Daviess County, Indiana
Encyclopedia
Daviess County (ˈdeɪviːz) 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.
, U.S. District Attorney for Kentucky
, killed at the Battle of Tippecanoe
in 1811. The settlement of the county began along the White River that afforded farmers a convenient means to transport their crops for sale. The county was originally heavily forested in the northeast leading to a thriving timber industry during the first half of the 1800s. Daviess County shares its namesake with another nearby Daviess County
of Kentucky
. Both Counties are in the Illinois-Indiana-Kentucky Tri-State Area
. Daviess County is prounced ˈdeɪviːz while its Kentucky counterpart is pronounced ˈdeɪvɪs. However, most residents pronounce it ˈdeɪvɪs.
, and by the Indiana Code
. 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.
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.
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
.
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.
Each of the townships has a trustee who administers rural fire protection and ambulance service, provides poor relief, manages cemetery care, and performs farm assessment, 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.
Daviess County is part of Indiana's 8th congressional district
; Indiana Senate
districts 39 and 48; and Indiana House of Representatives
districts 45, 63 and 64.
of 2000, there were 29,820 people, 10,894 households, and 7,821 families residing in the county. The population density
was 69 people per square mile (27/km²). There were 11,898 housing units at an average density of 28 per square mile (11/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.52% White
, 0.45% Black
or African American
, 0.23% Native American
, 0.25% Asian
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
, 0.99% from other races
, and 0.55% from two or more races. 2.08% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 32.9% were of American
, 26.7% German
, 10.4% Irish
and 7.0% English
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 10,894 households out of which 35.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.80% were married couples
living together, 8.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.20% were non-families. 25.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.24.
In the county the population was spread out with 29.00% under the age of 18, 8.60% from 18 to 24, 26.20% from 25 to 44, 21.70% from 45 to 64, and 14.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 97.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $34,064, and the median income for a family was $41,818. Males had a median income of $30,706 versus $20,102 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $16,015. About 9.60% of families and 13.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.70% of those under age 18 and 12.00% of those age 65 or over.
10.52% of the total population and 16.52% of the children in 5-17 age group uses German (Almost all Amish) as home language.http://www.mla.org/map_data_results&SRVY_YEAR=2000&geo=county&state_id=18&county_id=27&mode=geographic&lang_id=&zip=&place_id=&cty_id=®ion_id=&division_id=&ll=&ea=y&order=&a=y&pc=1
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...
. As of 2010, the population was 31,648. 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 Washington
Washington, Indiana
Washington is a city in Daviess County, Indiana, United States. The population was 11,509 at the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of Daviess County.-History:...
. 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 formed in 1817. It was named for Maj. Joseph Hamilton DaviessJoseph Hamilton Daviess
Major Joseph Hamilton Daveiss commanded the Dragoons of the Indiana Militia at the Battle of Tippecanoe. Although the correct spelling of his name appears to be "Daveiss", it is uniformly spelled "Daviess" in places named for him. Daveiss was born on March 4, 1774, in Bedford County, Virginia...
, U.S. District Attorney for Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
, killed at the Battle of Tippecanoe
Battle of Tippecanoe
The Battle of Tippecanoe was fought on November 7, 1811, between United States forces led by Governor William Henry Harrison of the Indiana Territory and Native American warriors associated with the Shawnee leader Tecumseh. Tecumseh and his brother Tenskwatawa were leaders of a confederacy of...
in 1811. The settlement of the county began along the White River that afforded farmers a convenient means to transport their crops for sale. The county was originally heavily forested in the northeast leading to a thriving timber industry during the first half of the 1800s. Daviess County shares its namesake with another nearby Daviess County
Daviess County, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 91,545 people, 36,033 households, and 24,826 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 38,432 housing units at an average density of...
of Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
. Both Counties are in the Illinois-Indiana-Kentucky Tri-State Area
Illinois-Indiana-Kentucky Tri-State Area
The Illinois–Indiana–Kentucky Tri-State Area is a tri-state area where the states of Illinois, Indiana, and Kentucky intersect. The area is defined mainly by the television viewing area and consists of ten Illinois counties, eleven Indiana counties, and nine Kentucky counties...
. Daviess County is prounced ˈdeɪviːz while its Kentucky counterpart is pronounced ˈdeɪvɪs. However, most residents pronounce it ˈdeɪvɪs.
Geography
According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 436.87 square miles (1,131.5 km²), of which 429.49 square miles (1,112.4 km²) (or 98.31%) is land and 7.39 square miles (19.1 km²) (or 1.69%) is water.Adjacent counties
- Greene CountyGreene County, IndianaGreene 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....
(north) - Martin CountyMartin County, IndianaAs 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...
(east) - Dubois CountyDubois County, IndianaDubois County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. The county seat is Jasper. As of 2010, the population was 41,889.Dubois County is part of the Jasper Micropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
(southeast) - Pike CountyPike County, IndianaAs of the census of 2000, there were 12,837 people, 5,119 households, and 3,680 families residing in the county. The population density was 38 people per square mile . There were 5,611 housing units at an average density of 17 per square mile...
(southwest) - Knox CountyKnox County, IndianaAs 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...
(west)
Incorporated
|
Odon, Indiana Odon is a town in Madison Township, Daviess County, Indiana, United States. The population was 1,354 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Odon is located at .... Plainville, Indiana Plainville is a town in Steele Township, Daviess County, Indiana, United States. The population was 476 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Plainville is located at .... Washington, Indiana Washington is a city in Daviess County, Indiana, United States. The population was 11,509 at the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of Daviess County.-History:... |
Unincorporated
|
Glendale, Indiana Glendale is an unincorporated community in Harrison Township, Daviess County, Indiana.... Graham, Daviess County, Indiana Graham is a small unincorporated community in Washington Township, Daviess County, Indiana.... Hudsonville, Indiana Hudsonville is an unincorporated community in Harrison Township, Daviess County, Indiana.... Jordan, Indiana Jordan is an unincorporated community in Washington Township, Daviess County, Indiana.... Maysville, Indiana Maysville is an unincorporated town in Washington Township, Daviess County, Indiana.... |
Pennyville, Indiana Pennyville is an unincorporated community in Reeve Township, Daviess County, Indiana.... Raglesville, Indiana Raglesville is an unincorporated town in Van Buren Township, Daviess County, Indiana.... South Washington, Indiana South Washington is an unincorporated town in Washington Township, Daviess County, Indiana.-Geography:South Washington is located at .... |
Townships
|
Reeve Township, Daviess County, Indiana Reeve Township is one of ten townships in Daviess County, Indiana. As of the 2000 census, its population was 696.-History:Reeve Township was organized on 12 May 1817 at the first meeting of the Daviess County Commissioners. It was named for its earliest resident, South Carolina native Joshua... Steele Township, Daviess County, Indiana Steele Township is one of ten townships in Daviess County, Indiana. At the 2000 census, its population was 930.-History:Steele Township was organized in 1835 out of what had been northern Washington Township... Van Buren Township, Daviess County, Indiana Van Buren Township is one of ten townships in Daviess County, Indiana. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,960.-History:Van Buren Township was organized in September 1841; the last township to be formed in Daviess County, it was created in response to a petition circulated among residents... Veale Township, Daviess County, Indiana Veale Township is one of ten townships in Daviess County, Indiana. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,041.-History:Veale Township was organized on 12 May 1817 at the first meeting of the Daviess County Commissioners. and named for James Veale; one of the township's first residents, Veale... Washington Township, Daviess County, Indiana Washington Township is one of ten townships in Daviess County, Indiana. As of the 2000 census, its population was 15,110.-History:Washington Township was organized on 12 May 1817 at the first meeting of the Daviess County Commissioners... |
Climate and weather
In recent years, average temperatures in Washington have ranged from a low of 23 °F (-5 °C) in January to a high of 88 °F (31.1 °C) in July, although a record low of -19 °F was recorded in December 1989 and a record high of 113 °F (45 °C) was recorded in July 1930. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 2.69 inches (6.8 cm) in February to 5.52 inches (14 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...
. 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.
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.
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...
.
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.
Each of the townships has a trustee who administers rural fire protection and ambulance service, provides poor relief, manages cemetery care, and performs farm assessment, 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.
Daviess 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, 63 and 64.
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 29,820 people, 10,894 households, and 7,821 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 69 people per square mile (27/km²). There were 11,898 housing units at an average density of 28 per square mile (11/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.52% 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...
, 0.45% 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...
, 0.23% 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...
, 0.25% 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...
, 0.99% 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 0.55% from two or more races. 2.08% 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. 32.9% were of American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, 26.7% 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....
, 10.4% 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...
and 7.0% 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...
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 10,894 households out of which 35.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.80% 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, 8.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.20% were non-families. 25.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.24.
In the county the population was spread out with 29.00% under the age of 18, 8.60% from 18 to 24, 26.20% from 25 to 44, 21.70% from 45 to 64, and 14.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 97.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $34,064, and the median income for a family was $41,818. Males had a median income of $30,706 versus $20,102 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 $16,015. About 9.60% of families and 13.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.70% of those under age 18 and 12.00% of those age 65 or over.
10.52% of the total population and 16.52% of the children in 5-17 age group uses German (Almost all Amish) as home language.http://www.mla.org/map_data_results&SRVY_YEAR=2000&geo=county&state_id=18&county_id=27&mode=geographic&lang_id=&zip=&place_id=&cty_id=®ion_id=&division_id=&ll=&ea=y&order=&a=y&pc=1