Union County, Indiana

Union County
County
Union County Courthouse in Liberty
Location within the U.S. state of Indiana
Indiana's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 39°37′N84°55′W / 39.62°N 84.92°W / 39.62; -84.92
Country	United States
State	Indiana
Founded	January 5, 1821 (created) February 1, 1821 (organized)
Seat	Liberty
Largest town	Liberty
Area
• Total	165.18 sq mi (427.8 km2)
• Land	161.22 sq mi (417.6 km2)
• Water	3.95 sq mi (10.2 km2)  2.39%
Population  (2020)
• Total	7,087
• Density	43.6/sq mi (16.8/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district	6th
Website	www.unioncountyin.gov
Indiana county number 81

Union County is a county in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 7,087. ^[1] The county seat is Liberty. ^[2]

Since 2018, Union County has been included in the Cincinnati-Middletown, OH-KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is located on the Indiana-Ohio border.

History

Prior to cession to the United States government, this area belonged to and was inhabited by peoples of the Chippewa, Delaware, Eel River, Kaskaskia, Kickapoo, Miami, Ottawa, Piankishaw, Potawatomi, Shawnee, Wea, and Wyandot tribes. ^[3]

The future state of Indiana was first regulated by passage of the Northwest Ordinance in 1787. In 1790 the Territory was divided into two counties, with Knox covering much of present-day Indiana. The area later known as Union County was included in lands ceded to the U.S. government in two treaties: in 1795 with the Treaty of Greenville ^[4] and in 1809 with the Treaty of Fort Wayne. ^[5]

In 1810, a portion of Knox was partitioned to create Wayne County; in 1811 a portion further south was partitioned to create Franklin. The area between those two counties was partitioned in 1818 to create Fayette; by the 1820s the eastern part of Fayette County was sufficiently populated to warrant separate representation. Thus on January 5, 1821, the state legislature authorized the creation of Union County, with areas ceded from Wayne County, Fayette County and Franklin County. The organization of the new county's governing structure began on February 1, 1821. ^[6]

Liberty from the air, looking east

It was so named because it united parts of Fayette, Franklin and Wayne counties. The first non-native settlers were from Laurens District, South Carolina. John Templeton was the first settler to enter land at the Cincinnati land office in what would become Harmony Township, Union County, Indiana. The first county seat was Brownsville, a small community on the East Fork of the Whitewater River. The seat was moved in 1824 to Liberty, a central location. The primary industry of Union County was and is farming.

Geography

Union County lies on the east side of Indiana; its east border abuts the state of Ohio. Its low rolling hills have now been cleared of timber, although drainage areas are still largely brush-filled. The area is devoted to agricultural or recreational uses. ^[7] The highest point on the terrain (1,140 feet/350 meters ASL) is a rise near the county's north border, 1.0 mile (1.6 km) ENE from Witts Station. ^[8]

Silver Creek flows southwestward through the northeastern part of the county, discharging into Whitewater Lake. The East Fork of Whitewater River flows southward through the upper western part of the county, discharging into Brookville Lake. The lower part of the county is drained by Dubois Creek, flowing westward into Brookville Lake. ^[7]

According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 165.18 square miles (427.8 km²), of which 161.22 square miles (417.6 km²) (or 97.60%) is land and 3.95 square miles (10.2 km²) (or 2.39%) is water. ^[9]

Adjacent counties

• Wayne County – north
• Preble County, Ohio – east
• Butler County, Ohio – southeast
• Franklin County – south
• Fayette County – west

Major highways

• U.S. Route 27
• Indiana State Road 44
• Indiana State Road 101
• Indiana State Road 227

Lakes

• Brookville Lake (part)
• Whitewater Lake

Protected areas

• Whitewater Memorial State Park

Quakertown State Recreation Area

Incorporated towns

• Liberty (county seat)
• West College Corner

Unincorporated communities

• Billingsville
• Brownsville
• Charlottesville
• Clifton
• Cottage Grove
• Dunlapsville
• Five Points
• Goodwins Corner
• Hopeville
• Kitchel
• Lotus
• Philomath
• Quakertown
• Roseburg
• Salem
• Witts Station
• Yankee Town

Townships

• Brownsville
• Center
• Harmony
• Harrison
• Liberty
• Union

Climate and weather

Liberty, Indiana
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D     3     36 17     2.7     42 20     3.8     53 29     4     64 38     4.9     74 48     4.1     83 58     4.3     87 62     3.9     85 60     2.7     79 52     3     67 40     3.7     53 32     3.3     41 23 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F █ Precipitation totals in inches Source: The Weather Channel [10]
Metric conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D     76     2 −8     68     6 −7     97     12 −2     101     18 3     124     23 9     104     28 14     108     31 17     99     29 16     68     26 11     77     19 4     93     12 0     84     5 −5 █ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C █ Precipitation totals in mm

In recent years, average temperatures in Liberty have ranged from a low of 17 °F (−8 °C) in January to a high of 87 °F (31 °C) in July, although a record low of −31 °F (−35 °C) was recorded in January 1994 and a record high of 104 °F (40 °C) was recorded in September 1951. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 2.68 inches (68 mm) in September to 4.90 inches (124 mm) in May. ^[10]

Government

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. ^{[11] [12]}

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 county government. ^{[11] [12]}

Court: The county maintains a circuit court that can handle all case types. The judge of the court is elected to a term of six years and must be a member of the Indiana Bar Association. In some cases, court decisions can be appealed to the state level appeals court. ^[12]

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. People elected to county government positions are required to be residents of the county. ^[12]

United States presidential election results for Union County, Indiana ^[13]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	2,688	76.98%	736	21.08%	68	1.95%
2016	2,445	73.76%	715	21.57%	155	4.68%
2012	2,022	65.14%	1,018	32.80%	64	2.06%
2008	2,061	61.43%	1,224	36.48%	70	2.09%
2004	2,266	67.76%	1,045	31.25%	33	0.99%
2000	1,838	64.99%	927	32.78%	63	2.23%
1996	1,334	48.86%	1,019	37.33%	377	13.81%
1992	1,394	46.97%	898	30.26%	676	22.78%
1988	1,814	65.49%	946	34.15%	10	0.36%
1984	1,970	70.36%	816	29.14%	14	0.50%
1980	1,766	63.53%	898	32.30%	116	4.17%
1976	1,631	58.25%	1,160	41.43%	9	0.32%
1972	2,043	72.50%	765	27.15%	10	0.35%
1968	1,691	56.01%	920	30.47%	408	13.51%
1964	1,531	50.95%	1,463	48.69%	11	0.37%
1960	2,087	63.73%	1,180	36.03%	8	0.24%
1956	2,026	63.47%	1,157	36.25%	9	0.28%
1952	2,159	67.24%	1,029	32.05%	23	0.72%
1948	1,859	63.25%	1,049	35.69%	31	1.05%
1944	1,998	63.05%	1,154	36.42%	17	0.54%
1940	2,009	58.35%	1,415	41.10%	19	0.55%
1936	1,630	49.20%	1,662	50.17%	21	0.63%
1932	1,658	50.41%	1,587	48.25%	44	1.34%
1928	2,101	65.99%	1,069	33.57%	14	0.44%
1924	1,907	58.77%	1,284	39.57%	54	1.66%
1920	1,984	58.30%	1,375	40.41%	44	1.29%
1916	997	52.95%	826	43.87%	60	3.19%
1912	643	35.88%	705	39.34%	444	24.78%
1908	1,066	54.25%	808	41.12%	91	4.63%
1904	1,156	57.51%	758	37.71%	96	4.78%
1900	1,060	52.68%	897	44.58%	55	2.73%
1896	1,118	54.06%	915	44.25%	35	1.69%
1892	981	51.80%	839	44.30%	74	3.91%
1888	1,108	54.74%	868	42.89%	48	2.37%

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1830	7,944		—
1840	8,017		0.9%
1850	6,944		−13.4%
1860	7,109		2.4%
1870	6,341		−10.8%
1880	7,673		21.0%
1890	7,006		−8.7%
1900	6,748		−3.7%
1910	6,260		−7.2%
1920	6,021		−3.8%
1930	5,880		−2.3%
1940	6,017		2.3%
1950	6,412		6.6%
1960	6,457		0.7%
1970	6,582		1.9%
1980	6,860		4.2%
1990	6,976		1.7%
2000	7,349		5.3%
2010	7,516		2.3%
2020	7,087		−5.7%
2023 (est.)	6,973	[14]	−1.6%
US Decennial Census [15] 1790–1960 [16] 1900–1990 [17] 1990–2000 [18] 2010–2013 [1]

2010 Census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 7,516 people, 2,938 households, and 2,117 families in the county. ^[19] The population density was 46.6 inhabitants per square mile (18.0/km²). There were 3,239 housing units at an average density of 20.1 per square mile (7.8/km²). ^[9] The racial makeup of the county was 97.5% white, 0.4% black or African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 0.3% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.1% of the population. ^[19] In terms of ancestry, 26.2% were German, 16.0% were Irish, 11.9% were English, and 11.6% were American. ^[20]

Of the 2,938 households, 34.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.0% were married couples living together, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 27.9% were non-families, and 23.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 2.99. The median age was 40.3 years. ^[19]

The median income for a household in the county was $47,697 and the median income for a family was $49,815. Males had a median income of $39,603 versus $27,394 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,243. About 8.2% of families and 11.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.2% of those under age 18 and 10.0% of those age 65 or over. ^[21]

Education

All of Union County is served by the Union County–College Corner Joint School District, the only joint state school district in the state. ^[22]

Notable people

• Ambrose Everett Burnside (1824–1881), soldier, railroad executive, inventor, industrialist, politician
• Thomas W. Bennett (territorial governor) (1831–1893), governor of Idaho Territory 1871–1875; born in Union County
• Hiram Rhodes Revels (1827–1901), first African-American member of the US Senate, representing Mississippi 1870–1871; attended the Union County Quaker Seminary.
• Bill Bartlett (fl. 1970s-2010s), musician, guitarist for Ram Jam
• Jay Hall Connaway (1893–1970), Realist painter
• Mary Alice Smith (1850-_), aka Little Orphant Annie
• Bob Jenkins (1947–2021), television and radio sports announcer for ESPN/ABC Sports
• Edward E. Moore (1866–1940), Indiana state senator and Los Angeles City Council member
• Joaquin Miller American poet, author, and frontiersman

See also

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

References

1. "Union County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 25, 2011.
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. https://digitreaties.org/treaties/treaty/170281462/
4. https://digitreaties.org/treaties/treaty/170281462/
5. https://digitreaties.org/treaties/treaty/12013184/
6. Union County History (ReferenceDesk.com, accessed 8 August 2020)
7. Union County IN (Google Maps, accessed 8 August 2020)
8. Union County High Point, Indiana (PeakBagger.com, accessed 7 August 2020)
9. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
10. "Monthly Averages for Liberty IN". The Weather Channel. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
11. Indiana Code. "Title 36, Article 2, Section 3". IN.gov. Retrieved September 16, 2008.
12. Indiana Code. "Title 2, Article 10, Section 2" (PDF). IN.gov. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 27, 2004. Retrieved September 16, 2008.
13. Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
14. "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
15. "U.S. Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
16. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
17. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
18. "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.
19. "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.
20. "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.
21. "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.
22. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Union County, IN" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau . Retrieved May 2, 2024. - Text list

39°37′N84°55′W / 39.62°N 84.92°W / 39.62; -84.92