Brazil, Indiana

Brazil, Indiana
City
Downtown Brazil
logo
Location of Brazil in Clay County, Indiana.
Coordinates: 39°31′30″N87°07′39″W / 39.52500°N 87.12750°W / 39.52500; -87.12750
Country	United States
State	Indiana
County	Clay
Government
•  Mayor	Brian Wyndham (D)
Area [1]
• Total	3.72 sq mi (9.63 km2)
• Land	3.69 sq mi (9.55 km2)
• Water	0.03 sq mi (0.08 km2)
Elevation [2]	656 ft (200 m)
Population  (2022)
• Total	8,176
• Density	2,200/sq mi (850/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (EST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	47834
Area code	812
FIPS code [2] [3]	18-07174
GNIS ID [2] [3]	431462
Website	Official website

Brazil is a city in Clay County, Indiana, United States. The population was 8,176 at the 2022 census. ^[4] The city is the county seat of Clay County. ^[5] It is part of the Terre Haute Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

In the 1840s, the owners of the farm which would later become the city of Brazil decided to name their farm after the country of Brazil, because that country was often the subject of news at the time. ^[6] The city was founded in 1866 under the name of that farm. ^[7] As of 2024, Brazil is a part of the Terre Haute Metropolitan Statistical Area. Clay county, which was formed in 1825, originally had Bowling Green as its county seat. The county seat was relocated to Brazil in 1876, following the city's development. ^[8]

The Chafariz dos Contos (from "contos de réis", a former Brazilian currency) was given to the city by the country of Brazil as a symbol of friendship. It was assembled in Forest Park in 1956. It is a replica of the original fountain located in Ouro Preto, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, built in 1745. ^[9]

In 2010, Brazil gained national attention for having accepted money from Kentucky Fried Chicken for the rights to display the KFC and Fiery Grilled Wings logos on city fire hydrants. ^[10]

The Brazil Downtown Historic District, Clay County Courthouse, Clay County Hospital, Meridian-Forest Historic District, and US Post Office-Brazil are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. ^[11]

Geography

Brazil is located at 39°31′30″N87°7′39″W / 39.52500°N 87.12750°W / 39.52500; -87.12750 (39.525000, -87.127500). ^[12]

According to the 2010 census, Brazil has a total area of 3.058 square miles (7.92 km²), of which 3.03 square miles (7.85 km²) (or 99.08%) is land and 0.028 square miles (0.07 km²) (or 0.92%) is water. ^[13]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1850	84		—
1870	2,186		—
1880	3,441		57.4%
1890	5,905		71.6%
1900	7,786		31.9%
1910	9,340		20.0%
1920	9,293		−0.5%
1930	8,744		−5.9%
1940	8,126		−7.1%
1950	8,434		3.8%
1960	8,853		5.0%
1970	8,163		−7.8%
1980	7,852		−3.8%
1990	7,640		−2.7%
2000	8,188		7.2%
2010	7,912		−3.4%
2020	8,181		3.4%
U.S. Decennial Census [14]

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, ^[15] there were 8,181 people, 3,664 households, and 3282 families living in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 94.0% White, 0.9% African American, 0.0% Native American, 0.0% Asian, 3.9% of households with two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.0% of the population.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, ^[15] there were 7,912 people, 3,154 households, and 2,018 families living in the city. The population density was 2,611.2 inhabitants per square mile (1,008.2/km²). There were 3,583 housing units at an average density of 1,182.5 per square mile (456.6/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.1% White, 0.6% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.6% of the population.

There were 3,154 households, of which 35.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.7% were married couples living together, 16.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.0% were non-families. 30.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.5% 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 3.04.

The median age in the city was 36.2 years. 26% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.2% were from 25 to 44; 23.9% were from 45 to 64; and 14.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.0% male and 52.0% female.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, ^[16] there were 8,188 people, 3,383 households, and 2,151 families living in the city. The population density was 2,450.6 inhabitants per square mile (946.2/km²). There were 3,740 housing units at an average density of 1,119.3 per square mile (432.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.80% White, 0.64% African American, 0.37% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.28% from other races, and 0.72% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.61% of the population.

There were 3,383 households, out of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.7% were married couples living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.4% were non-families. 32.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.8% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 17.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,902, and the median income for a family was $37,569. Males had a median income of $29,693 versus $20,215 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,123. About 10.7% of families and 13.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.5% of those under age 18 and 12.8% of those age 65 or over.

Poverty

A 2018 study by 24/7 Wall Street found that Brazil is the poorest city in Indiana. At the time of the study 31.6% of Brazil's population lived below the poverty line. ^[17]

Government

The government consists of a mayor and a city council. The mayor is elected in a citywide vote. The city council consists of five members. Four are elected from individual districts while one is elected at-large. ^[18] The current chief executive of Brazil is Mayor Brian Wyndham (D). ^[19]

Education

The city has a free lending library, the Brazil Public Library. ^[20]

Transportation

Airport

The Brazil Clay County Airport is a public-use airport located in Clay County, 3 nautical miles (5.6 km; 3.5 mi) south of Brazil's central business district. ^[21]

Notable people

• Gerald Eades Bentley, scholar of Elizabethan theater
• Gene Cramer, NBL player
• George N. Craig, governor of Indiana, Past National Commander of American Legion
• Johnnie Davis, musician, band leader
• Joe Dean, American basketball player, announcer and college athletic director
• John Dugan, actor
• Ivan Fuqua, winner of gold medal in 4 × 400 m relay at the 1932 Summer Olympics
• Charles B. Hall, iconic combat fighter pilot and U.S. Army Air Corps Officer with the Tuskegee Airmen
• Jimmy Hoffa, Labour Union leader
• Judy Ledgerwood, Abstract painter and educator
• Gayle Porter Hoskins, illustrator
• Stuart Randall, actor who played Sheriff Mort Corey on Laramie
• Orville Redenbacher, popcorn tycoon
• Ralph Francis Stearley, 2-star Air Force general in Gen. Eisenhower's Cabinet
• Henry Lee Summer, 1980s pop singer
• David Goggins, US Navy Seal, Motivational Speaker, Ultramarathon runner, New York Times bestselling author

Climate

Climate is characterized by relatively high temperatures and evenly distributed precipitation throughout the year. The Köppen Climate Classification subtype for this climate is "CFA" (humid subtropical climate). ^[22]

See also

• Parke County Covered Bridge Festival (15 miles north of Brazil)

References

1. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
2. "Feature ID 431462". Geographic Names Information System . United States Geological Survey . Retrieved June 30, 2014.
3. "FIPS55 Data: Indiana". FIPS55 Data. United States Geological Survey. February 23, 2006. Archived from the original on June 18, 2006. Retrieved June 30, 2014.
4. "Quick Facts: Brazil City, Indiana". U.S. Census. 2022.
5. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on June 15, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
6. "BBC Brasil, Economia e Iraque dividem votos na cidade Brazil" (in Portuguese). October 2004. Retrieved May 12, 2008.
7. "Brazil Public Library, Library History". Archived from the original on June 6, 2008. Retrieved May 12, 2008.
8. "Brazil, Indiana Facts".
9. "Chafariz Dos Contos Fountain". Archived from the original on May 17, 2008. Retrieved May 12, 2008.
10. "KFC markets 'fiery' wings on fire hydrants". USA TODAY. January 6, 2010. Retrieved August 27, 2013.
11. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
12. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
13. "G001 - Geographic Identifiers - 2010 Census Summary File 1". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
14. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
15. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved December 11, 2012.
16. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
17. Stebbins, Samuel; Sauter, Mark B. "Which town in your state is the poorest? Here is the list". www.usatoday.com. USA Today . Retrieved April 24, 2019.
18. "Elected Officials".
19. "Mayor Brian Wyndham".
20. "Homepage". Brazil Public Library. Retrieved March 4, 2018.
21. FAA Airport Form 5010 for 0I2 – Brazil Clay County Airport PDF . Federal Aviation Administration. Effective June 30, 2011.
22. "Brazil, Indiana Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)". Weatherbase. Retrieved January 12, 2016.

External links

• Official website