Winchester, Indiana
Encyclopedia
Winchester is a city in White River Township
, Randolph County
, Indiana
, United States
. The population was 4,935 at the 2010 census. The city is the county seat
of Randolph County
. It is the home of Winchester Speedway
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 3.1 square miles (8 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 5,037 people, 2,171 households, and 1,350 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,623.8 people per square mile (627.4/km²). There were 2,377 housing units at an average density of 766.3 per square mile (296.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.31% White, 0.24% African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.32% from other races
, and 0.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.41% of the population.
There were 2,171 households out of which 27.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.1% were married couples
living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.8% were non-families. 33.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.83.
In the city spread out with 22.2% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 19.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 88.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,500, and the median income for a family was $37,607. Males had a median income of $28,947 versus $22,226 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $17,753. About 10.9% of families and 15.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.2% of those under age 18 and 6.9% of those age 65 or over.
Winchester is home to several manufacturing plants including Anchor Glass Container Corp., Tomasco Indiana, and OMCO.
Also located in Winchester are businesses catering to special interests which draw visitors from a wide area:
For more information on Winchester area businesses and attractions, see Tourism and Community Development Randolph County Indiana
White River Township, Randolph County, Indiana
White River Township is one of eleven townships in Randolph County, Indiana. As of the 2000 census, its population was 7,661.-External links:* *...
, Randolph County
Randolph County, Indiana
Randolph County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2010, the population was 26,171. The county seat is Winchester.-History:...
, 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...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 4,935 at the 2010 census. The city is 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....
of Randolph County
Randolph County, Indiana
Randolph County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2010, the population was 26,171. The county seat is Winchester.-History:...
. It is the home of Winchester Speedway
Winchester Speedway
Winchester Speedway is a half-mile paved oval motor racetrack in White River Township, Randolph County, just outside Winchester, Indiana, approximately northeast of Indianapolis. It seats 4000 spectators. It is also known as the "World's Fastest 1/2 mile"....
.
Geography
Winchester is located at 40°10′23"N 84°58′39"W (40.173165, -84.977435).According to the United States 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...
, the city has a total area of 3.1 square miles (8 km²), all of it land.
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 5,037 people, 2,171 households, and 1,350 families residing in the city. 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 1,623.8 people per square mile (627.4/km²). There were 2,377 housing units at an average density of 766.3 per square mile (296.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.31% White, 0.24% African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.32% 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 0.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.41% of the population.
There were 2,171 households out of which 27.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.1% 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, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.8% were non-families. 33.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.83.
In the city spread out with 22.2% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 19.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 88.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,500, and the median income for a family was $37,607. Males had a median income of $28,947 versus $22,226 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 city was $17,753. About 10.9% of families and 15.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.2% of those under age 18 and 6.9% of those age 65 or over.
Notable Persons from Winchester
- James P. GoodrichJames P. GoodrichJames Putnam Goodrich, , a Republican, was the 29th Governor of Indiana from 1917 to 1921. His term focused on reforming the operations of the state government and overseeing the state's contributions for World War I. He nearly died twice during his term, and spent a considerable time bedridden...
(1864–1940), Governor of Indiana, 1917–1921, born in Winchester and buried in Fountain Park Cemetery - Randy Jo HobbsRandy Jo HobbsRandy Jo Hobbs was an American musician born in Winchester, Indiana. Hobbs played bass for The McCoys during the 1965-1969 period and in the bands of the brothers Edgar Winter and Johnny Winter during 1970-1976....
(1948–1993), born in Winchester, bassist and founding member of The McCoysThe McCoysThe McCoys were a rock group that started in Union City, Indiana, in 1962.-Career:The original members, all from Union City, were guitarist Richard Zehringer , his brother Randy on drums, and bassist Dennis Kelly. This first line-up was known as The Rick Z Combo, and later known as Rick and the...
; later worked extensively with Johnny WinterJohnny WinterJohn Dawson "Johnny" Winter III is an American blues guitarist, singer, and producer. Best known for his late 1960s and 1970s high-energy blues-rock albums and live performances, Winter also produced three Grammy Award-winning albums for blues legend Muddy Waters...
and also played with Jimi HendrixJimi HendrixJames Marshall "Jimi" Hendrix was an American guitarist and singer-songwriter...
. Buried at St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery, Union City, IndianaUnion City, IndianaUnion City is a city in Wayne Township, Randolph County, Indiana, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a population of 3,584.Union City was a stop along the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad, a forerunner of the Pennsylvania Railroad that connected Pittsburgh to...
. - Robert WiseRobert WiseRobert Earl Wise was an American sound effects editor, film editor, film producer and director...
(1914–2005), Hollywood directorFilm directorA film director is a person who directs the actors and film crew in filmmaking. They control a film's artistic and dramatic nathan roach, while guiding the technical crew and actors.-Responsibilities:...
, born in Winchester
Commerce
Also located in Winchester are businesses catering to special interests which draw visitors from a wide area:
- Winchester Speedway - a nationally known 1/2 mile asphalt auto racetrack,
- Mrs. Wicks Pies - a 60 year old pie factory and restaurant,
- Silvertowne - retail and wholesale dealer specializing in precious metals, gold, silver bullion, assays and appraisals,
- Rich Farm Garden Supply - a national mailorder plant nursery and garden center.
For more information on Winchester area businesses and attractions, see Tourism and Community Development Randolph County Indiana
Trivia
- The movie Now and Then (film), written by I. Marlene King, was based on the Gaslight Addition in Winchester, Indiana. The city was called Shelby, Indiana in the movie because the city council and many city leaders felt the movie may have had an adverse impact on the city. However recently, local residents have embraced the movie, going to such lengths as to even restore the old grave-site which plays a main part of the movie, and place a memorial to "Dear Johnny".