Clay County, Indiana
Encyclopedia
Clay County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Indiana
. As of 2010, the population was 26,890. The county seat
is Brazil
. Clay County is included in the Terre Haute, Indiana
, Metropolitan Statistical Area.
, a famous antebellum American statesman.
The first Courthouse was built in the newly platted town of Bowling Green in 1828, soon after Clay County was formed by the Indiana legislature. It was a two story structure of hand hewn logs.
By the late 1830’s Clay County had grown to the extent that the first Courthouse could no longer provide adequate facilities. Therefore a second Courthouse was constructed near the first Courthouse. This was a two story brick structure. This Courthouse served until destroyed by fire on the night of November 30, 1851.
Although some citizens believed Bowling Green was no longer the most practical or logical site for a new courthouse, the commissioners quickly decided to build the third courthouse on the site of the previous one in Bowling Green. Built of brick, at a cost of $11,000, and very similar to the previous courthouse, the new Courthouse began serving the county in the Fall of 1853.
By the 1860’s the towns of Harmony, Knightsville, and Brazil were growing rapidly, due in part to their location along the National Road, and also because of the many coal companies in that section of the county. An effort to move the county seat of government to a more central location, which had begun in the 1850’s, grew stronger creating controversy among citizens. In the 1860’s citizens in the northern section of Clay County became more organized in their efforts.
In 1871 brothers Robert and John Stewart donated a tract of land along the National Road in Brazil for proposed site of the new courthouse. The sum of $5,300 was also raised by citizens in the area to entice the commissioners to move the seat of government from Bowling Green to Brazil. This amount was reportedly the value of the existing courthouse and grounds, thus defusing opponents argument that abandoning the present courthouse would be a waste of taxpayers money. The relocation efforts, which began in 1871, were challenged in the Supreme Court. The relocation was finally granted in 1876.
In 1912 John W. Gaddis, a prominent architect in Vincennes, Indiana, entered into a contract with the County Commissioners to design, plan, and oversee the construction of a new courthouse. The construction bid of W.H. Bailey and Charles A. Koemer of Louisville, Kentucky was accepted in 1912 with the cornerstone being laid in the fall of 1912. Gaddis had successfully completed several others: in Fairfield and Robinson, Illinois: Perryville, Missouri and two in Indiana, the Putnam County Courthouse in Greencastle (1905) and the Huntington County Courthouse (1906) in Huntington, which are also in Classical Revival mode.
The Clay County Courthouse built in 1913-1914, is one of the most historically and architecturally significant buildings in Brazil and Clay County, Indiana. Built in Classical Revival style of architecture, it is the only building in Clay County holding county government offices and records. It is also located along side the famed National Road (Cumberland Trail).The present Courthouse is the fifth Courthouse to serve the people of Clay County,
(0I2), serving Brazil, Indiana
.
, and by the Indiana Code
.
County Council: The county council is the legislative branch of the county government and controls all the spending and revenue collection in the county. Representatives are elected from county districts. 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.
Board of Commissioners: 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 the day-to-day functions of the county government.
Court: 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 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 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 a party
affiliation and to be residents of the county.
Clay County is part of Indiana's 8th congressional district
; Indiana Senate
districts 37 and 39; and Indiana House of Representatives
districts 43, 44 and 46.
of 2000, there were 26,556 people, 10,216 households, and 7,437 families residing in the county. The population density
was 74 people per square mile (29/km²). There were 11,097 housing units at an average density of 31 per square mile (12/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.38% White
, 0.33% Black
or African American
, 0.24% Native American
, 0.11% Asian
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
, 0.23% from other races
, and 0.68% from two or more races. 0.58% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 30.7% were of American
, 25.7% German, 10.8% English
and 8.1% Irish
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 10,216 households out of which 33.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.70% were married couples
living together, 9.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.20% were non-families. 23.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.03.
In the county the population was spread out with 26.10% under the age of 18, 8.60% from 18 to 24, 27.80% from 25 to 44, 22.50% from 45 to 64, and 15.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 94.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $36,865, and the median income for a family was $41,863. Males had a median income of $31,611 versus $21,593 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $16,364. About 6.40% of families and 8.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.30% of those under age 18 and 9.80% 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...
. As of 2010, the population was 26,890. 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 Brazil
Brazil, Indiana
Brazil is a city in Clay County, Indiana, United States. The population was 7,912 at the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of Clay County. It is part of the Terre Haute Metropolitan Statistical Area...
. Clay County is included in the Terre Haute, Indiana
Terre Haute, Indiana
Terre Haute is a city and the county seat of Vigo County, Indiana, United States, near the state's western border with Illinois. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 60,785 and its metropolitan area had a population of 170,943. The city is the county seat of Vigo County and...
, Metropolitan Statistical Area.
History
Clay County was formed in 1825. Its name is in honor of Henry ClayHenry Clay
Henry Clay, Sr. , was a lawyer, politician and skilled orator who represented Kentucky separately in both the Senate and in the House of Representatives...
, a famous antebellum American statesman.
The first Courthouse was built in the newly platted town of Bowling Green in 1828, soon after Clay County was formed by the Indiana legislature. It was a two story structure of hand hewn logs.
By the late 1830’s Clay County had grown to the extent that the first Courthouse could no longer provide adequate facilities. Therefore a second Courthouse was constructed near the first Courthouse. This was a two story brick structure. This Courthouse served until destroyed by fire on the night of November 30, 1851.
Although some citizens believed Bowling Green was no longer the most practical or logical site for a new courthouse, the commissioners quickly decided to build the third courthouse on the site of the previous one in Bowling Green. Built of brick, at a cost of $11,000, and very similar to the previous courthouse, the new Courthouse began serving the county in the Fall of 1853.
By the 1860’s the towns of Harmony, Knightsville, and Brazil were growing rapidly, due in part to their location along the National Road, and also because of the many coal companies in that section of the county. An effort to move the county seat of government to a more central location, which had begun in the 1850’s, grew stronger creating controversy among citizens. In the 1860’s citizens in the northern section of Clay County became more organized in their efforts.
In 1871 brothers Robert and John Stewart donated a tract of land along the National Road in Brazil for proposed site of the new courthouse. The sum of $5,300 was also raised by citizens in the area to entice the commissioners to move the seat of government from Bowling Green to Brazil. This amount was reportedly the value of the existing courthouse and grounds, thus defusing opponents argument that abandoning the present courthouse would be a waste of taxpayers money. The relocation efforts, which began in 1871, were challenged in the Supreme Court. The relocation was finally granted in 1876.
In 1912 John W. Gaddis, a prominent architect in Vincennes, Indiana, entered into a contract with the County Commissioners to design, plan, and oversee the construction of a new courthouse. The construction bid of W.H. Bailey and Charles A. Koemer of Louisville, Kentucky was accepted in 1912 with the cornerstone being laid in the fall of 1912. Gaddis had successfully completed several others: in Fairfield and Robinson, Illinois: Perryville, Missouri and two in Indiana, the Putnam County Courthouse in Greencastle (1905) and the Huntington County Courthouse (1906) in Huntington, which are also in Classical Revival mode.
The Clay County Courthouse built in 1913-1914, is one of the most historically and architecturally significant buildings in Brazil and Clay County, Indiana. Built in Classical Revival style of architecture, it is the only building in Clay County holding county government offices and records. It is also located along side the famed National Road (Cumberland Trail).The present Courthouse is the fifth Courthouse to serve the people of Clay County,
Geography
According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 360.32 square miles (933.2 km²), of which 357.54 square miles (926 km²) (or 99.23%) is land and 2.78 square miles (7.2 km²) (or 0.77%) is water.Incorporated
|
Harmony, Indiana For the utopian settlement formerly known as Harmony, see New Harmony, IndianaHarmony is a town in Van Buren Township, Clay County, Indiana, United States. The population was 656 at the 2010 census... Knightsville, Indiana Knightsville is a town in Van Buren Township, Clay County, Indiana, United States. The population was 872 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Terre Haute Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Knightsville is located at .... Staunton, Indiana Staunton is a town in Posey Township, Clay County, Indiana, United States. The population was 534 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Terre Haute Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Staunton is located at .... |
Unincorporated
|
Bowling Green, Indiana Bowling Green is an unincorporated town in Washington Township, Clay County, Indiana. It is part of the Terre Haute Metropolitan Statistical Area.... Cardonia, Indiana Cardonia is an unincorporated town in Van Buren Township, Clay County, Indiana. It is part of the Terre Haute Metropolitan Statistical Area.... Cloverland, Indiana Cloverland is an unincorporated town in Posey Township, Clay County, Indiana. It is part of the Terre Haute Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:... Coalmont, Indiana Coalmont is an unincorporated town in Lewis Township, Clay County, Indiana. It is part of the Terre Haute Metropolitan Statistical Area.... Cory, Indiana Cory is an unincorporated town in Perry Township, Clay County, Indiana. It is part of the Terre Haute Metropolitan Statistical Area.... Hoosierville, Indiana Hoosierville is an unincorporated community in Jackson Township, Clay County, Indiana. It is part of the Terre Haute Metropolitan Statistical Area.... Howesville, Indiana Howesville is an unincorporated town in Lewis Township, Clay County, Indiana. It is part of the Terre Haute Metropolitan Statistical Area.... |
Perth, Indiana Perth is an unincorporated town in Dick Johnson Township, Clay County, Indiana. It is part of the Terre Haute Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Perth is located at .... Poland, Indiana Poland is an unincorporated community in eastern Cass Township, Clay County, Indiana, United States. It lies along State Road 42 southeast of the city of Brazil, the county seat of Clay County. Its elevation is 696 feet... Pontiac, Indiana Pontiac is an unincorporated town in Van Buren Township, Clay County, Indiana. It is part of the Terre Haute Metropolitan Statistical Area.... Saline City, Indiana Saline City is an unincorporated town in Sugar Ridge Township, Clay County, Indiana. It is part of the Terre Haute Metropolitan Statistical Area.... Stearleyville, Indiana Stearleyville is an unincorporated community in Jackson Township, Clay County, Indiana. It is part of the Terre Haute Metropolitan Statistical Area. Stearleyville was founded by George Stearley the son of German immigrants Johann and Rosanna Burkhardt Stierle from Pfuhl, Neu Ulm, Bavaria who came... Turner, Indiana Turner is an unincorporated town in Posey Township, Clay County, Indiana. It is part of the Terre Haute Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:... Twin Beach, Indiana Twin Beach is an unincorporated community in Posey Township, Clay County, Indiana. It is part of the Terre Haute Metropolitan Statistical Area.... |
Extinct
|
Townships
|
Jackson Township, Clay County, Indiana Jackson Township is one of eleven townships in Clay County, Indiana. As of the 2000 census, its population was 2,602.-Geography:Jackson Township covers an area of ; of this is water.-Unincorporated towns:* Asherville* Hoosierville... Lewis Township, Clay County, Indiana Lewis Township is one of eleven townships in Clay County, Indiana. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,510.-Geography:Lewis Township covers an area of ; of this is water... Perry Township, Clay County, Indiana Perry Township is one of eleven townships in Clay County, Indiana. As of the 2000 census, its population was 960.-Geography:Perry Township covers an area of ; of this is water.-Unincorporated towns:* Art* Cory* Hickory Island... Posey Township, Clay County, Indiana Posey Township is one of eleven townships in Clay County, Indiana. As of the 2000 census, its population was 3,984.-Geography:Posey Township covers an area of ; of this is water.-Cities and towns:* Brazil * Staunton... |
Sugar Ridge Township, Clay County, Indiana Sugar Ridge Township is one of eleven townships in Clay County, Indiana. As of the 2000 census, its population was 999.-Geography:Sugar Ridge Township covers an area of ; of this is water... Van Buren Township, Clay County, Indiana Van Buren Township is one of eleven townships in Clay County, Indiana. As of the 2000 census, its population was 3,144.-Geography:Van Buren Township covers an area of ; of this is water.-Cities and towns:* Carbon* Harmony* Knightsville... Washington Township, Clay County, Indiana Washington Township is one of eleven townships in Clay County, Indiana. As of the 2000 census, its population was 802.-Unincorporated towns:* Bowling Green* Hoffman Crossing* Six Points... |
Adjacent counties
- Parke CountyParke County, IndianaParke County is a county in the western part of the U.S. state of Indiana. It was formed in 1821 out of a portion of Vigo County. The county seat is Rockville....
(north) - Putnam CountyPutnam County, IndianaAs of the census of 2000, there were 36,019 people, 12,374 households, and 9,119 families residing in the county. The population density was 75 people per square mile . There were 13,505 housing units at an average density of 28 per square mile...
(northeast) - Owen CountyOwen County, IndianaOwen County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana, and determined by the U.S. Census Bureau to include the mean center of U.S. population in 1920. As of 2010, the population was 21,575...
(southeast) - Greene CountyGreene County, IndianaGreene County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana, and determined by the U.S. Census Bureau to include the mean center of U.S. population in 1930. As of 2010, the population was 33,165. The county seat is Bloomfield....
(south) - Sullivan CountySullivan County, IndianaSullivan County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana, and determined by the U.S. Census Bureau to include the mean center of U.S. population in 1940. As of 2010, the population was 21,475. The county seat is Sullivan. Sullivan County is included in the Terre Haute, Indiana,...
(southwest) - Vigo CountyVigo County, IndianaVigo County is a county located along the western border of the U.S. state of Indiana. Vigo County is included in the Terre Haute, Indiana, Metropolitan Statistical Area. The county seat is Terre Haute....
(west)
Major highways
Interstate 70Interstate 70Interstate 70 is an Interstate Highway in the United States that runs from Interstate 15 near Cove Fort, Utah, to a Park and Ride near Baltimore, Maryland. It was the first Interstate Highway project in the United States. I-70 approximately traces the path of U.S. Route 40 east of the Rocky...
U.S. Route 40U.S. Route 40U.S. Route 40 is an east–west United States highway. As with most routes whose numbers end in a zero, U.S. 40 once traversed the entire United States. It is one of the original 1920s U.S. Highways, and its first termini were San Francisco, California, and Atlantic City, New Jersey...
Indiana State Road 42Indiana State Road 42State Road 42 is an east–west road in Central Indiana. Its western terminus is at State Road 46 in Terre Haute. Its eastern terminus is at State Road 67 and State Road 144 in Mooresville.- Route description :...
Indiana State Road 46Indiana State Road 46State Road 46 in the U.S. State of Indiana is an east–west state highway in the southern half of Indiana.-Route description:The western terminus of SR 46 is at U.S. Route 40 in central Vigo County, just east of Terre Haute...
Indiana State Road 48Indiana State Road 48State Road 48 in the U.S. State of Indiana is an east–west state highway running through southern Indiana. It has three distinct and separate sections. The western terminus of SR 48 is at State Road 63 and the eastern terminus at U.S. Route 50.- Western section :The western section...
Indiana State Road 59Indiana State Road 59State Road 59 is a north–south road in Central Indiana that covers a distance of about through five counties.-Route description:State Road 59 begins at State Road 58 and heads north towards Sandborn. In Sandborn SR 59 has intersection with State Road 67...
Airport
The county contains one public-use airport: Brazil Clay County AirportBrazil Clay County Airport
Brazil Clay County Airport is a public-use airport located three nautical miles south of the central business district of Brazil, a city in Clay County, Indiana, United States. It is owned by the Brazil-Clay County BOAC....
(0I2), serving Brazil, Indiana
Brazil, Indiana
Brazil is a city in Clay County, Indiana, United States. The population was 7,912 at the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of Clay County. It is part of the Terre Haute Metropolitan Statistical Area...
.
Climate and weather
In recent years, average temperatures in Brazil have ranged from a low of 19 °F (-7.2 °C) in January to a high of 87 °F (30.6 °C) in July, although a record low of -25 °F was recorded in January 1994 and a record high of 109 °F (42.8 °C) was recorded in July 1936. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 2.25 inches (5.7 cm) in February to 4.89 inches (12.4 cm) in July.Government
The county government is a constitutional body, and is 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 by 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...
.
County Council: The county council is the legislative branch of the county government and controls all the spending and revenue collection in the county. Representatives are elected from county districts. 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.
Board of Commissioners: 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 the day-to-day functions of the county government.
Court: 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 also 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...
.
County Officials: The county has several other elected offices, including sheriff
Sheriffs in the United States
In the United States, a sheriff is a county official and is typically the top law enforcement officer of a county. Historically, the sheriff was also commander of the militia in that county. Distinctive to law enforcement in the United States, sheriffs are usually elected. The political election of...
, 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 a 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...
affiliation and to be residents of the county.
Clay County is part of Indiana's 8th congressional district
Indiana's 8th congressional district
Indiana's 8th congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Indiana. Based in Southwest and west central Indiana, the district is anchored in Evansville and also includes Terre Haute, Vincennes and Washington....
; 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...
districts 37 and 39; 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...
districts 43, 44 and 46.
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 26,556 people, 10,216 households, and 7,437 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 74 people per square mile (29/km²). There were 11,097 housing units at an average density of 31 per square mile (12/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.38% 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...
, 0.33% 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...
, 0.24% 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...
, 0.11% 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...
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
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...
, 0.23% 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 0.68% from two or more races. 0.58% 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. 30.7% were of American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, 25.7% German, 10.8% 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 8.1% 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...
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 10,216 households out of which 33.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.70% 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, 9.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.20% were non-families. 23.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.03.
In the county the population was spread out with 26.10% under the age of 18, 8.60% from 18 to 24, 27.80% from 25 to 44, 22.50% from 45 to 64, and 15.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 94.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $36,865, and the median income for a family was $41,863. Males had a median income of $31,611 versus $21,593 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 $16,364. About 6.40% of families and 8.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.30% of those under age 18 and 9.80% of those age 65 or over.