Columbia City, Indiana
Encyclopedia
Columbia City is a city in Columbia Township
, Whitley County
, Indiana
, United States
. The population was 8,750 at the 2010 census. The city is the county seat
of Whitley County
.
, the city has a total area of 5.2 square miles (13.5 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 7,077 people, 3,018 households, and 1,874 residing in the city. The population density
was 1,359.5 people per square mile (524.5/km²). There were 3,191 housing units at an average density of 613.0 per square mile (236.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.11% White, 0.32% African American, 0.44% Native American, 0.08% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.34% from other races
, and 0.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.20% of the population.
There were 3,018 households out of which 30.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.8% were married couples
living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.9% were non-families. 33.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.89.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.4% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from 45 to 64, and 17.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 89.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $36,112, and the median income for a family was $47,357. Males had a median income of $34,803 versus $21,740 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $19,296. About 4.5% of families and 6.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.8% of those under age 18 and 9.8% of those age 65 or over.
, of Fort Wayne, Indiana. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places
in 1979. The surrounding townsquare was added to the register in 1987.
Columbia Township, Whitley County, Indiana
Columbia Township is one of nine townships in Whitley County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 9,582.-Geography:Columbia Township covers an area of . Lakes in this township include Leininger Lake...
, Whitley County
Whitley County, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 30,707 people, 11,711 households, and 8,607 families residing in the county. The population density was 92 people per square mile . There were 12,545 housing units at an average density of 37 per square mile...
, 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...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 8,750 at the 2010 census. The city is 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....
of Whitley County
Whitley County, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 30,707 people, 11,711 households, and 8,607 families residing in the county. The population density was 92 people per square mile . There were 12,545 housing units at an average density of 37 per square mile...
.
Geography
Columbia City is located at 41°9′31"N 85°29′16"W (41.158569, -85.487784). According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 5.2 square miles (13.5 km²), all of it land.
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 7,077 people, 3,018 households, and 1,874 residing in the city. 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 1,359.5 people per square mile (524.5/km²). There were 3,191 housing units at an average density of 613.0 per square mile (236.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.11% White, 0.32% African American, 0.44% Native American, 0.08% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.34% 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. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.20% of the population.
There were 3,018 households out of which 30.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.8% 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, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.9% were non-families. 33.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.89.
In the city the population was spread out with 24.4% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from 45 to 64, and 17.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 89.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $36,112, and the median income for a family was $47,357. Males had a median income of $34,803 versus $21,740 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 city was $19,296. About 4.5% of families and 6.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.8% of those under age 18 and 9.8% of those age 65 or over.
Government
The city government consists of a mayor and a five-member city council. The mayor is elected in a citywide vote, along with the city councilperson-at-large. The remaining four council members are elected from individual city districts: northeast, southeast, southwest and northwest. There is also a city clerk-treasurer who is elected in a citywide vote.Courthouse
The Whitley County Courthouse was designed (1888–1891) by Brentwood S. TolanBrentwood S. Tolan
Brentwood S. Tolan was an American architect.Born in Delphos, Ohio to Thomas J. and Harriet Skinner Tolan. With little formal art training, he apprenticed under his father, a marble craftsman-turned architect, starting in 1872 at age 17...
, of Fort Wayne, Indiana. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
in 1979. The surrounding townsquare was added to the register in 1987.
Education
- Columbia City High SchoolColumbia City High SchoolColumbia City High School is a community high school located in Columbia City, Indiana.- Mission statement :"The Columbia City High School community creates quality learning environments that require all students to reach their full potential of becoming lifetime learners through collaboration and...
- Indian Springs Middle SchoolIndian Springs Middle SchoolIndian Springs Middle School was established as a middle school in Columbia City, Indiana in 1996.There are three sections for every grade. The school consists of A, B, and C sections. There are four core classes...
- Mary Raber Elementary School
- Little Turtle Elementary School
- Northern Heights Elementary School
- Coesse Elementary School
- Mary Raber Preschool
Notable natives & former residents
- Thomas R. MarshallThomas R. MarshallThomas Riley Marshall was an American Democratic politician who served as the 28th Vice President of the United States under Woodrow Wilson...
(1854–1925), Governor of Indiana (1909–1913) and Vice President of the United States (1913–1921), practiced law in Columbia City before becoming governor. A plaque in front of the courthouse honors him, and at one time a middle school bore his name. - Lloyd C. DouglasLloyd C. DouglasLloyd Cassel Douglas born Doya C. Douglas, was an American minister and author.He was born in Columbia City, Indiana, spent part of his boyhood in Monroeville, Indiana, Wilmot, Indiana and Florence, Kentucky, where his father, Alexander Jackson Douglas, was pastor of the Hopeful Lutheran Church...
(1877–1951), author of The RobeThe RobeThe Robe is a 1942 historical novel about the Crucifixion written by Lloyd C. Douglas. The book was one of the best-selling titles of the 1940s. It entered the New York Times Best Seller list in October 1942, and four weeks later rose to No. 1. It held the position for nearly a year...
and The Magnificent ObsessionMagnificent ObsessionMagnificent Obsession is a 1929 novel by Lloyd C. Douglas. It was one of four of his books that were eventually made into blockbuster motion pictures, the other three being The Robe, White Banners and The Big Fisherman.-Plot summary:...
, was born in Columbia City on August 27, 1877. - Ralph F. GatesRalph F. GatesRalph Fesler Gates was the 37th Governor of the U.S. state of Indiana from 1945 to 1949. A lawyer and veteran of World War I, he is credited with returning his party to power after the Ku Klux Klan scandal in late 1920s that led to years of Democratic dominance of the state government during the...
(1891–1957), Governor of Indiana (1945–1949), was born in Columbia City and lived there throughout his life. - Major General Keller E. Rocky, Commanding General of the 5th Marine Division in the Battle of Iwo Jima, awarded the Distinguished Service MedalDistinguished Service Medal (United States)The Distinguished Service Medal is the highest non-valorous military and civilian decoration of the United States military which is issued for exceptionally meritorious service to the government of the United States in either a senior government service position or as a senior officer of the United...
for inspired combat leadership in this epic battle. Rockey served in France in World War I. He was awarded the Navy CrossNavy CrossThe Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
as a junior officer in the 5th Marines at Chateau-Thierry. A second Navy Cross came later for heroic service in NicaraguaNicaraguaNicaragua is the largest country in the Central American American isthmus, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The country is situated between 11 and 14 degrees north of the Equator in the Northern Hemisphere, which places it entirely within the tropics. The Pacific Ocean...
. - Len BarnumLen BarnumLeonard Warner Barnum was an American football quarterback in the National Football League for the New York Giants and the Philadelphia Eagles. He attended West Virginia Wesleyan College...
(1912–1998), former NFL player with the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles. First quarterback ever taken in an NFL draft when the Pittsburgh Pirates chose him in 1936. - Bryan Deutsch, three time Division 1 NCAA qualifier, and one time Mid-American Conference Champion as a wrestler for Northern Illinois University.
- Roy Kilby, member of Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame.