Clay County, Indiana#References

{{Infobox U.S. county

| county = Clay County

| state = Indiana

| seal =

| founded = February 12, 1825

| seat wl = Brazil

| largest city = Brazil

| area_total_sq_mi = 360.32

| area_land_sq_mi = 357.54

| area_water_sq_mi = 2.78

| area percentage = 0.77%

| census yr = 2020

| pop = 26466

| pop_est_as_of = 2023

| population_est = 26460 {{loss}}

| density_sq_mi = auto

| time zone = Eastern

| named for = Henry Clay

| district = 8th

| footnotes = Indiana county number 11

| ex image = Clay County Courthouse, Brazil.jpg

| ex image cap = Clay County Courthouse, Brazil

| web = www.claycountyin.gov }}

Clay County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2020, the population was 26,466.{{Cite web |title=Clay County, Indiana |url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Clay_County,_Indiana?g=050XX00US18021 |access-date=May 30, 2023 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}} The county seat is Brazil.{{Cite web |title=Find a County |url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |publisher=National Association of Counties}} Clay County is included in the Terre Haute, Indiana, Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

The Indiana Legislature mandated Clay County in 1825, with territory partitioned from Owen, Putnam, Sullivan, and Vigo counties. Its name honors Henry Clay,{{Cite book |last=Gannett, Henry |url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ |title=The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States |publisher=Govt. Print. Off. |year=1905 |page=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ/page/n32 83]}} a famous antebellum American statesman.

The first Courthouse was built in the newly platted town of Bowling Green in 1828. It was a two-story structure of hand-hewn logs.

By the late 1830s Clay County had grown to the extent that the first Courthouse could no longer provide adequate facilities. Therefore, a second Courthouse was constructed near the first Courthouse. This two-story brick structure served until destroyed by fire on November 30, 1851.

By the 1860s the towns of Harmony, Knightsville, and Brazil were growing rapidly, due in part to their location along the National Road, and also because of the many coal companies in that area. An effort to move the county seat of government to a more central location, which had begun in the 1850s, grew stronger creating controversy among citizens. In the 1860s citizens in the northern section of Clay County became more organized in their efforts. In 1871 brothers Robert and John Stewart donated land along the National Road in Brazil for a new courthouse. $5,300 was also raised by citizens in the area to entice the commissioners to move the seat of government from Bowling Green to Brazil. This amount was reportedly the value of the existing courthouse and grounds, thus defusing opponents' argument that abandoning the present courthouse would be a waste of taxpayers money. The relocation efforts, which began in 1871, were challenged in the Supreme Court. The relocation was finally granted in 1876.

In 1912 John W. Gaddis, a prominent architect in Vincennes, Indiana, entered into a contract with the County Commissioners to design, plan, and oversee the construction of a new courthouse. The construction bid of W.H. Bailey and Charles A. Koemer of Louisville, Kentucky was accepted in 1912 with the cornerstone being laid in the fall of 1912. Gaddis had completed several others: in Fairfield and Robinson, Illinois: Perryville, Missouri and two in Indiana, the Putnam County Courthouse in Greencastle (1905) and the Huntington County Courthouse (1906) in Huntington, which are also in Classical Revival mode.

The Clay County Courthouse, built in 1913–1914, is one of the most historically and architecturally significant buildings in Brazil and Clay County, Indiana. Built in Classical Revival style of architecture, it is the only building in Clay County holding county government offices and records. It is also located alongside the famed National Road (Cumberland Trail). The present building is the fifth Clay County Courthouse. {{Cite web |last=IHB |date=2020-12-07 |title=Clay County Courthouse |url=https://www.in.gov/history/state-historical-markers/find-a-marker/clay-county-courthouse/ |access-date=2025-06-19 |website=IHB |language=en}}

Geography

According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of {{convert|360.32|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|357.54|sqmi}} (or 99.23%) is land and {{convert|2.78|sqmi}} (or 0.77%) is water.

=Communities=

==City==

Brazil

==Towns==

==Census-designated place==

Coalmont

==Unincorporated communities==

Art,

Anquilla

Indiana|

==Townships==

=Adjacent counties=

Parke County – north
Putnam County – northeast
Owen County – southeast
Greene County – south
Sullivan County – southwest
Vigo County – west

Education

The county has two high schools: Northview High School (grades 9–12) and Clay City High School (grades 7–12). There are 7 elementary schools: Van Buren Elementary, Jackson Township Elementary, Staunton Elementary, Meridian Street Elementary, Forest Park Elementary, East Side Elementary and Clay City Elementary. The Clay Community School Corporation[http://www.edline.net/pages/Clay_Community_Schools Clay Community Schools website] is located in Brazil.

Transportation

=Major highways=

=Airport=

The county contains one public-use airport: Brazil Clay County Airport (0I2), serving Brazil, Indiana.[http://www.tollfreeairline.com/indiana/clay.htm Public and Private Airports, Clay County, Indiana]

Climate and weather

{{climate chart

|Brazil, Indiana

|19|36|2.54

|24|42|2.25

|33|54|3.71

|43|66|4.10

|52|76|4.78

|61|84|4.25

|65|87|4.89

|63|85|4.47

|56|79|3.08

|45|68|3.05

|36|53|4.26

|25|40|3.52

|float=right

|units=imperial

|clear=both

|source=The Weather Channel{{Cite web |title=Monthly Averages for Brazil IN |url=http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USIN0058 |access-date=January 27, 2011 |publisher=The Weather Channel}}}}

In recent years, average temperatures in Brazil have ranged from a low of {{convert|19|°F}} in January to a high of {{convert|87|°F}} in July, although a record low of {{convert|-25|°F}} was recorded in January 1994 and a record high of {{convert|109|°F}} was recorded in July 1936. Average monthly precipitation ranged from {{convert|2.25|in}} in February to {{convert|4.89|in}} in July.

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 county council is the legislative branch of the county government and controls all the spending and revenue collection in the county. Representatives are elected to four-year terms from county districts. They are responsible for setting salaries, the annual budget, and special spending. The council also 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.{{Cite web |last=Indiana Code |title=Title 36, Article 2, Section 3 |url=http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title36/ar2/ch3.html |access-date=September 16, 2008 |publisher=IN.gov}}{{Cite web |last=Indiana Code |title=Title 2, Article 10, Section 2 |url=http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title3/ar10/ch2.pdf |access-date=September 16, 2008 |publisher=IN.gov}}

Board of Commissioners: The Board of Commissioners serves as the county's executive body. The commissioners are elected county-wide to staggered four-year terms. The Board executes acts of the County Council, collects revenue, and runs the day-to-day functions of the county government.

Court: Clay County is served by two state-level trial courts: the Clay Circuit Court and the Clay Superior Court. Each court is overseen by an elected judge, whose term of office is six years. There are no term limits for Circuit or Superior Court judges in Indiana. The Clay Circuit Court has primary jurisdiction over juvenile and probate matters, and the Clay Superior Court has primary jurisdiction over misdemeanor and traffic offences. The courts share concurrent jurisdiction over felony criminal matters and civil cases. circuit court.

County Officials: The county has several other elected offices, including sheriff, coroner, auditor, treasurer, recorder, surveyor, and circuit court clerk. Each of these elected officers serves a term of four years and oversees a different part of county government. Members elected to county government positions are required to declare a party affiliation and to be residents of the county.

Clay County is part of Indiana's 8th congressional district; Indiana Senate districts 38 and 39;{{Cite web |title=Indiana Senate Districts |url=http://www.in.gov/sos/elections/3006.htm |access-date=January 23, 2011 |publisher=State of Indiana}} and Indiana House of Representatives districts 42, 44 and 46.{{Cite web |title=Indiana House Districts |url=http://www.in.gov/sos/elections/3005.htm |access-date=January 23, 2011 |publisher=State of Indiana}}

Clay County tends to vote Republican. Since 1888, county voters have chosen the Republican Party nominee in 73% (24 of 34) of the elections through 2024.

{{PresHead|place=Clay County, Indiana|source={{Cite web |last=Leip |first=David |title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections |url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS |access-date=May 14, 2018}}}}

Demographics

{{US Census population

|1830= 1616

|1840= 5567

|1850= 7944

|1860= 12161

|1870= 19084

|1880= 25854

|1890= 30536

|1900= 34285

|1910= 32535

|1920= 29447

|1930= 26479

|1940= 25365

|1950= 23918

|1960= 24207

|1970= 23933

|1980= 24862

|1990= 24705

|2000= 26556

|2010= 26890

|2020= 26466

|estyear=2023

|estimate=26460

|estref={{Cite web |title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023 |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.html |access-date=April 2, 2024 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}

|align-fn=center

|footnote=US Decennial Census{{Cite web |title=US Decennial Census |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |access-date=July 10, 2014 |publisher=US Census Bureau}}
1790-1960{{Cite web |title=Historical Census Browser |url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120811110448/http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/ |archive-date=August 11, 2012 |access-date=July 10, 2014 |publisher=University of Virginia Library}} 1900-1990{{Cite web |title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/in190090.txt |access-date=July 10, 2014 |publisher=US Census Bureau}}
1990-2000{{Cite web |title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000 |url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |access-date=July 10, 2014 |publisher=US Census Bureau}} 2010{{Cite web |title=Clay County QuickFacts |url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/18/18021.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607074804/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/18/18021.html |archive-date=June 7, 2011 |access-date=September 17, 2011 |publisher=US Census Bureau}}

}}

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 26,890 people, 10,447 households, and 7,454 families in the county.{{Cite web |title=Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US18021 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213014014/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US18021 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |access-date=July 10, 2015 |publisher=US Census Bureau}} The population density was {{convert|75.2|PD/sqmi}}. There were 11,703 housing units at an average density of {{convert|32.7|/sqmi}}.{{Cite web |title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY10/0500000US18021 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212195735/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY10/0500000US18021 |archive-date=February 12, 2020 |access-date=July 10, 2015 |publisher=US Census Bureau}} The racial makeup of the county was 97.8% white, 0.3% black or African American, 0.2% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.5% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.1% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 29.2% were German, 20.2% were American, 12.8% were Irish, and 11.0% were English.{{Cite web |title=Selected Social Characteristics in the United States – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0400000US18%7c0500000US18021 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200214003201/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0400000US18%7C0500000US18021 |archive-date=February 14, 2020 |access-date=July 10, 2015 |publisher=US Census Bureau}}

Of the 10,447 households, 33.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.9% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 28.6% were non-families, and 24.0% 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 39.9 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $47,697 and the median income for a family was $52,907. Males had a median income of $40,671 versus $31,331 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,569. About 9.0% of families and 12.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.9% of those under age 18 and 6.7% of those age 65 or over.{{Cite web |title=Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0400000US18%7c0500000US18021 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200214002458/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0400000US18%7C0500000US18021 |archive-date=February 14, 2020 |access-date=July 10, 2015 |publisher=US Census Bureau}}

=2020 census=

class="wikitable"

|+Clay County Racial Composition{{Cite web |title=P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Clay County, Indiana |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=Clay%20County,%20Indiana&t=Race%20and%20Ethnicity&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2}}

!Race

!Num.

!Perc.

White (NH)

|24,880

|94%

Black or African American (NH)

|129

|0.5%

Native American (NH)

|43

|0.2%