Benton County, Indiana
Encyclopedia
Benton County is located along in the northwest part of the U.S. state
of Indiana
, along the border with Illinois
. As of 2010, the county's
population was 8,854. It contains six incorporated towns as well as several small unincorporated settlements; it is also divided into 11 townships
which provide local services. The county seat
is Fowler
.
Benton County is part of the Lafayette, Indiana
, Metropolitan Statistical Area
.
(D)
, U.S. Senator from Missouri
. The original county seat selected in 1843 was Oxford
, but after a long struggle between contending factions it was moved to Fowler in 1874.
and built in 1874 by Levi L. Leach at a cost of $62,257. The new courthouse was an impressive building from an architectural standpoint, but also provided much-needed improvements in security, including large fire-proof vaults. Randall had designed the Marshall County
courthouse a few years earlier.
began operating with 87 1.5 MW wind turbine
s. Duke Energy
purchases electricity from the wind farm and sells it to customers through its GoGreen program.
In 2009 the Fowler Ridge Wind Farm
opened nearby, giving Benton County one of the largest concentrations of wind turbines in the United States east of the Mississippi River
.
; Vermilion County
is to the southwest and shares a small portion of Benton County's border. Newton
and Jasper
counties lie to the north, with White
and Tippecanoe
counties to the east. The entire southern border is shared with Warren County
.
According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 406.51 square miles (1,052.9 km²), of which 406.42 square miles (1,052.6 km²) (or 99.98%) is land and 0.09 square mile (0.2330989299 km²) (or 0.02%) is water.
, is also the county seat and lies near the center of the county along U.S. Route 52. About 6 miles (9.7 km) to the northwest along U.S. 52 lies Earl Park
. Boswell
is in the southwest part of the county along U.S. Route 41; Oxford
is about 6 miles (9.7 km) to the east along State Road 352. Ambia
is in the far southwest corner of the county where the borders of Vermilion and Iroquois counties in Illinois meet the Indiana border. The west half of Otterbein
is in the far southeast corner just south of U.S. 52; the east half is in neighboring Tippecanoe County.
.
and the Indiana Code
. The county council is the legislative branch of the county government and controls all spending and revenue collection. Representatives are elected from county districts. The council members serve four-year terms and 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. In 2010, the county budgeted approximately $5 million for the district's schools and $2.8 million for other county operations and services, for a total annual budget of approximately $7.8 million.
The executive body of the county is made of a board of commissioners. The commissioners are elected county-wide, 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, collecting revenue and managing day-to-day functions of the county government.
The county maintains a small claims court
that can handle some 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 elected to a four-year term. In some cases, court decisions can be appealed to the state level circuit court
.
The county has several other elected offices, including sheriff
, coroner
, auditor, treasurer
, recorder
, surveyor
and circuit court clerk
. 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 be residents of the county.
Each of the townships has a trustee who administers rural fire protection and ambulance service, provides poor relief and manages cemetery care, among other duties. The trustee is assisted in these duties by a three-member township board. The trustees and board members are elected to four-year terms.
Based on 2000 census results, Benton County is part of Indiana's 1st congressional district
and in 2008 was represented by Pete Visclosky
in the United States Congress
. It is part of Indiana Senate
district 6 and Indiana House of Representatives
district 15.
of 2000, there were 9,421 people, 3,558 households, and 2,547 families residing in the county. The population density
was 23 people per square mile (9/km²). There were 3,818 housing units at an average density of 9 per square mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.90% White
, 0.21% Black
or African American
, 0.14% Native American
, 0.08% Asian
, 1.28% from other races
, and 1.38% from two or more races. 2.60% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 33.8% were of German
, 20.3% American
, 10.7% Irish
, 6.8% English
and 6.1% French
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 3,558 households out of which 35.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.50% were married couples
living together, 8.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.40% were non-families. 24.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the county the population was spread out with 27.90% under the age of 18, 7.10% from 18 to 24, 27.80% from 25 to 44, 21.50% from 45 to 64, and 15.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 98.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $39,813, and the median income for a family was $46,869. Males had a median income of $30,592 versus $22,169 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $17,220. About 3.50% of families and 5.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.00% of those under age 18 and 4.50% 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...
, along the border with Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
. As of 2010, the county's
County (United States)
In the United States, a county is a geographic subdivision of a state , usually assigned some governmental authority. The term "county" is used in 48 of the 50 states; Louisiana is divided into parishes and Alaska into boroughs. Parishes and boroughs are called "county-equivalents" by the U.S...
population was 8,854. It contains six incorporated towns as well as several small unincorporated settlements; it is also divided into 11 townships
Civil township
A civil township is a widely used unit of local government in the United States, subordinate to, and geographic divisions of, a county. Specific responsibilities and the degree of autonomy vary based on each state. Civil townships are distinct from survey townships, but in states that have both,...
which provide local services. 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 Fowler
Fowler, Indiana
-External links:*...
.
Benton County is part of the Lafayette, Indiana
Lafayette, Indiana
Lafayette is a city in and the county seat of Tippecanoe County, Indiana, United States, northwest of Indianapolis. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 67,140. West Lafayette, on the other side of the Wabash River, is home to Purdue University, which has a large impact on...
, Metropolitan Statistical Area
Lafayette, Indiana metropolitan area
The Lafayette, 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 Lafayette...
.
History
Benton County was formed February 18, 1840. It is named for Thomas H. BentonThomas Hart Benton (senator)
Thomas Hart Benton , nicknamed "Old Bullion", was a U.S. Senator from Missouri and a staunch advocate of westward expansion of the United States. He served in the Senate from 1821 to 1851, becoming the first member of that body to serve five terms...
(D)
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, U.S. Senator from Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
. The original county seat selected in 1843 was Oxford
Oxford, Indiana
Oxford is a town in Oak Grove Township, Benton County, Indiana. The population was 1,162 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Lafayette, Indiana, Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
, but after a long struggle between contending factions it was moved to Fowler in 1874.
Courthouse
The current Benton County courthouse, located in Fowler, was designed by Gordon P. Randall of ChicagoChicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
and built in 1874 by Levi L. Leach at a cost of $62,257. The new courthouse was an impressive building from an architectural standpoint, but also provided much-needed improvements in security, including large fire-proof vaults. Randall had designed the Marshall County
Marshall County, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 45,128 people, 16,519 households, and 12,191 families residing in the county. The population density was 102 people per square mile . There were 18,099 housing units at an average density of 41 per square mile...
courthouse a few years earlier.
Economy
In 2008 the Benton County Wind FarmBenton County Wind Farm
The Benton County Wind Farm consists of 87 model sl/sle Gen4 GE 1.5 MW wind turbines near Earl Park, Indiana in northern Benton County, Indiana. The farm's nameplate capacity is 130.5 MW. It began commercial operation in April 2008. At the time of its construction, it was Indiana's only...
began operating with 87 1.5 MW wind turbine
Wind turbine
A wind turbine is a device that converts kinetic energy from the wind into mechanical energy. If the mechanical energy is used to produce electricity, the device may be called a wind generator or wind charger. If the mechanical energy is used to drive machinery, such as for grinding grain or...
s. Duke Energy
Duke Energy
Duke Energy , headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, is an energy company with assets in the United States, Canada and Latin America.-Overview:...
purchases electricity from the wind farm and sells it to customers through its GoGreen program.
In 2009 the Fowler Ridge Wind Farm
Fowler Ridge Wind Farm
The Fowler Ridge Wind Farm currently consists of two completed phases with the possibility of a third phase some time in the near future. The wind farm is in Benton County, Indiana, near the city of Fowler, IN about northwest of Lafayette and northwest of Indianapolis...
opened nearby, giving Benton County one of the largest concentrations of wind turbines in the United States east of the Mississippi River
Mississippi River
The Mississippi River is the largest river system in North America. Flowing entirely in the United States, this river rises in western Minnesota and meanders slowly southwards for to the Mississippi River Delta at the Gulf of Mexico. With its many tributaries, the Mississippi's watershed drains...
.
Geography
Benton County's western border is shared with the state of Illinois and Iroquois CountyIroquois County, Illinois
Iroquois County is a county located in the northeast part of the U.S. state of Illinois along the border with Indiana. It is the third largest county in the state in terms of area, covering over . According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 29,718, which is a decrease of 5.2% from 31,334...
; Vermilion County
Vermilion County, Illinois
Vermilion County is a county located in the eastern part of the U.S. state of Illinois, between the Indiana border and Champaign County. It was established in 1826 and was the 45th of Illinois' 102 counties...
is to the southwest and shares a small portion of Benton County's border. Newton
Newton County, Indiana
Newton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2010, the population was 14,244. The county seat is Kentland.- History :...
and Jasper
Jasper County, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 30,043 people, 10,686 households, and 8,217 families residing in the county. The population density was 54 people per square mile . There were 11,236 housing units at an average density of 20 per square mile...
counties lie to the north, with White
White County, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 25,267 people, 9,727 households, and 7,090 families residing in the county. The population density was 50 people per square mile . There were 12,083 housing units at an average density of 24 per square mile...
and Tippecanoe
Tippecanoe County, Indiana
Tippecanoe County is a county located in the northwest quadrant of the U.S. state of Indiana. It was created in 1826 from Wabash County. It is part of the Lafayette, Indiana, Metropolitan Statistical Area....
counties to the east. The entire southern border is shared with Warren County
Warren County, Indiana
Warren County lies in western Indiana between the Illinois border and the Wabash River in the United States. Before the arrival of non-indigenous settlers in the early 19th century, the area was inhabited by several Native American tribes. The county was officially established in 1827 and...
.
According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 406.51 square miles (1,052.9 km²), of which 406.42 square miles (1,052.6 km²) (or 99.98%) is land and 0.09 square mile (0.2330989299 km²) (or 0.02%) is water.
Cities and towns
There are six incorporated towns in Benton County. The largest, FowlerFowler, Indiana
-External links:*...
, is also the county seat and lies near the center of the county along U.S. Route 52. About 6 miles (9.7 km) to the northwest along U.S. 52 lies Earl Park
Earl Park, Indiana
Earl Park is a town in Richland Township, Benton County, Indiana, United States. The population was 348 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Lafayette, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
. Boswell
Boswell, Indiana
Boswell is a town in Grant Township, Benton County, Indiana, United States. The population was 778 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Lafayette, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
is in the southwest part of the county along U.S. Route 41; Oxford
Oxford, Indiana
Oxford is a town in Oak Grove Township, Benton County, Indiana. The population was 1,162 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Lafayette, Indiana, Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
is about 6 miles (9.7 km) to the east along State Road 352. Ambia
Ambia, Indiana
Ambia is a town in Hickory Grove Township, Benton County, Indiana, United States. The population was 239 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Lafayette, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
is in the far southwest corner of the county where the borders of Vermilion and Iroquois counties in Illinois meet the Indiana border. The west half of Otterbein
Otterbein, Indiana
Otterbein is a town in Bolivar Township, Benton County and Shelby Township, Tippecanoe County, Indiana, named for William Otterbein Brown who donated land for the town. As of the 2010 census, its population was 1,262...
is in the far southeast corner just south of U.S. 52; the east half is in neighboring Tippecanoe County.
Unincorporated towns
|
Swanington, Indiana Swanington is an unincorporated town in Center Township, Benton County, Indiana. It is part of the Lafayette, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:... Talbot, Indiana Talbot is an unincorporated town in Hickory Grove Township, Benton County, Indiana. It is part of the Lafayette, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:... Templeton, Indiana Templeton is an unincorporated town in Bolivar Township, Benton County, Indiana. It is part of the Lafayette, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:... Wadena, Indiana Wadena is an unincorporated town in Union Township, Benton County, Indiana. It is part of the Lafayette, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:... |
Townships
|
Hickory Grove Township, Benton County, Indiana Hickory Grove Township is one of eleven townships in Benton County, Indiana. As of the 2000 census, its population was 404. It was organized in March 1876 and named for a grove that grew within its borders in the 19th century.-Unincorporated towns:* Dunn... Oak Grove Township, Benton County, Indiana Oak Grove Township is one of eleven townships in Benton County, Indiana. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,694. It was one of the first three townships originally created by the county's commissioners in 1840... Parish Grove Township, Benton County, Indiana Parish Grove Township is one of eleven townships in Benton County, Indiana. As of the 2000 census, its population was 267. It contains the unincorporated town of Freeland Park.-History:... Pine Township, Benton County, Indiana Pine Township is one of eleven townships in Benton County, Indiana. As of the 2000 census, its population was 281. Pine Township was one of the original three created by county commissioners in July 1840, and is named for Big Pine Creek which flows south through the township.-Adjacent townships:*... |
Richland Township, Benton County, Indiana Richland Township is one of eleven townships in Benton County, Indiana. As of the 2000 census, its population was 709. Its name is a "reference to the rich land within its borders."-Geography:... Union Township, Benton County, Indiana Union Township is one of eleven townships in Benton County, Indiana. As of the 2000 census, its population was 278. The township was organized in June 1864 and named by John W... York Township, Benton County, Indiana York Township is one of eleven townships in Benton County, Indiana. As of the 2000 census, its population was 241. It was organized in June 1860 and named for the state of New York, the former home of local pioneer John Fleming.-Unincorporated towns:* Raub... |
Major highways
U.S. Route 41U.S. Route 41U.S. Route 41 is a north–south United States Highway that runs from Miami, Florida to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Until 1949, the part in southern Florida, from Naples to Miami, was U.S...
U.S. Route 52U.S. Route 52U.S. Route 52 is a United States highway that runs across the northern, eastern and southeastern regions of the United States. Contrary to most other even-numbered U.S...
Indiana State Road 18Indiana State Road 18State Road 18 in the U.S. State of Indiana is an east–west route in North Central Indiana running from the Illinois border in Benton County almost to the Ohio border, terminating at U.S. Route 27 /State Road 67 in Jay County...
Indiana State Road 55Indiana State Road 55State Road 55 is a north–south road in Northern and Central Indiana. State Road 55 runs from the Crawfordsville area in the south to Gary in the north, a distance of approximately .-Route description:...
Indiana State Road 71Indiana State Road 71State Road 71 in west-central Indiana consists of two discontinuous north–south segments of two-lane rural roadway near the Illinois border.-Southern section:...
Indiana State Road 352Indiana State Road 352State Road 352 in the U.S. state of Indiana is an east–west state highway in Benton County in the west-central part of the state.-Route description:...
Education
The county's four public schools are administered by the Benton Community School CorporationBenton Community School Corporation
The Benton Community School Corporation administers the one high school/middle school and three elementary schools in Benton County, Indiana. Its offices are located in the county seat of Fowler, Indiana. The corporation covers more land area The Benton Community School Corporation administers the...
.
- Benton Central Junior-Senior High SchoolBenton Central Junior-Senior High SchoolBenton Central Junior/Senior High School is the only high school in Benton County, Indiana and is located five miles southeast of Fowler in Atkinson. The school mascot is the Bison. BC was a 1960s consolidation of Ambia, Boswell, Earl Park, Fowler, Montmorenci, Pine Township, Oxford, and...
http://www.benton.k12.in.us/bc/ - Boswell Elementary School http://www.benton.k12.in.us/boswell/
- Otterbein Elementary School http://www.benton.k12.in.us/otterbein/
- Prairie Crossing Elementary School http://www.benton.k12.in.us/prairiecrossing/
- Sacred Heart Elementaryhttp://www.sacredheartfowler.org in Fowler is the county's only parochial school.
Climate and weather
In recent years, average temperatures in Fowler have ranged from a low of 13 °F (-10.6 °C) in January to a high of 84 °F (28.9 °C) in July, although a record low of -24 °F was recorded in January 1999 and a record high of 99 °F (37.2 °C) was recorded in July 1995. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.59 inches (4 cm) in February to 4.5 inches (11.4 cm) in June.Government
The county government is a constitutional body 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 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...
. The county council is the legislative branch of the county government and controls all spending and revenue collection. Representatives are elected from county districts. The council members serve four-year terms and 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. In 2010, the county budgeted approximately $5 million for the district's schools and $2.8 million for other county operations and services, for a total annual budget of approximately $7.8 million.
The executive body of the county is made of a board of commissioners. The commissioners are elected county-wide, 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, collecting revenue and managing day-to-day functions of the county government.
The county maintains a small claims court
Small claims court
Small-claims courts have limited jurisdiction to hear civil cases between private litigants. Courts authorized to try small claims may also have other judicial functions, and the name by which such a court is known varies by jurisdiction; it may be known as a county or magistrate's court...
that can handle some 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 elected to a four-year term. In some cases, court decisions can be appealed to the state level circuit court
Circuit court
Circuit court is the name of court systems in several common law jurisdictions.-History:King Henry II instituted the custom of having judges ride around the countryside each year to hear appeals, rather than forcing everyone to bring their appeals to London...
.
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...
, 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 circuit court clerk
Court clerk
A court clerk is an officer of the court whose responsibilities include maintaining the records of a court. Another duty is to administer oaths to witnesses, jurors, and grand jurors...
. 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 be residents of the county.
Each of the townships has a trustee who administers rural fire protection and ambulance service, provides poor relief and manages cemetery care, among other duties. The trustee is assisted in these duties by a three-member township board. The trustees and board members are elected to four-year terms.
Based on 2000 census results, Benton County is part of Indiana's 1st congressional district
Indiana's 1st congressional district
Indiana's 1st congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Indiana. The district is based in Gary and its surrounding suburbs and exurbs. It consists of all of the counties of Benton, Jasper, Lake, Newton, and part of Porter County in the northwestern part of the state...
and in 2008 was represented by Pete Visclosky
Pete Visclosky
Peter John "Pete" Visclosky is the U.S. Representative for , serving since 1985. He is a member of the Democratic Party. The district lies in Northwest Indiana and includes all of Lake, Newton, Jasper and Benton counties as well as a major portion of Porter County...
in the United States Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
. It is part of Indiana Senate
Indiana Senate
The Indiana Senate is the upper house of the Indiana General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Indiana. The Senate is composed of 50 members representing an equal number of constituent districts. Senators serve four-year terms without term limits...
district 6 and Indiana House of Representatives
Indiana House of Representatives
The Indiana House of Representatives is the lower house of the Indiana General Assembly, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Indiana. The House is composed of 100 members representing an equal number of constituent districts. House members serve two-year terms without term limits...
district 15.
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 9,421 people, 3,558 households, and 2,547 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 23 people per square mile (9/km²). There were 3,818 housing units at an average density of 9 per square mile (4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.90% 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...
, 0.21% 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...
, 0.14% 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...
, 0.08% 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...
, 1.28% 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 1.38% from two or more races. 2.60% 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. 33.8% were of 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....
, 20.3% American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, 10.7% 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...
, 6.8% 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...
and 6.1% French
French people
The French are a nation that share a common French culture and speak the French language as a mother tongue. Historically, the French population are descended from peoples of Celtic, Latin and Germanic origin, and are today a mixture of several ethnic groups...
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 3,558 households out of which 35.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.50% 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 28.40% were non-families. 24.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the county the population was spread out with 27.90% under the age of 18, 7.10% from 18 to 24, 27.80% from 25 to 44, 21.50% from 45 to 64, and 15.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 98.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $39,813, and the median income for a family was $46,869. Males had a median income of $30,592 versus $22,169 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 $17,220. About 3.50% of families and 5.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.00% of those under age 18 and 4.50% of those age 65 or over.