Blackford County is located in the east central portion of the U.S. state of Indiana. The county is named for Judge Isaac Blackford, who was the first speaker of the Indiana General Assembly and a long-time chief justice of the Indiana Supreme Court. Created in 1838, Blackford County is divided into four townships, and its county seat is Hartford City. Two incorporated cities and one incorporated town are located within the county. The county is also the site of numerous unincorporated communities and ghost towns. Occupying only 165.58 square miles (428.9 km2), Blackford County is the fourth smallest county in Indiana. As of the 2020 census, the county's population was 12,112. Based on population, the county is the 8th smallest county of the 92 in Indiana. Although no interstate highways are located in Blackford County, three Indiana state roads cross the county, and an additional state road is located along the county's southeast border. The county has two railroad lines. A north–south route crosses the county, and intersects with a second railroad line that connects Hartford City with communities to the west.
Hartford City is a city in the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Blackford County. Located in the northeast central portion of the state, the small farming community underwent a dramatic 15-year economic boom beginning in the late 1880s. The Indiana Gas Boom resulted from the discovery and exploitation of natural gas in the area. The rural economy was transformed to one that included manufacturing. The boom attracted workers and residents, retail establishments, and craftspeople. The increased population was a catalyst for the construction of roads, schools, and churches. After the boom came a long period of growth and stability. Agriculture remained as the basis for the economy.
Shamrock Lakes is a town in Licking Township, Blackford County, Indiana, United States. It was incorporated on May 21, 1973—and was the first community in Indiana to do so in 50 years. The small town consists of a group of six lakes that were created between 1960 and 1965, and the first lake was originally intended to be a water supply for a farmer's cattle. The community was listed on the front page of USA Today as one of only five places in the United States named after Ireland's clover emblem, the shamrock.
Harrison Township is one of four townships in Blackford County, Indiana. As of the 2020 census, its population was 2,353 and it contained 1,155 housing units. The township was named after William Henry Harrison, hero of the Battle of Tippecanoe, former governor of the Indiana Territory, and ninth President of the United States.
Jackson Township is one of four townships in Blackford County, Indiana. As of the 2020 census, its population was 1,233 and it contained 554 housing units. The township was named after Andrew Jackson, the Brevet Major General of the Battle of New Orleans and the seventh President of the United States.
Washington Township is one of four townships in Blackford County, Indiana. As of the 2020 census, its population was 803 and it contained 364 housing units. County Commissioners named the township after George Washington in 1833, and it was part of Jay County. In 1838, Washington Township became part of the newly organized Blackford County.
Wabash Township is one of twelve townships in Adams County, Indiana. As of the 2020 census, its population was 6,545, up from 6,223 at the 2010 census.
Union Township is one of twelve townships in Delaware County, Indiana. According to the 2010 census, its population was 2,838 and it contained 1,260 housing units.
Jefferson Township is one of thirteen townships in Grant County, Indiana, United States. As of the 2010 census, its population was 5,839 and it contained 1,758 housing units.
Monroe Township is one of thirteen townships in Grant County, Indiana, United States. As of the 2010 census, its population was 1,677 and it contained 669 housing units.
Bearcreek Township is one of twelve townships in Jay County, Indiana, United States. As of the 2020 census, its population was 1,587 and it contained 465 housing units.
Jackson Township is one of twelve townships in Jay County, Indiana, United States. As of the 2020 census, its population was 991 and it contained 316 housing units.
Knox Township is one of twelve townships in Jay County, Indiana, United States. As of the 2020 census, its population was 477 and it contained 194 housing units.
Penn Township is one of twelve townships in Jay County, Indiana, United States. As of the 2020 census, its population was 1,133 and it contained 530 housing units.
Pike Township is one of twelve townships in Jay County, Indiana, United States. As of the 2020 census, its population was 828 and it contained 342 housing units.
Richland Township is one of twelve townships in Jay County, Indiana, United States. As of the 2020 census, its population was 4,005 and it contained 1,948 housing units.
Wabash Township is one of twelve townships in Jay County, Indiana, United States. As of the 2020 census, its population was 542 inhabitants and it contained 168 housing units.
Jackson Township is one of fifteen townships in Wayne County, Indiana, United States. As of the 2010 census, its population was 4,660 and it contained 2,136 housing units.
Nottingham Township is one of nine townships in Wells County, Indiana, United States. As of the 2020 census, its population was 1,018 and it contained 408 housing units.
Renner is an extinct American village in Indiana's Blackford County. Although Renner has been listed as a “populated place” by the U.S. Geological Survey, this description is misleading. Renner was a railroad stop on the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and St. Louis Railroad. The land around the railroad stop was originally used to supply timber for railroad crossties, and eventually became a livestock farm. Housing for the families of the employees of the livestock farm was also located nearby. Although it is not known for certain, Renner is thought to have been named for railroad executive John W. Renner. Renner was an executive of the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati and St. Louis Railroad, and later the Pennsylvania Railroad, and retired with over 50 years of railroad experience. Another community, Rennerdale, Pennsylvania, was named in his honor in 1895.
