Madison County, Indiana

Not to be confused with Madison, Indiana.

Madison County
County
Madison County Courthouse in Anderson
Location within the U.S. state of Indiana
Indiana's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 40°10′N85°43′W / 40.16°N 85.72°W / 40.16; -85.72
Country	United States
State	Indiana
Founded	January 4, 1823 (authorized)
Named for	James Madison
Seat	Anderson
Largest city	Anderson
Area
• Total	452.90 sq mi (1,173.0 km2)
• Land	451.92 sq mi (1,170.5 km2)
• Water	0.99 sq mi (2.6 km2)  0.22%
Population  (2020)
• Total	130,129
• Density	286.7/sq mi (110.7/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district	5th
Website	www.madisoncty.com
Indiana county number 48

Madison County is a county in the U.S. state of Indiana. The 2020 census states the population is standing at 130,129. ^[1] The county seat since 1836 has been Anderson, ^{[2] [3]} one of three incorporated cities within the county.

Madison County is included in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

1903 map of Madison County, Indiana, showing landowners

In 1787, the fledgling United States defined the Northwest Territory, which included the area of present-day Indiana. In 1800, Congress separated Ohio from the Northwest Territory, designating the rest of the land as the Indiana Territory. ^[4] President Thomas Jefferson chose William Henry Harrison as the territory's first governor, and Vincennes was established as the territorial capital. ^[5] After the Michigan Territory was separated and the Illinois Territory was formed, Indiana was reduced to its current size and geography. ^[4] By December 1816 the Indiana Territory was admitted to the Union as a state.

Starting in 1794, Native American titles to Indiana lands were extinguished by usurpation, purchase, or war and treaty. The United States acquired land from the Native Americans in the 1809 treaty of Fort Wayne, and by the treaty of St. Mary's in 1818 considerably more territory became property of the government. This included the future Madison County, which was authorized by the state legislature on January 4, 1823, designating areas covered by the Delaware New Purchase. No settler was allowed in the area until the government survey was completed in 1820, and in 1820 the first settlers entered the future county. ^[6]

The new county was named for James Madison, co-author of The Federalist Papers and the fourth President of the United States (1809 to 1817). ^[7] The then-small settlement of Pendleton was named as the county, but its non-central location soon fostered a desire for a more central location as the county seat. After considerable local competition, the town of Anderson was platted in 1827 on donated land with the stipulation that the seat be moved to that location. This move began in 1828 and was completed by 1836. ^[3]

The new county was completely wooded in 1820, with stands of white oak, poplar, walnut, sycamore, oak, and fir trees. ^[8] The settlers logged much of the area and cleared the remainder through burning; at present its terrain is completely devoted to agriculture or urban development, except for stands of brush in drainages. ^[9]

The county's first courthouse was authorized in the county's 1828 session, but this authorization was revoked in 1829. In 1831 a second authorization was passed, and the completed building was placed in service the following year. ^[10]

During the Indiana gas boom, natural gas deposits were discovered in the county in 1887, at Alexandria, and Anderson. The offer of free natural gas brought several factories to the county. ^[11]

Geography

The county's terrain is nearly flat, with the exception of hilly areas along the White River and Fall Creek. The highest terrain (around 1,010 feet/310 meters ASL) is a ridgeline at the county's SE corner. ^[12] The county is drained by the west branch of the White River, flowing west-southwestward through the county's lower central portion. Other drainages include Fall Creek, flowing west- and southwestward through the southern part of the county; Pipe Creek, which rises in Delaware County and flows southwestward through the county's NW corner; and Lick Creek, which rises in Henry County and flows westward through the county's SW portion. ^[9]

According to the 2010 United States Census, the county has a total area of 452.90 square miles (1,173.0 km²), of which 451.92 square miles (1,170.5 km²) (or 99.78%) is land and 0.99 square miles (2.6 km²) (or 0.22%) is water. ^[13]

Adjacent counties

• Grant County - north
• Delaware County - east
• Henry County - southeast
• Hancock County - south
• Hamilton County - west
• Tipton County - northwest

Protected areas

• Mounds State Park ^[9]

Cities

Aerial view of Anderson, looking west

• Alexandria
• Anderson (county seat)
• Elwood (part)

Towns

• Chesterfield
• Country Club Heights
• Edgewood
• Frankton
• Ingalls
• Lapel
• Markleville
• Orestes
• Pendleton
• River Forest
• Summitville

Unincorporated towns

• Alfont
• Alliance
• Bloomer
• College Corner ^[14]
• Dundee
• Edgewood Village ^[15]
• Emporia
• Fishersburg
• Florida
• Gimco City ^[16]
• Hamilton
• Hardscrabble
• Huntsville
• Idlewold ^[17]
• Leisure
• Linwood
• Moonville
• North Anderson
• Ovid (also known as New Columbus)
• Perkinsville
• Prosperity
• Rigdon
• South Elwood ^[18]
• Sunview
• Woodlawn Heights

Townships

• Adams
• Anderson
• Boone
• Duck Creek
• Fall Creek
• Green
• Jackson
• Lafayette
• Monroe
• Pipe Creek
• Richland
• Stony Creek
• Union
• Van Buren

Major highways

• Interstate 69
• U.S. Route 36
• State Road 9
• State Road 13
• State Road 28
• State Road 32
• State Road 37
• State Road 38
• State Road 67
• State Road 109
• State Road 128
• State Road 232
• State Road 236

Railroads

• Central Indiana and Western Railroad
• CSX Transportation
• Indian Creek Railroad
• Norfolk Southern Railway

Climate and weather

Anderson, Indiana
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D     2.1     33 18     2.3     38 23     3.2     49 32     3.8     61 41     4.1     72 51     4.2     80 60     4.3     84 64     3.4     82 62     3     75 55     2.8     64 44     3.7     50 35     3     37 24 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F █ Precipitation totals in inches Source: The Weather Channel [19]
Metric conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D     53     1 −8     58     3 −5     82     9 0     98     16 5     104     22 11     107     27 16     109     29 18     87     28 17     75     24 13     70     18 7     93     10 2     75     3 −4 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C █ Precipitation totals in mm

In recent years, average temperatures in Anderson have ranged from a low of 18 °F (−8 °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 105 °F (41 °C) was recorded in July 1954. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 2.09 inches (53 mm) in January to 4.28 inches (109 mm) in July. ^[19]

Government

2020 presidential election results by precinct
     Trump—40-50%
     Trump—50-60%
     Trump—60-70%
     Trump—70-80%
     Trump—80-90%
     Trump—90-100%
     Biden—40-50%
     Biden—50-60%
     Biden—60-70%
     Biden—70-80%
     Biden—80-90%

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. ^{[20] [21]}

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. ^{[20] [21]}

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. ^[21]

County Officials: The county has other elected offices, including sheriff, coroner, auditor, treasurer, recorder, surveyor, and circuit court clerk. These 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. ^[21]

Madison County is part of Indiana's 5th congressional district; Indiana Senate districts 20, 25 and 26; ^[22] and Indiana House of Representatives districts 35, 36 and 37. ^[23]

United States presidential election results for Madison County, Indiana ^{[24] [25]}

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	31,215	60.16%	19,524	37.63%	1,151	2.22%
2016	32,376	59.54%	18,595	34.20%	3,406	6.26%
2012	26,769	50.98%	24,407	46.48%	1,334	2.54%
2008	26,403	45.96%	30,152	52.49%	889	1.55%
2004	32,526	59.29%	21,882	39.89%	447	0.81%
2000	27,956	53.54%	23,403	44.82%	857	1.64%
1996	23,151	43.10%	23,772	44.25%	6,797	12.65%
1992	23,479	39.76%	22,276	37.72%	13,303	22.53%
1988	32,596	56.95%	24,443	42.70%	202	0.35%
1984	36,510	61.87%	22,254	37.71%	250	0.42%
1980	35,582	57.31%	23,554	37.93%	2,956	4.76%
1976	32,437	51.63%	29,811	47.45%	572	0.91%
1972	39,036	64.92%	20,921	34.79%	177	0.29%
1968	28,726	48.39%	23,886	40.23%	6,756	11.38%
1964	24,171	41.87%	33,325	57.73%	233	0.40%
1960	31,098	52.31%	28,154	47.36%	193	0.32%
1956	30,329	54.21%	25,408	45.42%	206	0.37%
1952	28,730	52.84%	25,125	46.21%	519	0.95%
1948	18,917	43.04%	24,439	55.61%	592	1.35%
1944	21,381	46.10%	24,488	52.80%	514	1.11%
1940	22,382	45.91%	26,111	53.56%	261	0.54%
1936	16,644	37.41%	27,347	61.46%	504	1.13%
1932	18,803	44.92%	22,069	52.72%	988	2.36%
1928	23,083	64.45%	12,496	34.89%	235	0.66%
1924	18,447	57.64%	12,061	37.69%	1,495	4.67%
1920	15,704	49.76%	13,325	42.22%	2,533	8.03%
1916	7,449	41.96%	8,106	45.66%	2,197	12.38%
1912	1,771	11.24%	6,676	42.37%	7,310	46.39%
1908	7,481	43.48%	8,296	48.22%	1,427	8.29%
1904	9,697	53.65%	6,681	36.96%	1,696	9.38%
1900	9,891	52.47%	8,298	44.02%	661	3.51%
1896	8,388	51.96%	7,590	47.02%	164	1.02%
1892	5,387	45.91%	5,733	48.85%	615	5.24%
1888	3,436	45.26%	3,928	51.74%	228	3.00%

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1830	2,238		—
1840	8,874		296.5%
1850	12,375		39.5%
1860	16,518		33.5%
1870	22,770		37.8%
1880	27,527		20.9%
1890	36,487		32.5%
1900	70,470		93.1%
1910	65,224		−7.4%
1920	69,151		6.0%
1930	82,888		19.9%
1940	88,575		6.9%
1950	103,911		17.3%
1960	125,819		21.1%
1970	138,451		10.0%
1980	139,336		0.6%
1990	130,669		−6.2%
2000	133,358		2.1%
2010	131,636		−1.3%
2020	130,129		−1.1%
2023 (est.)	132,504	[26]	1.8%
US Decennial Census [27] 1790-1960 [28] 1900-1990 [29] 1990-2000 [30] 2010-2019 [1]

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 131,636 people, 51,927 households, and 34,319 families in the county. ^[31] The population density was 291.3 inhabitants per square mile (112.5/km²). There were 59,068 housing units at an average density of 130.7 per square mile (50.5/km²). ^[13] The racial makeup of the county was 87.7% white, 8.3% black or African American, 0.4% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 1.5% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.2% of the population. ^[31] In terms of ancestry, 21.5% were German, 12.5% were American, 11.5% were Irish, and 10.4% were English. ^[32]

Of the 51,927 households, 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.4% were married couples living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.9% were non-families, and 28.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.93. The median age was 39.2 years. ^[31]

The median income for a household in the county was $47,697 and the median income for a family was $53,906. Males had a median income of $41,834 versus $31,743 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,722. About 11.2% of families and 14.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.6% of those under age 18 and 7.7% of those age 65 or over. ^[33]

Education

School districts include: ^[34]

• Alexandria Community School Corporation
• Anderson Community School Corporation
• Elwood Community School Corporation
• Frankton-Lapel Community Schools
• Madison-Grant United School Corporation
• South Madison Community School Corporation

See also

• Indiana portal

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Madison County, Indiana

References

1. "American FactFinder". US Census Bureau. US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 14, 2020. Retrieved January 29, 2022.
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. Harden (1874), p. 23
4. "Government at Crossroads: An Indiana chronology". The Herald Bulletin . January 5, 2008. Retrieved July 22, 2009.
5. Brill, Marlene Targ (2005). Indiana. Marshall Cavendish. p. 35. ISBN   978-0-7614-2020-0.
6. Harden (1874), p. 17
7. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. US Government Printing Office. p.  196.
8. Harden (1874), pp. 21-22
9. Madison County IN (Google Maps, accessed 10 September 2020)
10. Harden (1874), pp. 27-28
11. Glass, James; Kohrman, David (2005). The Gas Boom of East Central Indiana (Images of America). Charleston: Arcadia. pp. 33–40. ISBN   9780738539638.
12. Madison County High Point, Indiana (PeakBagger.com, accessed 10 September 2020)
13. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
14. College Corner, Duck Creek Township IN (Google Maps, accessed 12 September 2020)
15. Edgewood Village, Stony Creek Township IN (Google Maps, accessed 12 September 2020)
16. Gimco City, Alexandria IN (Google Maps, accessed 12 September 2020)
17. Idlewold, Pendleton IN (Google Maps, accessed 12 September 2020)
18. South Elwood, Elwood IN (Google Maps, accessed 12 September 2020)
19. "Monthly Averages for Anderson IN". The Weather Channel. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
20. Indiana Code. "Title 36, Article 2, Section 3". IN.gov. Retrieved September 16, 2008.
21. Indiana Code. "Title 2, Article 10, Section 2" (PDF). IN.gov. Retrieved September 16, 2008.
22. "Indiana Senate Districts". State of Indiana. Retrieved July 14, 2011.
23. "Indiana House Districts". State of Indiana. Retrieved July 14, 2011.
24. Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
25. The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 4,751 votes, while Socialist candidate Eugene Debs received 1,947 votes, Prohibition candidate Eugene Chafin received 455 votes, and Socialist Labor candidate Arthur Reimer received 157 votes.
26. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
27. "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
28. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
29. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
30. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
31. "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.
32. "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.
33. "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.
34. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Madison County, IN" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau . Retrieved July 22, 2022. - Text list

Further reading

• Harden, Samuel. History of Madison County, Indiana, from 1820 to 1874: Giving a general review of principal events, statistical and historical items, derived from official sources. . Lewis Publishing Company (1874).

External links

• We Are Madison County
• The Madison County Council of Governments
• Madison County Sheriffs Department
• Madison County News
• Madison County ALERT News
• Madison County Government Center
• List of Madison County Cemeteries

40°10′N85°43′W / 40.16°N 85.72°W / 40.16; -85.72