55
 
 
2.5
 
 
63
42
 
 
3
 
 
48
33
 
 
2.7
 
 
35
23
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Source: The Weather Channel[9]

In recent years, average temperatures in Bluffton have ranged from a low of 16 °F (−9 °C) in January to a high of 84 °F (29 °C) in July, although a record low of −24 °F (−31 °C) was recorded in January 1985 and a record high of 104 °F (40 °C) was recorded in July 1980. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.83 inches (46 mm) in February to 4.11 inches (104 mm) in May.[9]

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.[10][11]

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.[10][11]

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.[11]

County Officials: The county has other elected offices, including sheriff, coroner, auditor, treasurer, recorder, surveyor, and circuit court clerk. The 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.[11]

Presidential election results
Presidential elections results[12]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 77.3% 10,855 20.8% 2,928 1.9% 267
2016 75.3% 10,005 19.5% 2,586 5.2% 695
2012 71.5% 9,256 26.5% 3,436 2.0% 260
2008 65.0% 8,504 33.6% 4,403 1.4% 181
2004 74.2% 9,168 25.2% 3,112 0.6% 74
2000 68.7% 7,755 29.4% 3,319 1.8% 207
1996 56.0% 6,322 33.2% 3,752 10.8% 1,220
1992 48.2% 5,799 27.3% 3,282 24.6% 2,958
1988 68.9% 7,712 30.7% 3,437 0.4% 39
1984 69.4% 7,579 30.0% 3,274 0.6% 67
1980 56.1% 5,864 36.0% 3,760 7.9% 821
1976 56.3% 5,596 42.8% 4,250 0.9% 88
1972 65.8% 6,425 33.2% 3,244 1.0% 100
1968 53.1% 5,361 37.9% 3,827 9.0% 913
1964 40.0% 4,018 59.1% 5,945 0.9% 92
1960 58.9% 6,034 40.3% 4,128 0.8% 80
1956 58.3% 5,703 40.7% 3,984 0.9% 91
1952 55.9% 5,380 41.1% 3,963 3.0% 290
1948 47.2% 4,288 52.0% 4,726 0.9% 80
1944 50.0% 4,708 47.6% 4,475 2.4% 227
1940 47.8% 4,898 51.1% 5,236 1.2% 123
1936 36.6% 3,606 62.8% 6,189 0.6% 59
1932 32.3% 3,073 65.5% 6,236 2.3% 219
1928 48.9% 4,142 50.2% 4,246 0.9% 77
1924 44.9% 3,932 51.8% 4,537 3.3% 285
1920 47.6% 4,430 50.0% 4,653 2.4% 222
1916 37.3% 1,947 56.0% 2,928 6.7% 351
1912 16.0% 812 54.2% 2,760 29.9% 1,520
1908 35.9% 2,185 55.0% 3,345 9.1% 553
1904 40.7% 2,565 49.7% 3,127 9.6% 604
1900 37.5% 2,290 58.9% 3,599 3.6% 217
1896 36.6% 2,212 61.7% 3,728 1.6% 98
1892 33.9% 1,668 55.4% 2,725 10.7% 528
1888 37.2% 1,926 56.8% 2,942 6.1% 314

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18401,822—
18506,152237.7%
186010,84476.3%
187013,58525.3%
188018,44235.8%
189021,51416.7%
190023,4499.0%
191022,418−4.4%
192020,509−8.5%
193018,411−10.2%
194019,0993.7%
195019,5642.4%
196021,2208.5%
197023,82112.3%
198025,4016.6%
199025,9482.2%
200027,6006.4%
201027,6360.1%
2018 (est.)28,2062.1%
US Decennial Census[13]
1790-1960[14] 1900-1990[15]
1990-2000[16] 2010-2013[1] 2018[17]

2010 Census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 27,636 people, 10,780 households, and 7,684 families in the county.[18] The population density was 75.1 inhabitants per square mile (29.0/km2). There were 11,659 housing units at an average density of 31.7 per square mile (12.2/km2).[8] The racial makeup of the county was 97.3% white, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.3% black or African American, 0.8% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.0% of the population.[18] In terms of ancestry, 38.4% were German, 12.3% were English, 10.8% were Irish, and 10.3% were American.[19] Of the 10,780 households, 33.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.1% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 28.7% were non-families, and 24.8% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.00. The median age was 40.2 years.[18]

The median income for a household in the county was $47,697 and the median income for a family was $56,885. Males had a median income of $41,871 versus $30,031 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,169. About 6.2% of families and 8.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.8% of those under age 18 and 3.6% of those age 65 or over.[20]

See also

References
  1. "Wells County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Retrieved 25 September 2011.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
  3. The thirteen counties: DeKalb, Fulton, Jasper, Jay, Kosciusko, Marshall, Newton, Porter, Pulaski, Stark, Steuben, Wells, and Whitley.
  4. Captain William A. Wells was captured by Native Americans as a young boy and adopted by the Miami chief Little Turtle. He eventually became a scout for Gen. "Mad Anthony" Wayne. Capt. Wells was killed by Potawatomi allied with the British at the Battle of Fort Dearborn at the outbreak of the War of 1812.
  5. Tyndall, John W; Lesh, O E (1918). Standard History of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana. Chicago: Lewis Publishing Co. pp. 304–6.
  6. Wells County IN (Google Maps, accessed 6 August 2020)
  7. Wells County High Point, Indiana (PeakBagger.com, accessed 6 August 2020)
  8. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 12 February 2020. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  9. "Monthly Averages for Bluffton IN". The Weather Channel. Retrieved 27 January 2011.
  10. Indiana Code. "Title 36, Article 2, Section 3". IN.gov. Retrieved 16 September 2008.
  11. Indiana Code. "Title 2, Article 10, Section 2" (PDF). IN.gov. Retrieved 16 September 2008.
  12. Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 21 May 2018.
  13. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  14. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  15. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  16. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  17. "QuickFacts. Wells County IN". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 26, 2019.
  18. "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.
  19. "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.
  20. https://archive.vn/20200214002931/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0400000US18%7C0500000US18179

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