Jennings County, Indiana
Encyclopedia
Jennings 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
.
and a nine term congressman, Jonathan Jennings
. Jennings was governor when the county was organized.
It is also home to the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center
, located just outside North Vernon, at which various training exercises and scenarios are conducted for homeland security and other similar purposes.
, 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.
Jennings 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
districts 43 and 45 and Indiana House of Representatives
districts 66 and 69.
of 2000, there were 27,554 people, 10,134 households, and 7,600 families residing in the county. The population density
was 73 people per square mile (28/km²). There were 11,469 housing units at an average density of 30 per square mile (12/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.45% White
, 0.75% Black
or African American
, 0.21% Native American
, 0.26% Asian
, 0.21% from other races
, and 1.11% from two or more races. 0.70% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 32.1% were of American
, 24.7% German
, 10.9% English
and 10.0% Irish
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 10,134 households out of which 36.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.70% were married couples
living together, 9.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.00% were non-families. 20.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.07.
In the county the population was spread out with 27.70% under the age of 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 30.40% from 25 to 44, 23.00% from 45 to 64, and 10.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 98.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $39,402, and the median income for a family was $42,519. Males had a median income of $30,377 versus $21,023 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $17,059. About 6.00% of families and 9.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.00% of those under age 18 and 11.80% 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 28,525. 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 Vernon
Vernon, Indiana
Vernon is a town in Vernon Township, Jennings County, Indiana, United States. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 330. As the county seat of Jennings County, it is the smallest town with that designation in the state of Indiana. It is nearly surrounded by the Muscatatuck River...
.
History
Jennings County was formed in 1817. It was named for the first Governor of IndianaGovernor of Indiana
The Governor of Indiana is the chief executive of the state of Indiana. The governor is elected to a four-year term, and responsible for overseeing the day-to-day management of the functions of many agencies of the Indiana state government. The governor also shares power with other statewide...
and a nine term congressman, Jonathan Jennings
Jonathan Jennings
Jonathan Jennings was the first Governor of Indiana and a nine-term congressman from Indiana. Born in Readington, New Jersey, he studied law with his brother before immigrating to Indiana in 1806 where he took part in land speculation...
. Jennings was governor when the county was organized.
Geography
According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 378.34 square miles (979.9 km²), of which 376.58 square miles (975.3 km²) (or 99.53%) is land and 1.76 square miles (4.6 km²) (or 0.47%) is water. It is a rural county, with majority of the county consisting of personal farms and woodlands. There are only two incorporated towns in this county, Vernon, the county seat, and North Vernon. Both are quite small and underdeveloped by urban standards; many locals prefer to do their shopping in neighboring counties. The county is conveniently located in the center of an imaginary triangle consisting of Indianapolis, IN, Cincinnati,OH, and Louisville, KY and requires only 1 1/4 hour drive time to any of these urban centers.It is also home to the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center
Muscatatuck Urban Training Center
Muscatatuck Urban Training Center is a 1,000 acre urban training facility located near Butlerville, Indiana. MUTC is used to train civilian first responders, Foreign Service Institute, joint civilian/military response operations, and military urban warfare...
, located just outside North Vernon, at which various training exercises and scenarios are conducted for homeland security and other similar purposes.
Unincorporated towns
- HaydenHayden, IndianaHayden is an unincorporated community in central Spencer Township, Jennings County, Indiana, United States. It lies along CR700W west of the town of Vernon, the county seat of Jennings County. Its elevation is 620 feet , and it is located at...
- Butlerville
- Nebraska
- Zenas
- Brewersville
- Lovett
- Commiskey
- Queensville
- Paris Crossing
- Paris
- San JacintoSan Jacinto, IndianaSan Jacinto is an unincorporated town in Bigger Township, Jennings County, Indiana....
- ScipioScipio, IndianaScipio is an unincorporated town in Geneva Township, Jennings County, Indiana....
Townships
- BiggerBigger Township, Jennings County, IndianaBigger Township is one of eleven townships in Jennings County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 688.-Geography:Bigger Township covers an area of ; of this, or 0.16 percent is water.-Adjacent townships:* Campbell Township...
- CampbellCampbell Township, Jennings County, IndianaCampbell Township is one of eleven townships in Jennings County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,588.-Geography:Campbell Township covers an area of ; of this, or 0.93 percent is water.-Adjacent townships:...
- CenterCenter Township, Jennings County, IndianaCenter Township is one of eleven townships in Jennings County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 8,593.-Geography:Center Township covers an area of ; of this, or 0.04 percent is water...
- ColumbiaColumbia Township, Jennings County, IndianaColumbia Township is one of eleven townships in Jennings County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 759.-Geography:Columbia Township covers an area of...
- GenevaGeneva Township, Jennings County, IndianaGeneva Township is one of eleven townships in Jennings County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 7,469.-Geography:Geneva Township covers an area of ; of this, or 0.4 percent is water...
- LovettLovett Township, Jennings County, IndianaLovett Township is one of eleven townships in Jennings County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 982.-Geography:Lovett Township covers an area of ; of this, or 0.3 percent is water...
- MarionMarion Township, Jennings County, IndianaMarion Township is one of eleven townships in Jennings County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,058.-Geography:Marion Township covers an area of ; of this, or 0.11 percent is water...
- MontgomeryMontgomery Township, Jennings County, IndianaMontgomery Township is one of eleven townships in Jennings County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 983.-Geography:Montgomery Township covers an area of ; of this, or 0.06 percent is water...
- Sand CreekSand Creek Township, Jennings County, IndianaSand Creek Township is one of eleven townships in Jennings County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 818.-Geography:Sand Creek Township covers an area of...
- SpencerSpencer Township, Jennings County, IndianaSpencer Township is one of eleven townships in Jennings County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 2,073.-Geography:Spencer Township covers an area of ; of this, or 0.65 percent is water...
- VernonVernon Township, Jennings County, IndianaVernon Township is one of eleven townships in Jennings County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 2,543.-Geography:Vernon Township covers an area of ; of this, or 0.31 percent is water...
Adjacent counties
- Decatur CountyDecatur County, IndianaAs of the census of 2000, there were 24,555 people, 9,389 households, and 6,882 families residing in the county. The population density was 66 people per square mile . There were 9,992 housing units at an average density of 27 per square mile...
(north) - 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...
(east) - Jefferson CountyJefferson County, IndianaJefferson 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.-History:Jefferson County was formed in 1811...
(southeast) - 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...
(south) - Jackson CountyJackson County, IndianaJackson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2010, the population was 42,376. The county seat is Brownstown.-History:...
(west) - Bartholomew CountyBartholomew County, IndianaBartholomew 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 1900. As of 2010, the population was 76,794...
(northwest)
Major highways
Sources: National Atlas, U.S. Census Bureau-
U.S. Route 50U.S. Route 50U.S. Route 50 is a major east–west route of the U.S. Highway system, stretching just over from Ocean City, Maryland on the Atlantic Ocean to West Sacramento, California. Until 1972, when it was replaced by Interstate Highways west of the Sacramento area, it extended to San Francisco, near... -
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 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...
National protected areas
- Big Oaks National Wildlife RefugeBig Oaks National Wildlife RefugeBig Oaks National Wildlife Refuge is a nature preserve in southeast Indiana, USA near Madison, Indiana. The refuge is the largest of Indiana's three, and is located in parts of Ripley, Jefferson, and Jennings counties....
(part) - Muscatatuck National Wildlife RefugeMuscatatuck National Wildlife RefugeThe Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge is a National Wildlife Refuge located three miles east of Seymour, Indiana, on U.S. Route 50. Established in 1966, it comprises in its main area of eastern Jackson and western Jennings counties, and an additional in northwestern Monroe County, near...
(part)
Climate and weather
In recent years, average temperatures in Vernon have ranged from a low of 22 °F (-5.6 °C) in January to a high of 86 °F (30 °C) in July, although a record low of -24 °F was recorded in January 1977 and a record high of 105 °F (40.6 °C) was recorded in July 1954. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 2.71 inches (6.9 cm) in February to 4.72 inches (12 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.
Jennings 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...
districts 43 and 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...
districts 66 and 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 27,554 people, 10,134 households, and 7,600 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 73 people per square mile (28/km²). There were 11,469 housing units at an average density of 30 per square mile (12/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.45% 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...
, 0.75% 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...
, 0.21% 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...
, 0.26% 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...
, 0.21% 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 1.11% from two or more races. 0.70% 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. 32.1% were of American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, 24.7% 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....
, 10.9% 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 10,134 households out of which 36.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.70% 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, 9.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.00% were non-families. 20.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.07.
In the county the population was spread out with 27.70% under the age of 18, 8.20% from 18 to 24, 30.40% from 25 to 44, 23.00% from 45 to 64, and 10.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 98.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $39,402, and the median income for a family was $42,519. Males had a median income of $30,377 versus $21,023 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 $17,059. About 6.00% of families and 9.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.00% of those under age 18 and 11.80% of those age 65 or over.
Notable residents
- Lincoln DixonLincoln DixonLincoln Dixon was a U.S. Representative from Indiana.Born in Vernon, Indiana, Dixon attended Vernon Academy, and graduated from Indiana University at Bloomington as an oboe performance major in 1880....
, U.S. Representative from Indiana, 1905–1919 - Jeptha D. NewJeptha D. NewJeptha Dudley New was a U.S. Representative from Indiana.Born in Vernon, Indiana, New was graduated from Vernon Academy and Bethany College.He studied law....
, U.S. Representative from Indiana, 1875–1877, 1879–1881 - Hannah Milhous NixonHannah Milhous NixonHannah Milhous Nixon was the mother of President Richard Nixon.She was born near Butlerville, Indiana, the daughter of Almira Park , who was from Columbiana County, Ohio, and Franklin Milhous, a native of Colerain Township, Belmont County, Ohio. She was married to Francis A...
, mother of President Richard NixonRichard NixonRichard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under... - Pat O'ConnorPat O'Connor (auto racer)Pat O'Connor was an American racecar driver. He was killed in a 15-car pileup, after sustaining a fatal head injury after rolling his car and catching fire on the first lap of the 1958 Indianapolis 500.He was on the cover of Sports Illustrated in May 1958 adding to the legend of the Sports...
, polesitter for the 1957 Indianapolis 500Indianapolis 500The Indianapolis 500-Mile Race, also known as the Indianapolis 500, the 500 Miles at Indianapolis, the Indy 500 or The 500, is an American automobile race, held annually, typically on the last weekend in May at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Speedway, Indiana...
and member of the National Sprint Car Hall of Fame - Jessamym WestJessamyn West (writer)Mary Jessamyn West was an American Quaker who wrote numerous stories and novels, notably The Friendly Persuasion ....
, author of The Friendly PersuasionThe Friendly PersuasionThe Friendly Persuasion is an American novel published in 1945 by Jessamyn West. It was adapted as the motion picture Friendly Persuasion in 1956... - Albert Edward Wiggam, psychologist, lecturer, and author
- Edgar WhitcombEdgar WhitcombEdgar Doud Whitcomb was the 43rd Governor of Indiana. His term as governor began a major rift in the Indiana Republican Party as urban Republicans became more numerous then rural Republicans, leading to a shift in the priorities of the party leadership. Whitcomb found himself opposed by speaker of...
, 43rd Governor of Indiana
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Jennings County, IndianaNational Register of Historic Places listings in Jennings County, IndianaThis is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Jennings County, Indiana.This is intended to be a complete list of the properties and districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Jennings County, Indiana, United States...
- USS Jennings County (LST-846)USS Jennings County (LST-846)USS Jennings County was an built for the United States Navy during World War II. Named after Jennings County, Indiana, she was the only U.S. Naval vessel to bear the name....