Vigo County, Indiana
Encyclopedia
Vigo 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
.
According to the 2010 census, the population was 107,848. The county contains four incorporated settlements with a total population of nearly 63,000, as well as several unincorporated communities. It is divided into twelve townships
which provide local services to the residents.
The county is one of the best bellwether
regions for voting U.S. presidential elections; it has voted for the winning candidate in every election since 1956 and in all but two elections since 1892. It continued the trend in 2008, voting for Illinois Senator Barack Obama
by a 16-point margin.
, of Italian heritage but a citizen of Spain
due to residence in St. Louis. He is credited with great assistance to George Rogers Clark
both in financing Clark's exploration and Revolutionary War efforts, and in service as an agent obtaining military information for Clark against British campaigns on the then frontier.
defines the boundary between Vermillion
and Parke
counties; the river then enters Vigo County and winds to the south-southwest, defining the southern portion of the county's western border before continuing south along Sullivan County
's western border. Clay County
lies to the east. Across the state line are Edgar County
to the northwest and Clark County to the southwest. According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 410.45 square miles (1,063.1 km²), of which 403.31 square miles (1,044.6 km²) (or 98.26%) is land and 7.14 square miles (18.5 km²) (or 1.74%) is water.
In 1819, the year after the county was formed, it was divided into four townships: Honey Creek
, Wabash, Harrison
and Independence. Prairie Creek Township
was formed later that year. In the following years more townships were formed and township borders were altered several times. Otter Creek
, Raccoon and Sugar Creek
townships were created in 1820, and Independence Township became known as Paris Township. Raccoon and Wabash townships became part of Parke County when it was split from Vigo County in 1821. Nevins
and Riley
were formed in 1822. In 1824, Paris Township was renamed again to Fayette Township
. Pierson Township
was created in 1829, then Lost Creek
in 1831, then Linton
in 1841 and finally Prairieton
in 1857, for a total of twelve townships.
There are four incorporated settlements within Vigo County. The largest, Terre Haute
, has a population of almost 60,000 and covers all of Harrison Township and extends into several surrounding townships. West Terre Haute
, as its name indicates, lies to the west, along U.S. Route 40; it has a population of about 2,300. The town of Seelyville
lies to the east of Terre Haute, also along U.S. Route 40, with a population of about 1,200. The smallest town, Riley
, is southeast of Terre Haute and has a population of only 160.
passes through the southern part of Terre Haute from east to west on its way from Indianapolis
to Saint Louis, Missouri; U.S. Route 40
roughly parallels Interstate 70 and passes through the middle of the city. Both highways intersect U.S. Route 41
, coming from Chicago
to the north; U.S. Route 150
enters from Paris, Illinois
to the northwest and joins U.S Route 41 in downtown Terre Haute, and both continue south toward Vincennes
.
(* SR 641 is currently under construction. It's current route begins at US 41 and ends at McDaniel Road)
railroad lines meet in Terre Haute; one enters from the north, another from the Indianapolis area, and another from Vincennes; and two others enter from Illinois. There is also an Indiana Rail Road
line which runs southeast from Terre Haute toward Bedford
.
. During the 2009–10 school year, the schools served a total of 16,014 students.
, and by the Indiana Code
. 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.
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.
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
.
The county has several other elected offices, including sheriff
, coroner
, auditor, treasurer
, recorder
, surveyor
, and circuit court clerk
. Each of these elected officers serves a term of four years and oversees a different part of county government. Members elected to county government positions are required to declare party
affiliations and to be residents of the county.
was 262 PD/sqmi. There were 45,203 housing units at an average density of 112 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 90.66% White
, 6.04% Black
or African American
, 0.27% Native American
, 1.22% Asian
, 0.04% Pacific Islander
, 0.39% from other races
, and 1.38% from two or more races. 1.20% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 21.6% were of German
, 21.0% American
, 11.1% English
and 9.8% Irish
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 40,998 households out of which 29.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.00% were married couples
living together, 11.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.40% were non-families. 30.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the county the population was spread out with 22.90% under the age of 18, 14.30% from 18 to 24, 27.30% from 25 to 44, 21.30% from 45 to 64, and 14.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 96.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $33,184, and the median income for a family was $42,957. Males had a median income of $32,854 versus $22,381 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $17,620. About 10.30% of families and 14.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.60% of those under age 18 and 9.50% of those age 65 or over.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Indiana
Indiana
Indiana is a US state, admitted to the United States as the 19th on December 11, 1816. It is located in the Midwestern United States and Great Lakes Region. With 6,483,802 residents, the state is ranked 15th in population and 16th in population density. Indiana is ranked 38th in land area and is...
. Vigo County is included in the Terre Haute, Indiana, Metropolitan Statistical Area. 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 Terre Haute
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...
.
According to the 2010 census, the population was 107,848. The county contains four incorporated settlements with a total population of nearly 63,000, as well as several unincorporated communities. It is divided into twelve townships
Civil township
A civil township is a widely used unit of local government in the United States, subordinate to, and geographic divisions of, a county. Specific responsibilities and the degree of autonomy vary based on each state. Civil townships are distinct from survey townships, but in states that have both,...
which provide local services to the residents.
The county is one of the best bellwether
Bellwether
A bellwether is any entity in a given arena that serves to create or influence trends or to presage future happenings.The term is derived from the Middle English bellewether and refers to the practice of placing a bell around the neck of a castrated ram leading his flock of sheep.The movements of...
regions for voting U.S. presidential elections; it has voted for the winning candidate in every election since 1956 and in all but two elections since 1892. It continued the trend in 2008, voting for Illinois Senator Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack 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...
by a 16-point margin.
History
Sullivan County was formed in 1817, and the area that later became Vigo County was part of it until 1818, when the county was created by an act of the Indiana General Assembly which took effect on February 1. Its borders changed several times; in 1821, part of the county was formed into Parke County, and later that year Putnam County was formed which also affected Vigo's borders. The final change came in 1873 when the present boundaries were defined. The county is named in honor of Colonel Francis VigoFrancis Vigo
Francis Vigo was an Italian-American who aided the American forces during the Revolutionary War and helped found a public university in Vincennes, Indiana, USA....
, of Italian heritage but a citizen of Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
due to residence in St. Louis. He is credited with great assistance to George Rogers Clark
George Rogers Clark
George Rogers Clark was a soldier from Virginia and the highest ranking American military officer on the northwestern frontier during the American Revolutionary War. He served as leader of the Kentucky militia throughout much of the war...
both in financing Clark's exploration and Revolutionary War efforts, and in service as an agent obtaining military information for Clark against British campaigns on the then frontier.
Geography
To the north of Vigo County, the Wabash RiverWabash River
The Wabash River is a river in the Midwestern United States that flows southwest from northwest Ohio near Fort Recovery across northern Indiana to southern Illinois, where it forms the Illinois-Indiana border before draining into the Ohio River, of which it is the largest northern tributary...
defines the boundary between Vermillion
Vermillion County, Indiana
Vermillion County lies in western Indiana between the Illinois border and the Wabash River. It was officially established in 1824 and was the 50th Indiana county to be formed. It is included in the Terre Haute, Indiana, Metropolitan Statistical Area. The county seat is Newport.According to the 2010...
and Parke
Parke County, Indiana
Parke 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....
counties; the river then enters Vigo County and winds to the south-southwest, defining the southern portion of the county's western border before continuing south along Sullivan County
Sullivan County, Indiana
Sullivan 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,...
's western border. Clay County
Clay County, Indiana
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.- History :Clay County was formed in 1825...
lies to the east. Across the state line are Edgar County
Edgar County, Illinois
Edgar County is a county located in the U.S. state of Illinois. According to the 2010 census, it has a population of 18,576, which is a decrease of 5.7% from 19,704 in 2000...
to the northwest and Clark County to the southwest. According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 410.45 square miles (1,063.1 km²), of which 403.31 square miles (1,044.6 km²) (or 98.26%) is land and 7.14 square miles (18.5 km²) (or 1.74%) is water.
In 1819, the year after the county was formed, it was divided into four townships: Honey Creek
Honey Creek Township, Vigo County, Indiana
Honey Creek Township is one of twelve townships in Vigo County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 14,280. It contains Terre Haute's main shopping district along US Route 41 and is by far the most characteristically suburban of the twelve Vigo County townships...
, Wabash, Harrison
Harrison Township, Vigo County, Indiana
Harrison Township is one of twelve townships in Vigo County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 51,898. It is entirely contained in Terre Haute's city limits, thus explaining why it is both the most densely populated and the most populated overall.-Geography:According to the...
and Independence. Prairie Creek Township
Prairie Creek Township, Vigo County, Indiana
Prairie Creek Township is one of twelve townships in Vigo County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,220.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Prairie Creek Township covers an area of ; of this, is land and is water.-Unincorporated communities:*...
was formed later that year. In the following years more townships were formed and township borders were altered several times. Otter Creek
Otter Creek Township, Vigo County, Indiana
Otter Creek Township is one of twelve townships in Vigo County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 9,059.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Otter Creek Township covers an area of ; of this, is land and is water.-Cities, towns, villages:* North Terre...
, Raccoon and Sugar Creek
Sugar Creek Township, Vigo County, Indiana
Sugar Creek Township is one of twelve townships in Vigo County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 8,121.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Sugar Creek Township covers an area of ; of this, is land and is water.-Unincorporated communities:* Barnhart...
townships were created in 1820, and Independence Township became known as Paris Township. Raccoon and Wabash townships became part of Parke County when it was split from Vigo County in 1821. Nevins
Nevins Township, Vigo County, Indiana
Nevins Township is one of twelve townships in Vigo County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 2,224.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Nevins Township covers an area of ; of this, is land and is water.-Unincorporated communities:* Coal Bluff* Cobb*...
and Riley
Riley Township, Vigo County, Indiana
Riley Township is one of twelve townships in Vigo County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 2,805.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Riley Township covers an area of ; of this, is land and is water.-Cities, towns, villages:* Riley* Terre Haute...
were formed in 1822. In 1824, Paris Township was renamed again to Fayette Township
Fayette Township, Vigo County, Indiana
Fayette Township is one of twelve townships in Vigo County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 2,553.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Fayette Township covers an area of ; of this, is land and is water.-Adjacent townships:* Clinton Township,...
. Pierson Township
Pierson Township, Vigo County, Indiana
Pierson Township is one of twelve townships in Vigo County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,269.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Pierson Township covers an area of ; of this, is land and is water.-Unincorporated communities:* Blackhawk* Brown...
was created in 1829, then Lost Creek
Lost Creek Township, Vigo County, Indiana
Lost Creek Township is one of twelve townships in Vigo County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 9,907. It contains Terre Haute, Indiana's eastern, suburban end, along with the affluent Hulman family ranch and the Terre Haute International Airport originally named after the...
in 1831, then Linton
Linton Township, Vigo County, Indiana
Linton Township is one of twelve townships in Vigo County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,212.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Linton Township covers an area of ; of this, is land and is water.-Adjacent townships:* Honey Creek Township * Riley...
in 1841 and finally Prairieton
Prairieton Township, Vigo County, Indiana
Prairieton Township is one of twelve townships in Vigo County, Indiana, USA. As of the 2000 census, its population was 1,300.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, Prairieton Township covers an area of ; of this, is land and is water.-Adjacent townships:* Sugar Creek Township...
in 1857, for a total of twelve townships.
There are four incorporated settlements within Vigo County. The largest, Terre Haute
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...
, has a population of almost 60,000 and covers all of Harrison Township and extends into several surrounding townships. West Terre Haute
West Terre Haute, Indiana
West Terre Haute is a town in Sugar Creek Township, Vigo County, Indiana, on the western side of the Wabash River near Terre Haute. The population was 2,236 at the 2010 census...
, as its name indicates, lies to the west, along U.S. Route 40; it has a population of about 2,300. The town of Seelyville
Seelyville, Indiana
Seelyville is a town in Lost Creek Township, Vigo County, Indiana, United States. The population was 1,029 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Terre Haute Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
lies to the east of Terre Haute, also along U.S. Route 40, with a population of about 1,200. The smallest town, Riley
Riley, Indiana
Riley, once known as Lockport, is a town in Riley Township, Vigo County, Indiana, United States. The population was 221 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Terre Haute Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
, is southeast of Terre Haute and has a population of only 160.
Unincorporated towns
|
Pimento, Indiana Pimento is an unincorporated town in Linton Township, Vigo County, Indiana. It is part of the Terre Haute Metropolitan Statistical Area.Pimento has one listing on the National Register of Historic Places, the Linton Township High School and Community Building.-History:Formerly known as Hartford,... St. Mary's, Indiana Saint Mary-of-the-Woods, Indiana, often called St. Mary's, is an unincorporated town in Sugar Creek Township in northwestern Vigo County, Indiana. The community is part of the Terre Haute Metropolitan Statistical Area. A large portion of Saint Mary-of-the-Woods along U.S... Sandford, Indiana Sandford is an unincorporated town in Fayette Township, Vigo County, Indiana. The community is part of the Terre Haute Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:... |
Highways
Interstate 70Interstate 70
Interstate 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...
passes through the southern part of Terre Haute from east to west on its way from Indianapolis
Indianapolis
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...
to Saint Louis, Missouri; U.S. Route 40
U.S. Route 40
U.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...
roughly parallels Interstate 70 and passes through the middle of the city. Both highways intersect U.S. Route 41
U.S. Route 41
U.S. Route 41 is a north–south United States Highway that runs from Miami, Florida to the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Until 1949, the part in southern Florida, from Naples to Miami, was U.S...
, coming from 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...
to the north; U.S. Route 150
U.S. Route 150
U.S. Route 150 is a 571 mile long northwest-southeast United States highway, signed as east–west. It runs from U.S. Route 6 outside of Moline, Illinois to U.S. Route 25 in Mount Vernon, Kentucky .-Illinois:In the state of Illinois, U.S. 150 runs from the Quad City International Airport at U.S...
enters from Paris, Illinois
Paris, Illinois
Paris is a city in Paris Township, Edgar County, Illinois, USA, south of Chicago, and west of Indianapolis. In 1900, 6,105 people lived in Paris, Illinois; in 1910, 7,664; and in 1940, 9,281. The population was 8,837 at the 2010 census. It is the county seat of Edgar County.-Geography:Paris is...
to the northwest and joins U.S Route 41 in downtown Terre Haute, and both continue south toward Vincennes
Vincennes, Indiana
Vincennes is a city in and the county seat of Knox County, Indiana, United States. It is located on the Wabash River in the southwestern part of the state. The population was 18,701 at the 2000 census...
.
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 63Indiana State Road 63State Road 63 in the U. S. state of Indiana is a north–south route in the western portion of the state. Until mid-2008, it covered a distance of just over , but now is a discontinuous route. For , from the city of Terre Haute until it rejoins U.S. Route 41 near Carbondale, it is a four-lane...
Indiana State Road 159Indiana State Road 159-Southern section:The southern section begins at State Road 67 at Bicknell and ends at State Road 58 in Freelandville, to the north.-Middle section:The middle section begins at Pleasantville and ends at State Road 54 at Dugger, to the north.-Northern section:...
Indiana State Road 246Indiana State Road 246State Road 246 is an east–west road in the southwest portion of the U.S. state of Indiana.-Route description:State Road 246 begins in the small town of Prairie Creek at State Road 63. Going east, it crosses U.S. Route 41 just north of Farmersburg...
Indiana State Road 340Indiana State Road 340State Road 340 in the U.S. state of Indiana is a minor route in Clay County.-Route description:The road begins at U.S. Route 40 in the small town of Cloverland and travels about east to Brazil where it re-joins US 40. It stays within about of US 40 for its entire length.-Major intersections:...- Indiana State Road 641Indiana State Road 641State Road 641 in the U.S. state of Indiana is a road under construction in Vigo County and will bypass the city of Terre Haute. The new highway will connect with U.S. Route 41 in the south and Interstate 70 in the north....
*
(* SR 641 is currently under construction. It's current route begins at US 41 and ends at McDaniel Road)
Rail
Several CSX TransportationCSX Transportation
CSX Transportation operates a Class I railroad in the United States known as the CSX Railroad. It is the main subsidiary of the CSX Corporation. The company is headquartered in Jacksonville, Florida, and owns approximately 21,000 route miles...
railroad lines meet in Terre Haute; one enters from the north, another from the Indianapolis area, and another from Vincennes; and two others enter from Illinois. There is also an Indiana Rail Road
Indiana Rail Road
The Indiana Rail Road is a United States Class II railroad, originally operating over former Illinois Central Railroad trackage from Newton, Illinois to Indianapolis, Indiana, a distance of 155 miles...
line which runs southeast from Terre Haute toward Bedford
Bedford, Indiana
As of the census of 2000, there were 13,768 people, 6,054 households, and 3,644 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,157.1 people per square mile . There were 6,618 housing units at an average density of 556.2 per square mile...
.
Airports
The following public-use airports are located in the county:- Terre Haute International AirportTerre Haute International AirportTerre Haute International Airport is a public airport located east of the central business district of Terre Haute, a city in Vigo County, Indiana, United States. It is included in the FAA's National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2011–2015, which categorized it as a general aviation...
(HUF) in Terre Haute - Sky King AirportSky King AirportSky King Airport is a public use airport located five nautical miles north of the central business district of Terre Haute, a city in Vigo County, Indiana, United States.- Facilities and aircraft :...
(3I3) in Terre Haute
Education
The public schools in the county are part of the Vigo County School CorporationVigo County School Corporation
Vigo County School Corporation is a school corporation that services Terre Haute, Indiana along with the rest of Vigo County, Indiana. The corporation is led by superintendent Daniel Tanoos and by the Board of Trustees including: Gene Shike, President; Jackie Lower, Vice-President; Mel Burks,...
. During the 2009–10 school year, the schools served a total of 16,014 students.
Climate and weather
In recent years, average temperatures in Terre Haute have ranged from a low of 18 °F (-7.8 °C) in January to a high of 87 °F (30.6 °C) in July, although a record low of -24 °F was recorded in January 1977 and a record high of 104 °F (40 °C) was recorded in September 1954. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 2.13 inches (5.4 cm) in January to 4.46 inches (11.3 cm) in May.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...
. 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.
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.
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...
.
The county has several other elected offices, including sheriff
Sheriff
A sheriff is in principle a legal official with responsibility for a county. In practice, the specific combination of legal, political, and ceremonial duties of a sheriff varies greatly from country to country....
, coroner
Coroner
A coroner is a government official who* Investigates human deaths* Determines cause of death* Issues death certificates* Maintains death records* Responds to deaths in mass disasters* Identifies unknown dead* Other functions depending on local laws...
, auditor, treasurer
Treasurer
A treasurer is the person responsible for running the treasury of an organization. The adjective for a treasurer is normally "tresorial". The adjective "treasurial" normally means pertaining to a treasury, rather than the treasurer.-Government:...
, recorder
Recorder of deeds
Recorder of deeds is a government office tasked with maintaining public records and documents, especially records relating to real estate ownership that provide persons other than the owner of a property with real rights over that property.-Background:...
, surveyor
Surveying
See Also: Public Land Survey SystemSurveying or land surveying is the technique, profession, and science of accurately determining the terrestrial or three-dimensional position of points and the distances and angles between them...
, and circuit court clerk
Court clerk
A court clerk is an officer of the court whose responsibilities include maintaining the records of a court. Another duty is to administer oaths to witnesses, jurors, and grand jurors...
. Each of these elected officers serves a term of four years and oversees a different part of county government. Members elected to county government positions are required to declare party
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
affiliations and to be residents of the county.
Demographics
As of the 2000 United States Census, there were 105,848 people, 40,998 households, and 26,074 families residing in the county. The population densityPopulation 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 262 PD/sqmi. There were 45,203 housing units at an average density of 112 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 90.66% 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...
, 6.04% 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...
, 1.22% 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...
, 0.39% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.38% from two or more races. 1.20% 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. 21.6% 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....
, 21.0% American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, 11.1% 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 9.8% 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 40,998 households out of which 29.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.00% 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, 11.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.40% were non-families. 30.00% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the county the population was spread out with 22.90% under the age of 18, 14.30% from 18 to 24, 27.30% from 25 to 44, 21.30% from 45 to 64, and 14.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 96.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $33,184, and the median income for a family was $42,957. Males had a median income of $32,854 versus $22,381 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $17,620. About 10.30% of families and 14.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.60% of those under age 18 and 9.50% of those age 65 or over.
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Vigo County, IndianaNational Register of Historic Places listings in Vigo County, IndianaThis is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Vigo County, Indiana.This is intended to be a complete list of the properties and districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Vigo County, Indiana, United States...
- Vigo County CourthouseVigo County CourthouseThe Vigo County Courthouse is a courthouse in Terre Haute, Indiana. The seat of government for Vigo County, the courthouse was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1983.-Temporary meeting place:...
- Vigo County Public LibraryVigo County Public LibraryThe Vigo County Public Library serves residents of Terre Haute and Vigo County, Indiana. A tax-payer funded public library, it has been in operation since 1882, when the existing library was purchased by local school trustees from the Terre Haute Library Association...