White County, Indiana

The first white settlers"It is generally claimed that Joseph H. Thompson was the first white man to make settlement within the present boundaries of the county. He located in what is now Big Creek Township in the spring of 1829." (Pioneers Ante-dating County Organization, Hamelle, 1915.) in the future White County arrived in the land west of Tippecanoe River in 1829, and in other parts of the county in 1831. This area was part of Carroll County during that period.

{{anchor|Isaac White}}By 1833, so many settlers had entered the area that the state legislature were pressured to have a separate county created. On February 1, 1834, the state approved the creation of this county, directing that it be named for Isaac White, a colonel in the Illinois militia. White was a mining geologist who was in charge of the salt works in Equality, Illinois, and was a close friend to Governor William Henry Harrison of the Northwest Territory, and to Joseph Hamilton Daveiss, U.S. District Attorney for Kentucky. In 1811, when Harrison declined the offer of Illinois troops to march on Tecumseh's village at Prophetstown, White enlisted as a private in the Indiana dragoons, which had been placed under the command of Daveiss. Both were killed at the Battle of Tippecanoe, and were buried in a common grave.{{Cite web|url=https://www.in.gov/ibc/2382.htm#:~:text=White%20County%20was%20formed%20in,in%20the%20march%20against%20Prophetstown.|title=IBC: White County|publisher=IN.gov|accessdate=May 16, 2023}}

Interim commissioners were named and directed to organize the county during the summer of 1834, and to choose a county seat in September. They did so on September 5, 1834, naming Monticello as the future seat, due to its central location. While the county was being organized, it was attached to Carroll County for administrative and judicial purposes.

Alterations were made to the county's boundaries on December 24, 1834, on February 4, 1837, and on February 14, 1839. In addition, the counties of Jasper (1837), Pulaski (1839), Newton (1839), and Benton (1840) removed significant portions of the county's territory. The borders have remained unchanged since 1840.{{sfn|Hamelle|1915a|p=63}}

The low, rolling hills of White County are entirely devoted to agriculture or to urban development.{{Cite web|url=https://www.google.com/maps/place/White+County,+IN/@40.7417579,-86.9365345,10.5z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x8813b6fe5ac61eb3:0xb1e65aacde73b3c8!8m2!3d40.6765551!4d-86.9824288|title=White County · Indiana|website=White County · Indiana|accessdate=March 26, 2023}} The Tippecanoe River flows southward through the central part of the county. The highest point on the terrain ({{convert|770|ft|m|abbr=off|disp=x|/|sp=us}} ASL) is a gentle rise about {{convert|2.8|mi|km}} SSE from Wolcott.{{Cite web|url=https://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=23021|title=White County High Point - Peakbagger.com|website=www.peakbagger.com|accessdate=March 26, 2023}}

According to the 2010 United States Census, the county has a total area of {{convert|508.68|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|505.12|sqmi}} (or 99.30%) is land and {{convert|3.56|sqmi}} (or 0.70%) is water.

{{div col|colwidth=25em}}

• Pulaski County - north
• Cass County - east
• Carroll County - southeast
• Tippecanoe County - south
• Benton County - west
• Jasper County - northwest/CST Border

{{div col end}}

{{div col|colwidth=25em}}

• Brookston (town)
• Burnettsville (town)
• Chalmers (town)
• Monon (town)
• Monticello (city/county seat)
• Reynolds (town)
• Wolcott (town)

{{div col end}}

• Buffalo
• Idaville
• Norway

{{div col|colwidth=20em}}

• Badger Grove
• Bell Center
• Cedar Point
• East Monticello
• Golden Hill
• Guernsey
• Headlee
• Indiana Beach
• Lee
• Round Grove
• Seafield
• Sitka
• Smithson
• Springboro

{{div col end}}

{{div col|colwidth=20em}}

• Big Creek
• Cass
• Honey Creek
• Jackson
• Liberty
• Lincoln
• Monon
• Prairie
• Princeton
• Round Grove
• Union
• West Point

{{div col end}}

{{div col|colwidth=20em}}

• 20px Interstate 65
• 20px U.S. Route 24
• 20px U.S. Route 231
• 20px U.S. Route 421
• 20px Indiana State Road 16
• 20px Indiana State Road 18
• 20px Indiana State Road 39
• 20px Indiana State Road 43
• 20px Indiana State Road 119

{{div col end}}

• CSX Transportation
• Toledo, Peoria and Western Railway

{{climate chart

|Monticello, Indiana

|17|33|1.99

|21|39|1.94

|31|51|2.94

|40|64|3.45

|50|74|3.90

|60|83|4.07

|63|86|4.16

|61|84|3.98

|53|78|2.94

|42|66|2.70

|33|51|3.10

|23|38|2.68

|float=right

|units=imperial

|clear=both

|source=The Weather Channel{{cite web|url=http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USIN0437|title=Monthly Averages for Monticello IN|access-date=January 27, 2011|publisher=The Weather Channel}}}}

In recent years, average temperatures in Monticello have ranged from a low of {{convert|17|°F}} in January to a high of {{convert|86|°F}} in July, although a record low of {{convert|-25|°F}} was recorded in January 1963 and a record high of {{convert|107|°F}} was recorded in July 1954. Average monthly precipitation ranged from {{convert|1.94|in}} in February to {{convert|4.16|in}} in July.

{{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 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|author=Indiana Code|url=http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title3/ar10/ch2.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041227171739/http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title3/ar10/ch2.pdf |archive-date=December 27, 2004 |url-status=live |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 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 party affiliations and to be residents of the county.

{{PresHead|place=White 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 21, 2018}}}}

{{PresRow|2024|Republican|7,969|2,945|262|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|2020|Republican|7,957|3,032|198|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|2016|Republican|6,893|2,590|613|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|2012|Republican|5,970|3,637|328|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|2008|Republican|5,731|4,839|235|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|2004|Republican|6,974|3,277|115|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|2000|Republican|6,037|3,655|212|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1996|Republican|4,642|3,396|1,660|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1992|Republican|4,622|2,988|2,611|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1988|Republican|6,220|3,256|37|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1984|Republican|7,279|3,157|63|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1980|Republican|6,999|3,247|609|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1976|Republican|6,287|3,963|119|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1972|Republican|7,419|2,675|43|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1968|Republican|5,932|3,395|978|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|5,015|5,407|33|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1960|Republican|6,678|3,914|20|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1956|Republican|6,708|3,219|22|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1952|Republican|6,795|3,211|46|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1948|Republican|4,911|3,849|53|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1944|Republican|5,039|3,570|41|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1940|Republican|5,189|4,176|44|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|4,245|4,863|142|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|3,484|4,976|132|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1928|Republican|4,534|2,980|42|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1924|Republican|4,475|3,138|327|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1920|Republican|4,871|3,375|71|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1916|Republican|2,442|2,262|116|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|1,613|2,059|967|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1908|Republican|2,423|2,326|170|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1904|Republican|2,679|2,096|278|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1900|Republican|2,562|2,510|143|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1896|Democratic|2,383|2,537|89|Indiana}}

{{PresRow|1892|Democratic|1,807|1,896|400|Indiana}}

{{PresFoot|1888|Democratic|1,942|2,017|86|Indiana}}

{{US Census population

|1840= 1832

|1850= 4761

|1860= 8258

|1870= 10554

|1880= 13795

|1890= 15671

|1900= 19138

|1910= 17602

|1920= 17351

|1930= 15831

|1940= 17037

|1950= 18042

|1960= 19709

|1970= 20995

|1980= 23867

|1990= 23265

|2000= 25267

|2010= 24643

|2020= 24688

|estyear=2023

|estimate=24917

|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|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 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |url-status=live|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/18/18181.html|title=White County QuickFacts|access-date=September 25, 2011|publisher=US Census Bureau}}

}}

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 24,643 people, 9,741 households, and 6,849 families in the county.{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US18181|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/20200213034726/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US18181|archive-date=February 13, 2020|url-status=dead}} The population density was {{convert|48.8|PD/sqmi}}. There were 12,970 housing units at an average density of {{convert|25.7|/sqmi}}.{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY10/0500000US18181|access-date=July 10, 2015|title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County|publisher=US Census Bureau|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212203612/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY10/0500000US18181|archive-date=February 12, 2020|url-status=dead}} The racial makeup of the county was 93.9% white, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.3% black or African American, 3.7% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 7.1% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 27.0% were German, 13.3% were Irish, 9.7% were English, and 8.4% were American.{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0400000US18%7c0500000US18181|title=Selected SocialCharacteristics 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/20200214003858/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0400000US18%7C0500000US18181|archive-date=February 14, 2020|url-status=dead}}

Of the 9,741 households, 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.1% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.7% were non-families, and 24.8% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.96. 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 $52,626. Males had a median income of $39,715 versus $28,880 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,323. About 7.7% of families and 9.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.0% of those under age 18 and 4.5% of those age 65 or over.{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0400000US18%7c0500000US18181|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/20200214003122/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0400000US18%7C0500000US18181|archive-date=February 14, 2020|url-status=dead}}

Public schools in White County are administered by the Frontier School Corporation, North White School Corporation, Tri-County School Corporation and Twin Lakes School Corporation.

• Tri-County Middle/Senior High School[http://www.trico.k12.in.us/education/school/school.php?sectionid=4 Tri-County Middle/Senior High School]
• Frontier Junior-Senior High School{{cite web | url=http://fhs.frontier.k12.in.us/ | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061006163459/http://fhs.frontier.k12.in.us/ | archive-date=October 6, 2006 | title=FHS - Frontier Schools }}
• North White High School[http://www.nwhite.k12.in.us/High%20School%20Web%20Site/ North White High School]
• North White Middle School[http://www.nwhite.k12.in.us/Web%20Site/ North White Middle School]
• Roosevelt Middle School[http://rms.twinlakes.k12.in.us/ Roosevelt Middle School]
• Twin Lakes High School[http://tlhs.twinlakes.k12.in.us/ Twin Lakes High School]

• Eastlawn Elementary School[http://el.twinlakes.k12.in.us/ Twinlakes K12]
• Frontier Elementary School[http://fes.frontier.k12.in.us/ Frontier Elementary School]
• Meadowlawn Elementary School[http://ml.twinlakes.k12.in.us/ Meadowlawn Elementary School]
• Monon Elementary School[http://www.nwhite.k12.in.us/Monon/ Monon Elementary School]
• Oaklawn Elementary School[http://ol.twinlakes.k12.in.us/ Oaklawn Elementary School]
• Tri-County Intermediate School[http://www.trico.k12.in.us/education/school/school.php?sectionid=3 Tri-County Intermediate School]

• Meadow Lake Wind Farm
• National Register of Historic Places listings in White County, Indiana

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{refbegin}}

• {{cite book|editor1-last=Hamelle|editor1-first =W. H.|title=A Standard History of White County Indiana: An Authentic Narrative of the Past, with an Extended Survey of Modern Developments in the Progress of Town and Country|url=http://www.brookston.lib.in.us/WhiteCo/title.htm|access-date=August 17, 2020|year=1915a|volume=1|publisher=Lewis Publishing Co.|location=Chicago and New York|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061010141114/http://brookston.lib.in.us/WhiteCo/title.htm|archive-date=October 10, 2006}} ({{Internet Archive|name=A Standard History of White County Indiana, volume 1|id=standardhistoryo01hame_0}})
• {{cite book|editor1-last=Hamelle|editor1-first =W. H.|title=A Standard History of White County Indiana: An Authentic Narrative of the Past, with an Extended Survey of Modern Developments in the Progress of Town and Country|year=1915b|volume=2|publisher=Lewis Publishing Co.|location=Chicago and New York}} ({{Internet Archive|name=A Standard History of White County Indiana, volume 2|id=standardhistoryo02hame}})

{{refend}}

{{refbegin}}

• {{cite book|title=Counties of White and Pulaski, Indiana. Historical and biographical|location=Chicago|publisher=F. A. Battey & Co.|editor1-last=Goodspeed|editor1-first=Weston Arthur|year=1883|author1-last=Goodspeed|author1-first=Weston Arthur|chapter=History of White County|oclc=3558236}} ({{Internet Archive|id=countiesofwhitep00faba|name=Counties of White and Pulaski, Indiana. Historical and biographical}} {{HathiTrust Catalog|id=008652200|title=Counties of White and Pulaski, Indiana. Historical and biographical}})
• {{cite book|title=Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana|year=1899|location=Chicago|publisher=The Lewis Publishing Company|oclc=3790650|ref={{harvid|TLPC|1899}}}} ({{HathiTrust Catalog|id=008652160|title=Biographical history of Tippecanoe, White, Jasper, Newton, Benton, Warren and Pulaski counties, Indiana}})

{{refend}}

{{Commons category}}

{{Geographic Location

|Centre = White County, Indiana

|North = Pulaski County

|East = Cass County

|Southeast = Carroll County

|South = Tippecanoe County

|West = Benton County

|Northwest = Jasper County

}}

{{White County, Indiana}}

{{Indiana}}

{{Coord|40.75|-86.86|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-IN_source:UScensus1990}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:Indiana counties

Category:1834 establishments in Indiana

Category:Populated places established in 1834