Greene County, Indiana
Encyclopedia
Greene County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Indiana
, and determined by the U.S. Census Bureau
to include the mean center of U.S. population
in 1930. As of 2010, the population was 33,165. The county seat
is Bloomfield
.
Greene County is part of the Bloomington, Indiana
, Metropolitan Statistical Area
.
, who commanded the southern theater in the Revolutionary War
, eventually forcing Cornwallis
to retreat to Yorktown
.
, 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.
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.
Greene County is part of Indiana's 8th congressional district
; Indiana Senate
districts 39 and 48; and Indiana House of Representatives
districts 45, 60 and 62.
es and support current businesses in Greene County, Indiana
.
The business friendly county government enhances the commercial and industrial opportunities available in Greene County. Reasonable land prices and tax
es create an excellent “cost of doing business ratio”.
The Greene County Economic Development Corporation has a trained staff available to help put a project together in a timely and efficient manner. Coupled with The Indiana Economic Development Corporation
, Greene County has developed a complete incentive portfolio to assist potential new employers.
The county has been designated a Labor Surplus Area and an SBA HUB Zone (Historically Underutilized Business Zone) which provide county business with unique advantages in government contract bidding and eligibility for federal and state assistance. Employee location and screening services are offered by WorkOne Linton, the local brance of the Indiana State Workforce Development office. Greene County offers an outstanding educated, affordable and available work force. Worker training programs are available on site and at the Greene County Community Learning Center which serves as a local access site or "front door" for area colleges and universities.
of 2000, there were 33,157 people, 13,372 households, and 9,360 families residing in the county. The population density
was 61 people per square mile (24/km²). There were 15,053 housing units at an average density of 28 per square mile (11/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.59% White
, 0.08% Black
or African American
, 0.31% Native American
, 0.22% Asian
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
, 0.17% from other races
, and 0.61% from two or more races. 0.81% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 28.2% were of American
, 23.1% German
, 13.0% English
and 10.0% Irish
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 13,372 households out of which 31.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.00% were married couples
living together, 8.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.00% were non-families. 26.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the county the population was spread out with 24.70% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 28.30% from 25 to 44, 24.00% from 45 to 64, and 15.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 96.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $33,998, and the median income for a family was $41,523. Males had a median income of $32,309 versus $21,749 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $16,834. About 8.40% of families and 11.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.30% of those under age 18 and 9.50% of those age 65 or over.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Indiana
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...
, and determined by the U.S. Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
to include the mean center of U.S. population
Mean center of U.S. population
The mean center of U.S. population is determined by the United States Census Bureau from the results of each census. The Bureau defines it to be:...
in 1930. As of 2010, the population was 33,165. 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 Bloomfield
Bloomfield, Indiana
Bloomfield is a town in Richland Township, Greene County, Indiana, United States. The population was 2,405 at the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of Greene County.Bloomfield is part of the Bloomington, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area....
.
Greene County is part of the Bloomington, Indiana
Bloomington, Indiana
Bloomington is a city in and the county seat of Monroe County in the southern region of the U.S. state of Indiana. The population was 80,405 at the 2010 census....
, Metropolitan Statistical Area
Bloomington, Indiana metropolitan area
The Bloomington, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of three counties in Indiana, anchored by the city of Bloomington...
.
History
Greene County was formed in 1821. It was named for Gen. Nathanael GreeneNathanael Greene
Nathanael Greene was a major general of the Continental Army in the American Revolutionary War. When the war began, Greene was a militia private, the lowest rank possible; he emerged from the war with a reputation as George Washington's most gifted and dependable officer. Many places in the United...
, who commanded the southern theater in the Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
, eventually forcing Cornwallis
Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis
Charles Cornwallis, 1st Marquess Cornwallis KG , styled Viscount Brome between 1753 and 1762 and known as The Earl Cornwallis between 1762 and 1792, was a British Army officer and colonial administrator...
to retreat to Yorktown
Siege of Yorktown
The Siege of Yorktown, Battle of Yorktown, or Surrender of Yorktown in 1781 was a decisive victory by a combined assault of American forces led by General George Washington and French forces led by the Comte de Rochambeau over a British Army commanded by Lieutenant General Lord Cornwallis...
.
Climate and weather
In recent years, average temperatures in Bloomfield have ranged from a low of 18 °F (-7.8 °C) in January to a high of 87 °F (30.6 °C) in July, although a record low of -21 °F was recorded in January 1963 and a record high of 106 °F (41.1 °C) was recorded in June 1953. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 2.2 inches (5.6 cm) in January to 5 inches (12.7 cm) in May.Government
The county government is a constitutional body, and is 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 by 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...
.
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.
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
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 also 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...
.
County Officials: 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 to be residents of the county.
Greene County is part of Indiana's 8th congressional district
Indiana's 8th congressional district
Indiana's 8th congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Indiana. Based in Southwest and west central Indiana, the district is anchored in Evansville and also includes Terre Haute, Vincennes and Washington....
; 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...
districts 39 and 48; 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...
districts 45, 60 and 62.
Geography
According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 545.92 square miles (1,413.9 km²), of which 542.5 square miles (1,405.1 km²) (or 99.37%) is land and 3.42 square miles (8.9 km²) (or 0.63%) is water.Adjacent counties
|
Martin County, Indiana As of the census of 2000, there were 10,369 people, 4,183 households, and 2,877 families residing in the county. The population density was 31 people per square mile . There were 4,729 housing units at an average density of 14 per square mile... (south [1]) Daviess County, Indiana Daviess County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2010, the population was 31,648. The county seat is Washington. Daviess County switched to the Central Time Zone on April 2, 2006. It has returned to the Eastern Time Zone as of November 4, 2007.- History :Daviess County was... (south [2]) Knox County, Indiana As of the census of 2000, there were 39,256 people, 15,552 households, and 10,139 families residing in the county. The population density was 76 people per square mile . There were 17,305 housing units at an average density of 34 per square mile... (southwest) Sullivan County, Indiana Sullivan County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana, and determined by the U.S. Census Bureau to include the mean center of U.S. population in 1940. As of 2010, the population was 21,475. The county seat is Sullivan. Sullivan County is included in the Terre Haute, Indiana,... (west) |
Cities and towns
- BloomfieldBloomfield, IndianaBloomfield is a town in Richland Township, Greene County, Indiana, United States. The population was 2,405 at the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of Greene County.Bloomfield is part of the Bloomington, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area....
- JasonvilleJasonville, IndianaJasonville is a city in Greene County, Indiana, United States. The population was 2,222 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Bloomington, Indiana, Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
- LintonLinton, IndianaLinton is a city in Stockton Township, Greene County, Indiana, United States. The population was 5,774 at the 2000 census. A coal mining city, it is located southeast of Terre Haute. The current mayor is Patti Jones....
- LyonsLyons, IndianaLyons is a town in Washington Township, Greene County, Indiana, United States. The population was 748 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Bloomington, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Lyons is located at ....
- SolsberrySolsberry, IndianaSolsberry is an unincorporated town in Beech Creek Township, Greene County, Indiana.-Geography:Solsberry is located at ....
- NewberryNewberry, IndianaNewberry is a town in Cass Township, Greene County, Indiana, United States. The population was 193 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Bloomington, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Newberry is located at ....
- Switz CitySwitz City, IndianaSwitz City is a town in Fairplay and Grant townships, Greene County, Indiana, United States. The population was 293 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Bloomington, Indiana, Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
- WorthingtonWorthington, IndianaWorthington is a town in Jefferson Township, Greene County, Indiana, United States. The population was 1,481 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Bloomington, Indiana, Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
Townships
|
Highland Township, Greene County, Indiana Highland Township is one of fifteen townships in Greene County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 655.-Geography:Highland Township covers an area of ; of this, or 0.98 percent is water... Jackson Township, Greene County, Indiana Jackson Township is one of fifteen townships in Greene County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 2,076.-Geography:Jackson Township covers an area of ; of this, or 0.13 percent is water... Jefferson Township, Greene County, Indiana Jefferson Township is one of fifteen townships in Greene County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 2,036.-Geography:Jefferson Township covers an area of ; of this, or 0.62 percent is water... Richland Township, Greene County, Indiana Richland Township is one of fifteen townships in Greene County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 5,008.-Geography:Richland Township covers an area of ; of this, or 1 percent is water... Smith Township, Greene County, Indiana Smith Township is one of fifteen townships in Greene County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 344.-Geography:Smith Township covers an area of ; of this, or 0.12 percent is water... |
Stafford Township, Greene County, Indiana Stafford Township is one of fifteen townships in Greene County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 490.-Geography:Stafford Township covers an area of ; of this, or 0.51 percent is water.-Unincorporated towns:* Marco... Stockton Township, Greene County, Indiana Stockton Township is one of fifteen townships in Greene County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 8,722.-Geography:Stockton Township covers an area of ; of this, or 2.23 percent is water. Lakes in this township include Boy Scout Pond... Taylor Township, Greene County, Indiana Taylor Township is one of fifteen townships in Greene County, Indiana, USA. At the 2000 census, its population was 1,124.-Geography:Taylor Township covers an area of ; of this, or 0.24 percent is water... Washington Township, Greene County, Indiana Washington Township is one of fifteen townships in Greene County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,256.-Geography:Washington Township covers an area of ; of this, or 1.15 percent is water. Lakes in this township include Long Pond... Wright Township, Greene County, Indiana Wright Township is one of fifteen townships in Greene County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 4,224.-Geography:Wright Township covers an area of ; of this, or 1.46 percent is water... |
Economy
The Greene County Economic Development Corporation (GCEDC) currently serves to develop new businessBusiness
A business is an organization engaged in the trade of goods, services, or both to consumers. Businesses are predominant in capitalist economies, where most of them are privately owned and administered to earn profit to increase the wealth of their owners. Businesses may also be not-for-profit...
es and support current businesses in Greene County, Indiana
Greene County, Indiana
Greene County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana, and determined by the U.S. Census Bureau to include the mean center of U.S. population in 1930. As of 2010, the population was 33,165. The county seat is Bloomfield....
.
The business friendly county government enhances the commercial and industrial opportunities available in Greene County. Reasonable land prices and tax
Tax
To tax is to impose a financial charge or other levy upon a taxpayer by a state or the functional equivalent of a state such that failure to pay is punishable by law. Taxes are also imposed by many subnational entities...
es create an excellent “cost of doing business ratio”.
The Greene County Economic Development Corporation has a trained staff available to help put a project together in a timely and efficient manner. Coupled with The Indiana Economic Development Corporation
Indiana Economic Development Corporation
The Indiana Economic Development Corporation is a body corporate and politic in Indiana that focuses on encouraging business to setup shop or expand their existing operations within the state with tax benefits, grants, and other incentives authorized by the state.When Mitch Daniels was elected...
, Greene County has developed a complete incentive portfolio to assist potential new employers.
The county has been designated a Labor Surplus Area and an SBA HUB Zone (Historically Underutilized Business Zone) which provide county business with unique advantages in government contract bidding and eligibility for federal and state assistance. Employee location and screening services are offered by WorkOne Linton, the local brance of the Indiana State Workforce Development office. Greene County offers an outstanding educated, affordable and available work force. Worker training programs are available on site and at the Greene County Community Learning Center which serves as a local access site or "front door" for area colleges and universities.
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 33,157 people, 13,372 households, and 9,360 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 61 people per square mile (24/km²). There were 15,053 housing units at an average density of 28 per square mile (11/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.59% 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...
, 0.08% 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...
, 0.31% 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...
, 0.22% 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...
, 0.02% 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...
, 0.17% 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 0.61% from two or more races. 0.81% 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. 28.2% were of American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, 23.1% German
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
, 13.0% 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 10.0% 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 13,372 households out of which 31.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.00% 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, 8.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.00% were non-families. 26.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.92.
In the county the population was spread out with 24.70% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 28.30% from 25 to 44, 24.00% from 45 to 64, and 15.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 96.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $33,998, and the median income for a family was $41,523. Males had a median income of $32,309 versus $21,749 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 $16,834. About 8.40% of families and 11.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.30% of those under age 18 and 9.50% of those age 65 or over.
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Greene County, IndianaNational Register of Historic Places listings in Greene County, IndianaThis is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Greene County, Indiana.This is intended to be a complete list of the properties and districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Greene County, Indiana, United States...
- Greene County Economic Development Corporation