Hendricks County
County
Hendricks County courthouse in Danville
Hendricks County courthouse in Danville
Map of Indiana highlighting Hendricks County
Location within the U.S. state of Indiana
Map of the United States highlighting Indiana
Indiana's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 39°46′N 86°31′W / 39.77°N 86.51°W / 39.77; -86.51
Country United States
State Indiana
Founded20 December 1823 (created)[1]
Summer 1824 (organized)
Named forWilliam Hendricks
SeatDanville
Largest townPlainfield
Area
 • Total408.78 sq mi (1,058.7 km2)
 • Land406.91 sq mi (1,053.9 km2)
 • Water1.87 sq mi (4.8 km2)  0.46%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total174,788
 • Density430/sq mi (170/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district4th
Websitewww.co.hendricks.in.us
Indiana county number 32

Hendricks County is a county in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 174,788.[2] The county seat is the town of Danville.[3]

Hendricks County is the third largest county in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN Metropolitan Statistical Area. Hendricks County is currently the second fastest-growing county in Indiana and 85th in the nation.[4][5]

History

After the American Revolutionary War established US sovereignty over the territory of the upper midwest, the new federal government defined the Northwest Territory in 1787 which included the area of present-day Indiana. In 1800, Congress separated Ohio from the Northwest Territory, designating the rest of the land as the Indiana Territory. President Thomas Jefferson chose William Henry Harrison as the governor of the territory, and Vincennes was established as the future capital. After the Michigan Territory was separated and the Illinois Territory was formed, Indiana was reduced to its current size and geography. By December 1816 the Indiana Territory was admitted to the Union as a state, although much of its territory was still in dispute as to possession by Native Americans. The land containing Hendricks County was brought into the possession of the United States by the Treaty of St. Mary's in 1818 (known as New Purchase).

The eighth General Assembly of the new state of Indiana met at its then-capital town, Corydon, in December 1823, and created three counties before the close of the session, among them being Hendricks, the state's fifty-first county. The bill creating Hendricks County was introduced in the Senate on 9 December and was signed on 20 December[1] by Indiana Governor William Hendricks, in whose honor the new county was named.[6][7] Until its governing structure was organized, the territory was assigned to neighboring counties for legislative and enforcement matters.[8]

Prior to the New Purchase treaty, the territory of Hendricks County had been occupied by the Dakota tribe, although there were no significant native villages within its future borders. The treaty authorized the territory to be surveyed by the federal government, with land being available for settlement thereafter. This survey work began in the Hendricks County area in 1819, and settlers began moving in as soon thereafter (the first in future Hendricks County in Spring 1820)[9] as land filing was authorized, such that by 1823 there were sufficient inhabitants to justify forming a county.[10] Designated commissioners met in July 1824, and on 12 July selected Danville as its county seat. The town plat was filed for record in October 1824; a court house was erected and in operation there by 1826.[11]

Geography

The county's low rolling hills are entirely devoted to agriculture or urban development, except for wooded drainages. The West Fork of White Lick Creek flows southeastward through the western part of the county and the East Fork flows southward through the east part of the county; the two flows converge at the south county line.[12] The highest point on the terrain (1,030 feet/310 meters ASL) is a small rise 1.5 miles (2.4 km) WNW from Danville.[13]

According to the 2010 United States Census, the county has a total area of 408.78 square miles (1,058.7 km2), of which 406.91 square miles (1,053.9 km2) (or 99.54%) is land and 1.87 square miles (4.8 km2) (or 0.46%) is water.[14]

Adjacent counties

Towns

Unincorporated communities

Townships

Climate

Danville, Indiana
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
2.5
 
 
34
18
 
 
2.4
 
 
40
23
 
 
3.4
 
 
51
32
 
 
3.6
 
 
63
41
 
 
4.4
 
 
74
52
 
 
4.1
 
 
82
61
 
 
4.4
 
 
86
65
 
 
3.8
 
 
84
63
 
 
2.9
 
 
77
55
 
 
2.8
 
 
66
44
 
 
3.6
 
 
52
34
 
 
3
 
 
39
24
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
█ Precipitation totals in inches
Source:The Weather Channel[16]
Metric conversion
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
63
 
 
1
−8
 
 
61
 
 
4
−5
 
 
87
 
 
11
0
 
 
92
 
 
17
5
 
 
111
 
 
23
11
 
 
105
 
 
28
16
 
 
112
 
 
30
18
 
 
97
 
 
29
17
 
 
73
 
 
25
13
 
 
70
 
 
19
7
 
 
92
 
 
11
1
 
 
77
 
 
4
−4
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
█ Precipitation totals in mm

In recent years, average temperatures in Danville have ranged from a low of 18 °F (−8 °C) in January to a high of 86 °F (30 °C) in July, although a record low of −27 °F (−33 °C) was recorded in January 1994 and a record high of 106 °F (41 °C) was recorded in July 1936. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 2.41 inches (61 mm) in February to 4.42 inches (112 mm) in July.[16]

Transportation

Airport

Major highways

Transit

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18303,975—
184011,264183.4%
185014,08325.0%
186016,95320.4%
187020,27719.6%
188022,98113.3%
189021,498−6.5%
190021,292−1.0%
191020,840−2.1%
192020,291−2.6%
193019,725−2.8%
194020,1512.2%
195024,59422.0%
196040,89666.3%
197053,97432.0%
198069,80429.3%
199075,7178.5%
2000104,09337.5%
2010145,44839.7%
2020174,78820.2%
2022 (est.)182,534[17]4.4%
US Decennial Census[18]
1790-1960[19] 1900-1990[20]
1990-2000[21] 2010[22]
Age and gender distribution in Hendricks County

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 145,448 people, 52,368 households, and 39,698 families in the county.[23] The population density was 357.4 inhabitants per square mile (138.0/km2). There were 55,454 housing units at an average density of 136.3 per square mile (52.6/km2).[14] The racial makeup of the county was 90.1% white, 4.9% black or African American, 2.1% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 1.1% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.0% of the population.[23] In terms of ancestry, 28.3% were German, 16.2% were English, 15.2% were Irish, and 9.4% were American.[24]

Of the 52,368 households, 40.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.9% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 24.2% were non-families, and 19.8% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.12. The median age was 36.7 years.[23]

The median income for a household in the county was $47,697 and the median income for a family was $77,397. Males had a median income of $54,945 versus $38,919 for females. The per capita income for the county was $28,880. About 4.3% of families and 5.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.3% of those under age 18 and 5.3% of those age 65 or over.[25]

Government and politics

The county government is a constitutional body, and is granted specific powers by the Constitution of Indiana, and by the Indiana Code.

County Council: The legislative branch of the county government; controls spending and revenue collection in the county. Representatives are elected to four-year terms from county districts. They set salaries, the annual budget, and special spending. The council 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.[26][27]

Board of Commissioners: The executive body of the county; commissioners are elected county-wide to staggered four-year terms. One commissioner serves as president. The commissioners execute acts legislated by the council, collect revenue, and manage the county government.[26][27]

Courts: The county has six trial courts consisting of a circuit court and five superior courts, the judges of which are elected to 6-year terms in a countywide election. In addition, two magistrates appointed by the elected judges serve the county as judicial officers. There are currently three town courts that also operate in Hendricks County, one each in Avon, Brownsburg, and Plainfield.

County Officials: The county has other elected offices, including sheriff, coroner, auditor, treasurer, recorder, surveyor, and circuit court clerk. These officers are elected to four-year terms. Members elected to county government positions are required to declare party affiliations and to be residents of the county.[27]

Hendricks County is part of Indiana's 4th congressional district, Indiana Senate districts 23 and 24,[28] and Indiana House of Representatives districts 28, 40, 47, and 91.[29]

Hendricks County is a Republican stronghold. In only one election (1912) was the county carried by a Democratic presidential candidate since 1888.

United States presidential election results for Hendricks County, Indiana[30]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 53,802 60.65% 32,604 36.76% 2,299 2.59%
2016 48,337 63.45% 22,600 29.67% 5,247 6.89%
2012 44,312 66.37% 21,112 31.62% 1,337 2.00%
2008 39,728 61.07% 24,548 37.73% 778 1.20%
2004 38,430 73.48% 13,548 25.90% 324 0.62%
2000 28,651 71.23% 10,786 26.82% 784 1.95%
1996 22,293 63.14% 9,392 26.60% 3,621 10.26%
1992 18,373 55.45% 7,071 21.34% 7,692 23.21%
1988 22,090 74.12% 7,643 25.65% 70 0.23%
1984 21,307 75.73% 6,659 23.67% 169 0.60%
1980 19,366 68.88% 7,412 26.36% 1,339 4.76%
1976 16,725 64.07% 9,066 34.73% 313 1.20%
1972 17,699 79.89% 4,384 19.79% 70 0.32%
1968 12,597 59.89% 5,155 24.51% 3,280 15.60%
1964 11,497 56.34% 8,857 43.41% 51 0.25%
1960 12,490 65.51% 6,481 33.99% 95 0.50%
1956 10,578 65.58% 5,521 34.23% 30 0.19%
1952 9,712 66.58% 4,793 32.86% 81 0.56%
1948 6,327 59.23% 4,280 40.07% 75 0.70%
1944 6,673 60.45% 4,297 38.93% 69 0.63%
1940 6,782 57.92% 4,883 41.70% 45 0.38%
1936 5,776 52.05% 5,237 47.19% 84 0.76%
1932 5,317 49.15% 5,293 48.93% 207 1.91%
1928 5,954 64.79% 3,181 34.61% 55 0.60%
1924 5,766 61.02% 3,489 36.92% 194 2.05%
1920 6,293 59.20% 4,192 39.44% 145 1.36%
1916 3,046 53.13% 2,453 42.79% 234 4.08%
1912 1,439 26.15% 2,372 43.10% 1,692 30.75%
1908 3,231 54.28% 2,571 43.19% 151 2.54%
1904 3,434 58.82% 2,164 37.07% 240 4.11%
1900 3,426 57.65% 2,359 39.69% 158 2.66%
1896 3,409 58.06% 2,365 40.28% 98 1.67%
1892 3,020 56.35% 2,028 37.84% 311 5.80%
1888 3,297 58.62% 2,083 37.04% 244 4.34%

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Hadley (1914), p. 8. However, p. 44 of Hadley gives date as 29 December 1823.
  2. ↑ "Hendricks County, Indiana". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 30, 2023.
  3. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ↑ Hendricks County ranks 85th in population growth
  5. ↑ "Counties in Indiana". Archived from the original on September 27, 2011. Retrieved December 30, 2007.
  6. ↑ "Profile for Hendricks County IN". ePodunk. Archived from the original on November 13, 2012. Retrieved September 22, 2012.
  7. ↑ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 154.
  8. ↑ Hadley, John V. History of Hendricks County, Indiana. BF Brown Co., Indianapolis. pp. 8, 44, 45 (1914)
  9. ↑ Hadley (1914), p. 42
  10. ↑ Hadley (1914), p. 41
  11. ↑ Hadley (1914), p. 46
  12. ↑ Hendricks County IN (Google Maps, accessed 29 August 2020)
  13. ↑ Hendricks County High Point, Indiana (PeakBagger.com, accessed 29 August 2020)
  14. 1 2 "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  15. ↑ Clermont Heights, Lincoln Township IN (Google Maps, accessed 29 August 2020)
  16. 1 2 "Monthly Averages for Danville IN". The Weather Channel. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
  17. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 26, 2023.
  18. ↑ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  19. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  20. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  21. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  22. ↑ "Hendricks County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved September 20, 2011.
  23. 1 2 3 "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  24. ↑ "Selected Social Characteristics in the US – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 14, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  25. ↑ "Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 14, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  26. 1 2 Indiana Code. "Title 36, Article 2, Section 3". IN.gov. Retrieved September 16, 2008.
  27. 1 2 3 Indiana Code. "Title 2, Article 10, Section 2" (PDF). IN.gov. Retrieved September 16, 2008.
  28. ↑ "Indiana Senate Districts". State of Indiana. Retrieved July 14, 2011.
  29. ↑ "Indiana House Districts". State of Indiana. Retrieved July 14, 2011.
  30. ↑ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved May 17, 2018.

Further reading

  • Balough, Linda and Betty Bartley. A Pictorial History of Hendricks County, Indiana. Marceline: Walsworth Publishing Company (1999). ISBN 1-57864-074-1
  • Hadley, John Vestal. History of Hendricks County, Indiana, her people, industries and institutions. Charleston: Nabo Press (2010). ISBN 1-178-24317-6
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