Spencer County, Indiana

{{Infobox U.S. county

| county = Spencer County

| state = Indiana

| seal =

| founded year = 1818

| founded date = January 10

| seat wl = Rockport

| largest city wl = Santa Claus

| city type = town

| area_total_sq_mi = 401.43

| area_land_sq_mi = 396.74

| area_water_sq_mi = 4.68

| census yr = 2020

| pop = 19810 {{decrease}}

| density_sq_mi = 49.9

| density_km2 =

| time zone = Central

| footnotes = Indiana county number 74

| web = http://spencercounty.in.gov/

| named for = Spier Spencer

| district = 8th

| ex image = Spencer County Courthouse in Rockport.jpg

| ex image cap = Spencer County Courthouse in Rockport, Indiana

}}

Spencer County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 19,810.{{cite web|url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Spencer_County,_Indiana?g=050XX00US18147|title=Spencer County, Indiana|access-date=June 7, 2023|publisher=United States Census Bureau}} The county seat is Rockport.{{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}} Despite not being in the Owensboro Metropolitan Area, the entire riverfront of the city of Owensboro, Kentucky borders the southern tip of the county.

History

Spencer County was formed in 1818 from parts of Warrick County and Perry County. It was named for Captain Spier Spencer, killed at the Battle of Tippecanoe in 1811. He was also the namesake for Spencer, Indiana, the county seat of Owen County.{{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| pages=[https://archive.org/details/anillustratedhi02tuttgoog/page/n584 572]}}

Abraham Lincoln lived in Spencer County from 1816 to 1830, between the ages of seven and twenty-one. Originally, the area his family settled in was in Perry County with Spencer County being formed almost two years later. His family moved to Illinois in 1830. The Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial is located at the site of the Lincoln family farm. In addition, the graves of his mother Nancy Lincoln and sister Sarah Lincoln Grigsby are located in Spencer County.

On December 16, 1900, two African-American men, Bud Rowlands and Jim Henderson, were lynched by the county courthouse in Rockport after being arrested as suspects in the brutal robbery and killing of a white barber at 2 am the night before. A mob estimated at 1,500 broke open the jail and took them out, hanging them from a tree by the courthouse, and shooting their bodies numerous times.[http://genealogytrails.com/ind/spencer/news.html Butte Weekly Miner, 20 December 1900; accessed 31 May 2018] John Rolla was accused by Rowlands as a suspect and also lynched.[https://www.indystar.com/story/news/history/retroindy/2018/04/26/last-known-lynching-indiana-included-national-memorial-peace-and-justice/553199002/ Dawn Mitchell and Maureen C. Gilmer, "Last-known lynching in Indiana included in National Memorial for Peace and Justice"], Indy Star, April 30, 2018; accessed May 31, 2018 This was the second-highest number of lynchings in the state, though it pales in comparison to lynchings in Southern states.{{Cite web |url=https://eji.org/sites/default/files/lynching-in-america-third-edition-summary.pdf |title=Lynching in America; Supplement: Lynching by County, 3rd edition, 2017, Montgomery, Alabama: Equal Justice Initiative, p. 5 |access-date=May 31, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171023063004/https://eji.org/sites/default/files/lynching-in-america-third-edition-summary.pdf |archive-date=October 23, 2017 |url-status=dead }}

The current Spencer County courthouse was built in 1921. It is the fifth courthouse to serve the county.{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RXQgqekmP2AC&q=rising+sun+indiana&pg=PA24 | title=Indiana | publisher=Globe Pequot | date=March 1, 2001 | access-date=October 16, 2013 | author=Wissing, Douglas | pages=24| isbn=9781560449065 }}

County attractions include the town of Santa Claus, Holiday World & Splashin' Safari, and Santa's Candy Castle.

Saint Meinrad Archabbey is located at the northeastern corner of Spencer County.

Geography

According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of {{convert|401.43|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|396.74|sqmi}} (or 98.83%) is land and {{convert|4.68|sqmi}} (or 1.17%) is water.

=Cities and towns=

ZIP Codes are in parentheses.

Chrisney (47611)
Dale (47523)
Gentryville (47537)
Grandview (47615)
Richland (47634)
Rockport (47635)
Santa Claus (47579)

=Census-designated place=

St. Meinrad (47577)

=Other unincorporated places=

=Townships=

=Adjacent counties=

Dubois County (north/ET Boundary)
Daviess County, Kentucky (south)
Perry County (east)
Hancock County, Kentucky (southeast)
Warrick County (west)

=National protected area=

Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial

Climate and weather

{{climate chart

|Rockport, Indiana

|24|43|3.47

|29|49|3.85

|37|59|4.26

|45|70|4.66

|55|79|4.78

|64|87|3.62

|68|91|3.82

|65|90|3.54

|58|83|3.51

|46|73|3.01

|37|59|4.10

|29|47|3.91

|float=right

|units=imperial

|clear=both

|source=The Weather Channel{{cite web

|url=http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USIN0569

|title=Monthly Averages for Rockport, Indiana

|access-date=January 27, 2011

|publisher=The Weather Channel

}}}}

In recent years, average temperatures in Rockport have ranged from a low of {{convert|24|°F}} in January to a high of {{convert|91|°F}} in July, although a record low of {{convert|-23|°F}} was recorded in January 1994 and a record high of {{convert|107|°F}} was recorded in June 1944. Average monthly precipitation ranged from {{convert|3.01|in}} in October to {{convert|4.78|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 county council is the legislative branch of the county government and controls all the 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|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|author-link= 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 is made of a board of commissioners. The commissioners are elected county-wide, in staggered terms, and each serves a four-year term. One of the commissioners, typically the most senior, serves as president. The commissioners are charged with executing the acts legislated by the council, collecting revenue, and managing the day-to-day functions of the county government.

Court: 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.

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 party affiliations and to be residents of the county.

Spencer County is part of Indiana's 8th congressional district and is represented in Congress by Republican Larry Bucshon.

{{PresHead|place=Spencer County, Indiana|source={{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=May 20, 2018}}}}

Demographics

{{US Census population

|1820= 1882

|1830= 3196

|1840= 6305

|1850= 8616

|1860= 14556

|1870= 17998

|1880= 22122

|1890= 22060

|1900= 22407

|1910= 20676

|1920= 18400

|1930= 16713

|1940= 16211

|1950= 16174

|1960= 16074

|1970= 17134

|1980= 19361

|1990= 19490

|2000= 20391

|2010= 20952

|2020= 19810

|estyear=2023

|estimate=19910

|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=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States 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=United States 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=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 10, 2014}} 2010{{cite web|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/18/18147.html|title=Spencer County QuickFacts|access-date=September 25, 2011|publisher=United States Census Bureau}}

}}

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 20,952 people, 8,082 households, and 5,907 families residing in the county.{{cite web

|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US18147

|title=DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data

|access-date=July 10, 2015

|publisher=United States Census Bureau

|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213015008/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US18147

|archive-date=February 13, 2020

|url-status=dead

}} The population density was {{convert|52.8|PD/sqmi}}. There were 8,872 housing units at an average density of {{convert|22.4|/sqmi}}.{{cite web

|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY10/0500000US18147

|access-date=July 10, 2015

|title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County

|publisher=United States Census Bureau

|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212203917/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY10/0500000US18147

|archive-date=February 12, 2020

|url-status=dead

}} The racial makeup of the county was 96.9% White, 0.5% Black or African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 1.3% from other races, and 0.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.5% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 47.0% were German, 16.4% were Irish, 12.6% were English, and 11.1% were American.{{cite web

|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0400000US18%7c0500000US18147

|title=DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates

|access-date=July 10, 2015

|publisher=United States Census Bureau

|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200214002918/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0400000US18%7C0500000US18147

|archive-date=February 14, 2020

|url-status=dead

}}

Of the 8,082 households, 33.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.8% were married couples living together, 8.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 26.9% were non-families, and 23.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.00. The median age was 41.9 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $47,697 and the median income for a family was $61,365. Males had a median income of $44,526 versus $30,466 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,609. About 6.8% of families and 12.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.0% of those under age 18 and 12.8% of those age 65 or over.{{cite web

|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0400000US18%7c0500000US18147

|title=DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates

|access-date=July 10, 2015

|publisher=United States Census Bureau

|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200214002227/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0400000US18%7C0500000US18147

|archive-date=February 14, 2020

|url-status=dead

}}

Education

It has two school districts, North Spencer County School Corporation and South Spencer County School Corporation.{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st18_in/schooldistrict_maps/c18147_spencer/DC20SD_C18147.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Spencer County, IN|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=2024-06-12}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st18_in/schooldistrict_maps/c18147_spencer/DC20SD_C18147_SD2MS.txt Text list]

Notable people

H. Justin Davidson, sixth dean, Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management at Cornell University
Ken Dilger, former professional football player, Indianapolis Colts and Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Del Harris, Member, Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame; vice president, Texas Legends professional basketball team
Florence Henderson, former singer and actress
Roger Kaiser, former professional basketball player and coach
Bill Peet, former children's author
Thomas Gamble Pitcher, former Superintendent of the United States Military Academy
Howard Schnellenberger, former professional and collegiate football coach, head coach, 1983 Miami Hurricanes national championship team
Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States

Spencer County, Indiana

History

Geography

=Cities and towns=

=Census-designated place=

=Other unincorporated places=

=Townships=

=Adjacent counties=

=Major highways=

=National protected area=

Climate and weather

Government

Demographics

Education

Notable people

See also

References

Further reading