Daviess County, Indiana#References

After the American Revolutionary War was settled, the fledgling nation created the Northwest Territory, tentatively divided into two counties. The area that would become the state of Indiana in 1816 was included in the original Knox County. As the area became more settled, Knox was partitioned into smaller counties, the last of which was the present-day Daviess, authorized on February 2, 1818. The boundaries of Daviess were reduced on December 21, 1818, by the formation of Owen County, and on January 17, 1820, by the formation of Martin County. It has retained its present boundary since 1820.

Daviess County was named for Major Joseph Hamilton Daveiss,{{cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ|title=The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States|publisher=Govt. Print. Off.|author=Gannett, Henry|year=1905|page=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ/page/n100 101]}} U.S. District Attorney for Kentucky, killed at the Battle of Tippecanoe in 1811. The earliest settlements were along the White River, which allowed crops and timber to be transported to distant markets. The northeast part of the county was heavily forested, and timber industry flourished in the first half of the nineteenth century.{{cite book|author=De Witt Clinton Goodrich & Charles Richard Tuttle|publisher=R. S. Peale & co.|year=1875|location=Indiana|title=An Illustrated History of the State of Indiana|url=https://archive.org/details/anillustratedhi02tuttgoog|page=[https://archive.org/details/anillustratedhi02tuttgoog/page/n565 553]}} Daviess County shares its namesake with another nearby Daviess County of Kentucky. Both Counties are in the Illinois-Indiana-Kentucky Tri-State Area.

The terrain of Daviess County is hilly, with its area completely devoted to agriculture or urban development.[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Daviess+County,+IN/@38.6220786,-87.1839938,31382m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x886dda3a0150ff13:0x3f9655f5d64dc32f!8m2!3d38.7020241!4d-87.1422895 Daviess County IN (Google Maps, accessed 26 July 2020)] Its highest elevation ({{convert|740|ft|m|abbr=on|disp=semicolon}} ASL) is a rise {{convert|1|mi|km|spell=in}} NNE of Farlen.[https://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=22958 Daviess County High Point, Indiana (PeakBagger.com, accessed 26 July 2020)] The county is drained by the White River flowing to the southwest, whose two main forks (East White and West White) come together at the county's SW corner. The county's west boundary is defined by the West White River's course and its south boundary is defined by the East White River's course; their confluence defines the county's corner point.

According to the 2010 census, Daviess County has a total area of {{convert|436.87|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|429.49|sqmi}} (or 98.31%) is land and {{convert|7.39|sqmi}} (or 1.69%) is water.

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• Greene County - north
• Martin County - east
• Dubois County - southeast
• Pike County - southwest
• Knox County - west

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• Washington Transit System

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• {{Jct|state=IN|I|69}}
• {{Jct|state=IN|US|50}}
• {{Jct|state=IN|US|150}}
• {{Jct|state=IN|US|231}}
• {{Jct|state=IN|SR|57}}
• {{Jct|state=IN|SR|58}}
• {{Jct|state=IN|SR|257}}
• {{Jct|state=IN|SR|358}}
• {{Jct|state=IN|SR|558}}
• {{Jct|state=IN|SR|645}}

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{{climate chart

|Washington, Indiana

|23|39|2.82

|27|45|2.69

|36|56|4.15

|45|67|4.23

|55|77|5.52

|64|85|4.16

|68|88|4.94

|66|86|3.84

|58|80|2.90

|47|69|3.10

|38|55|4.36

|28|43|3.40

|float=right

|units=imperial

|clear=both

|source=The Weather Channel{{cite web|url=http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USIN0698|title=Monthly Averages for Washington IN|access-date=January 27, 2011|publisher=The Weather Channel}}}}

In recent years, average temperatures in Washington have ranged from a low of {{convert|23|°F}} in January to a high of {{convert|88|°F}} in July, although a record low of {{convert|-19|°F}} was recorded in December 1989 and a record high of {{convert|113|°F}} was recorded in July 1930. Average monthly precipitation ranged from {{convert|2.69|in}} in February to {{convert|5.52|in}} in May.

{{US Census population

|1820= 3432

|1830= 4543

|1840= 6720

|1850= 10352

|1860= 13323

|1870= 16747

|1880= 21552

|1890= 26227

|1900= 29914

|1910= 27747

|1920= 26856

|1930= 25832

|1940= 26163

|1950= 26762

|1960= 26636

|1970= 26602

|1980= 27836

|1990= 27533

|2000= 29820

|2010= 31648

|2020= 33381

|estyear=2024

|estimate=34097

|estref=

|align-fn=center

|footnote=US Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=US Decennial Census|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=July 10, 2014}}
1790-1960{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=July 10, 2014|archive-date=August 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120811110448/http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/|url-status=dead}} 1900-1990{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/in190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=July 10, 2014}}
1990-2000{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=July 10, 2014}} 2010{{cite web|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/18/18027.html|title=Daviess County QuickFacts|access-date=September 17, 2011|publisher=US Census Bureau|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607075652/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/18/18027.html|archive-date=June 7, 2011}} 2020[https://www.census.gov/library/visualizations/interactive/2020-population-and-housing-state-data.html 2020 Population and Housing State Data | Indiana] 2024

}}

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 31,648 people, 11,329 households, and 8,116 families in the county.{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US18027|title=Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data|access-date=July 10, 2015|publisher=US Census Bureau|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213015853/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US18027|archive-date=February 13, 2020|url-status=dead}} The population density was {{convert|73.7|PD/sqmi}}. There were 12,471 housing units at an average density of {{convert|29.0|/sqmi}}.{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY10/0500000US18027|access-date=July 10, 2015|title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County|publisher=US Census Bureau|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212203307/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY10/0500000US18027|archive-date=February 12, 2020|url-status=dead}} The racial makeup of the county was 95.0% white, 0.5% black or African American, 0.5% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 2.6% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 4.2% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 31.4% were German, 13.1% were Irish, 10.8% were American, and 10.6% were English.{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0400000US18%7c0500000US18027|title=Selected Social Characteristics in the US – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates|access-date=July 10, 2015|publisher=US Census Bureau|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200214003335/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0400000US18%7C0500000US18027|archive-date=February 14, 2020|url-status=dead}}

Of the 11,329 households, 36.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.1% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 28.4% were non-families, and 24.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.74 and the average family size was 3.29. The median age was 35.4 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $47,697 and the median income for a family was $53,769. Males had a median income of $36,405 versus $29,652 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,254. About 7.6% of families and 12.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.7% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0400000US18%7c0500000US18027|title=Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates|access-date=July 10, 2015|publisher=US Census Bureau|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200214003853/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0400000US18%7C0500000US18027|archive-date=February 14, 2020|url-status=dead}}

The Amish (Swiss Amish) community in Daviess County, established in 1868, had a total population of 4,855 people (in 29 congregations) in 2017[http://amishamerica.com/12-largest-amish-communities-2017/ The 12 Largest Amish Communities (2017)] at Amish America or 14.6% of the county's population, stretching along the eastern side of the county from Alfordsville, to Cannelburg and Montgomery to Odon.

• Washington

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• Alfordsville
• Cannelburg
• Elnora
• Montgomery
• Odon
• Plainville

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• Raglesville

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• Black Oak
• Cornettsville
• Corning
• Epsom
• Farlen
• Glendale
• Graham
• Hudsonville
• Maysville
• Pennyville
• South Washington

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{{div col|colwidth=15em}}

• Barr
• Bogard
• Elmore
• Harrison
• Madison
• Reeve
• Steele
• Van Buren
• Veale
• Washington

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{{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. The county council is the legislative branch of the county government and controls spending and revenue collection in the county. Representatives are elected from county districts. The council members serve four-year terms. 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|author=Indiana Code|url=http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title36/ar2/ch3.html|title=Title 36, Article 2, Section 3|access-date=September 16, 2008|publisher=Government of Indiana|author-link=Indiana Code}}{{cite web|author=Indiana Code|url=http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title3/ar10/ch2.pdf|title=Title 2, Article 10, Section 2|access-date=September 16, 2008|publisher=Government of Indiana|author-link=Indiana Code}}

A board of commissioners constitutes the county's executive body. Commissioners are elected county-wide, in staggered four-year terms. One commissioner serves as president. The board executes the council's legislative acts, collects revenue, and manages the county's government functions.

The county maintains a small claims court that can handle some 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.

The county has 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 party affiliations and to be residents of the county.

Each township has a trustee who administers rural fire protection and ambulance service, provides poor relief, manages cemetery care, and performs farm assessment, among other duties. The trustee is assisted in these duties by a three-member township board. The trustees and board members are elected to four-year terms.{{cite web|url=http://unitedtownships.org/?page_id=95|title=Government|publisher=United Township Association of Indiana|access-date=January 6, 2011}}

Daviess County is part of Indiana's 8th congressional district; Indiana Senate districts 39 and 48;{{cite web|url=http://www.in.gov/sos/elections/3006.htm|title=Indiana Senate Districts|publisher=State of Indiana|access-date=January 23, 2011}} and Indiana House of Representatives districts 45, 63 and 64.{{cite web|url=http://www.in.gov/sos/elections/3005.htm|title=Indiana House Districts|publisher=State of Indiana|access-date=January 23, 2011}}

{{PresHead|place=Daviess County, Indiana|source={{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Atlas of US Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=May 14, 2018}}}}

{{PresRow|2024|Republican|9,322|1,963|164|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|2020|Republican|9,576|2,169|226|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|2016|Republican|8,545|1,800|474|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|2012|Republican|7,638|2,437|189|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|2008|Republican|7,098|3,370|118|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|2004|Republican|7,936|2,573|90|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|2000|Republican|6,872|2,697|192|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1996|Republican|5,531|3,230|1,054|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1992|Republican|5,591|3,201|1,728|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1988|Republican|6,768|3,483|43|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1984|Republican|7,721|3,545|45|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1980|Republican|7,022|4,057|453|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1976|Republican|6,829|4,952|57|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1972|Republican|8,490|3,538|43|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1968|Republican|7,036|4,071|1,286|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|6,319|6,528|48|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1960|Republican|8,285|5,433|45|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1956|Republican|8,608|5,057|42|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1952|Republican|8,328|5,247|101|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1948|Republican|7,030|5,867|147|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1944|Republican|7,458|5,523|71|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1940|Republican|7,615|6,401|59|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|6,459|6,848|163|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|5,838|6,772|279|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1928|Republican|7,116|5,324|103|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1924|Republican|6,427|5,558|515|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1920|Republican|6,748|5,587|298|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1916|Republican|3,191|3,143|376|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|2,005|2,759|1,577|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1908|Republican|3,424|3,253|400|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1904|Republican|3,682|2,802|467|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1900|Democratic|3,298|3,424|305|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1896|Democratic|3,120|3,785|29|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1892|Republican|2,610|2,498|963|Indiana}}

{{PresFoot|1888|Republican|2,691|2,689|45|Indiana}}Daviess County is a Republican stronghold in presidential elections and is consistently one of the most Republican counties in Indiana, giving John McCain 67% of the vote in 2008 and Mitt Romney nearly 75% of the vote in 2012. Donald Trump nearly won 80% of the vote in 2020.{{citation needed|date=May 2024}}

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

{{reflist|30em}}

{{refbegin}}

• {{cite book|title=History of Knox and Daviess County, Indiana|location=Chicago|publisher=Goodspeed Publishing|editor1-last=Goodspeed|editor1-first=Weston Arthur|year=1886|author1-last=Goodspeed|author1-first=Weston Arthur|author2-first=John|author2-last=Wooldridge|chapter=History of Daviess County|oclc=8449389}} ({{HathiTrust Catalog|id=008652200|title=History of Knox and Daviess County, Indiana}})

{{refend}}

{{Commons category}}

{{Geographic Location

|Centre = Daviess County, Indiana

|North = Greene County

|East = Martin County

|Southeast = Dubois County

|Southwest = Pike County

|West = Knox County

}}

{{Southwestern Indiana}}

{{Daviess County, Indiana}}

{{Indiana}}

{{Coord|38.70|-87.08|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-IN_source:UScensus1990}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Indiana counties

Category:1818 establishments in Indiana

Category:Populated places established in 1818

Category:Southwestern Indiana