Decatur County, Indiana#References

{{Infobox U.S. county

| county = Decatur County

| state = Indiana

| flag = Flag of Decatur County, Indiana.svg

| seal =

| founded = December 12, 1821 (authorized)
1822 (organized)

| seat wl = Greensburg

| largest city = Greensburg

| area_total_sq_mi = 373.32

| area_land_sq_mi = 372.57

| area_water_sq_mi = 0.76

| area percentage = 0.20%

| census yr = 2020

| pop = 26472

| pop_est_as_of = 2023

| population_est = 26399 {{loss}}

| density_sq_mi = auto

| web= www.decaturcounty.in.gov

| named for = Stephen Decatur, Jr.

| ex image = Decatur County Courthouse, Greensburg, IN (48477403112).jpg

| ex image cap = Decatur County Courthouse in Greensburg

| district = 6th

| footnotes = Indiana county number 16 }}

Decatur County is a county in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 26,472.{{cite web|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/18/18031.html|title=Decatur County QuickFacts|access-date=September 17, 2011|publisher=United States Census Bureau|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110607080015/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/18/18031.html|archive-date=June 7, 2011}} The county seat (and only incorporated city) is Greensburg.{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|archive-date=May 31, 2011}}

History

In 1787, the US 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. President Thomas Jefferson chose William Henry Harrison as the governor of the territory, and Vincennes was established as the capital.{{cite book|title=Indiana|author=Brill, Marlene Targ|year=2005|publisher=Marshall Cavendish|page=35|isbn=978-0-7614-2020-0}} After the Michigan Territory was separated and the Illinois Territory was formed, Indiana was reduced to its current size and geography.{{cite web|title=Government at Crossroads: An Indiana chronology|website=The Herald Bulletin|date=January 5, 2008|url=http://www.heraldbulletin.com/news/local_news/government-at-crossroads-an-indiana-chronology/article_3a07aa44-1cd4-5028-82e7-96b907121b31.html?mode=jqm|access-date=July 22, 2009 }} 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 Decatur County, which was authorized by the state legislature on December 12, 1821. No settler was allowed in the area until the government survey was completed in 1820.

The Decatur County governing structure was formed in 1822. The county was named for Commodore Stephen Decatur Jr., naval officer in the First and Second Barbary Wars, and in the War of 1812.{{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/n101 102]}} Decatur was killed in a duel in 1820.{{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/n567 555]}}

Geography

The low rolling hills are devoted to agriculture or urban development, with only the areas carved by drainages still wooded.[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Decatur+County,+IN/@39.2922148,-85.6321968,11z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x886af910553b5c2b:0x1958b823ec9025c5!8m2!3d39.3176186!4d-85.520024 Decatur County IN (Google Maps, accessed 13 August 2020)] The highest point ({{convert|1,097|ft|m|abbr=off|disp=x|/|sp=us}} ASL) is a hillock {{convert|0.8|mi|km}} SSE from Kingston.[https://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=6540 ''Decatur County High Point, Indiana (PeakBagger.com, accessed 13 August 2020)]

The Flatrock River flows westward through the upper part of the county, continuing into Shelby County. Clifty Creek flows southwestward through the central part of the county, continuing into Bartholomew, and Sand Creek flows south-southwestward through the lower center of the county, continuing into Jennings County.

According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of {{convert|373.32|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|372.57|sqmi}} (or 99.80%) is land and {{convert|0.76|sqmi}} (or 0.20%) is water.

Image:Decatur County Courthouse, Greensburg, IN (48477380817).jpg

=Adjacent counties=

Rush County – north
Franklin County – east
Ripley County – southeast
Jennings County – south
Bartholomew County – west
Shelby County – northwest

=City and towns=

Greensburg (city/county seat)
Millhousen
New Point
St. Paul (part)
Westport

=Census-designated places=

=Unincorporated places=

=Townships=

=Major highways=

=Protected areas=

Greenburg Reservoir State Fishing Area

=Lakes=

Greenburg Reservoir
Lake McCoy
Lake Santee

Climate and weather

{{climate chart

|Greensburg, Indiana

|19|34|2.56

|22|40|2.42

|32|50|3.66

|42|62|4.31

|53|72|5.03

|62|81|4.32

|65|85|4.12

|63|83|4.21

|56|77|3.07

|44|65|3.07

|35|51|3.81

|25|40|3.20

|float=right

|units=imperial

|clear=both

|source=The Weather Channel{{cite web|url=http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USIN0255|title=Monthly Averages for Greensburg IN|access-date=January 27, 2011|publisher=The Weather Channel}}}}

In recent years, average temperatures in Greensburg have ranged from a low of {{convert|19|°F}} in January to a high of {{convert|85|°F}} in July, although a record low of {{convert|-24|°F}} was recorded in January 1985 and a record high of {{convert|105|°F}} was recorded in July 1954. Average monthly precipitation ranged from {{convert|2.42|in}} in February to {{convert|5.03|in}} in May.

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 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.{{cite web|author=Indiana Code|author-link=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=IN.gov}}{{cite web|url=http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title3/ar10/ch2.pdf|title=Title 2, Article 10, Section 2|author=Indiana Code|publisher=IN.gov|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041227171739/http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title3/ar10/ch2.pdf|archive-date=December 27, 2004|access-date=September 16, 2008}}

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.

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.

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 a party affiliation and to be residents of the county.

Decatur County is part of Indiana's 6th congressional district; Indiana Senate district 42;{{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 district 67.{{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=Decatur 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}}}}

Demographics

{{US Census population

|1830= 5887

|1840= 12171

|1850= 15107

|1860= 17294

|1870= 19053

|1880= 19779

|1890= 19277

|1900= 19518

|1910= 18793

|1920= 17813

|1930= 17308

|1940= 17722

|1950= 18218

|1960= 20019

|1970= 22738

|1980= 23841

|1990= 23645

|2000= 24555

|2010= 25740

|2020= 26472

|estyear=2023

|estimate=26399

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

|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/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091212224028/http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/|url-status=dead|archive-date=December 12, 2009|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=July 10, 2014}} 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}} 2010–2013

}}

=2010 Census=

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 25,740 people, 9,977 households, and 6,995 families in the county.{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US18031|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/20200213015239/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US18031|archive-date=February 13, 2020|url-status=dead}} The population density was {{convert|69.1|PD/sqmi}}. There were 11,209 housing units at an average density of {{convert|30.1|/sqmi}}.{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY10/0500000US18031|access-date=July 10, 2015|title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County|publisher=US Census Bureau|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212203103/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY10/0500000US18031|archive-date=February 12, 2020|url-status=dead}} The racial makeup of the county was 97.3% white, 0.7% Asian, 0.3% black or African American, 0.2% American Indian, 0.6% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.7% of the population. In terms of ancestry, In terms of ancestry, 35.5% were of English ancestry, 35.1% were of German, and 9.0% were of Irish ancestry according to 2010 American Community Survey.

Of the 9,977 households, 33.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.6% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.9% were non-families, and 25.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.02. The median age was 38.7 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $47,697 and the median income for a family was $52,308. Males had a median income of $41,143 versus $30,226 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,719. About 8.3% of families and 10.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.3% of those under age 18 and 6.8% of those age 65 or over.{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0400000US18%7c0500000US18031|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/20200214002644/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0400000US18%7C0500000US18031|archive-date=February 14, 2020|url-status=dead}}

=2020 census=

class="wikitable"

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

!Race

!Num.

!Perc.

White (NH)

|24,769

|93.56%

Black or African American (NH)

|90

|0.34%

Native American (NH)

|35

|0.13%

Asian (NH)

|154

|0.6%

Pacific Islander (NH)

|0.03%

Other/Mixed (NH)

|802

|3%

Hispanic or Latino

|614

|2.3%

Education

The two school districts are Decatur County Community Schools and Greensburg Community Schools.{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st18_in/schooldistrict_maps/c18031_decatur/DC20SD_C18031.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Decatur County, IN|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=2024-10-18}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st18_in/schooldistrict_maps/c18031_decatur/DC20SD_C18031_SD2MS.txt Text list]