Jefferson County, Indiana
Encyclopedia
Jefferson County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Indiana
. As of 2010, the population was 32,428. The county seat
is Madison
.
, principal draftsman of the Northwest Ordinance
and President of the United States
from 1801 through 1809.
Jefferson County was one of Indiana's first counties and many important early Hoosiers hailed from Madison, including William Hendricks
. Throughout the early history of the state, Madison was one of the leading cities competing with Vincennes and later New Albany to be the largest city in the state. The county fell into economic decline after the American Civil War
as industry began to shift from southern Indiana to the northern part of the state.
On the evening of the May 20, 2009 the county courthouse caught fire. The fire began in the steeple of the courthouse which was under construction for the Madison's bicentennial anniversary. The roof of the dome had just been painted gold. Fire departments from across southern Indiana and northern Kentucky arrived to put out the fire which burned for several hours, destroyed much of the inside of the building and the county records. The fire necessitated the evacuation of the nearby county jail, and effectively shut down the downtown area of the city. It was later determined the fire was accidentally started by workers who were welding on the metal roof dome.
, 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.
Jefferson County is part of Indiana's 9th congressional district
and is represented in Congress
by Democrat Baron Hill
. It is also part of Indiana Senate
district 45 and Indiana House of Representatives
district 69.
of 2000, there were 31,705 people, 12,148 households, and 8,430 families residing in the county. The population density
was 88 people per square mile (34/km²). There were 13,386 housing units at an average density of 37 per square mile (14/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.19% White
, 1.45% Black
or African American
, 0.24% Native American
, 0.59% Asian
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
, 0.39% from other races
, and 1.12% from two or more races. 1.05% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 26.0% were of German
, 25.7% American
, 11.7% English
and 9.7% Irish
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 12,148 households out of which 32.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.00% were married couples
living together, 10.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.60% were non-families. 25.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the county the population was spread out with 24.40% under the age of 18, 10.60% from 18 to 24, 28.50% from 25 to 44, 23.40% from 45 to 64, and 13.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 98.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $38,189, and the median income for a family was $45,712. Males had a median income of $31,618 versus $22,033 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $17,412. About 7.60% of families and 9.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.50% of those under age 18 and 8.40% 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...
. As of 2010, the population was 32,428. 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 Madison
Madison, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 12,004 people, 5,092 households, and 3,085 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,402.9 people per square mile . There were 5,597 housing units at an average density of 654.1 per square mile...
.
History
Jefferson County was formed in 1811. It was named for Thomas JeffersonThomas Jefferson
Thomas Jefferson was the principal author of the United States Declaration of Independence and the Statute of Virginia for Religious Freedom , the third President of the United States and founder of the University of Virginia...
, principal draftsman of the Northwest Ordinance
Northwest Ordinance
The Northwest Ordinance was an act of the Congress of the Confederation of the United States, passed July 13, 1787...
and President of the United States
President 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....
from 1801 through 1809.
Jefferson County was one of Indiana's first counties and many important early Hoosiers hailed from Madison, including William Hendricks
William Hendricks
William Hendricks was a Democratic-Republican member of the House of Representatives from 1816 to 1822, the third Governor of Indiana from 1822 to 1825, and an Anti-Jacksonian member of the U.S. Senate from 1825 to 1837. He led much of his family into politics and founded one of the largest...
. Throughout the early history of the state, Madison was one of the leading cities competing with Vincennes and later New Albany to be the largest city in the state. The county fell into economic decline after the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
as industry began to shift from southern Indiana to the northern part of the state.
On the evening of the May 20, 2009 the county courthouse caught fire. The fire began in the steeple of the courthouse which was under construction for the Madison's bicentennial anniversary. The roof of the dome had just been painted gold. Fire departments from across southern Indiana and northern Kentucky arrived to put out the fire which burned for several hours, destroyed much of the inside of the building and the county records. The fire necessitated the evacuation of the nearby county jail, and effectively shut down the downtown area of the city. It was later determined the fire was accidentally started by workers who were welding on the metal roof dome.
Geography
According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 362.89 square miles (939.9 km²), of which 360.63 square miles (934 km²) (or 99.38%) is land and 2.26 square miles (5.9 km²) (or 0.62%) is water.Cities and towns
- BrooksburgBrooksburg, IndianaBrooksburg is a town in Milton Township, Jefferson County, Indiana, United States. The population was 81 at the 2010 census. Brooksburg was incorporated as a town on August 24, 1878.- History :...
- DupontDupont, IndianaDupont is a town in Lancaster Township, Jefferson County, Indiana, United States. The population was 339 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Dupont is located at ....
- HanoverHanover, IndianaHanover is a town in Hanover Township, Jefferson County, Indiana, along the Ohio River. The population was 3,546 at the 2010 census. Hanover is the home of Hanover College, a small Presbyterian liberal arts college. Hanover is also the home of Southwestern High School...
- MadisonMadison, IndianaAs of the census of 2000, there were 12,004 people, 5,092 households, and 3,085 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,402.9 people per square mile . There were 5,597 housing units at an average density of 654.1 per square mile...
Townships
- GrahamGraham Township, Jefferson County, IndianaGraham Township is one of ten townships in Jefferson County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,666.-Geography:Graham Township covers an area of ; of this, or 0.52 percent is water...
- HanoverHanover Township, Jefferson County, IndianaHanover Township is one of ten townships in Jefferson County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 5,409.-Geography:Hanover Township covers an area of ; of this, or 1.14 percent is water...
- LancasterLancaster Township, Jefferson County, IndianaLancaster Township is one of ten townships in Jefferson County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,608.-Geography:Lancaster Township covers an area of ; of this, or 0.17 percent is water...
- MadisonMadison Township, Jefferson County, IndianaMadison Township is one of ten townships in Jefferson County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 16,770. It was one of three townships created when Jefferson County began operation on Feb. 11, 1811. Prior to that, the area was part of Madison Township Clark County...
- MiltonMilton Township, Jefferson County, IndianaMilton Township is one of ten townships in Jefferson County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 864.-History:The township was created by the Jefferson County Court of Common Pleas on May 12, 1818 from Madison Township and Pittsburgh Township...
- MonroeMonroe Township, Jefferson County, IndianaMonroe Township is one of ten townships in Jefferson County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 379.Monroe was the next-to-last township created by the Jefferson County commissioners. It was carved from Lancaster Township on March 11, 1842. Much of township became part of the...
- RepublicanRepublican Township, Jefferson County, IndianaRepublican Township is one of ten townships in Jefferson County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,534.Republican Township was created on March 12, 1817 by the Jefferson County Common Pleas Court. It has had the following post offices, which are no longer in operation:...
- SaludaSaluda Township, Jefferson County, IndianaSaluda Township is one of ten townships in Jefferson County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,358. It was created by the Jefferson County Court of Common Pleas on Feb. 13, 1817....
- ShelbyShelby Township, Jefferson County, IndianaShelby Township is one of ten townships in Jefferson County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,052.Shelby Township was created from the northern part of Milton Township and the remnant of Pittsburgh Township on Feb. 12, 1823 by the Jefferson County commissioners. The action...
- SmyrnaSmyrna Township, Jefferson County, IndianaSmyrna Township is one of ten townships in Jefferson County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,065.Created on June 16, 1847 by the Jefferson County Commissioners, Smyrna was the last of Jefferson County's 10 townships to be formed...
Adjacent counties
- Ripley CountyRipley County, IndianaAs of the census of 2000, there were 26,523 people, 9,842 households, and 7,273 families residing in the county. The population density was 59 people per square mile . There were 10,482 housing units at an average density of 24 per square mile...
(north) - Switzerland CountySwitzerland County, IndianaSwitzerland County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2010, the population was 10,613. The county seat is Vevay.-History:Switzerland County was formed in 1814...
(east) - Carroll CountyCarroll County, KentuckyCarroll County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky and located at the confluence of the Kentucky and Ohio rivers. It was formed in 1838 and named for Charles Carroll of Carrollton, the last living signer of the Declaration of Independence. The population was 10,155 at the 2000 census...
, KentuckyKentuckyThe 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...
(southeast) - Trimble CountyTrimble County, KentuckyTrimble County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 8,125. Its county seat is Bedford. The county is named for Robert Trimble. Trimble is a prohibition or dry county. It is part of the Louisville/Jefferson County, KY–IN Metropolitan Statistical...
, KentuckyKentuckyThe 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...
(south) - Clark CountyClark County, IndianaClark County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana, located directly across the Ohio River from Louisville, Kentucky. At the 2010 Census, the population was 110,232. The county seat is Jeffersonville. Clarksville is also a major city in the county...
(southwest) - Scott CountyScott County, IndianaAs of the census of 2000, there were 22,960 people, 8,832 households, and 6,491 families residing in the county. The population density was 121 people per square mile . There were 9,737 housing units at an average density of 51 per square mile...
(west) - Jennings CountyJennings County, IndianaJennings County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2010, the population was 28,525. The county seat is Vernon.-History:...
(northwest)
Major highways
Sources: National Atlas, U.S. Census Bureau-
U.S. Route 421U.S. Route 421U.S. Route 421 is a spur route of U.S. 21. It runs for from Michigan City, Indiana, at U.S. 20, to Fort Fisher in North Carolina. The highway goes through the cities of Indianapolis, Indiana, Lexington, Kentucky, Boone, North Carolina, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Greensboro, North Carolina and... -
Indiana State Road 3Indiana State Road 3State Road 3 in the U.S. State of Indiana is a discontinuous state road running through east central Indiana from near the Michigan state line to near the Ohio River... -
Indiana State Road 7Indiana State Road 7State Road 7 in the U.S. State of Indiana is located in southeast Indiana. It runs from northwest-to-southeast connecting the cities of Columbus and Madison.-Route description:... -
Indiana State Road 56Indiana State Road 56State Road 56 in the U.S. state of Indiana is a route that travels the south central part of the state from west to east.-Route description:... -
Indiana State Road 62Indiana State Road 62State Road 62 in the U.S. State of Indiana is an east–west route that runs from the Illinois state line in the southwest corner of Indiana to the Louisville, Kentucky area, then northeast toward the Cincinnati, Ohio area.-Route description:... -
Indiana State Road 250Indiana State Road 250State Road 250 in the U.S. State of Indiana is a secondary route that runs from U.S. Route 50 in Brownstown eastward toward the Ohio River at State Road 156 in Patriot in southeast Indiana. Towns include Uniontown, Paris Crossing, Canaan, and East Enterprise... -
Indiana State Road 256Indiana State Road 256State Road 256 in the U.S. State of Indiana runs mostly through Scott and Jefferson counties, with short portions in Jackson and Washington counties. The western terminus is Indiana 39. The eastern terminus is Indiana 56 near Madison.... -
Indiana State Road 356Indiana State Road 356State Road 356 in the U.S. state of Indiana consists of two segments, both in the southern portion of the state. The western segment is about 10 miles long, and the eastern segment is about 15 miles long.-Western section:...
Climate and weather
In recent years, average temperatures in Madison have ranged from a low of 23 °F (-5 °C) in January to a high of 87 °F (30.6 °C) in July, although a record low of -18 °F was recorded in December 1989 and a record high of 108 °F (42.2 °C) was recorded in July 1954. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 2.92 inches (7.4 cm) in September to 4.96 inches (12.6 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.
Jefferson County is part of Indiana's 9th congressional district
Indiana's 9th congressional district
Indiana's 9th congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Indiana. Located in south-central and southeastern Indiana, the district is based in Bloomington....
and is represented in Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
by Democrat Baron Hill
Baron Hill
Baron Paul Hill is the former U.S. Representative for , serving from 1999 to 2005 and from 2007 to 2011. He is a member of the Democratic Party....
. It is also part of 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 45 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 69.
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 31,705 people, 12,148 households, and 8,430 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 88 people per square mile (34/km²). There were 13,386 housing units at an average density of 37 per square mile (14/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.19% 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...
, 1.45% 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...
, 0.24% 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...
, 0.59% 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...
, 0.39% 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 1.12% from two or more races. 1.05% 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. 26.0% were of 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....
, 25.7% American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, 11.7% 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 9.7% 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 12,148 households out of which 32.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.00% 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, 10.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.60% were non-families. 25.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the county the population was spread out with 24.40% under the age of 18, 10.60% from 18 to 24, 28.50% from 25 to 44, 23.40% from 45 to 64, and 13.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 98.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $38,189, and the median income for a family was $45,712. Males had a median income of $31,618 versus $22,033 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 $17,412. About 7.60% of families and 9.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.50% of those under age 18 and 8.40% of those age 65 or over.