Elkhart County, Indiana
Encyclopedia
Elkhart County is a county in the U.S. state
of Indiana
. Much of the county is in the Elkhart-Goshen Metropolitan Statistical Area, which in turn is part of the South Bend-Elkhart-Mishawaka Combined Statistical Area
. As of 2010, the county's population was 197,559.
Elkhart County has grown rather rapidly over the past couple of decades, which can be attributed to the growing RV industry, which until the Great Recession in 2007, was adding hundreds of jobs each year.
Elkhart County is also in the Northern Indiana region known as Michiana
, 20 miles (32.2 km) east of South Bend
, 110 miles (177 km) east of Chicago
, and 150 miles (241.4 km) north of Indianapolis
. The area is playfully referred to by locals as the recreation vehicle (RV) capital of the world and is known for its sizable Amish
population. For the latter reason, the county teams up with neighboring LaGrange County
to promote tourism by referring to the area as Northern Indiana Amish Country. The county seat
is Goshen
.
tribe. Pioneers began settling in the area known as the Elkhart Prairie in 1829 and on April 1, 1830 Elkhart County was officially established with its original county seat in Dunlap
. After some reorganizing of the county borders, the seat was moved to Goshen near the geographical center of the county.
Island Park looks like an elk's heart. However, it is unknown how Beardsley could have known what the island looked like from above. Hot air balloon
s existed at the time but the first air flight did not take place until the late 19th century. A third theory, and the most likely, claims that the county was named after the Shawnee
Indian chief Elkhart, cousin of the famous Chief Tecumseh
, and father of princess Mishawaka for whom neighboring Mishawaka
is named.
According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 467.97 square miles (1,212 km²), of which 463.17 square miles (1,199.6 km²) (or 98.97%) is land and 4.8 square miles (12.4 km²) (or 1.03%) is water. The county sits in mostly rural farmland with some rolling hills in its northeast corner. Those hills were formed by glacier
s and are part of the St. Lawrence Seaway Continental Divide.
The St. Joseph River
, which flows across the Michigan
border north of Bristol, is the main waterway in Elkhart County. The Elkhart River
enters the county east of Millersburg and winds its way through Goshen and Dunlap to Island Park in Elkhart where it meets the St. Joseph. The Little Elkhart River flows into the county southeast of Middlebury and creates some scenic views in Bonneyville Mills County Park before emptying into the St. Joseph near Bristol. Numerous creeks wind their way through the countryside and several lakes, including Simonton Lake, dot the landscape.
Fifteen unincorporated communities also exist in the county. They are Benton
, Bonneyville Mills
, Dunlap
, Foraker
, Garden Village, Jimtown
, Locke
, Midway
, New Paris
, Nibbyville, Simonton Lake
, Southwest
, Vistula
, and Waterford Mills
.
-based economy. Farming also plays a big role in the local economy along with other smaller industries. Tourism
rounds out Elkhart County's economy. Destinations such as Das Dutchman Essenhaus in Middlebury and Amish Acres
in Nappanee along with annual events such as the Elkhart Jazz Festival, the Amish Acres Arts & Crafts Festival
, and the Elkhart County 4-H Fair
draw in thousands of tourists every year. The Fair is the second largest county fair in the United States.
is led by a board of three elected commissioners that serve as the executive branch of county government. The board also serves as the legislative branch in that it is responsible for ordinances. The county council is made of seven elected members - four from each council district and three at large. The council is in charge of all monetary issues including appropriations and taxes. There are Township Bottomssors for Baugo, Cleveland, Concord, Elkhart, Middlebury, and Osolo townships and a County Bottomssor to handle the remaining townships.
The current county commissioners are:
The current county council members are:
Accurate as of July 2008.
Elkhart County is part of Indiana's 2nd congressional district
and Indiana's 3rd congressional district
; Indiana Senate
districts 9, 11 and 12; and Indiana House of Representatives
districts 5, 18, 21, 23, 48 and 49.
of 2000, there were 182,791 people, 66,154 households, and 47,630 families residing in the county. The population density
was 394 people per square mile (152/km²). There were 69,791 housing units at an average density of 150 per square mile (58/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 86.40% White
, 5.23% Black
or African American
, 0.27% Native American
, 0.92% Asian
, 0.04% Pacific Islander
, 5.36% from other races
, and 1.78% from two or more races. 8.92% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 27.9% were of German
, 14.7% American
, 6.3% English
and 6.2% Irish
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 66,154 households out of which 36.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.80% were married couples
living together, 10.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.00% were non-families. 22.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.18.
In the county the population was spread out with 28.90% under the age of 18, 9.50% from 18 to 24, 29.80% from 25 to 44, 20.90% from 45 to 64, and 10.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 98.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $44,478, and the median income for a family was $50,438. Males had a median income of $35,907 versus $24,051 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $20,250. About 5.80% of families and 7.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.20% of those under age 18 and 6.50% of those age 65 or over.
(Interstates 80
/90) runs through the northern fringes of the county. Elkhart has two interchanges (exits 92 & 96) while Bristol and Middlebury have one apiece (exits 101 and 107 respectively.) U.S. Route 20
skirts the southern edges of Elkhart as the St. Joseph Valley Parkway
until the freeway ends at the County Road 17
interchange. U.S. 20 continues eastward as a regular surface highway. County Road 17 is known as the "Michiana Parkway" and provides a connection between Goshen
, U.S. 20, S.R. 120
, the Elkhart East interchange (Exit 96) on the Toll Road, and US 12
in Michigan via M-217
.
U.S. Highways 6
, 33
, and 131 also run through the county along with Indiana State Highways 4
, 13
, 15
, 19
, 119
, and 219. U.S. 33 was once part of the original Lincoln Highway
.
serves several municipalities throughout Elkhart County, connecting Elkhart
and Goshen
, as well as Osceola
, Dunlap
and Mishawaka, using buses that look like trolley
cars. These buses are manufactured at government expense in RV facilities of Elkhart County. The county's only Amtrak
and Greyhound bus stations are in Elkhart.
Elkhart and Goshen both have municipal airports and Amtrak makes four daily stops in Elkhart.
.
and Memorial
), one alternative school (Tipton Street Center), and the Elkhart Area Career Center.
The Middlebury Community Schools serve the northeast side of the county. The system includes four elementary schools (Jefferson, Middlebury, Orchard View, and York), one intermediate school (Heritage), one middle school, and one high school both named Northridge
.
The Fairfield Community Schools serve the southeast corner of the county. The system includes three elementary schools (Benton, Millersburg, and New Paris) and one junior-senior high school named Fairfield
.
The Wa-Nee Community Schools serve the southwest portion of the county. This system consists of three elementary schools (Nappanee, Wakarusa, and Woodview), one middle school, and one high school both named NorthWood
.
The Baugo Community Schools serve the west central part of the county. That system is made up of two elementary schools (North and South), an intermediate, a junior high, and a high school each named Jimtown
.
The Concord Community Schools serve the southeast side of the city of Elkhart and northwest Goshen. This system consists of four elementary schools (East Side, Ox Bow, South Side, and West Side), a junior high school, and a high school, both named Concord
.
Finally, the Goshen Community Schools serve the central part of Elkhart County. This district is made up of seven elementary schools (Chamberlain, Chandler, Model, Parkside, Prairieview, Waterford, and West goshen), one middle and one high school both named Goshen
.
, a small Mennonite liberal arts college of 1000 students in Goshen; the Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary
, which has been operating on Elkhart's south side since 1958: and Indiana Fundamental Bible College in New Paris.
The city of Elkhart also has four satellite campuses within its city limits. Bethel College
of Mishawaka
has a small satellite campus on the south side, Indiana Institute of Technology
has a small operation on Middlebury Street, Indiana University South Bend
has its "Elkhart Center" downtown, and Ivy Tech Community College
has a campus as well.
Ox Bow Park sits on 113 acre (0.45729518 km²) overlooking the Elkhart River
midway between Elkhart and Goshen. The park offers hiking trails, shelters, disc golf, and an archery range.
River Preserve Park is 1050 acres (4.2 km²) located between Benton and the Goshen Dam also on the Elkhart River. The park also offers several trails and shelters, and also provides some insight into the history of Indiana's waterways.
Treasure Island Park offers fishing and canoe access to the St. Joseph River west of Elkhart while the Turkey Creek (two miles south of Goshen) and Wolf Lake (two miles north of Goshen) sites have no public access but are described as "future parks."
The cities and towns of Elkhart County also have numerous parks and greenways.
is home to the Elkhart Express
International Basketball League
team. However, after (2) successful/winning seasons, the Express did not play in 2009.
All of these events draw in many people every year, but the biggest event, by far, in the county is the Elkhart County 4-H Fair
. This nine day event is the second largest county fair in the United States.
and The Goshen News
are the two daily newspapers that serve the county while Bristol, Middlebury, and Nappanee all have weekly newspapers.
Elkhart County lies in the South Bend-Elkhart television market, the 89th largest in the United States as of 2008. Two television stations, WSJV-TV (Fox
) and WNIT-TV (PBS), are located in Elkhart along with several radio stations including WTRC
, WLEG, WFRN and WVPE
(NPR
). Radio Stations WKAM and Goshen College's WGCS
are located in Goshen.
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...
. Much of the county is in the Elkhart-Goshen Metropolitan Statistical Area, which in turn is part of the South Bend-Elkhart-Mishawaka Combined Statistical Area
Combined Statistical Area
The United States Office of Management and Budget defines micropolitan and metropolitan statistical areas. Metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas consist of one or more counties...
. As of 2010, the county's population was 197,559.
Elkhart County has grown rather rapidly over the past couple of decades, which can be attributed to the growing RV industry, which until the Great Recession in 2007, was adding hundreds of jobs each year.
Elkhart County is also in the Northern Indiana region known as Michiana
Michiana
Michiana is a region in northern Indiana and southwestern Michigan centered on the city of South Bend, Indiana. The Chamber of Commerce of St. Joseph County, Indiana defines Michiana as "counties that contribute at least 500 inbound commuting workers to St. Joseph County daily." Those counties...
, 20 miles (32.2 km) east of South Bend
South Bend, Indiana
The city of South Bend is the county seat of St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States, on the St. Joseph River near its southernmost bend, from which it derives its name. As of the 2010 Census, the city had a total of 101,168 residents; its Metropolitan Statistical Area had a population of 316,663...
, 110 miles (177 km) east of Chicago
Chicago
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 150 miles (241.4 km) north of Indianapolis
Indianapolis, Indiana
Indianapolis is the capital of the U.S. state of Indiana, and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city's population is 839,489. It is by far Indiana's largest city and, as of the 2010 U.S...
. The area is playfully referred to by locals as the recreation vehicle (RV) capital of the world and is known for its sizable Amish
Amish
The Amish , sometimes referred to as Amish Mennonites, are a group of Christian church fellowships that form a subgroup of the Mennonite churches...
population. For the latter reason, the county teams up with neighboring LaGrange County
LaGrange County, Indiana
LaGrange County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana and in the Northern Indiana region known as Michiana. As of 2010, the population was 37,128. The county is located about east of South Bend, west of Toledo, Ohio, and northeast of Indianapolis. The area is well known for its large...
to promote tourism by referring to the area as Northern Indiana Amish Country. 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 Goshen
Goshen, Indiana
Goshen is a city in and the county seat of Elkhart County, Indiana, United States. It is the smaller of the two principal cities of the Elkhart-Goshen Metropolitan Statistical Area, which in turn is part of the South Bend-Elkhart-Mishawaka Combined Statistical Area. It is located in the northern...
.
History
At the beginning of the 19th century, the area now known as Elkhart was mainly inhabited by the PotawatomiPotawatomi
The Potawatomi are a Native American people of the upper Mississippi River region. They traditionally speak the Potawatomi language, a member of the Algonquian family. In the Potawatomi language, they generally call themselves Bodéwadmi, a name that means "keepers of the fire" and that was applied...
tribe. Pioneers began settling in the area known as the Elkhart Prairie in 1829 and on April 1, 1830 Elkhart County was officially established with its original county seat in Dunlap
Dunlap, Indiana
Dunlap is a census-designated place in Elkhart County, Indiana, United States. The population was 6,235 at the 2010 census. Once a small farming community, by the 1980s it had become a suburb of Elkhart and Goshen, Indiana. Most of the town was destroyed by two violent F4 tornadoes during the Palm...
. After some reorganizing of the county borders, the seat was moved to Goshen near the geographical center of the county.
Name
There are several theories concerning the origin of the county's name. The first says that the county was named after an Elkhart tribe. However there is no historical proof that such a tribe existed. Another theory, one provided on the city's website, says that Elkhart'sElkhart, Indiana
Elkhart is a city in Elkhart County, Indiana, United States. The city is located east of South Bend, northwest of Fort Wayne, east of Chicago, and north of Indianapolis...
Island Park looks like an elk's heart. However, it is unknown how Beardsley could have known what the island looked like from above. Hot air balloon
Hot air balloon
The hot air balloon is the oldest successful human-carrying flight technology. It is in a class of aircraft known as balloon aircraft. On November 21, 1783, in Paris, France, the first untethered manned flight was made by Jean-François Pilâtre de Rozier and François Laurent d'Arlandes in a hot air...
s existed at the time but the first air flight did not take place until the late 19th century. A third theory, and the most likely, claims that the county was named after the Shawnee
Shawnee
The Shawnee, Shaawanwaki, Shaawanooki and Shaawanowi lenaweeki, are an Algonquian-speaking people native to North America. Historically they inhabited the areas of Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, Western Maryland, Kentucky, Indiana, and Pennsylvania...
Indian chief Elkhart, cousin of the famous Chief Tecumseh
Tecumseh
Tecumseh was a Native American leader of the Shawnee and a large tribal confederacy which opposed the United States during Tecumseh's War and the War of 1812...
, and father of princess Mishawaka for whom neighboring Mishawaka
Mishawaka, Indiana
Mishawaka is a city on the St. Joseph River and a Twin city of South Bend in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States. The population was 48,252 as of the 2010 Census...
is named.
Geography
Glacier
A glacier is a large persistent body of ice that forms where the accumulation of snow exceeds its ablation over many years, often centuries. At least 0.1 km² in area and 50 m thick, but often much larger, a glacier slowly deforms and flows due to stresses induced by its weight...
s and are part of the St. Lawrence Seaway Continental Divide.
The St. Joseph River
St. Joseph River (Lake Michigan)
The St. Joseph River is a river, approximately long, in southern Michigan and northern Indiana in the United States. It drains a primarily rural farming area in the watershed of Lake Michigan...
, which flows across the Michigan
Michigan
Michigan is a U.S. state located in the Great Lakes Region of the United States of America. The name Michigan is the French form of the Ojibwa word mishigamaa, meaning "large water" or "large lake"....
border north of Bristol, is the main waterway in Elkhart County. The Elkhart River
Elkhart River
The Elkhart River is a tributary of the St. Joseph River in northern Indiana in the United States. It is almost entirely contained in Elkhart County. It begins southeast of Millersburg just across the county line in Noble County. It flows generally westward through Benton and then turns...
enters the county east of Millersburg and winds its way through Goshen and Dunlap to Island Park in Elkhart where it meets the St. Joseph. The Little Elkhart River flows into the county southeast of Middlebury and creates some scenic views in Bonneyville Mills County Park before emptying into the St. Joseph near Bristol. Numerous creeks wind their way through the countryside and several lakes, including Simonton Lake, dot the landscape.
Fifteen unincorporated communities also exist in the county. They are Benton
Benton, Indiana
Benton is an unincorporated town in Benton Township, Elkhart County, Indiana....
, Bonneyville Mills
Bonneyville Mills, Indiana
Bonneyville Mills is an unincorporated community in York Township, Elkhart County, Indiana....
, Dunlap
Dunlap, Indiana
Dunlap is a census-designated place in Elkhart County, Indiana, United States. The population was 6,235 at the 2010 census. Once a small farming community, by the 1980s it had become a suburb of Elkhart and Goshen, Indiana. Most of the town was destroyed by two violent F4 tornadoes during the Palm...
, Foraker
Foraker, Indiana
Foraker is an unincorporated town in Union Township, Elkhart County, Indiana.-Geography:The small North-central Indiana community of Foraker is located at . The town spreads south and west from the corner of CR 142 and CR 13....
, Garden Village, Jimtown
Jamestown, Elkhart County, Indiana
Jamestown is an unincorporated town in Baugo Township, Elkhart County, Indiana....
, Locke
Locke, Indiana
Locke is an unincorporated town in Locke Township, Elkhart County, Indiana....
, Midway
Midway, Elkhart County, Indiana
Midway is an unincorporated town in Concord Township, Elkhart County, Indiana....
, New Paris
New Paris, Indiana
New Paris is a census-designated place in Elkhart County, Indiana, United States. The population was 1,006 at the 2000 census.-Geography:New Paris is located in Jackson Township at ....
, Nibbyville, Simonton Lake
Simonton Lake, Indiana
Simonton Lake is a census-designated place in Elkhart County, Indiana, United States. The population was 4,678 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Simonton Lake is located at ....
, Southwest
Southwest, Indiana
Southwest is an unincorporated town in Harrison Township, Elkhart County, Indiana.-Geography:Southwest is located at ....
, Vistula
Vistula, Indiana
Vistula is an unincorporated town in York Township, Elkhart County, Indiana....
, and Waterford Mills
Waterford Mills, Indiana
Waterford Mills is an unincorporated community in Elkhart Township, Elkhart County, Indiana....
.
Townships
|
Concord Township, Elkhart County, Indiana Concord Township is one of sixteen townships in Elkhart County, Indiana. As of the 2000 census, its population was 55,377.-Geography:Concord Township covers an area of ; of this is water.-Cities and towns:* Dunlap* Elkhart... Elkhart Township, Elkhart County, Indiana Elkhart Township is one of sixteen townships in Elkhart County, Indiana. As of the 2000 census, its population was 33,986.-Adjacent townships:* Jefferson Township * Middlebury Township * Clinton Township... Harrison Township, Elkhart County, Indiana Harrison Township is one of sixteen townships in Elkhart County, Indiana. As of the 2000 census, its population was 2,885.-Geography:Harrison Township covers an area of ; of this is water... Jackson Township, Elkhart County, Indiana Jackson Township is one of sixteen townships in Elkhart County, Indiana. As of the 2000 census, its population was 3,409.-Geography:Jackson Township covers an area of ; of this is water... |
Jefferson Township, Elkhart County, Indiana Jefferson Township is one of sixteen townships in Elkhart County, Indiana. As of the 2000 census, its population was 6,545.According to 2010 U.S. Census Bureau figures, Jefferson Township, unincorporated except for the site of an undeveloped Goshen industrial park in the township's southern... Locke Township, Elkhart County, Indiana Locke Township is one of sixteen townships in Elkhart County, Indiana. As of the 2000 census, its population was 4,200.-Adjacent townships:* Olive Township * Harrison Township * Union Township... Middlebury Township, Elkhart County, Indiana Middlebury Township is one of sixteen townships in Elkhart County, Indiana. As of the 2000 census, its population was 7,028.-Geography:Middlebury Township covers an area of ; of this is water.-Unincorporated towns:* Lake Grange... Olive Township, Elkhart County, Indiana Olive Township is one of sixteen townships in Elkhart County, Indiana. As of the 2000 census, its population was 2,847.-Adjacent townships:* Baugo Township * Concord Township * Harrison Township * Union Township... |
Osolo Township, Elkhart County, Indiana Osolo Township is one of sixteen townships in Elkhart County, Indiana. As of the 2000 census, its population was 26,369.-Cities and towns:* Elkhart * Simonton Lake-Unincorporated towns:* East Lake Estates* Garden Village* Greenleaf Manor... Union Township, Elkhart County, Indiana Union Township is one of sixteen townships in Elkhart County, Indiana. As of the 2000 census, its population was 5,827.-Unincorporated towns:* Foraker* Gravelton-Adjacent townships:... Washington Township, Elkhart County, Indiana Washington Township is one of sixteen townships in Elkhart County, Indiana. As of the 2000 census, its population was 7,019.-Unincorporated towns:* Nibbyville-Cemeteries:... York Township, Elkhart County, Indiana York Township is one of sixteen townships in Elkhart County, Indiana. As of the 2000 census, its population was 3,429.-Geography:York Township covers an area of ; of this is water. Hunter Lake is in this township.-Unincorporated towns:... |
Adjacent counties
- St. Joseph County, MichiganSt. Joseph County, Michigan-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 62,422 people, 23,381 households, and 16,600 families residing in the county. The population density was 124 people per square mile . There were 26,503 housing units at an average density of 53 per square mile...
(northeast) - Lagrange CountyLaGrange County, IndianaLaGrange County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana and in the Northern Indiana region known as Michiana. As of 2010, the population was 37,128. The county is located about east of South Bend, west of Toledo, Ohio, and northeast of Indianapolis. The area is well known for its large...
(east) - Noble CountyNoble County, IndianaAs of the census of 2000, there were 46,275 people, 16,696 households, and 12,288 families residing in the county. The population density was 113 people per square mile . There were 18,233 housing units at an average density of 44 per square mile...
(southeast) - Kosciusko CountyKosciusko County, IndianaKosciusko County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. Census 2010 recorded the population at 77,358. The county seat is Warsaw.The county was formed in 1836. It was named after the Polish general Tadeusz Kościuszko, who served in the American Revolutionary War, and then returned to...
(south) - Marshall CountyMarshall County, IndianaAs 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...
(southwest) - St. Joseph CountySt. Joseph County, IndianaAs of the census of 2000, there were 265,559 people, 100,743 households, and 66,792 families residing in the county. The population density was 581 people per square mile . There were 107,013 housing units at an average density of 234 per square mile...
(west) - Cass County, MichiganCass County, MichiganCass County is a county in the U.S. state of Michigan. As of the 2000 census, the population was 51,104. It is part of the South Bend–Mishawaka, IN-MI, Metropolitan Statistical Area which has a total population of 316,663 and is sometimes considered part of Greater Michiana...
(northwest)
Cities
- ElkhartElkhart, IndianaElkhart is a city in Elkhart County, Indiana, United States. The city is located east of South Bend, northwest of Fort Wayne, east of Chicago, and north of Indianapolis...
- GoshenGoshen, IndianaGoshen is a city in and the county seat of Elkhart County, Indiana, United States. It is the smaller of the two principal cities of the Elkhart-Goshen Metropolitan Statistical Area, which in turn is part of the South Bend-Elkhart-Mishawaka Combined Statistical Area. It is located in the northern...
- NappaneeNappanee, Indiana-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 6,710 people, 2,521 households, and 1,792 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,818.9 people per square mile . There were 2,647 housing units at an average density of 717.5 per square mile...
Towns
|
Millersburg, Indiana Millersburg is a town in Clinton and Benton townships, Elkhart County, Indiana, United States. The population was 903 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Millersburg is located at .... New Paris, Indiana New Paris is a census-designated place in Elkhart County, Indiana, United States. The population was 1,006 at the 2000 census.-Geography:New Paris is located in Jackson Township at .... |
Simonton Lake, Indiana Simonton Lake is a census-designated place in Elkhart County, Indiana, United States. The population was 4,678 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Simonton Lake is located at .... Wakarusa, Indiana Wakarusa is a town in Harrison and Olive townships in Elkhart County, Indiana, United States. The population was 1,618 at the 2000 census. Wakarusa is a small farming and manufacturing community located on Indiana 19 just north of Indiana 119... |
Unincorporated communities
|
Jamestown, Elkhart County, Indiana Jamestown is an unincorporated town in Baugo Township, Elkhart County, Indiana.... Locke, Indiana Locke is an unincorporated town in Locke Township, Elkhart County, Indiana.... Midway, Elkhart County, Indiana Midway is an unincorporated town in Concord Township, Elkhart County, Indiana.... New Paris, Indiana New Paris is a census-designated place in Elkhart County, Indiana, United States. The population was 1,006 at the 2000 census.-Geography:New Paris is located in Jackson Township at .... |
Simonton Lake, Indiana Simonton Lake is a census-designated place in Elkhart County, Indiana, United States. The population was 4,678 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Simonton Lake is located at .... Southwest, Indiana Southwest is an unincorporated town in Harrison Township, Elkhart County, Indiana.-Geography:Southwest is located at .... Vistula, Indiana Vistula is an unincorporated town in York Township, Elkhart County, Indiana.... Waterford Mills, Indiana Waterford Mills is an unincorporated community in Elkhart Township, Elkhart County, Indiana.... |
Economy
Elkhart County is known as "The RV Capital of the World" because of its substantial recreational vehicleRecreational vehicle
Recreational vehicle or RV is, in North America, the usual term for a Motor vehicle or trailer equipped with living space and amenities found in a home.-Features:...
-based economy. Farming also plays a big role in the local economy along with other smaller industries. Tourism
Tourism
Tourism is travel for recreational, leisure or business purposes. The World Tourism Organization defines tourists as people "traveling to and staying in places outside their usual environment for not more than one consecutive year for leisure, business and other purposes".Tourism has become a...
rounds out Elkhart County's economy. Destinations such as Das Dutchman Essenhaus in Middlebury and Amish Acres
Amish Acres
Amish Acres is a tourist attraction in Nappanee, Indiana created from an Old Order Amish farm. The farm was purchased in October 1968 at auction from the Manasses Kuhns’ estate. The farm was homesteaded by Moses Stahly in 1873...
in Nappanee along with annual events such as the Elkhart Jazz Festival, the Amish Acres Arts & Crafts Festival
Amish Acres Arts & Crafts Festival
The Amish Acres Arts & Crafts Festival, held the first weekend in August, Thursday through Sunday, July 31 through August 3, 2008 in Nappanee, Indiana, celebrates its 46th year in 2008. It features 350 artists and craftsmen in a marketplace surrounding the farm's pond. Over $10,000 in cash prizes...
, and the Elkhart County 4-H Fair
Elkhart County 4-H Fair
The Elkhart County 4-H Fair is held in late July in Goshen, Indiana. It is the second largest county fair in the country. In 2008, 240,859 guests visited the Fair during the 9 day event. The Elkhart County 4-H Fair is known for its free grandstand entertainment and concerts...
draw in thousands of tourists every year. The Fair is the second largest county fair in the United States.
Climate and weather
In recent years, average temperatures in Goshen have ranged from a low of 17 °F (-8.3 °C) in January to a high of 85 °F (29.4 °C) in July, although a record low of -24 °F was recorded in January 1984 and a record high of 102 °F (38.9 °C) was recorded in June 1988. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.77 inches (4.5 cm) in February to 4.05 inches (10.3 cm) in June.Government
The countyCounty (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...
is led by a board of three elected commissioners that serve as the executive branch of county government. The board also serves as the legislative branch in that it is responsible for ordinances. The county council is made of seven elected members - four from each council district and three at large. The council is in charge of all monetary issues including appropriations and taxes. There are Township Bottomssors for Baugo, Cleveland, Concord, Elkhart, Middlebury, and Osolo townships and a County Bottomssor to handle the remaining townships.
The current county commissioners are:
- District 1: Frank Lucchese, Member
- District 2: Mike Yoder, Vice-President
- District 3: Terry Rodino, President
The current county council members are:
- District 1: David E. Foutz
- District 2: Randall Yohn
- District 3: Clarence J. Yoder
- District 4: Donald E. Abel
- At-Large: Dennis E. Sharkey
- At-Large: John K. Letherman
- At-Large: James L. Hartman
Accurate as of July 2008.
Elkhart County is part of Indiana's 2nd congressional district
Indiana's 2nd congressional district
Indiana's 2nd congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Indiana. Based in South Bend, the district is located in north-central Indiana and takes in the Indiana portion of the Michiana region...
and Indiana's 3rd congressional district
Indiana's 3rd congressional district
Indiana's 3rd congressional district is a congressional district in the U.S. state of Indiana. Based in Fort Wayne, the district takes in the northeastern part of the state and includes Goshen....
; 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 9, 11 and 12; 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 5, 18, 21, 23, 48 and 49.
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 182,791 people, 66,154 households, and 47,630 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 394 people per square mile (152/km²). There were 69,791 housing units at an average density of 150 per square mile (58/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 86.40% 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...
, 5.23% 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...
, 0.27% 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...
, 0.92% 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...
, 0.04% 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...
, 5.36% 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 1.78% from two or more races. 8.92% 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. 27.9% 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....
, 14.7% American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, 6.3% 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 6.2% 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 66,154 households out of which 36.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.80% 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, 10.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.00% were non-families. 22.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.18.
In the county the population was spread out with 28.90% under the age of 18, 9.50% from 18 to 24, 29.80% from 25 to 44, 20.90% from 45 to 64, and 10.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 98.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.10 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $44,478, and the median income for a family was $50,438. Males had a median income of $35,907 versus $24,051 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 $20,250. About 5.80% of families and 7.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.20% of those under age 18 and 6.50% of those age 65 or over.
Transportation
Roads
The Indiana Toll RoadIndiana Toll Road
The Indiana Toll Road, officially the Indiana East–West Toll Road, is a toll road that runs for east–west across northern Indiana from the Illinois state line to the Ohio state line...
(Interstates 80
Interstate 80 in Indiana
In the U.S. state of Indiana, Interstate 80 consists entirely of the following two routes:* The Borman Expressway, from the Illinois state line to Lake Station, Indiana, running concurrently with Interstate 94....
/90) runs through the northern fringes of the county. Elkhart has two interchanges (exits 92 & 96) while Bristol and Middlebury have one apiece (exits 101 and 107 respectively.) U.S. Route 20
U.S. Route 20
U.S. Route 20 is an east–west United States highway. As the "0" in its route number implies, US 20 is a coast-to-coast route. Spanning , it is the longest road in the United States, and the route sparsely parallels Interstate 90...
skirts the southern edges of Elkhart as the St. Joseph Valley Parkway
St. Joseph Valley Parkway
The St. Joseph Valley Parkway is a freeway in the U.S. states of Indiana and Michigan, serving as a bypass route around Elkhart, Mishawaka, and South Bend in Indiana and Niles in Michigan. The freeway runs to the south and west of Elkhart and South Bend and Niles and consists of segments of U.S...
until the freeway ends at the County Road 17
County Road 17 (Elkhart County, Indiana)
Elkhart County Road 17 is a north–south artery in Elkhart County, Indiana. It is currently undergoing improvements to become a four lane divided road with non-limited traffic. Elkhart County road 17 starts at the state line, connecting with state highway M-217 in Michigan. The roadway crosses...
interchange. U.S. 20 continues eastward as a regular surface highway. County Road 17 is known as the "Michiana Parkway" and provides a connection between Goshen
Goshen, Indiana
Goshen is a city in and the county seat of Elkhart County, Indiana, United States. It is the smaller of the two principal cities of the Elkhart-Goshen Metropolitan Statistical Area, which in turn is part of the South Bend-Elkhart-Mishawaka Combined Statistical Area. It is located in the northern...
, U.S. 20, S.R. 120
Indiana State Road 120
State Road 120 in the U.S. state of Indiana is an east–west state highway located close to the Michigan border. It runs from Elkhart in the west to the Michigan border at the eastern edge of Indiana.-Route description:...
, the Elkhart East interchange (Exit 96) on the Toll Road, and US 12
U.S. Route 12 in Indiana
In the U.S. state of Indiana, U.S. Route 12 is a historical east–west arterial highway that runs along the Lake Michigan shoreline. In the early 1920s, it was the most important route between Chicago, Illinois and Detroit, Michigan. Most of the route has since been supplanted by Interstate 94...
in Michigan via M-217
M-217 (Michigan highway)
M-217, also known as Michiana Parkway, is a multi-lane state trunkline highway in the U.S. state of Michigan. The Michiana Parkway, which extends into Indiana, was constructed as a joint effort of the Michigan Department of Transportation, the Cass County Road Commission and the Elkhart County...
.
U.S. Highways 6
U.S. Route 6 in Indiana
U.S. Route 6 is a part of the United States Numbered Highway that runs from California to Provincetown, Massachusetts. In Indiana, it is a mostly rural, two-lane route that travels in the northern part of the state. However, some four-lane stretches may be found in Lake and Porter counties. For...
, 33
U.S. Route 33 in Indiana
U.S. Route 33 is a mainly two-lane U.S. Highway running through northeast Indiana. The highway travels from southeast to northwest.-Route description:...
, and 131 also run through the county along with Indiana State Highways 4
Indiana State Road 4
State Road 4 in the U.S. State of Indiana refers to three separate disconnected surface highways in northern Indiana, although local highways that have never been part of the state highway system could in fact connect them.-Western segment:...
, 13
Indiana State Road 13
State Road 13 in the U.S. State of Indiana is a north–south highway in north-central and central Indiana that connects the area east of Indianapolis with the northern part of the state. Its northern terminus is at the Michigan state line, although starting at the interchange with the Indiana...
, 15
Indiana State Road 15
State Road 15 is a north–south road in northeastern Indiana. Its southern terminus is at State Road 22 in Jonesboro. Its northern terminus is the Michigan state line north of Bristol. It is a surface highway that is mostly rural...
, 19
Indiana State Road 19
State Road 19 in the U.S. state of Indiana begins at State Road 32 in Noblesville in the south, and runs north to the Michigan state line just north of Elkhart, a distance of...
, 119
Indiana State Road 119
State Road 119 exists as two separate roads in the U.S state of Indiana. The road is a rural surface highway for the entire length of both sections.-Southern section:...
, and 219. U.S. 33 was once part of the original Lincoln Highway
Lincoln Highway
The Lincoln Highway was the first road across the United States of America.Conceived and promoted by entrepreneur Carl G. Fisher, the Lincoln Highway spanned coast-to-coast from Times Square in New York City to Lincoln Park in San Francisco, originally through 13 states: New York, New Jersey,...
.
Other forms
A bus system known as the Interurban TrolleyInterurban Trolley
Interurban Trolley is an Elkhart County regional public bus service operated by the Michiana Area Council of Governments . It was originally known as the BUS system. The system serves the city of Elkhart and neighboring Goshen, Osceola, Dunlap and Mishawaka...
serves several municipalities throughout Elkhart County, connecting Elkhart
Elkhart, Indiana
Elkhart is a city in Elkhart County, Indiana, United States. The city is located east of South Bend, northwest of Fort Wayne, east of Chicago, and north of Indianapolis...
and Goshen
Goshen, Indiana
Goshen is a city in and the county seat of Elkhart County, Indiana, United States. It is the smaller of the two principal cities of the Elkhart-Goshen Metropolitan Statistical Area, which in turn is part of the South Bend-Elkhart-Mishawaka Combined Statistical Area. It is located in the northern...
, as well as Osceola
Osceola, Indiana
Osceola is a town in Penn Township, St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States. The population was 2,463 at the 2010 Census. It is part of the South Bend–Mishawaka, IN-MI, Metropolitan Statistical Area.The town is named after Seminole fighter, Osceola...
, Dunlap
Dunlap, Indiana
Dunlap is a census-designated place in Elkhart County, Indiana, United States. The population was 6,235 at the 2010 census. Once a small farming community, by the 1980s it had become a suburb of Elkhart and Goshen, Indiana. Most of the town was destroyed by two violent F4 tornadoes during the Palm...
and Mishawaka, using buses that look like trolley
Tram
A tram is a passenger rail vehicle which runs on tracks along public urban streets and also sometimes on separate rights of way. It may also run between cities and/or towns , and/or partially grade separated even in the cities...
cars. These buses are manufactured at government expense in RV facilities of Elkhart County. The county's only Amtrak
Elkhart (Amtrak station)
Elkhart is a train station in Elkhart, Indiana served by Amtrak, the national railroad passenger system. Elkhart is the second station on both the eastbound Capitol Limited and Lake Shore Limited toward New York City and Washington DC...
and Greyhound bus stations are in Elkhart.
Elkhart and Goshen both have municipal airports and Amtrak makes four daily stops in Elkhart.
Education
The county has seven public school districts, seven private schools, and one college. Several other colleges have satellite campuses in the city of ElkhartElkhart
Elkhart is the name of some places in the United States of America:*Elkhart, Illinois*Elkhart, Indiana*Elkhart, Iowa*Elkhart, Kansas*Elkhart, Texas*Elkhart County, Indiana*Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin...
.
Public schools
The Elkhart Community Schools, the largest district, serve the populated northwest side of the county. The system includes one primary school (Roosevelt), thirteen elementary schools (Beardsley, Bristol, Cleveland, Eastwood, Hawthorne, Mary Beck, Mary Daly, Mary Feeser, Monger, Osolo, Pinewood, Riverview, and Woodland), three middle schools (North Side, Pierre Moran, and West Side), two high schools (CentralElkhart Central High School
-Vision:Elkhart Central High School is a place where all feel safe, welcome and aspire to learn, find their niche and pursue their dreams.-Mission:...
and Memorial
Elkhart Memorial High School
Elkhart Memorial High School is a public high school located in Elkhart, Indiana.-Mission statement:The mission of the Elkhart Memorial High School is to promote and maintain a community of learners where all members strive for mutual respect, teamwork, self-discipline, and active engagement, in...
), one alternative school (Tipton Street Center), and the Elkhart Area Career Center.
The Middlebury Community Schools serve the northeast side of the county. The system includes four elementary schools (Jefferson, Middlebury, Orchard View, and York), one intermediate school (Heritage), one middle school, and one high school both named Northridge
Northridge High School (Indiana)
Northridge High School is the only high school located in Middlebury, Indiana, United States. In 2008, the high school was built.-Mission statement:...
.
The Fairfield Community Schools serve the southeast corner of the county. The system includes three elementary schools (Benton, Millersburg, and New Paris) and one junior-senior high school named Fairfield
Fairfield Junior-Senior High School
Fairfield Junior-Senior High School is public secondary school located in Goshen, Indiana by US-33. It is a part of Fairfield Community Schools. The school serves about 900 students in grades 7 through 12 coming from New Paris Elementary School, Millersburg Elementary School, and Benton Elementary...
.
The Wa-Nee Community Schools serve the southwest portion of the county. This system consists of three elementary schools (Nappanee, Wakarusa, and Woodview), one middle school, and one high school both named NorthWood
NorthWood High School
NorthWood High School is a high school located in Nappanee, Indiana, United States. It is a part of the Wa-Nee Community School System, shared with Wakarusa.-Sports:NorthWood High School's mascot is the "Panther" and their colors are red and black...
.
The Baugo Community Schools serve the west central part of the county. That system is made up of two elementary schools (North and South), an intermediate, a junior high, and a high school each named Jimtown
Jimtown High School
Jimtown High School is located in Elkhart, Indiana, United States. It is in Baugo Township.Jimtown Junior High accommodates grades 7 and 8 and the principal is Mitch Mawhorter, and Jimtown Intermediate is for grades 3-6 and its 3-4 principal is Scott Kovatch and its 5-6 Principal is Mike Stout. ...
.
The Concord Community Schools serve the southeast side of the city of Elkhart and northwest Goshen. This system consists of four elementary schools (East Side, Ox Bow, South Side, and West Side), a junior high school, and a high school, both named Concord
Concord High School (Indiana)
Concord High School is a public high school in Elkhart County, Indiana, United States with a size of approximately 1,500 students. The school was host to President Barack Obama's first order of business meeting outside of Washington D.C., as well as the site of one of his campaign rallies before...
.
Finally, the Goshen Community Schools serve the central part of Elkhart County. This district is made up of seven elementary schools (Chamberlain, Chandler, Model, Parkside, Prairieview, Waterford, and West goshen), one middle and one high school both named Goshen
Goshen High School (Indiana)
Goshen High School is a public high school in Goshen, Indiana, in the United States. As of 2009, total enrollment is at 1,700 students. Goshen High School has a large hispanic population, at 52%, and a student to teacher ratio of 17/1. The school's athletic teams compete in Class 5A...
.
Private schools
In addition to the public schools, there are eight private schools in the county. Kessington Christian School (grades PK-12) is in Bristol; Elkhart Christian Academy (grades K-12), Trinity Lutheran School (grades K-8), St. Vincent de Paul Catholic School (grades PK-6), and St. Thomas the Apostle School (grades K-8) are in Elkhart; while Bethany Christian (grades 4-12), Bashor Alternative School (grades 4-10), and Clinton Christian School (grades K-12) are in Goshen.Higher education
Elkhart County has six institutions for higher learning, three of which are solely located in the county: Goshen CollegeGoshen College
Goshen College, is a private Mennonite liberal arts college in Goshen, Indiana, USA with an enrollment of around 1,000 students. The college is accredited by North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities...
, a small Mennonite liberal arts college of 1000 students in Goshen; the Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary
Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary
Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary is an accredited Christian seminary in Elkhart, Indiana, affiliated with Mennonite Church Canada and Mennonite Church USA....
, which has been operating on Elkhart's south side since 1958: and Indiana Fundamental Bible College in New Paris.
The city of Elkhart also has four satellite campuses within its city limits. Bethel College
Bethel College (Indiana)
Bethel College is a Christian liberal arts institution located in Mishawaka , Indiana, United States. It was established in 1947 by a Mennonite group which was one of the founding members of the Missionary Church...
of Mishawaka
Mishawaka, Indiana
Mishawaka is a city on the St. Joseph River and a Twin city of South Bend in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States. The population was 48,252 as of the 2010 Census...
has a small satellite campus on the south side, Indiana Institute of Technology
Indiana Institute of Technology
The Indiana Institute of Technology is a small, private college located in Fort Wayne, Indiana, United States. The university specializes in career-oriented degree programs in business, engineering, computer science, education, criminal justice and more...
has a small operation on Middlebury Street, Indiana University South Bend
Indiana University South Bend
Indiana University South Bend is the third largest campus of the Indiana University system. It is popularly known as IUSB or IU South Bend. It is located in South Bend, Indiana, in St. Joseph County, Indiana.-History:...
has its "Elkhart Center" downtown, and Ivy Tech Community College
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana
Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana is Indiana's community college system, encompassing 24 campuses in 14 regions. The community college system now has more than 165,000 students...
has a campus as well.
County parks and lands
Bonneyville Mill Park consists of 223 acre (0.90244978 km²) of rolling hills, marshes, and woodlands on the Little Elkhart River east of Bristol. The park offers hiking trails, fishing spots, shelters, and guided tours of Bonneyville Mill. The mill is still used to produce flour.Ox Bow Park sits on 113 acre (0.45729518 km²) overlooking the Elkhart River
Elkhart River
The Elkhart River is a tributary of the St. Joseph River in northern Indiana in the United States. It is almost entirely contained in Elkhart County. It begins southeast of Millersburg just across the county line in Noble County. It flows generally westward through Benton and then turns...
midway between Elkhart and Goshen. The park offers hiking trails, shelters, disc golf, and an archery range.
River Preserve Park is 1050 acres (4.2 km²) located between Benton and the Goshen Dam also on the Elkhart River. The park also offers several trails and shelters, and also provides some insight into the history of Indiana's waterways.
Treasure Island Park offers fishing and canoe access to the St. Joseph River west of Elkhart while the Turkey Creek (two miles south of Goshen) and Wolf Lake (two miles north of Goshen) sites have no public access but are described as "future parks."
The cities and towns of Elkhart County also have numerous parks and greenways.
Museums
- Bonneyville Mill, in the park of the same name east of Bristol, shows the inner workings of a grain mill.
- Bristol is home to the Elkhart County Historical Museum.
- The Jimtown Historic Museum depicts life in the 19th century.
- The Midwest Museum of American Art is in Elkhart and has over 2500 works in its collection.
- The National New York Central Railroad Museum also in Elkhart tells the history of the New York Central, Penn Central, Amtrak and Conrail railroads.
- The RV/MH Hall of Fame & Museum is appropriately on the northeast side of Elkhart.
- Ruthmere is a grand 1910 Beaux Arts mansion with significant fine arts and decorative arts collections, an arts reference library, vintage automobiles, gardens, and greenhouse. Collections include works of art by Rodin, Camille Claudel, Louis Comfort Tiffany, Samuel Morse, Jane Stuart, and other important European and American artists of the 19th and early 20th century.
- "Time Was", a small historical museum that interprets life in late 19th and early 20th century Elkhart and includes collections of print material, photographs, objects and general memorabilia.
Sports team
Elkhart's North Side GymnasiumNorth Side Gymnasium
The North Side Gymnasium is a 7,373 seat multi-purpose arena opened in 1954 located in Elkhart, Indiana, United States on the campus of North Side Middle School. Both of Elkhart's high schools, Elkhart Central High School and Elkhart Memorial, host their varsity boys' basketball games there. It...
is home to the Elkhart Express
Elkhart Express
The Elkhart Express were an International Basketball League team based in Elkhart, Indiana. The team won the 2006 and 2007 IBL championships. The Express officially released that they were folding on January 5, 2009...
International Basketball League
International Basketball League
The International Basketball League was a short lived professional basketball league in the United States. The IBL was headquartered in Baltimore, Maryland. The league started in 1999 and ended in 2001.-History:...
team. However, after (2) successful/winning seasons, the Express did not play in 2009.
Annual events
- Bristol holds an annual Homecoming Festival during the first week of July and nearby Bonneyville Mill Park hosts a harvest celebration every September.
- Elkhart hosts the Elkhart Jazz Festival and the Rhapsody in Green Summer celebration. Both take place in June.
- Goshen plays host to FreedomFest every 4th of July weekend. FreedomFest is held at the Goshen Municipal Airport and includes and air show.
- Middlebury holds a Summer Festival every August.
- Nappanee and Amish AcresAmish AcresAmish Acres is a tourist attraction in Nappanee, Indiana created from an Old Order Amish farm. The farm was purchased in October 1968 at auction from the Manasses Kuhns’ estate. The farm was homesteaded by Moses Stahly in 1873...
host the Amish Acres Arts & Crafts FestivalAmish Acres Arts & Crafts FestivalThe Amish Acres Arts & Crafts Festival, held the first weekend in August, Thursday through Sunday, July 31 through August 3, 2008 in Nappanee, Indiana, celebrates its 46th year in 2008. It features 350 artists and craftsmen in a marketplace surrounding the farm's pond. Over $10,000 in cash prizes...
at the end of July. - Wakarusa hosts an annual Maple Syrup Festival every April.
- The newly renovated Lerner Theater, formerly known as the "ELCO" Theater, in Elkhart, the Goshen Linway Plaza Theater, and the Amish Acres Round Barn Theater in Napannee sits on 40 acres of rural Amish land and is host to live theater productions throughout the year.
All of these events draw in many people every year, but the biggest event, by far, in the county is the Elkhart County 4-H Fair
Elkhart County 4-H Fair
The Elkhart County 4-H Fair is held in late July in Goshen, Indiana. It is the second largest county fair in the country. In 2008, 240,859 guests visited the Fair during the 9 day event. The Elkhart County 4-H Fair is known for its free grandstand entertainment and concerts...
. This nine day event is the second largest county fair in the United States.
Media
The Elkhart TruthElkhart Truth
Elkhart Truth is a daily newspaper published in Elkhart, Indiana. It is owned by a family in Elkhart and operates under the "Federated Media" banner. It has been in business for 120 years as of 2009.-External links:**...
and The Goshen News
The Goshen News
The Goshen News is a seven-day daily newspaper serving Goshen, Indiana, and adjacent portions of Elkhart County, Indiana. It is owned by Community Newspaper Holdings Inc.- External links :* *...
are the two daily newspapers that serve the county while Bristol, Middlebury, and Nappanee all have weekly newspapers.
Elkhart County lies in the South Bend-Elkhart television market, the 89th largest in the United States as of 2008. Two television stations, WSJV-TV (Fox
Fox Broadcasting Company
Fox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
) and WNIT-TV (PBS), are located in Elkhart along with several radio stations including WTRC
WTRC
WTRC AM and FM are radio stations broadcasting a News Talk format. Commonly branded as "News Talk 95.3 MNC," WTRC broadcasts on 95.3 FM in Niles, Michigan and on 1340 AM in Elkhart, Indiana. WTRC is currently owned by Federated Media. WTRC carries a live-and-local morning show hosted by Matt...
, WLEG, WFRN and WVPE
WVPE
WVPE is a radio station broadcasting a News Talk Information format. Licensed to Elkhart, Indiana, USA, the station serves northern Indiana and southwestern lower Michigan. The station is currently owned by Elkhart Community Schools and features programing from American Public Media, National...
(NPR
NPR
NPR, formerly National Public Radio, is a privately and publicly funded non-profit membership media organization that serves as a national syndicator to a network of 900 public radio stations in the United States. NPR was created in 1970, following congressional passage of the Public Broadcasting...
). Radio Stations WKAM and Goshen College's WGCS
WGCS
WGCS, branded as 91.1 The Globe is a college radio station based in Goshen, Indiana.It is affiliated with Goshen College. WGCS is licensed as a non-commercial Class A radio station by the FCC. WGCS first began broadcasting a classical music format on October 2, 1958 with limited hours of operation...
are located in Goshen.
Notable media mentions
- On Palm Sunday, 1965, a flurry of severe weather moved through the county. After three tornadoes (one was a twin tornado) 66 people had died in Elkhart County alone. 137 would die on this day statewide.
- In 1999, officer Thomas Goodwin became Goshen's first, and to date, only police officer killed in the line of duty, at a shooting in the northwest part of town.
- The Accra-Pac Factory in Elkhart has had two explosions from 1970-1997.
- On December 6, 2001, Goshen was featured on national and international news networks due to a shooting at the Nu-WoodNu-Wood Decorative MillworkNu-Wood Decorative Millwork is millwork made of a specially formulated polyurethane polymer. The standard density is similar to white pine. It can be cut, sawn, shaped, routed, nailed, stapled, and screwed just like wood. Profiles exist for a variety of uses, indoors and out...
factory. While initial reports said that 35 people had been shot, the toll was much less: the gunman killed one co-worker, wounded 6 others, and then took his own life. - Much of "Devil's Playground", an Amish coming-of-age documentary by director Lucy Walker, was filmed in Elkhart County. The central character of the film, Faron Yoder, is kin to Elkhart County Vice President and District 2 Commissioner Mike Yoder, as well as District 3 Councilman Clarence J. Yoder.
- On February 9, 2009 U.S. President Barack ObamaBarack ObamaBarack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
held a town hall meeting at Concord High School in Elkhart to discuss the economic downturn and promote his economic stimulus package. He chose Elkhart because it has one of the highest unemployment rates in the nation. - MSNBCMSNBCMSNBC is a cable news channel based in the United States available in the US, Germany , South Africa, the Middle East and Canada...
has an online blog project entitled the "Elkhart Project" which consists of their reporters blogging about life in small-town America during the recession.
See also
- List of counties in Indiana
- List of counties in Michigan
- MichianaMichianaMichiana is a region in northern Indiana and southwestern Michigan centered on the city of South Bend, Indiana. The Chamber of Commerce of St. Joseph County, Indiana defines Michiana as "counties that contribute at least 500 inbound commuting workers to St. Joseph County daily." Those counties...
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Elkhart County, IndianaNational Register of Historic Places listings in Elkhart County, IndianaThis is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Elkhart County, Indiana.This is intended to be a complete list of the properties and districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Elkhart County, Indiana, United States...