White County is a county in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 24,688.[1] The county seat (and only incorporated city) is Monticello.[2]

White County
White County Courthouse in Monticello
White County Courthouse in Monticello
Map of Indiana highlighting White County
Location within the U.S. state of Indiana
Map of the United States highlighting Indiana
Indiana's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 40°45′N 86°52′W / 40.75°N 86.86°W / 40.75; -86.86
Country United States
State Indiana
FoundedFebruary 1, 1834 (authorized)
Named forIsaac White
SeatMonticello
Largest cityMonticello
Area
 • Total
508.68 sq mi (1,317.5 km2)
 • Land505.12 sq mi (1,308.3 km2)
 • Water3.56 sq mi (9.2 km2)  0.70%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
24,688
 • Estimate 
(2023)
24,917 Increase
 • Density49/sq mi (19/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district4th
Websitewww.whitecountyin.us
Indiana county number 91

History

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The first white settlers[3] in the future White County arrived in the land west of Tippecanoe River in 1829, and in other parts of the county in 1831. This area was part of Carroll County during that period.

By 1833, so many settlers had entered the area that the state legislature were pressured to have a separate county created. On February 1, 1834, the state approved the creation of this county, directing that it be named for Isaac White, a colonel in the Illinois militia. White was a mining geologist who was in charge of the salt works in Equality, Illinois, and was a close friend to Governor William Henry Harrison of the Northwest Territory, and to Joseph Hamilton Daveiss, U.S. District Attorney for Kentucky. In 1811, when Harrison declined the offer of Illinois troops to march on Tecumseh's village at Prophetstown, White enlisted as a private in the Indiana dragoons, which had been placed under the command of Daveiss. Both were killed at the Battle of Tippecanoe, and were buried in a common grave.[4]

Interim commissioners were named and directed to organize the county during the summer of 1834, and to choose a county seat in September. They did so on September 5, 1834, naming Monticello as the future seat, due to its central location. While the county was being organized, it was attached to Carroll County for administrative and judicial purposes.

Alterations were made to the county's boundaries on December 24, 1834, on February 4, 1837, and on February 14, 1839. In addition, the counties of Jasper (1837), Pulaski (1839), Newton (1839), and Benton (1840) removed significant portions of the county's territory. The borders have remained unchanged since 1840.[5]

Geography

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The low, rolling hills of White County are entirely devoted to agriculture or to urban development.[6] The Tippecanoe River flows southward through the central part of the county. The highest point on the terrain (770 feet/230 meters ASL) is a gentle rise about 2.8 miles (4.5 km) SSE from Wolcott.[7]

According to the 2010 United States Census, the county has a total area of 508.68 square miles (1,317.5 km2), of which 505.12 square miles (1,308.3 km2) (or 99.30%) is land and 3.56 square miles (9.2 km2) (or 0.70%) is water.[8]

Adjacent counties

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City and towns

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Census-designated places

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Unincorporated places

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Townships

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Major highways

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Railroads

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Climate and weather

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Monticello, Indiana
Climate chart (explanation)
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Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Source: The Weather Channel[9]
Metric conversion
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Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm

In recent years, average temperatures in Monticello have ranged from a low of 17 °F (−8 °C) in January to a high of 86 °F (30 °C) in July, although a record low of −25 °F (−32 °C) was recorded in January 1963 and a record high of 107 °F (42 °C) was recorded in July 1954. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.94 inches (49 mm) in February to 4.16 inches (106 mm) in July.[9]

Government

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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 legislative branch of the county government; controls spending and revenue collection in the county. Representatives are elected to four-year terms from county districts. They set salaries, the annual budget, and special spending. The council 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.[10][11]

Board of Commissioners: The executive body of the county; commissioners are elected county-wide, to staggered four-year terms. One commissioner serves as president. The commissioners execute acts legislated by the council, collect revenue, and manage the county government.[10][11]

Court: The county maintains a small claims court that handles 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.[11]

County Officials: The county has other elected offices, including sheriff, coroner, auditor, treasurer, recorder, surveyor, and circuit court clerk. These officers are elected to four-year terms. Members elected to county government positions are required to declare party affiliations and to be residents of the county.[11]

United States presidential election results for White County, Indiana[12]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 7,969 71.30% 2,945 26.35% 262 2.34%
2020 7,957 71.13% 3,032 27.10% 198 1.77%
2016 6,893 68.27% 2,590 25.65% 613 6.07%
2012 5,970 60.09% 3,637 36.61% 328 3.30%
2008 5,731 53.04% 4,839 44.78% 235 2.17%
2004 6,974 67.28% 3,277 31.61% 115 1.11%
2000 6,037 60.96% 3,655 36.90% 212 2.14%
1996 4,642 47.87% 3,396 35.02% 1,660 17.12%
1992 4,622 45.22% 2,988 29.23% 2,611 25.55%
1988 6,220 65.38% 3,256 34.23% 37 0.39%
1984 7,279 69.33% 3,157 30.07% 63 0.60%
1980 6,999 64.48% 3,247 29.91% 609 5.61%
1976 6,287 60.63% 3,963 38.22% 119 1.15%
1972 7,419 73.19% 2,675 26.39% 43 0.42%
1968 5,932 57.56% 3,395 32.95% 978 9.49%
1964 5,015 47.97% 5,407 51.72% 33 0.32%
1960 6,678 62.93% 3,914 36.88% 20 0.19%
1956 6,708 67.42% 3,219 32.36% 22 0.22%
1952 6,795 67.60% 3,211 31.94% 46 0.46%
1948 4,911 55.72% 3,849 43.67% 53 0.60%
1944 5,039 58.25% 3,570 41.27% 41 0.47%
1940 5,189 55.15% 4,176 44.38% 44 0.47%
1936 4,245 45.89% 4,863 52.57% 142 1.54%
1932 3,484 40.55% 4,976 57.91% 132 1.54%
1928 4,534 60.01% 2,980 39.44% 42 0.56%
1924 4,475 56.36% 3,138 39.52% 327 4.12%
1920 4,871 58.57% 3,375 40.58% 71 0.85%
1916 2,442 50.66% 2,262 46.93% 116 2.41%
1912 1,613 34.77% 2,059 44.38% 967 20.85%
1908 2,423 49.26% 2,326 47.29% 170 3.46%
1904 2,679 53.02% 2,096 41.48% 278 5.50%
1900 2,562 49.13% 2,510 48.13% 143 2.74%
1896 2,383 47.57% 2,537 50.65% 89 1.78%
1892 1,807 44.04% 1,896 46.21% 400 9.75%
1888 1,942 48.01% 2,017 49.86% 86 2.13%

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18401,832
18504,761159.9%
18608,25873.5%
187010,55427.8%
188013,79530.7%
189015,67113.6%
190019,13822.1%
191017,602−8.0%
192017,351−1.4%
193015,831−8.8%
194017,0377.6%
195018,0425.9%
196019,7099.2%
197020,9956.5%
198023,86713.7%
199023,265−2.5%
200025,2678.6%
201024,643−2.5%
202024,6880.2%
2023 (est.)24,917[13]0.9%
US Decennial Census[14]
1790-1960[15] 1900-1990[16]
1990-2000[17] 2010[18]

2010 Census

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As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 24,643 people, 9,741 households, and 6,849 families in the county.[19] The population density was 48.8 inhabitants per square mile (18.8/km2). There were 12,970 housing units at an average density of 25.7 per square mile (9.9/km2).[8] The racial makeup of the county was 93.9% white, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.3% black or African American, 3.7% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 7.1% of the population.[19] In terms of ancestry, 27.0% were German, 13.3% were Irish, 9.7% were English, and 8.4% were American.[20]

Of the 9,741 households, 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.1% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.7% were non-families, and 24.8% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.96. The median age was 41.9 years.[19]

The median income for a household in the county was $47,697 and the median income for a family was $52,626. Males had a median income of $39,715 versus $28,880 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,323. About 7.7% of families and 9.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.0% of those under age 18 and 4.5% of those age 65 or over.[21]

Education

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Public schools in White County are administered by the Frontier School Corporation, North White School Corporation, Tri-County School Corporation and Twin Lakes School Corporation.

High schools and middle schools

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Elementary Schools

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  • Eastlawn Elementary School[28]
  • Frontier Elementary School[29]
  • Meadowlawn Elementary School[30]
  • Monon Elementary School[31]
  • Oaklawn Elementary School[32]
  • Tri-County Intermediate School[33]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ "White County, Indiana". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "It is generally claimed that Joseph H. Thompson was the first white man to make settlement within the present boundaries of the county. He located in what is now Big Creek Township in the spring of 1829." (Pioneers Ante-dating County Organization, Hamelle, 1915.)
  4. ^ "IBC: White County". IN.gov. Retrieved May 16, 2023.
  5. ^ Hamelle, W.H., ed. (1915). A Standard History of White County Indiana: An Authentic Narrative of the Past, with an Extended Survey of Modern Developments in the Progress of Town and Country. Chicago and New York: Lewis Publishing Co. Archived from the original on October 10, 2006. Retrieved August 17, 2020.
  6. ^ "White County · Indiana". White County · Indiana. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  7. ^ "White County High Point - Peakbagger.com". www.peakbagger.com. Retrieved March 26, 2023.
  8. ^ a b "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  9. ^ a b "Monthly Averages for Monticello IN". The Weather Channel. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
  10. ^ a b Indiana Code. "Title 36, Article 2, Section 3". IN.gov. Retrieved September 16, 2008.
  11. ^ a b c d Indiana Code. "Title 2, Article 10, Section 2" (PDF). IN.gov. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 27, 2004. Retrieved September 16, 2008.
  12. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved May 21, 2018.
  13. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  14. ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  15. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  16. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  17. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  18. ^ "White County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Retrieved September 25, 2011.
  19. ^ a b c "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  20. ^ "Selected SocialCharacteristics in the US – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 14, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  21. ^ "Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 14, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  22. ^ Tri-County Middle/Senior High School
  23. ^ "FHS - Frontier Schools". Archived from the original on October 6, 2006.
  24. ^ North White High School
  25. ^ North White Middle School
  26. ^ Roosevelt Middle School
  27. ^ Twin Lakes High School
  28. ^ Twinlakes K12
  29. ^ Frontier Elementary School
  30. ^ Meadowlawn Elementary School
  31. ^ Monon Elementary School
  32. ^ Oaklawn Elementary School
  33. ^ Tri-County Intermediate School
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40°45′N 86°52′W / 40.75°N 86.86°W / 40.75; -86.86