Whitley County, Indiana

Whitley County, Indiana
Whitley County is a rural county in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 34,191. Whitley County is the 49th largest county in Indiana. The county seat (and only incorporated city) is Columbia City. The county has the highest county number (92) on Indiana license plates, as it is alphabetically the last in the state's list of counties. It is part of the Fort Wayne Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Fort Wayne–Huntington–Auburn Combined Statistical Area.
History
Indiana was granted statehood near the end of 1816. On 7 February 1835, the state legislature approved an omnibus bill that authorized the creation of thirteen counties, including Whitley. It was named for Col. William Whitley, who was killed in the Battle of the Thames in the War of 1812.
The first non-Native American settlers arrived in the area during that year, as a result of the end of the Black Hawk War and completion of the Erie Canal. They were from New England - "Yankee" settlers, descendents of the English Puritans who settled New England in the colonial era. They were primarily members of the Congregational Church though due to the Second Great Awakening many of them had converted to Methodism and some had become Baptists before coming to Indiana. Whitley County government was organized in 1838.
In the late 1870s immigrants began arriving from Germany and Ireland.
Geography
Prior to white settlement, Whitley County's low rolling hills were densely forested, and dotted with lakes across its northern portion. At present, the available land is mostly deforested, and is entirely devoted to agriculture or to urban development. Its highest point (approx. ASL) is a small rise NE of Cedar Lake. The Eel River flows southwestward through the lower part of the county, and the Blue River flows southwestward through the upper part.
According to the 2010 United States Census, the county has a total area of , of which (or 99.31%) is land and (or 0.69%) is water.
Adjacent counties
Noble County - north
Allen County - east
Huntington County - south
Wabash County - southwest
Kosciusko County - west
City and towns
Columbia City (city/county seat)
Churubusco
Larwill
South Whitley
Census-designated place
Tri-Lakes
Unincorporated places
Blue Lake
Briggs
Coesse
Coesse Corners
Collamer
Collins
Cresco
Dunfee
Etna
Five Points
Laud
Lorane
Luther
Peabody
Raber
Saturn
Tunker
Washington Center
Townships
Cleveland
Columbia
Etna-Troy
Jefferson
Richland
Smith
Thorncreek
Union
Washington
Lakes
Blue Lake
Brown Lake
Cedar Lake
Crooked Lake (part)
Dollar Lake
Goose Lake
Indian Lake
Little Cedar Lake
Loon Lake (part)
Mud Lake
New Lake
Old Lake
Rine Lake
Robinson Lake (part)
Round Lake
Scott Lake
Shriner Lake
Tadpole Lake
Troy Cedar Lake
Winters Lake
Protected areas
Deniston Resource Area
Goose Lake Wetland Conservation Area
Pisgah Marsh Nongame Area (part)
Major highways
U.S. Route 24
U.S. Route 30
U.S. Route 33
Indiana State Road 5
Indiana State Road 9
Indiana State Road 14
Indiana State Road 105
Indiana State Road 109
Indiana State Road 114
Indiana State Road 205
Climate and weather
In recent years, average temperatures in Columbia City have ranged from a low of in January to a high of in July, although a record low of was recorded in January 1994 and a record high of was recorded in June 1988. Average monthly precipitation ranged from in February to in June.
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 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.
Board of Commissioners: The executive body of the county; commissioners are elected to four-year staggered terms in county-wide elections. One commissioner serves as president. The commissioners execute the acts legislated by the council, collect revenue, and manage the county government.
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. 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 other officers elected to four-year terms, including sheriff, coroner, auditor, treasurer, recorder, surveyor, and circuit court clerk. Members elected to county government positions are required to declare party affiliations and to be residents of the county.
Whitely County is part of Indiana's 3rd congressional district and as of 2020 is represented by Republican James Edward Banks in the United States Congress.
Demographics
2010 Census
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 33,292 people, 13,001 households, and 9,228 families in the county. The population density was . There were 14,281 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 97.6% white, 0.3% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.3% black or African American, 0.4% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.5% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 38.2% were German, 12.6% were Irish, 12.5% were American, and 9.3% were English.
Of the 13,001 households, 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.4% were married couples living together, 9.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.0% were non-families, and 24.1% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 2.99. The median age was 40.1 years.
The median income for a household in the county was $47,697 and the median income for a family was $63,487. Males had a median income of $44,883 versus $30,724 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,644. About 5.1% of families and 6.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.2% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.
See also
National Register of Historic Places listings in Whitley County, Indiana
References
External links
Whitley County Government Website
Whitley County Online Scanner
Whitley County ARC Inc
Indiana counties
1838 establishments in Indiana
Populated places established in 1838
Fort Wayne, IN Metropolitan Statistical Area