Adams County, Indiana
Encyclopedia
Adams County lies in northeastern Indiana
in the United States
and shares its eastern border with Ohio
. It was officially established in 1836. The county seat
is Decatur
.
According to the 2010 census, its population was 34,387, an increase of 2.3% from 33,625 in 2000. The county has four incorporated
cities and towns with a total population of over 15,000, as well as many small unincorporated communities. The county
is divided into 12 townships which provide local services. There are four Indiana state roads in the county, as well as three U.S. Routes and one railroad line.
, John Quincy Adams
. The site of the county seat was chosen May 18, 1836.
The first courthouse was a two-story frame building and was commissioned in 1839. The first jail was a log building that was completed in 1837. The present Adams County courthouse
was built in Decatur in 1872–1873 at a cost of $78,979. The designer was J. C. Johnson, who had been trained as a carpenter and joiner and became a self-taught architect; he won second place in the Indiana State Capitol design competition. The construction was done by Christian Boseker of Fort Wayne
. It is built of red brick with stone ornamentation.
Adams County is bordered on the north by Allen County
, on the west by Wells County
, and on the south by Jay County
. The two Ohio counties of Van Wert and Mercer
lie to the northeast and southeast, respectively.
The county has four incorporated settlements, all of which lie in a rough north–south line. The city of Decatur
is the largest and is also the county seat, and is in the northern part of the county where U.S. Route 27
and U.S. Route 33
intersect with the east–west U.S. Route 224
. U.S. Route 27 continues south through the town of Monroe, near the center of the county, and then on through Berne
and Geneva
.
:
region of the United States along with most of Indiana. Its Köppen climate classification
is Dfa, meaning that it is cold, has no dry season, and has a hot summer. In recent years, average temperatures in Decatur have ranged from a low of 17 °F (-8.3 °C) in January to a high of 84 °F (28.9 °C) in July, although a record low of -24 °F was recorded in January 1985 and a record high of 107 °F (41.7 °C) was recorded in July 1934. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 2.16 inches (5.5 cm) in February to 4.42 inches (11.2 cm) in June.
and U.S. Route 33
enter the north end of the county from Fort Wayne
in neighboring Allen County
. Passing through Decatur, they split; U.S. Route 27 goes south through Monroe, Berne and Geneva and continues into Jay County, whereas U.S. Route 33 heads southeast into Ohio. U.S. Route 224
passes from west to east through the north part of the county, intersecting U.S. Routes 27 and 33 in Decatur, then continuing into Ohio.
Indiana State Road 124
cross the center of the county from west to east, passing from Bluffton in neighboring Wells County through Monroe and on to the Ohio border. Indiana State Road 101
is a north–south road that begins near the Ohio border at State Road 124; it runs north through Pleasant Mills and Rivare and continues into Allen County to the north. Indiana State Road 116
enters the county from Bluffton to the west, runs southwest and then south to Perryville, then runs east and terminates at U.S. Route 27 in Geneva. Indiana State Road 218
runs across the south part of the county from west to east and passes through Berne.
CSX Transportation
operates a rail line that runs from Decatur to the northwest toward Fort Wayne.
and the Indiana Code
. The county council is the legislative branch of the county government and controls all spending and revenue collection. Representatives are elected from county districts. The council members serve four-year terms and 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. In 2010, the county budgeted approximately $2.2 million for the district's schools and $2.8 million for other county operations and services, for a total annual budget of approximately $5 million.
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 day-to-day functions of the county government.
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 elected to a four-year term. In some cases, court decisions can be appealed to the state level circuit court
.
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 be residents of the county.
Each of the townships has a trustee who administers rural fire protection and ambulance service, provides poor relief and manages cemetery care, 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.
Adams County is part of Indiana's 6th congressional district
; Indiana Senate
district 19; and Indiana House of Representatives
district 79.
, and South Adams Schools. The Diocese of Fort Wayne and Lutheran Schools of Indiana both operate in Adams County as well. In all, these organizations operate 13 schools in the county.
, depicted a true story of an Amish baby who was killed by teens who threw pieces of clay tile and struck a child on a buggy. The event occurred in 1979, and the movie was released in 1988. The movie is set in North Carolina
.
of 2000, there were 33,625 people, 11,818 households, and 8,662 families residing in the county. The population density
was 99 people per square mile (38/km²). There were 12,404 housing units at an average density of 37 per square mile (14/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.31% White
, 0.14% Black
or African American
, 0.17% Native American
, 0.20% Asian
, 0.03% Pacific Islander
, 1.47% from other races
, and 0.68% from two or more races. 3.32% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 40.1% were of German, 15.0% Swiss, 14.2% American
, 6.4% English
and 6.1% Irish
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 11,818 households out of which 37.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.7% were married couples
living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.70% were non-families. 24.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.37.
In the county the population was spread out with 31.1% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 97.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.8 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $40,625, and the median income for a family was $46,749. Males had a median income of $32,332 versus $23,119 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $16,704. About 6.1% of families and 9.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.9% of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those age 65 or over.
11.7% of the total population and 15.6% of the children in 5-17 age range uses German (Amish) as home language, according to 2000 census. http://www.mla.org/map_data_results&SRVY_YEAR=2000&geo=county&state_id=18&county_id=1&mode=geographic&lang_id=&zip=&place_id=&cty_id=®ion_id=&division_id=&ll=&ea=y&order=&a=y&pc=1
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and shares its eastern border with Ohio
Ohio
Ohio is a Midwestern state in the United States. The 34th largest state by area in the U.S.,it is the 7th‑most populous with over 11.5 million residents, containing several major American cities and seven metropolitan areas with populations of 500,000 or more.The state's capital is Columbus...
. It was officially established in 1836. The county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Decatur
Decatur, Indiana
Decatur is a city in Root and Washington townships, Adams County, Indiana, United States. The city, which serves as the county seat of Adams County, takes its name after the prominent war hero Stephen Decatur, Jr., one of the captains of the original 6 frigates of the US navy...
.
According to the 2010 census, its population was 34,387, an increase of 2.3% from 33,625 in 2000. The county has four incorporated
Municipal corporation
A municipal corporation is the legal term for a local governing body, including cities, counties, towns, townships, charter townships, villages, and boroughs. Municipal incorporation occurs when such municipalities become self-governing entities under the laws of the state or province in which...
cities and towns with a total population of over 15,000, as well as many small unincorporated communities. The county
County (United States)
In the United States, a county is a geographic subdivision of a state , usually assigned some governmental authority. The term "county" is used in 48 of the 50 states; Louisiana is divided into parishes and Alaska into boroughs. Parishes and boroughs are called "county-equivalents" by the U.S...
is divided into 12 townships which provide local services. There are four Indiana state roads in the county, as well as three U.S. Routes and one railroad line.
History
Adams County was created by statute on February 7, 1835, and organized March 1, 1836. Its name honors the sixth President of the United StatesPresident of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
, John Quincy Adams
John Quincy Adams
John Quincy Adams was the sixth President of the United States . He served as an American diplomat, Senator, and Congressional representative. He was a member of the Federalist, Democratic-Republican, National Republican, and later Anti-Masonic and Whig parties. Adams was the son of former...
. The site of the county seat was chosen May 18, 1836.
The first courthouse was a two-story frame building and was commissioned in 1839. The first jail was a log building that was completed in 1837. The present Adams County courthouse
Adams County Courthouse (Indiana)
Adams County Courthouse is located in the city of Decatur, the county seat of Adams County, Indiana. It was built in 1872–1873 at a cost of $78,979. The designer was J. C. Johnson, who had been trained as a carpenter and joiner and became a self-taught architect; he won second place in the Indiana...
was built in Decatur in 1872–1873 at a cost of $78,979. The designer was J. C. Johnson, who had been trained as a carpenter and joiner and became a self-taught architect; he won second place in the Indiana State Capitol design competition. The construction was done by Christian Boseker of Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne is a city in the US state of Indiana and the county seat of Allen County. The population was 253,691 at the 2010 Census making it the 74th largest city in the United States and the second largest in Indiana...
. It is built of red brick with stone ornamentation.
Geography
According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 339.97 square miles (880.5 km²), of which 339.03 square miles (878.1 km²) (or 99.72%) is land and 0.94 square miles (2.4 km²) (or 0.28%) is water.Adams County is bordered on the north by Allen County
Allen County, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 331,849 people, 128,745 households, and 86,259 families residing in the county. The population density was 505 people per square mile . There were 138,905 housing units at an average density of 211 per square mile...
, on the west by Wells County
Wells County, Indiana
Wells County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of the 2010 census, the population was 27,636. The county seat is Bluffton.-Geography:...
, and on the south by Jay County
Jay County, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 21,806 people, 8,405 households, and 6,017 families residing in the county. The population density was 57 people per square mile . There were 9,074 housing units at an average density of 24 per square mile...
. The two Ohio counties of Van Wert and Mercer
Mercer County, Ohio
Mercer County is a county located in the state of Ohio, United States. Its county seat is Celina and is named for Hugh Mercer, an officer in the American Revolutionary War.The Celina Micropolitan Statistical Area includes all of Mercer County.-Geography:...
lie to the northeast and southeast, respectively.
The county has four incorporated settlements, all of which lie in a rough north–south line. The city of Decatur
Decatur, Indiana
Decatur is a city in Root and Washington townships, Adams County, Indiana, United States. The city, which serves as the county seat of Adams County, takes its name after the prominent war hero Stephen Decatur, Jr., one of the captains of the original 6 frigates of the US navy...
is the largest and is also the county seat, and is in the northern part of the county where U.S. Route 27
U.S. Route 27
U.S. Route 27 is a north–south United States highway in the southern and midwestern United States. The southern terminus is at US 1 in Miami, Florida. The northern terminus is at Interstate 69 in Fort Wayne, Indiana...
and U.S. Route 33
U.S. Route 33
U.S. Route 33 is a United States federal highway that runs northwest-southeast for 709 miles from northern Indiana to Richmond, Virginia, passing through Ohio and West Virginia en route. Although most odd-numbered U.S...
intersect with the east–west U.S. Route 224
U.S. Route 224
U.S. Route 224 is a spur of U.S. Route 24. It currently runs for 289 miles from New Castle, Pennsylvania at Pennsylvania Route 18 to Huntington, Indiana at U.S. Route 24. It passes through the states of Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana...
. U.S. Route 27 continues south through the town of Monroe, near the center of the county, and then on through Berne
Berne, Indiana
Berne is a city in Monroe and Wabash townships, Adams County, Indiana, United States, 35 miles south of Fort Wayne. The population was 4,150 at the 2000 census...
and Geneva
Geneva, Indiana
Geneva is a town in Wabash Township, Adams County, Indiana, United States. The population was 1,368 at the 2000 census. Geneva is the location of the Limberlost Cabin, the home of writer and naturalist Gene Stratton Porter.-Geography:...
.
Unincorporated towns
|
Townships
Adams County is divided into twelve townshipsTownship (United States)
A township in the United States is a small geographic area. Townships range in size from 6 to 54 square miles , with being the norm.The term is used in three ways....
:
|
Kirkland Township, Adams County, Indiana Kirkland Township is one of twelve townships in Adams County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 885.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Kirkland Township covers an area of .-Unincorporated towns:* Honduras... Monroe Township, Adams County, Indiana Monroe Township is one of twelve townships in Adams County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 4,551.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Monroe Township covers an area of ; of this, or 0.13 percent is water.... Preble Township, Adams County, Indiana Preble Township is one of twelve townships in Adams County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,095.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Preble Township covers an area of ; of this, or 0.35 percent is water.... Root Township, Adams County, Indiana Root Township is one of twelve townships in Adams County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 4,433.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Root Township covers an area of ; of this, or 0.35 percent is water.... |
St. Marys Township, Adams County, Indiana Saint Marys Township is one of twelve townships in Adams County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,264.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Saint Marys Township covers an area of .-Political districts:... Union Township, Adams County, Indiana Union Township is one of twelve townships in Adams County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 974.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Union Township covers an area of .-Political districts:... Wabash Township, Adams County, Indiana Wabash Township is one of twelve townships in Adams County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 5,854.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Wabash Township covers an area of ; of this, or 0.69 percent is water.... Washington Township, Adams County, Indiana Washington Township is one of twelve townships in Adams County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 10,528.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Washington Township covers an area of ; of this, or 0.1 percent is water.... |
Climate and weather
Adams County is in the humid continental climateHumid continental climate
A humid continental climate is a climatic region typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot summers and cold winters....
region of the United States along with most of Indiana. Its Köppen climate classification
Köppen climate classification
The Köppen climate classification is one of the most widely used climate classification systems. It was first published by Crimea German climatologist Wladimir Köppen in 1884, with several later modifications by Köppen himself, notably in 1918 and 1936...
is Dfa, meaning that it is cold, has no dry season, and has a hot summer. In recent years, average temperatures in Decatur have ranged from a low of 17 °F (-8.3 °C) in January to a high of 84 °F (28.9 °C) in July, although a record low of -24 °F was recorded in January 1985 and a record high of 107 °F (41.7 °C) was recorded in July 1934. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 2.16 inches (5.5 cm) in February to 4.42 inches (11.2 cm) in June.
Transportation
Three U.S Routes cross the county. U.S. Route 27U.S. Route 27
U.S. Route 27 is a north–south United States highway in the southern and midwestern United States. The southern terminus is at US 1 in Miami, Florida. The northern terminus is at Interstate 69 in Fort Wayne, Indiana...
and U.S. Route 33
U.S. Route 33
U.S. Route 33 is a United States federal highway that runs northwest-southeast for 709 miles from northern Indiana to Richmond, Virginia, passing through Ohio and West Virginia en route. Although most odd-numbered U.S...
enter the north end of the county from Fort Wayne
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne is a city in the US state of Indiana and the county seat of Allen County. The population was 253,691 at the 2010 Census making it the 74th largest city in the United States and the second largest in Indiana...
in neighboring Allen County
Allen County, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 331,849 people, 128,745 households, and 86,259 families residing in the county. The population density was 505 people per square mile . There were 138,905 housing units at an average density of 211 per square mile...
. Passing through Decatur, they split; U.S. Route 27 goes south through Monroe, Berne and Geneva and continues into Jay County, whereas U.S. Route 33 heads southeast into Ohio. U.S. Route 224
U.S. Route 224
U.S. Route 224 is a spur of U.S. Route 24. It currently runs for 289 miles from New Castle, Pennsylvania at Pennsylvania Route 18 to Huntington, Indiana at U.S. Route 24. It passes through the states of Pennsylvania, Ohio and Indiana...
passes from west to east through the north part of the county, intersecting U.S. Routes 27 and 33 in Decatur, then continuing into Ohio.
Indiana State Road 124
Indiana State Road 124
State Road 124 in the U.S. state of Indiana is an east–west route in the northern part of the state. Its parent route is U.S. Route 24, but the two do not connect.-Route description:...
cross the center of the county from west to east, passing from Bluffton in neighboring Wells County through Monroe and on to the Ohio border. Indiana State Road 101
Indiana State Road 101
State Road 101 in the U.S. state of Indiana is a north–south state highway in the eastern portion of Indiana that exists in four sections with a combined length of .-First section:...
is a north–south road that begins near the Ohio border at State Road 124; it runs north through Pleasant Mills and Rivare and continues into Allen County to the north. Indiana State Road 116
Indiana State Road 116
State Road 116 in the U.S. state of Indiana is an east–west state highway that actually runs in a southeast-to-northwest direction.-Route description:...
enters the county from Bluffton to the west, runs southwest and then south to Perryville, then runs east and terminates at U.S. Route 27 in Geneva. Indiana State Road 218
Indiana State Road 218
Indiana State Road 218 exists in two different sections in the central part of the U.S. state of Indiana, on either side of Mississinewa Lake. The road covers a total distance of about 91 miles; the ends of the two sections are separated by about 14 miles...
runs across the south part of the county from west to east and passes through Berne.
CSX Transportation
CSX Transportation
CSX Transportation operates a Class I railroad in the United States known as the CSX Railroad. It is the main subsidiary of the CSX Corporation. The company is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, and owns approximately 21,000 route miles...
operates a rail line that runs from Decatur to the northwest toward Fort Wayne.
Government
The county government is a constitutional body granted specific powers by the Constitution of IndianaConstitution of Indiana
There have been two Constitutions of the State of Indiana. The first constitution was created when the Territory of Indiana sent forty-three delegates to a constitutional convention on June 10, 1816 to establish a constitution for the proposed State of Indiana after the United States Congress had...
and the Indiana Code
Indiana Code
The Indiana Code is the code of laws for the US State of Indiana. The contents are the codification of the all the laws currently in effect within Indiana...
. The county council is the legislative branch of the county government and controls all spending and revenue collection. Representatives are elected from county districts. The council members serve four-year terms and 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. In 2010, the county budgeted approximately $2.2 million for the district's schools and $2.8 million for other county operations and services, for a total annual budget of approximately $5 million.
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 day-to-day functions of the county government.
The county maintains a small claims court
Small claims court
Small-claims courts have limited jurisdiction to hear civil cases between private litigants. Courts authorized to try small claims may also have other judicial functions, and the name by which such a court is known varies by jurisdiction; it may be known as a county or magistrate's 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 elected to a four-year term. In some cases, court decisions can be appealed to the state level circuit court
Circuit court
Circuit court is the name of court systems in several common law jurisdictions.-History:King Henry II instituted the custom of having judges ride around the countryside each year to hear appeals, rather than forcing everyone to bring their appeals to London...
.
The county has several other elected offices, including sheriff
Sheriff
A sheriff is in principle a legal official with responsibility for a county. In practice, the specific combination of legal, political, and ceremonial duties of a sheriff varies greatly from country to country....
, coroner
Coroner
A coroner is a government official who* Investigates human deaths* Determines cause of death* Issues death certificates* Maintains death records* Responds to deaths in mass disasters* Identifies unknown dead* Other functions depending on local laws...
, auditor, treasurer
Treasurer
A treasurer is the person responsible for running the treasury of an organization. The adjective for a treasurer is normally "tresorial". The adjective "treasurial" normally means pertaining to a treasury, rather than the treasurer.-Government:...
, recorder
Recorder of deeds
Recorder of deeds is a government office tasked with maintaining public records and documents, especially records relating to real estate ownership that provide persons other than the owner of a property with real rights over that property.-Background:...
, surveyor
Surveying
See Also: Public Land Survey SystemSurveying or land surveying is the technique, profession, and science of accurately determining the terrestrial or three-dimensional position of points and the distances and angles between them...
and circuit court clerk
Court clerk
A court clerk is an officer of the court whose responsibilities include maintaining the records of a court. Another duty is to administer oaths to witnesses, jurors, and grand jurors...
. 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
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
affiliations and be residents of the county.
Each of the townships has a trustee who administers rural fire protection and ambulance service, provides poor relief and manages cemetery care, 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.
Adams County is part of Indiana's 6th congressional district
Indiana's 6th congressional district
Indiana's 6th congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Indiana. The district takes in a large portion of eastern Indiana, including Muncie, Anderson, and Richmond, as well as the suburbs of Fort Wayne, Cincinnati, and Indianapolis.The district is currently represented...
; Indiana Senate
Indiana Senate
The Indiana Senate is the upper house of the Indiana General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Indiana. The Senate is composed of 50 members representing an equal number of constituent districts. Senators serve four-year terms without term limits...
district 19; and Indiana House of Representatives
Indiana House of Representatives
The Indiana House of Representatives is the lower house of the Indiana General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Indiana. The House is composed of 100 members representing an equal number of constituent districts. House members serve two-year terms without term limits...
district 79.
Education
Public schools in Adams County are administered by North Adams Community Schools, Adams Central Community SchoolsAdams Central Community Schools
Adams Central Community Schools is a public school system located in Monroe, Indiana and serves the surrounding area. The elementary, middle, and high schools are all located in one building.-Sports:The football team won state champion in 2001....
, and South Adams Schools. The Diocese of Fort Wayne and Lutheran Schools of Indiana both operate in Adams County as well. In all, these organizations operate 13 schools in the county.
Festivals and Fairs in Adams County
- Adams County 4-H Fair (Monroe)
- Swiss DaysSwiss DaysSwiss Days is the name of an annual festival that takes place in three American towns with Swiss heritage, Berne, Indiana, Midway, Utah, and Santa Clara, Utah.-External links:* * *...
(Berne) - Calithumpian Festival (Decatur)
- Festival of Kekionga (Decatur)
Notable people
- Author Gene Stratton-PorterGene Stratton-PorterGene Stratton-Porter was an American author, amateur naturalist, wildlife photographer, and one of the earliest women to form a movie studio and production company. She wrote some best-selling novels and well-received columns in national magazines, such as McCalls...
lived in the southern part of the county in the early 1900s. - Chemist Richard R. SchrockRichard R. SchrockRichard Royce Schrock is an American chemist and Nobel laureate recognized for his contributions to the metathesis reaction used in organic chemistry.-Biography:...
, 2005 Nobel Prize winner in organic chemistry, was born in Berne in 1945 and attended school in Decatur. - Director David AnspaughDavid AnspaughDavid Anspaugh is an American television and film director.Born in Decatur, Indiana, Anspaugh studied at Indiana University and the USC School of Cinematic Arts, after which he taught high school in Colorado. His work as an associate producer on television movies led to his producing and directing...
, who directed the movies HoosiersHoosiersHoosiers is a 1986 sports film about a small-town Indiana high school basketball team that wins the state championship. It is loosely based on the Milan High School team that won the 1954 state championship....
and RudyRudy (film)Rudy is a 1993 American sports film directed by David Anspaugh. It is an account of the life of Daniel "Rudy" Ruettiger, who harbored dreams of playing football at the University of Notre Dame despite significant obstacles...
, was born in Decatur in 1946. - Sculptor David SmithDavid Smith (sculptor)David Roland Smith was an American Abstract Expressionist sculptor and painter, best known for creating large steel abstract geometric sculptures.-Biography:...
(March 9, 1906 - May 23, 1965) was born in Decatur.
In popular culture
The movie A Stoning in Fulham County, starring Brad PittBrad Pitt
William Bradley "Brad" Pitt is an American actor and film producer. Pitt has received two Academy Award nominations and four Golden Globe Award nominations, winning one...
, depicted a true story of an Amish baby who was killed by teens who threw pieces of clay tile and struck a child on a buggy. The event occurred in 1979, and the movie was released in 1988. The movie is set in North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 33,625 people, 11,818 households, and 8,662 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 99 people per square mile (38/km²). There were 12,404 housing units at an average density of 37 per square mile (14/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.31% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.14% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.17% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.20% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.03% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 1.47% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.68% from two or more races. 3.32% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race. 40.1% were of German, 15.0% Swiss, 14.2% American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, 6.4% English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
and 6.1% Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 11,818 households out of which 37.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.7% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.70% were non-families. 24.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.37.
In the county the population was spread out with 31.1% under the age of 18, 9.1% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 20.1% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 97.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.8 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $40,625, and the median income for a family was $46,749. Males had a median income of $32,332 versus $23,119 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $16,704. About 6.1% of families and 9.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.9% of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those age 65 or over.
11.7% of the total population and 15.6% of the children in 5-17 age range uses German (Amish) as home language, according to 2000 census. http://www.mla.org/map_data_results&SRVY_YEAR=2000&geo=county&state_id=18&county_id=1&mode=geographic&lang_id=&zip=&place_id=&cty_id=®ion_id=&division_id=&ll=&ea=y&order=&a=y&pc=1