Jay County, Indiana#References

The Indiana State Legislature passed an omnibus county bill on February 7, 1835[https://archive.org/details/standardhistoryo01tynd/page/286/mode/2up John W. Tyndall & OE Lesh, Standard history of Adams and Wells Counties, Indiana. pp. 284-6 (accessed 9 August 2020)] that authorized the creation of thirteen countiesThe counties are Dekalb, Fulton, Jasper, Jay, Kosciusko, Marshall, Newton, Porter, Pulaski, Stark, Steuben, Wells, and Whitley. Newton County was merged with Jasper County in 1839, and was re-authorized as a separate county in 1859. in northeast Indiana, including Jay - the only county in the United States named for John Jay, co-author of The Federalist Papers, Secretary of Foreign Affairs under the Articles of Confederation, and first Chief Justice of the United States. John Jay had died in 1829.{{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 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ/page/n167 168]}}

Jay County lies on the east side of Indiana; its east border abuts the western border of Ohio. Its low, rolling terrain is entirely devoted to agriculture or urban development.[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Jay+County,+IN/@40.4393746,-85.1516802,11z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x88157bdfa95a3a77:0xaedea9bb944cb244!8m2!3d40.4465288!4d-85.023346 Jay County IN (Google Maps, accessed 25 July 2020)] Its highest point ({{convert|1,121|ft|m|abbr=off|disp=x|/|sp=us}} ASL) is a small rise on the east border with Ohio, 2,600 feet north of the county's SE corner.[https://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=22978 Jay County High Point, Indiana (PeakBagger.com, accessed 25 July 2020)] The Salamonie River originates near Salamonia in southeastern Jay County and flows generally northwestwardly into Blackford County (It joins the Wabash River from the south in Wabash County).

According to the 2010 United States Census, the county has a total area of {{convert|384.08|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|383.90|sqmi}} (or 99.95%) is land and {{convert|0.18|sqmi}} (or 0.05%) is water.

{{div col}}

• Adams County - north
• Mercer County, Ohio - east
• Darke County, Ohio - southeast
• Randolph County - south
• Delaware County - southwest
• Blackford County - west
• Wells County - northwest

{{div col end}}

{{div col}}

• Bryant
• Dunkirk
• Pennville
• Portland
• Redkey
• Salamonia

{{div col end}}

{{div col}}

• Bearcreek
• Greene
• Jackson
• Jefferson
• Knox
• Madison
• Noble
• Penn
• Pike
• Richland
• Wabash
• Wayne

{{div col end}}

{{div col}}

• Antioch
• Balbec
• Bellfountain
• Blaine
• Bloomfield
• Bluff Point
• Boundary City
• College Corner
• Collett
• Como
• Fiat
• Greene
• Jay City
• Liber
• New Corydon
• New Mount Pleasant
• Noble
• Pleasant Ridge
• Poling
• Powers
• Ridertown
• Salem
• West Liberty
• Westchester

{{div col end}}

Sources: National Atlas,[http://www.nationalatlas.gov/ National Atlas] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081205020547/http://www.nationalatlas.gov/|date=December 5, 2008}} US Census Bureau{{Cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/tiger/|title=US Census Bureau TIGER shape files|access-date=December 6, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170523020601/https://www.census.gov/geo/www/tiger/|archive-date=May 23, 2017|url-status=dead}}

{{div col}}

• {{Jct|state=IN|US|27}}
• {{Jct|state=IN|SR|1}}
• {{Jct|state=IN|SR|18}}
• {{Jct|state=IN|SR|26}}
• {{Jct|state=IN|SR|67}}
• {{Jct|state=IN|SR|167}}

{{div col end}}

{{climate chart

|Portland, Indiana

|15|32|1.87

|18|37|1.93

|27|48|2.60

|38|60|3.61

|49|71|3.94

|59|80|4.13

|62|84|4.40

|60|82|3.96

|52|76|2.71

|40|64|2.58

|32|50|3.04

|21|37|2.48

|float=left

|units=imperial

|clear=both

|source=The Weather Channel{{cite web|url=http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USIN0544|title=Monthly Averages for Portland IN|access-date=January 27, 2011|publisher=The Weather Channel}}}}

In recent years, average temperatures in Portland have ranged from a low of {{convert|15|°F}} in January to a high of {{convert|84|°F}} in July, although a record low of {{convert|-29|°F}} was recorded in January 1985 and a record high of {{convert|102|°F}} was recorded in June 1988. Average monthly precipitation ranged from {{convert|1.87|in}} in January to {{convert|4.40|in}} in July.

{{US Census population

|1840= 3863

|1850= 7047

|1860= 11399

|1870= 15000

|1880= 19282

|1890= 23478

|1900= 26818

|1910= 24961

|1920= 23318

|1930= 20846

|1940= 22601

|1950= 23157

|1960= 22572

|1970= 23575

|1980= 23239

|1990= 21512

|2000= 21806

|2010= 21253

|2020= 20478

|estyear=2024

|estimate=20164

|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}} 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}} 2024

}}

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 21,253 people, 8,133 households, and 5,647 families in the county.{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US18075|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/20200213031757/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US18075|archive-date=February 13, 2020|url-status=dead}} The population density was {{convert|55.4|PD/sqmi}}. There were 9,221 housing units at an average density of {{convert|24.0|/sqmi}}.{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY10/0500000US18075|access-date=July 10, 2015|title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County|publisher=US Census Bureau|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212202118/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY10/0500000US18075|archive-date=February 12, 2020|url-status=dead}} The racial makeup of the county was 97.0% white, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% black or African American, 0.1% American Indian, 1.3% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.7% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 34.1% were German, 13.1% were American, 11.7% were English, and 11.6% were Irish.{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0400000US18%7c0500000US18075|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/20200214003742/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0400000US18%7C0500000US18075|archive-date=February 14, 2020|url-status=dead}}

Of the 8,133 households, 32.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.6% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.6% were non-families, and 25.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.10. The median age was 39.0 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $47,697 and the median income for a family was $47,926. Males had a median income of $38,142 versus $26,928 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,946. About 10.0% of families and 13.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.7% of those under age 18 and 7.8% of those age 65 or over.{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0400000US18%7c0500000US18075|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/20200214003556/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0400000US18%7C0500000US18075|archive-date=February 14, 2020|url-status=dead}}

{{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 county council is the legislative branch of the county government and controls all the spending and revenue collection in the county. Representatives, elected to four-year terms from county districts, are responsible for setting 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|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=IN.gov}}

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 the acts legislated by the council, collecting revenue, and managing the day-to-day functions of the county government.

Court: The county maintains circuit and superior courts with the latter having a small claims division. Both courts have general jurisdiction with the circuit court having exclusive jurisdiction of juvenile and probate matters. The court's judges are elected to six-year terms, and must be admitted to practice law before the state supreme court. In some cases, court decisions can be appealed to the state level circuit court.

County Officials: The county has other elected offices, including prosecuting attorney, assessor, sheriff, coroner, auditor, treasurer, recorder, surveyor, and circuit court clerk Each officer is elected to four-year terms. Members elected to county government positions are required to declare party affiliations and to be residents of the county.

Jay County is part of Indiana's 3rd congressional district; Indiana Senate district 19;{{cite web|url=https://ballotpedia.org/Indiana_State_Senate_District_19|title=Indiana Senate District 19|publisher=Ballotpedia|access-date=August 29, 2018}} and Indiana House of Representatives district 33.{{cite web|url=http://www.in.gov/sos/elections/3005.htm|title=Indiana House Districts|publisher=State of Indiana|access-date=July 14, 2011}}

{{PresHead|place=Jay 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 17, 2018}}}}

{{PresRow|2024|Republican|6,217|1,747|151|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|2020|Republican|6,361|1,926|179|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|2016|Republican|5,697|1,889|436|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|2012|Republican|4,645|3,063|193|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|2008|Republican|4,401|3,748|174|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|2004|Republican|5,427|2,740|65|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|2000|Republican|4,687|3,167|176|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1996|Republican|3,584|3,356|1,077|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1992|Republican|3,609|3,208|2,019|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1988|Republican|5,363|3,212|45|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1984|Republican|5,975|3,174|58|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1980|Republican|5,351|3,256|610|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1976|Republican|4,606|4,124|87|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1972|Republican|6,090|3,349|45|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1968|Republican|5,460|4,290|955|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|4,439|6,781|98|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1960|Republican|6,519|4,899|74|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1956|Republican|6,767|4,571|116|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1952|Republican|7,270|4,764|297|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1948|Republican|5,635|5,520|287|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1944|Republican|6,207|5,166|256|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|6,478|6,554|117|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|5,233|6,535|199|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|5,018|6,693|0|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1928|Republican|5,998|4,759|87|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1924|Republican|5,753|4,812|325|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1920|Republican|6,089|4,759|566|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1916|Republican|3,075|3,070|470|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|1,282|2,786|2,222|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1908|Democratic|3,256|3,370|491|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1904|Republican|3,612|2,702|661|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1900|Republican|3,518|3,422|254|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1896|Democratic|3,473|3,680|134|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1892|Republican|2,414|2,359|1,005|Indiana}}

{{PresFoot|1888|Republican|2,811|2,741|253|Indiana}}

Jens looked at a map he'd filched from an abandoned gas station. If he was where he thought he was, he'd soon be approaching the grand metropolis of Fiat, by God, Indiana. He managed a smile when he saw that, and declaimed, "And God said, Fiat, Indiana, and there was Indiana."

--Harry Turtledove, Worldwar: In the Balance, New York: Random House (1994), Chapter 14, copyright 1994 by Harry Turtledove. The reference is to the unincorporated town of Fiat near the intersection of Indiana State Routes 1 and 18 in Jay County.

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

{{refbegin}}

• {{cite book|title=History of Jay County, Indiana|author1-first=M. W.|author1-last=Montgomery|location=Chicago|publisher=Church, Goodman, & Cushing|year=1864|oclc=3558118}} ({{Internet Archive|id=historyofjaycoun00mont|name=History of Jay County, Indiana}} {{HathiTrust Catalog|id=009600827|name=History of Jay County, Indiana}}, also republished by Kessinger Publishing as {{ISBN|1-166-18084-0}})
• {{cite book|title=History of Jay County, Indiana: Including Its World War Record and Incorporating the Montgomery History|year=1922|author1-first=Milton T.|author1-last=Jay|publisher=Historical Publishing Company|oclc=607766443}} ({{HathiTrust Catalog|id=006793334|title=History of Jay County, Indiana: Including Its World War Record and Incorporating the Montgomery History}})
• {{cite book|title=Biographical Memoirs of Jay County, Indiana|series=County and regional histories of the "Old Northwest.": Indiana|location=Chicago|publisher=B.F. Bowen & Co|year=1901|oclc=11892546|ref={{harvid|BFB|1901}}}} ({{HathiTrust Catalog|id=011679900|title=Biographical Memoirs of Jay County, Indiana}})
• {{cite book|title=Biographical and historical record of Jay and Blackford Counties, Indiana|year=1887|publisher=The Lewis Publishing Company|location=Chicago|oclc=15560416|chapter=History of Jay County|pages=179ff|ref={{harvid|TLPC|1887}}}} ({{Internet Archive|id=biographicalhistjay00chic|name=Biographical and historical record of Jay and Blackford Counties, Indiana}} {{HathiTrust Catalog|id=102359911|title=Biographical and historical record of Jay and Blackford Counties, Indiana}})
• {{cite book|title=Historical hand-atlas, illustrated; twelve farm maps, and History of Jay County, Indiana|location=Chicago|publisher=H. H. Hardesty|year=1881|ref={{harvid|HHH|1881}}|chapter=Jay County, Indiana|pages=179ff}} ({{Internet Archive|id=|name=Historical hand-atlas, illustrated; twelve farm maps, and History of Jay County, Indiana}})

{{refend}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Commons category}}

• [http://www.co.jay.in.us/ Jay County, Indiana] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180424014533/http://www.co.jay.in.us/ |date=April 24, 2018 }}

{{Geographic location

|Centre = Jay County, Indiana

|North = Adams County

|East = Mercer County, Ohio

|Southeast = Darke County, Ohio

|South = Randolph County

|Southwest = Delaware County

|West = Blackford County

|Northwest = Wells County

}}

{{Jay County, Indiana}}

{{Indiana}}

{{Coord|40.43|-85.01|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-IN_source:UScensus1990}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Indiana counties

Category:1836 establishments in Indiana

Category:Populated places established in 1836