Vanderburgh County, Indiana

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jump to: navigation, search
Vanderburgh County, Indiana
Seal of Vanderburgh County, Indiana
Map of Indiana highlighting Vanderburgh County
Location in the state of Indiana
Map of the U.S. highlighting Indiana
Indiana's location in the U.S.
Seat Evansville
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water

236 sq mi (611 km²)
235 sq mi (609 km²)
1 sq mi (3 km²), 0.49%
Population
 - (2000)
 - Density

171,922
733/sq mi (283/km²)
Founded January 7,1818
Congressional district 8th
Oldcourthouse.jpg
The Old Vanderburgh County Courthouse in downtown Evansville, Indiana.
Website www.vanderburghgov.org
Footnotes: Notes on Vanderburgh County, IN
  • County 82 in Indiana's Alphanumeric System
  • Sixth largest county in Indiana in population. (2000)
  • Eighth Smallest County in area in Indiana.
  • Twenty-Second oldest county in Indiana
  • 2009 Age: 191 y/o
  • Bicentennial - January 7, 2018
  • Currently in process of Unigov with the city of Evansville

Vanderburgh County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2000, the population was 171,922. The county seat is in Evansville. Vanderburgh County was the sixth largest county in 2000 population while it is also the eighth smallest county in area in Indiana. Vanderburgh County's alphanumeric county number is 82.

Vanderburgh County is part of the Evansville, IN–KY Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Contents

[edit] History

Vanderburgh County was formed on January 7, 1818 from Gibson, Posey, and Warrick Counties. It was named for Captain Henry Vanderburgh, Revolutionary War veteran and judge for the Indiana Territory.

[edit] Government

The county government is a constitutional body, and is granted specific powers by the Constitution of Indiana, and by the Indiana Code.

County Council: The county council is the fiscal branch of the county government that has the legisltive responsibilities for the spending and revenue collection in the county. Five representatives are elected from county districts and three are elected at-large by the entire county. 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.[1][2]

Board of Commissioners: The executive body of the county is made of a board of commissioners. The commissioners are elected county-wide but must live with-in the district of the seat they hold, 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, the collection of revenue, and managing the day-to-day functions of the county government.[1][2]

Court: The county has eight state trial courts of original jurisdiction. One circuit court and seven superior courts. The judges offices are non-partisan with terms of six years. A judge must be a member of the Indiana Bar Association. The judges are assisted by magistrated that are appointed. circuit court.[2]

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 serve terms of four years and oversee different parts of the county government. Members elected to any county government position are required to declare a party affiliation and be a resident of the county.[2]

[edit] Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 236 square miles (611 km²), of which 235 square miles (608 km²) is land and 1 square mile (3 km²) (0.49%) is water.

[edit] Adjacent Counties

[edit] Cities and towns

[edit] Unincorporated towns

[edit] Townships

(2000 Population)

[edit] Major highways

[edit] Demographics

Historical populations
Census Pop.  %±
1820 1,798
1830 2,611 45.2%
1840 6,250 139.4%
1850 11,414 82.6%
1860 20,552 80.1%
1870 33,145 61.3%
1880 42,193 27.3%
1890 59,809 41.8%
1900 71,769 20.0%
1910 77,438 7.9%
1920 92,293 19.2%
1930 113,320 22.8%
1940 130,783 15.4%
1950 160,422 22.7%
1960 165,794 3.3%
1970 168,772 1.8%
1980 167,515 −0.7%
1990 165,058 −1.5%
2000 171,922 4.2%
Est. 2007 174,425 1.5%

As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 171,922.89 people, 70,623.2 households, and 44,421.6 families residing in the county. The population density was 733 people per square mile (283/km²). There were 76,300.4 housing units at an average density of 325 per square mile (126/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 89.30% White, 8.19% Black or African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.75% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.40% from other races, and 1.15% from two or more races. 0.98% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 35.0% were of German, 16.1% American, 9.4% Irish and 9.3% English ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 70,623 households out of which 28.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.50% were married couples living together, 11.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.10% were non-families. 31.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the county the population was spread out with 23.10% under the age of 18, 11.50% from 18 to 24, 28.10% from 25 to 44, 22.00% from 45 to 64, and 15.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 90.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,823, and the median income for a family was $47,416. Males had a median income of $34,162 versus $22,869 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,655. About 7.80% of families and 11.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.40% of those under age 18 and 7.30% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] References

[edit] Bibliography

  • Forstall, Richard L. (editor) (1996). Population of states and counties of the United States: 1790 to 1990 : from the twenty-one decennial censuses. United States Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, Population Division. ISBN 0-934213-48-8. 


Coordinates: 38°01′N 87°35′W / 38.02°N 87.58°W / 38.02; -87.58