Owen County, Indiana
Encyclopedia
Owen 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 1920. As of 2010, the population was 21,575. The county seat
is Spencer
.
Owen County is part of the Bloomington, Indiana
, Metropolitan Statistical Area
.
, a colonel who died at the Battle of Tippecanoe
.
In 1920, the United States Census
reported Owen County as the Center of Population for the US at a point 8 miles south-southeast of Spencer, Indiana
. The center moved the shortest distance since census data collecting began in 1790 (just under 10 miles) from its previous center in Bloomington, IN. When the East experienced high rates of growth, as it did in the decades between 1890 and 1920, the Westward movement of the center slowed.
, and by the Indiana Code
.
County Council: The county council is the fiscal body of the county government. It has seven members, three of which are elected county-wide (commonly referred to at-large members) and four of which are elected from districts. District One includes Harrison, Montgomery, Taylor, and Wayne Townships including the Town of Gosport. District Two includes Washington Township including the Town of Spencer. District Three includes Jackson, Jennings, Lafayette, and Morgan Townships. District Four includes Clay, Franklin, Jefferson, and Marion Townships. All council members serve four year terms with at-large members elected during Presidential election cycles and district members elected during the other election cycles. One of the council members serves as president and another as vice-president. The council is 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. Several local boards such as the Alcoholic Beverage Board and Library Board have a member or members appointed by the council.
Board of Commissioners: The executive body of the county is made of a board of commissioners with three members. The commissioners are elected county-wide, however each must reside in their respective districts, two of which are elected during Presidential election cycles and the other during the other election cycles. Each serves a four year term. The District One member must reside in Harrison, Jackson, Jennings, Montgomery, Taylor, or Wayne Townships. The District Two member must reside in Clay, Franklin, or Washington Townships. The District Three member must reside in Jefferson, Lafayette, Marion, or Morgan Townships. One of the commissioners serves as president and another as vice-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 has a Circuit Court. The judge on the court is elected to a term of six years and must be a member of the Indiana Bar Association.
County Officials: The county has several other elected offices, including sheriff
, coroner
, prosecutor
, assessor
, auditor, treasurer
, recorder
, surveyor
and clerk of the circuit court. 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.
of 2000, there were 21,786 people, 8,282 households, and 6,194 families residing in the county. The population density
was 57 people per square mile (22/km²). There were 9,853 housing units at an average density of 26 per square mile (10/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.21% White
, 0.25% Black
or African American
, 0.37% Native American
, 0.17% Asian
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
, 0.16% from other races
, and 0.82% from two or more races. 0.75% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 36.6% were of American
, 21.0% German
, 9.3% Irish
and 8.9% English
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 8,282 households out of which 33.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.30% were married couples
living together, 8.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.20% were non-families. 21.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the county the population was spread out with 26.60% under the age of 18, 7.20% from 18 to 24, 28.80% from 25 to 44, 24.50% from 45 to 64, and 12.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 99.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $36,529, and the median income for a family was $41,282. Males had a median income of $32,011 versus $21,782 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $16,884. About 6.10% of families and 9.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.00% of those under age 18 and 8.00% 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 1920. As of 2010, the population was 21,575. 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 Spencer
Spencer, Indiana
Spencer is a town in Washington Township, Owen County, Indiana, United States. The population was 2,217 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Owen County.Spencer is part of the Bloomington, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
.
Owen 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...
.
Geography
According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 387.82 square miles (1,004.4 km²), of which 385.29 square miles (997.9 km²) (or 99.35%) is land and 2.54 square miles (6.6 km²) (or 0.65%) is water.Adjacent counties
- Putnam CountyPutnam County, IndianaAs of the census of 2000, there were 36,019 people, 12,374 households, and 9,119 families residing in the county. The population density was 75 people per square mile . There were 13,505 housing units at an average density of 28 per square mile...
(north) - Morgan CountyMorgan County, IndianaMorgan County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2010, the population was 68,894. The county seat is Martinsville. Morgan is one of seven counties contiguous to Marion County, and is located between Indianapolis, in Marion County, and Bloomington, located in Monroe County...
(northeast) - Monroe CountyMonroe County, IndianaAs of the census of 2010, there were 137,974 people, 46,898 households, and 24,715 families residing in the county. The population density was 306 people per square mile . There were 50,846 housing units at an average density of 129 per square mile...
(southeast) - 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....
(south) - Clay CountyClay County, IndianaClay County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2010, the population was 26,890. The county seat is Brazil. Clay County is included in the Terre Haute, Indiana, Metropolitan Statistical Area.- History :Clay County was formed in 1825...
(west)
Major highways
U.S. Route 231U.S. Route 231U.S. Route 231 is a parallel route of U.S. Route 31. It currently runs for 912 miles from St. John, Indiana, at U.S. Route 41 to south of U.S. Route 98 in Downtown Panama City, Florida.One of its most notable landmarks is the William H...
Indiana State Road 42Indiana State Road 42State Road 42 is an east–west road in Central Indiana. Its western terminus is at State Road 46 in Terre Haute. Its eastern terminus is at State Road 67 and State Road 144 in Mooresville.- Route description :...
Indiana State Road 43Indiana State Road 43-Southern section:This winding, two-lane section of State Road 43 connects Indiana State Road 46 in Owen County near McCormick's Creek State Park with Indiana State Road 54 in eastern Greene County. It covers a distance of .-Northern section:...
Indiana State Road 46Indiana State Road 46State Road 46 in the U.S. State of Indiana is an east–west state highway in the southern half of Indiana.-Route description:The western terminus of SR 46 is at U.S. Route 40 in central Vigo County, just east of Terre Haute...
Indiana State Road 67Indiana State Road 67State Road 67 in the U.S. State of Indiana cuts a diagonal route from southwest to northeast across the state from the north side of Vincennes to Indianapolis to the Ohio state line, where it becomes State Route 29 east of Bryant.-Route description:...
Indiana State Road 157Indiana State Road 157State Road 157 in the U.S. State of Indiana is a north–south route in Clay, Greene and Owen counties that covers a distance of about .-Route description:...
Indiana State Road 243Indiana State Road 243State Road 243 is a north–south highway located in the west central part of Indiana near Cloverdale.-Route description:The southern terminus of State Road 243 is at State Road 42 in Cunot. Going north, the highway passes through the Leiber State Recreation Area, which features the man-made...
Indiana State Road 246Indiana State Road 246State Road 246 is an east–west road in the southwest portion of the U.S. state of Indiana.-Route description:State Road 246 begins in the small town of Prairie Creek at State Road 63. Going east, it crosses U.S. Route 41 just north of Farmersburg...
History
Owen County was formed in 1819. It was named after Abraham OwenAbraham Owen
Abraham Owen was born in Prince Edward County, Virginia in 1769. He moved to Kentucky in 1785.Owen served in the wars with the Indians under generals James Wilkinson and Arthur St. Clair in 1791, and served with colonel John Hardin....
, a colonel who died 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 1920, the United States Census
United States Census
The United States Census is a decennial census mandated by the United States Constitution. The population is enumerated every 10 years and the results are used to allocate Congressional seats , electoral votes, and government program funding. The United States Census Bureau The United States Census...
reported Owen County as the Center of Population for the US at a point 8 miles south-southeast of Spencer, Indiana
Spencer, Indiana
Spencer is a town in Washington Township, Owen County, Indiana, United States. The population was 2,217 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Owen County.Spencer is part of the Bloomington, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
. The center moved the shortest distance since census data collecting began in 1790 (just under 10 miles) from its previous center in Bloomington, IN. When the East experienced high rates of growth, as it did in the decades between 1890 and 1920, the Westward movement of the center slowed.
Climate and weather
In recent years, average temperatures in Spencer have ranged from a low of 15 °F (-9.4 °C) in January to a high of 84 °F (28.9 °C) in July, although a record low of -33 °F was recorded in January 1994 and a record high of 107 °F (41.7 °C) was recorded in July 1954. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 2.56 inches (6.5 cm) in January to 4.97 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 fiscal body of the county government. It has seven members, three of which are elected county-wide (commonly referred to at-large members) and four of which are elected from districts. District One includes Harrison, Montgomery, Taylor, and Wayne Townships including the Town of Gosport. District Two includes Washington Township including the Town of Spencer. District Three includes Jackson, Jennings, Lafayette, and Morgan Townships. District Four includes Clay, Franklin, Jefferson, and Marion Townships. All council members serve four year terms with at-large members elected during Presidential election cycles and district members elected during the other election cycles. One of the council members serves as president and another as vice-president. The council is 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. Several local boards such as the Alcoholic Beverage Board and Library Board have a member or members appointed by the council.
Board of Commissioners: The executive body of the county is made of a board of commissioners with three members. The commissioners are elected county-wide, however each must reside in their respective districts, two of which are elected during Presidential election cycles and the other during the other election cycles. Each serves a four year term. The District One member must reside in Harrison, Jackson, Jennings, Montgomery, Taylor, or Wayne Townships. The District Two member must reside in Clay, Franklin, or Washington Townships. The District Three member must reside in Jefferson, Lafayette, Marion, or Morgan Townships. One of the commissioners serves as president and another as vice-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 has a Circuit Court. The judge on the court is elected to a term of six years and must be a member of the Indiana Bar Association.
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...
, prosecutor
Prosecutor
The prosecutor is the chief legal representative of the prosecution in countries with either the common law adversarial system, or the civil law inquisitorial system...
, assessor
Assessor
An assessor may be:* Assessor , the assistant to a judge or magistrate* Assessor , a senior officer of the University of Oxford* Assessor , an expert who calculates the value of property...
, 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 clerk of the circuit court. 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.
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 21,786 people, 8,282 households, and 6,194 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 57 people per square mile (22/km²). There were 9,853 housing units at an average density of 26 per square mile (10/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.21% 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...
, 0.25% 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...
, 0.37% 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...
, 0.17% 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...
, 0.16% 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 0.82% from two or more races. 0.75% 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. 36.6% were of American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, 21.0% 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....
, 9.3% 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 8.9% 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...
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 8,282 households out of which 33.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.30% 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, 8.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.20% were non-families. 21.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the county the population was spread out with 26.60% under the age of 18, 7.20% from 18 to 24, 28.80% from 25 to 44, 24.50% from 45 to 64, and 12.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 99.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $36,529, and the median income for a family was $41,282. Males had a median income of $32,011 versus $21,782 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 $16,884. About 6.10% of families and 9.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.00% of those under age 18 and 8.00% of those age 65 or over.
Townships
- ClayClay Township, Owen County, IndianaClay Township is one of thirteen townships in Owen County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 2,553.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Clay Township covers an area of .-Unincorporated towns:* Braysville at...
- FranklinFranklin Township, Owen County, IndianaFranklin Township is one of thirteen townships in Owen County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,155.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Franklin Township covers an area of ; of this, is land and is water.-Unincorporated towns:* Adel at * Farmers at...
- HarrisonHarrison Township, Owen County, IndianaHarrison Township is one of thirteen townships in Owen County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 473.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Harrison Township covers an area of ; of this, is land and is water.-References:* * -External links:* * *...
- JacksonJackson Township, Owen County, IndianaJackson Township is one of thirteen townships in Owen County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,981.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Jackson Township covers an area of ; of this, is land and is water.-Unincorporated towns:* Cunot at Jackson...
- JeffersonJefferson Township, Owen County, IndianaJefferson Township is one of thirteen townships in Owen County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,078.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Jefferson Township covers an area of ; of this, is land and is water.-Unincorporated towns:* Arney at * Coal...
- JenningsJennings Township, Owen County, IndianaJennings Township is one of thirteen townships in Owen County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 839.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Jennings Township covers an area of ; of this, is land and is water.-Unincorporated towns:* Cataract at Jennings...
- LafayetteLafayette Township, Owen County, IndianaLafayette Township is one of thirteen townships in Owen County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,287.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Lafayette Township covers an area of ; of this, is land and is water.-Unincorporated towns:* Vandalia at...
- MarionMarion Township, Owen County, IndianaMarion Township is one of thirteen townships in Owen County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,004.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Marion Township covers an area of ; of this, is land and is water.-Unincorporated towns:* Denmark at * Hickory...
- MontgomeryMontgomery Township, Owen County, IndianaMontgomery Township is one of thirteen townships in Owen County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,225.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Montgomery Township covers an area of ; of this, is land and is water.-Unincorporated towns:* Carp at * Cuba...
- MorganMorgan Township, Owen County, IndianaMorgan Township is one of thirteen townships in Owen County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,200.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Morgan Township covers an area of ; of this, is land and is water.-Unincorporated towns:* Atkinsonville at *...
- TaylorTaylor Township, Owen County, IndianaTaylor Township is one of thirteen townships in Owen County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 993.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Taylor Township covers an area of ; of this, is land and is water.-Unincorporated towns:* Devore at * Quincy at *...
- WashingtonWashington Township, Owen County, IndianaWashington Township is one of thirteen townships in Owen County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 6,399.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Washington Township covers an area of ; of this, is land and is water...
- WayneWayne Township, Owen County, IndianaWayne Township is one of thirteen townships in Owen County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,599.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Wayne Township covers an area of...