Whitley County, Indiana

Last updated

Whitley County
Whitley County Courthouse.jpg
Whitley County courthouse in Columbia City
Map of Indiana highlighting Whitley County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Indiana
Indiana in United States.svg
Indiana's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°08′N85°30′W / 41.14°N 85.5°W / 41.14; -85.5
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Indiana.svg  Indiana
FoundedFebruary 7, 1835 (authorized)
1838 (organized)
Named for William Whitley
Seat Columbia City
Largest cityColumbia City
Area
  Total337.91 sq mi (875.2 km2)
  Land335.57 sq mi (869.1 km2)
  Water2.34 sq mi (6.1 km2)  0.69%
Population
 (2020)
  Total34,191
  Density101.6/sq mi (39.2/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
  Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 3rd
Website whitleygov.com
Indiana county number 92
Last alphabetical county in Indiana.

Whitley County is a rural county in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 36,825. [1] Whitley County is the 49th largest county in Indiana. The county seat (and only incorporated city) is Columbia City. [2] The county has the highest county number (92) on Indiana license plates, as it is alphabetically the last in the state's list of counties. It is part of the Fort Wayne Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Fort WayneHuntingtonAuburn Combined Statistical Area.

Contents

History

Indiana was granted statehood near the end of 1816. On February 7, 1835, the state legislature approved an omnibus bill [3] that authorized the creation of thirteen counties, [4] including Whitley. It was named for Col. William Whitley, who was killed in the Battle of the Thames in the War of 1812. [5]

The first non-Native American settlers arrived in the area during that year, as a result of the end of the Black Hawk War and completion of the Erie Canal. They were from New England - "Yankee" settlers, descendents of the English Puritans who settled New England in the colonial era. They were primarily members of the Congregational Church though due to the Second Great Awakening many of them had converted to Methodism and some had become Baptists before coming to Indiana. Whitley County government was organized in 1838.

In the late 1870s immigrants began arriving from Germany and Ireland. [5]

Geography

Prior to white settlement, Whitley County's low rolling hills were densely forested, and dotted with lakes across its northern portion. At present, the available land is mostly deforested, and is entirely devoted to agriculture or to urban development. [6] Its highest point (approx. 1,000 ft; 300 m ASL) is a small rise NE of Cedar Lake. [7] The Eel River flows southwestward through the lower part of the county, and the Blue River flows southwestward through the upper part. [6]

According to the 2010 United States Census, the county has a total area of 337.91 square miles (875.2 km2), of which 335.57 square miles (869.1 km2) (or 99.31%) is land and 2.34 square miles (6.1 km2) (or 0.69%) is water. [8]

Adjacent counties

City and towns

Census-designated place

Unincorporated places

Townships

Lakes

  • Blue Lake
  • Brown Lake
  • Cedar Lake
  • Crooked Lake (part)
  • Dollar Lake
  • Goose Lake
  • Indian Lake
  • Little Cedar Lake
  • Loon Lake (part)
  • Mud Lake
  • New Lake
  • Old Lake
  • Rine Lake
  • Robinson Lake (part)
  • Round Lake
  • Scott Lake
  • Shriner Lake
  • Tadpole Lake
  • Troy Cedar Lake
  • Winters Lake [6]

Protected areas

Major highways

Climate and weather

Columbia City, Indiana
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
2.1
 
 
31
14
 
 
1.8
 
 
35
18
 
 
2.9
 
 
46
27
 
 
3.7
 
 
58
37
 
 
3.7
 
 
70
48
 
 
4.4
 
 
79
58
 
 
3.8
 
 
83
62
 
 
3.6
 
 
81
59
 
 
3.5
 
 
74
51
 
 
2.8
 
 
62
40
 
 
3.3
 
 
48
31
 
 
2.9
 
 
36
21
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Source: The Weather Channel [9]
Metric conversion
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
54
 
 
−1
−10
 
 
46
 
 
2
−8
 
 
74
 
 
8
−3
 
 
93
 
 
14
3
 
 
94
 
 
21
9
 
 
113
 
 
26
14
 
 
97
 
 
28
17
 
 
91
 
 
27
15
 
 
89
 
 
23
11
 
 
71
 
 
17
4
 
 
84
 
 
9
−1
 
 
73
 
 
2
−6
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm

In recent years, average temperatures in Columbia City have ranged from a low of 14 °F (−10 °C) in January to a high of 83 °F (28 °C) in July, although a record low of −24 °F (−31 °C) was recorded in January 1994 and a record high of 103 °F (39 °C) was recorded in June 1988. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.80 inches (46 mm) in February to 4.44 inches (113 mm) in June. [9]

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. [10] [11]

Board of Commissioners: The executive body of the county; commissioners are elected to four-year staggered terms in county-wide elections. One commissioner serves as president. The commissioners execute the 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. 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 officers elected to four-year terms, including sheriff, coroner, auditor, treasurer, recorder, surveyor, and circuit court clerk. Members elected to county government positions are required to declare party affiliations and to be residents of the county. [11]

Whitely County is part of Indiana's 3rd congressional district and as of 2020 is represented by Republican James Edward Banks in the United States Congress.

United States presidential election results for Whitley County, Indiana [12]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.%No.%No.%
2020 12,86273.13%4,23424.07%4922.80%
2016 11,35872.07%3,37921.44%1,0226.49%
2012 10,25868.24%4,42029.40%3542.35%
2008 9,12459.99%5,86238.55%2221.46%
2004 9,51270.56%3,88028.78%890.66%
2000 8,08064.99%4,10733.04%2451.97%
1996 5,96551.31%4,17635.92%1,48412.77%
1992 5,21743.27%3,56929.60%3,27027.12%
1988 7,67967.44%3,64231.99%650.57%
1984 7,76367.21%3,69031.95%980.85%
1980 7,14655.74%4,49735.08%1,1789.19%
1976 6,76154.34%5,44543.77%2351.89%
1972 7,48965.67%3,83833.65%770.68%
1968 5,68453.27%3,84836.06%1,13910.67%
1964 4,89645.56%5,79853.95%530.49%
1960 6,62160.50%4,26638.98%560.51%
1956 6,42263.23%3,68836.31%470.46%
1952 5,89360.28%3,75538.41%1281.31%
1948 4,71551.88%4,24046.65%1341.47%
1944 5,26855.88%4,07943.27%800.85%
1940 5,10053.34%4,40446.06%570.60%
1936 3,95943.27%5,11555.90%760.83%
1932 3,47139.21%5,05857.13%3243.66%
1928 4,51957.43%3,29441.86%560.71%
1924 4,42054.84%3,48443.23%1561.94%
1920 4,53052.50%3,92945.53%1701.97%
1916 2,19144.69%2,51051.19%2024.12%
1912 1,08224.01%2,20648.96%1,21827.03%
1908 2,30246.57%2,49350.43%1482.99%
1904 2,35948.99%2,28147.37%1753.63%
1900 2,27147.77%2,36149.66%1222.57%
1896 2,24246.85%2,49452.12%491.02%
1892 1,95844.55%2,23450.83%2034.62%
1888 2,13346.18%2,32550.34%1613.49%

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1840 1,237
1850 5,190319.6%
1860 10,730106.7%
1870 14,39934.2%
1880 16,94117.7%
1890 17,7684.9%
1900 17,328−2.5%
1910 16,892−2.5%
1920 15,660−7.3%
1930 15,9311.7%
1940 17,0016.7%
1950 18,82810.7%
1960 20,95411.3%
1970 23,39511.6%
1980 26,21512.1%
1990 27,6515.5%
2000 30,70711.1%
2010 33,2928.4%
2020 34,1912.7%
2023 (est.)34,742 [13] 1.6%
US Decennial Census [14]
1790-1960 [15] 1900-1990 [16]
1990-2000 [17] 2010-2013 [18] 2017 [19]

2010 Census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 33,292 people, 13,001 households, and 9,228 families in the county. [20] The population density was 99.2 inhabitants per square mile (38.3/km2). There were 14,281 housing units at an average density of 42.6 per square mile (16.4/km2). [8] The racial makeup of the county was 97.6% white, 0.3% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.3% black or African American, 0.4% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.5% of the population. [20] In terms of ancestry, 38.2% were German, 12.6% were Irish, 12.5% were American, and 9.3% were English. [21]

Of the 13,001 households, 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.4% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.0% were non-families, and 24.1% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 2.99. The median age was 40.1 years. [20]

The median income for a household in the county was $47,697 and the median income for a family was $63,487. Males had a median income of $44,883 versus $30,724 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,644. About 5.1% of families and 6.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.2% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over. [22]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pend Oreille County, Washington</span> County in Washington, United States

Pend Oreille County is a county located in the northeast corner of the U.S. state of Washington, along the Canada–US border. As of the 2020 census, the population was 13,401. The county seat and largest city is Newport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">White County, Indiana</span> County in Indiana, United States

White County is a county in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 24,688. The county seat is Monticello.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wabash County, Indiana</span> County in Indiana, United States

Wabash County is a county located in the northern central part of the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2020, the population was 30,976. The county seat is Wabash.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Steuben County, Indiana</span> County in Indiana, United States

Steuben County is a county in the northeast corner of the U.S. state of Indiana. As of the 2020 United States Census the county population was 34,435. The county seat is Angola. Steuben County comprises the Angola, IN Micropolitan Statistical Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Starke County, Indiana</span> County in Indiana, United States

Starke County is a county in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of the 2020 United States Census, its population was 23,371. The county seat is Knox.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Perry County, Indiana</span> County in Indiana, United States

Perry County is a county located in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2020, the population was 19,170. The county seat is Tell City. It is the hilliest county as well as one of the most forested counties in Indiana as it features more than 60,000 acres (240 km2) of Hoosier National Forest. The Ohio River Scenic Byway along Indiana State Road 66 runs along the southern border of the county while Interstate 64 traverses the northern portion of the county. Connecting the two is Indiana State Road 37.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Noble County, Indiana</span> County in Indiana, United States

Noble County is a county in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 47,457. The county seat is Albion. The county is divided into 13 townships which provide local services.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Newton County, Indiana</span> County in Indiana, United States

Newton County is a county located near the northwestern corner of the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2020, the population was 13,830. This county is part of Northwest Indiana as well as the Chicago metropolitan area. The county seat is Kentland. The county is divided into 10 townships which provide local services.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Marshall County, Indiana</span> County in Indiana, United States

Marshall County is a county in the U.S. state of Indiana. The 2020 census recorded the population at 46,095. The county seat is Plymouth.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kosciusko County, Indiana</span> County in Indiana, United States

Kosciusko County is a county in the U.S. state of Indiana. At the 2020 United States Census, its population was 80,240. The county seat is Warsaw.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Johnson County, Indiana</span> County in Indiana, United States

Johnson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2020, the population was 161,765. The county seat is Franklin.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Huntington County, Indiana</span> County in Indiana, United States

Huntington County is a county in the U.S. state of Indiana. According to the 2020 United States Census, the population was 36,662. The county seat is Huntington.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Henry County, Indiana</span> County in Indiana, United States

Henry County is a county located in east central Indiana, United States. As of 2020, the population was 48,914. The county seat and largest and only city is New Castle. Henry County is the main setting of the novel Raintree County by Ross Lockridge Jr.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Franklin County, Indiana</span> County in Indiana, United States

Franklin County is a county on the eastern border of the U.S. state of Indiana. In the 2020 United States Census, the county population was 22,785. The county seat is the town of Brookville. Franklin County is part of the Cincinnati, OH–KY–IN Metropolitan Statistical Area. The only incorporated city in Franklin County is Batesville, which lies mostly in adjoining Ripley County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dubois County, Indiana</span> County in Indiana, United States

Dubois County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2020, the population was 43,637. The county seat is Jasper. Dubois County is now the sole county of the Jasper Micropolitan Statistical Area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Carroll County, Indiana</span> County in Indiana, United States

Carroll County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 20,306. The county seat is Delphi.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boone County, Indiana</span> County in Indiana, United States

Boone County is a county in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2020, the population was 70,812. The county seat is Lebanon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cedar Lake, Indiana</span> Town in Indiana, United States

Cedar Lake is a town in Hanover and Center townships, Lake County, Indiana, United States. It is near the Illinois state line. Its population was 11,560 at the 2010 census. The town is notable for its location on Cedar Lake, the Lake of the Red Cedars museum.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Columbia City, Indiana</span> City in Indiana, United States

Columbia City is a city in Columbia Township, Whitley County, in the U.S. state of Indiana. The population was 9,892 at the 2020 Census, up from 8,750 at the 2010 Census, estimated to be 10,064 in 2023. The city is the county seat of Whitley County, and is the largest community therein. It is part of the Fort Wayne MSA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Thorncreek Township, Whitley County, Indiana</span> Township in Indiana, United States

Thorncreek Township is one of nine townships in Whitley County, Indiana, United States. As of the 2020 census, its population was 4,159 and it contained 1,909 housing units.

References

  1. https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/whitleycountyindiana/PST045219 [ dead link ]
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. John W Tyndall & OE Lesh, Standard history of Adams and Wells Counties, Indiana. pp. 284-6 (accessed 9 August 2020)
  4. The counties are DeKalb, Fulton, Jasper, Jay, Kosciusko, Marshall, Newton, Porter, Pulaski, Stark, Steuben, Wells, and Whitley. Newton was dissolved in 1839 and its territory was attached to Jasper; it was re-created in 1859.
  5. 1 2 De Witt Clinton Goodrich & Charles Richard Tuttle (1875). An Illustrated History of the State of Indiana. Indiana: R. S. Peale & co. p. 577.
  6. 1 2 3 4 Whitley County IN (Google Maps, accessed 31 July 2020)
  7. Whitley County High Point, Indiana (PeakBagger.com, accessed 31 July 2020)
  8. 1 2 "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  9. 1 2 "Monthly Averages for Columbia City IN". The Weather Channel. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
  10. 1 2 Indiana Code. "Title 36, Article 2, Section 3". IN.gov. Retrieved September 16, 2008.
  11. 1 2 3 4 Indiana Code. "Title 2, Article 10, Section 2" (PDF). IN.gov. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 27, 2004. Retrieved September 16, 2008.
  12. Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
  13. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  14. "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  15. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  16. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  17. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  18. "Whitley County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved September 25, 2011.
  19. "QuickFacts. Whitley County, Indiana". US Census Bureau. Retrieved November 6, 2018.
  20. 1 2 3 "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  21. "Selected Social Characteristics in the US – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 14, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  22. "Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 14, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2015.

41°08′N85°30′W / 41.14°N 85.50°W / 41.14; -85.50