Clinton, Indiana | |
---|---|
![]() Clinton's Downtown Historic District is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. | |
Nickname: Little Italy Festival Town | |
![]() Location of Clinton in Vermillion County, Indiana | |
Coordinates: 39°39′36″N87°24′21″W / 39.66000°N 87.40583°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Indiana |
County | Vermillion |
Established | 1829 |
Government | |
• Mayor | Jack Gilfoy [1] (D) |
Area | |
• Total | 2.28 sq mi (5.90 km2) |
• Land | 2.25 sq mi (5.83 km2) |
• Water | 0.03 sq mi (0.06 km2) |
Elevation | 495 ft (151 m) |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 4,831 |
• Density | 2,145.20/sq mi (828.41/km2) |
• Demonym | Clintonian |
Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
ZIP code | 47842 |
Area code | 765 |
FIPS code | 18-13780 [4] |
GNIS feature ID | 432671 |
Website | www.clinton-in.com |
Clinton is a city in Clinton Township, Vermillion County, in the U.S. state of Indiana. [5] The population was 4,893 at the 2010 census.
The city was established in 1829 and is named for DeWitt Clinton, governor of New York from 1817 to 1823. [6] Many of Clinton's original settlers were immigrants working in coal mines, many from Italy. According to Vermillion County naturalization records, "...from 1856 to 1952... Vermillion County received almost 3,550 new citizens of foreign birth, the largest number coming during the first twelve years of [the 20th] century. Italians accounted for one-third, or 1,178, of the total number who filed Declarations, with Austrians the next largest group (675) and then Scots. At least 77 percent of the Italians were from the northern regions of Italy." [7] This was in contrast to the majority of Italian immigrants to America during this same time period that hailed from southern Italy. Over time, the coal mining industry in Clinton ended but many of the Italian settlers stayed at Clinton.
The Clinton post office has been in operation since 1823. [8]
The Clinton Paving and Building Brick Company was established in 1893, at which time it was producing 40,000 bricks per day. [9]
The Clinton Downtown Historic District and Hill Crest Community Center are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. [10]
In 2016, a satirical news website posted a fake news story about the town, claiming that the mayor was changing the town's name to avoid referencing Bill and Hillary Clinton. [11]
Clinton is located in the southern part of the county along the Wabash River, near the intersection of State Road 63 (which passes just west of the city) and State Road 163 (which passes through the city). U.S. Route 41 lies just to the east of the city, across the river in neighboring Parke County. The smaller town of Fairview Park is adjacent to Clinton on the north side of the city.
According to the United States Census Bureau, Clinton has a total area of 2.259 square miles (5.85 km2), of which 2.24 square miles (5.80 km2) (or 99.16%) is land and 0.019 square miles (0.05 km2) (or 0.84%) is water. [12]
Indiana State Road 163 is a highway that runs through Clinton, and follows Walnut, Main, Elm, 9th, and Western streets, and Hazel Bluff Rd.
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1850 | 321 | — | |
1860 | 307 | −4.4% | |
1870 | 564 | 83.7% | |
1880 | 965 | 71.1% | |
1890 | 1,365 | 41.5% | |
1900 | 2,918 | 113.8% | |
1910 | 6,229 | 113.5% | |
1920 | 10,962 | 76.0% | |
1930 | 7,936 | −27.6% | |
1940 | 7,092 | −10.6% | |
1950 | 6,462 | −8.9% | |
1960 | 5,843 | −9.6% | |
1970 | 5,340 | −8.6% | |
1980 | 5,267 | −1.4% | |
1990 | 5,040 | −4.3% | |
2000 | 5,126 | 1.7% | |
2010 | 4,893 | −4.5% | |
2020 | 4,831 | −1.3% | |
US Decennial Census [13] |
As of the 2010 United States Census, [14] there were 4,893 people, 1,988 households, and 1,232 families in the city. The population density was 2,184.4 inhabitants per square mile (843.4/km2). There were 2,332 housing units at an average density of 1,041.1 per square mile (402.0/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.5% White, 0.2% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.0% of the population.
There were 1,988 households, of which 32.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.8% were married couples living together, 15.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.0% were non-families. 33.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.96.
The median age in the city was 38.8 years. 24.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.4% were from 25 to 44; 24.2% were from 45 to 64; and 17.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.5% male and 52.5% female.
As of the 2000 United States Census, [4] there were 5,126 people, 2,124 households, and 1,319 families in the city. The population density was 2,284.5/sqmi (883.6/km2). There were 2,379 housing units at an average density of 1,060.3/sqmi (410.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 98.15% White, 0.35% African American, 0.37% Native American, 0.08% Asian, 0.16% from other races, and 0.90% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.68% of the population.
There were 2,124 households, out of which 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.0% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.9% were non-families. 33.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.93.
The city population contained 22.9% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 21.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.1 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,330, and the median income for a family was $36,692. Males had a median income of $28,294 versus $22,927 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,601. About 7.4% of families and 12.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.3% of those under age 18 and 20.0% of those age 65 or over.
Situated along the Wabash River and between Interstate 70 and Interstate 74, Clinton offers a wide variety of resources and transportation options for companies looking for new locations. Two-thirds of the U.S. population can be reached within a one-day drive from Clinton.
The two largest and most visible companies in Clinton are Elanco, which produces animal health and food safety drugs, and White Construction Inc., a subsidiary of Infrastructure & Energy Alternatives (IEA) specializing in building energy infrastructure throughout North America. Both parent companies are headquartered in Indianapolis. Other local employers include Duke Energy, MSI Construction Inc, International Paper and National Gypsum Company which are located to the north of the city. The launch of the Vermillion Rise Mega Park is creating new opportunities for business expansion at the site of the former Newport Chemical Depot.
The city is served by Union Hospital – Clinton.
Clinton city government consists of a mayor and a city council.
The current mayor is Jack Gilfoy Jr.
Billy J. MacLaren is the current Chief of Police.
The fire department is a combination career/volunteer organization. Its current chief is Chris Strohm.
Democratic (14) Republican (9)
# | Mayor | Took office | Left office | Party | Terms | Notes | ||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Wm. G. Merrill | 1893 | 1896 | Republican | May 1893 – May 1896 | |||
2 | N.C. Anderson | 1896 | 1898 | Republican | May 1896 – Sept. 1898 | |||
3 | Dr. C.M. White | 1898 | 1902 | Republican | May 1898 – June 16, 1902 | |||
4 | D.C. Johnson | 1902 | 1906 | Republican | June 16, 1902 – May 1906 | |||
5 | C.E. Loury | 1906 | 1909 | Republican | 1 | |||
6 | H.M. Ferguson | 1909 | 1911 | Democratic | 1 | Jan. 1, 1909 resigned Oct. 16, 1911 | ||
7 | M.M. Scott | 1911 | 1911 | Democratic | 1 | elected by council Oct. 16, 1911 served to Nov. 21, 1911. | ||
8 | M.J. Tucker | 1911 | 1917 | Democratic | 2 | elected by council Nov. 21, 1911 serving thru 1913. He was then elected Nov. 6, 1913 and served 1914 thru 1917. | ||
9 | C.E. Loury | 1918 | 1921 | Republican | 1 | again elected for years 1918 thru 1921 | ||
10 | M.J. Tucker | 1922 | 1925 | Democratic | 1 | again elected for 1922 thru 1925. He died while in office Feb. 9, 1924. L.T. Shannon, councilman, and Sam Kaneznovich both served as mayor pro term until a permanent mayor could be selected. | ||
11 | John Paine | 1924 | 1929 | Democratic | 1 | elected mayor by council April 29, 1924 thru 1925 and then elected for years 1926 thru 1929. | ||
12 | Henry Owens | 1930 | 1934 | Republican | 1 | Owens elected for years 1930 thru 1933. The state legislature extended term 1 year. 1933 thru 1934. 5 years served. | ||
13 | Dr. C.M. Zink | 1935 | 1942 | Democratic | 2 | |||
14 | Clarence “Tubby” Wright | 1943 | 1955 | Republican | 3 | elected for years 1943 thru 1946 the state legislature again extended the term of office 1 additional year thru 1947. He was re-elected for years 1948 thru 1951. He was re-elected again for a record 3rd term 1952 thru 1955 – total 13 years. | ||
15 | John Goldner | 1956 | 1967 | Democratic | 3 | |||
16 | . Hugh L. McGill Jr. | 1968 | 1979 | Republican | 3 | |||
17 | Arthur Lindsey Jr. | 1980 | 1983 | Democratic | 1 | |||
18 | Don Natalie | 1984 | 1987 | Democratic | 1 | |||
19 | Ramon J, Colombo | 1988 | 1999 | Democratic | 3 | |||
20 | Ron Shepard | 2000 | 2007 | Democratic | 2 | |||
21 | Jerry Hawkins | 2008 | 2008 | Democratic | 1 | |||
22 | Art Lindsy | 2008 | 2011 | Democratic | 1 | |||
23 | Jack Gilfoy | 2012 | Present | Democratic | 4 |
Clinton, Indiana and the southern half of Vermillion County are served by the South Vermillion Community School Corporation which has three primary elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school.
Glendale Elementary and Matthew's South Elementary schools, which were both located in Clinton City limits, consolidated with Central Elementary in the mid 1980s. The school district's residents could fit into one main elementary school, but because of the rural area around Clinton the decision was made to group the students into three smaller schools.
The middle school and high school are both located north of the city, in an unincorporated area of the county.
The high school was formerly known as Clinton High School before the current school was constructed in 1977. However, the mascot has remained the same, the Wildcat.
Post-secondary education is served through Indiana State University, Saint Mary-of-the-Woods College, Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology and Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana in nearby Terre Haute.
The town has a lending library, the Clinton Public Library, which is located at 314 South Fourth Street. [16]
Clinton hosts the annual Little Italy Festival, a four-day Labor Day Weekend celebration of the area's Italian and coal mining heritage. Begun in 1966, the event draws over 75,000 visitors annually, featuring Italian and carnival-style food, grapevine-roofed wine garden, and grape stomping. The festival provides free stage entertainment, flea market and the largest Italian-theme parade in the Midwest. The festival hosts the Indiana Bocce Ball championship, boasts one of the few coal mining museums in the nation, and owns one of fewer than 400 genuine gondolas in the United States. The 2024 Queen of Grapes for the Little Italy Festival is Jordan Smith. The Re and Regina for 2024 are Mr. & Mrs. Dirk & Anna Foltz.
Henry County is a county located in the western portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 21,946. Its county seat is Clinton. The county was organized December 13, 1834, as Rives County but was renamed in 1841 for Revolutionary War patriot Patrick Henry. The county originally had been named after William Cabell Rives, who was then serving as a U.S. Senator from Virginia. However, Rives lost popularity in Missouri after he joined the Whig Party.
Vermillion County lies in the western part of the U.S. state of Indiana between the Illinois border and the Wabash River. As of the 2020 census, the population was 15,439. The county seat is Newport. It was officially established in 1824 and was the fiftieth Indiana county created. Vermillion County is included in the Terre Haute, Indiana, Metropolitan Statistical Area. The county contains seven incorporated towns with a total population of about 9,900. as well as several unincorporated communities; it is also divided into five townships which provide local services. An interstate highway, two U.S. routes, and five state roads cross the county, as does a major railroad line.
Rochester is a city in, and the county seat of, Fulton County, Indiana, United States. The population was 6,270 at the 2020 census.
Oakland City is the second-largest city, but third largest community in Gibson County, Indiana, United States, after Princeton and the town of Fort Branch. It is the site of Oakland City University. The population was 2,279 at the 2020 census.
Jasonville is a city in Greene County, Indiana, United States. The population was 1,966 as of the 2020 census. It is the westernmost community in the Bloomington, Indiana, Metropolitan Statistical Area, approximately 15 miles closer to Terre Haute than to Bloomington.
Avon is a town in Washington Township, Hendricks County, Indiana, United States. The population was 21,474 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Indianapolis metropolitan area.
Syracuse is a town in Turkey Creek Township, Kosciusko County, in the U.S. state of Indiana. The population was 3,079 at the 2020 census. Syracuse is the location of Lake Syracuse and the nearby, larger Lake Wawasee, in addition to several other lakes in the region. The National Weather Service operates a Weather Forecast Office South of town, toward North Webster. It serves Northern Indiana, Northwestern Ohio and Southwestern Michigan.
Winchester is a city in White River Township, Randolph County, in the U.S. state of Indiana. The city is the county seat of Randolph County. The population was 4,935 at the 2010 census. It is the home of Winchester Speedway.
Chrisney is a town in Grass Township, Spencer County, in the U.S. state of Indiana. The population was 481 at the 2010 census.
Cayuga is a town in Eugene Township, Vermillion County, in the U.S. state of Indiana. The population was 1,162 at the 2010 census.
Universal is a town in Clinton Township, Vermillion County, in the U.S. state of Indiana. The population was 362 at the 2010 census.
Cambridge City is a town in Jackson Township, Wayne County, in the U.S. state of Indiana. The population was 1,870 at the 2010 census.
Grand Mound is a city in Clinton County, Iowa, United States. The population was 615 at the time of the 2020 census.
Harlan is a city in Shelby County, Iowa, along the West Nishnabotna River. The population was 4,893 at the time of the 2020 census. It is the county seat of Shelby County.
Plainwell is a city in Allegan County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 3,788 at the 2020 census.
Utica is a city in Macomb County in the U.S. state of Michigan. The population was 5,245 at the 2020 census, up from 4,757 in 2010.
Campbell is a city in eastern Mahoning County, Ohio, United States, along the Mahoning River. The population was 7,852 at the 2020 census. Located directly southeast of Youngstown, it is a suburb of the Youngstown–Warren metropolitan area.
Belpre is a city in Washington County, Ohio, United States, along the Ohio River across from Parkersburg, West Virginia. The population was 6,728 at the 2020 census. Its name derives from "Belle Prairie", the name given to the valley by French trappers prior to the first American settlement at the site.
Ovid is a city in the U.S. state of Michigan. Nearly all of the city is located within Clinton County with only a very small portion extending east into Shiawassee County. The population was 1,603 at the 2010 census.
Gower is a city in Buchanan and Clinton counties in the U.S. state of Missouri and is part of the Kansas City metropolitan area. The population was 1,533 at the 2020 census.
An 1897 newspaper article recounted the obstacles that Parker had to overcome to graduate from high school. A student at Clinton High School in Clinton, she was the first black person to graduate from any Vermillion County school. 'Clinton like other towns, is permeated with race, prejudice, and, while a majority of the people wanted to see Miss Parker receive fair play, yet there were many very deeply prejudiced, and their children lost no opportunity in heaping insult and humiliation upon the object of their wrath,' the newspaper article stated.