Jasper County, Indiana
County
Jasper County Courthouse in Rensselaer
Jasper County Courthouse in Rensselaer
Location in the state of Indiana
Location in the state of Indiana
Indiana's location in the United States
Indiana's location in the United States
Coordinates: 41°01′N 87°07′W / 41.017°N 87.117°W / 41.017; -87.117
CountryUnited States
StateIndiana
RegionNorthwest Indiana
Metro areaChicago Metropolitan
Created[1]7 February 1835
Established15 March 1838[2][3]
Named forSgt. William Jasper
County seatRensselaer
Largest cityRensselaer
Boroughs
List
Government
 • TypeCounty
 • BodyBoard of Commissioners
 • CommissionerJames A. Walstra (1st)
 • CommissionerKendell Culp (2nd)
 • CommissionerRichard E. Maxwell (3rd)
Area
 • County561.39 sq mi (1,454.0 km2)
 • Land559.62 sq mi (1,449.4 km2)
 • Water1.76 sq mi (4.6 km2)
 • Metro
10,874 sq mi (28,160 km2)
 • Rank3rd largest county in Indiana
 • Region2,726 sq mi (7,060 km2)
Elevation
696 ft (212 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • County32,918
 • Rank49th largest county in Indiana
 • Density59/sq mi (23/km2)
 • Metro
9,618,502
Time zoneUTC−6 (Central)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (Central)
ZIP Codes
46310, 46341, 46374, 46392, 47922, 47943, 47946, 47948, 47957, 47959, 47977-78, 47995
Area code219
Congressional district4th
Indiana Senate districts5th and 7th
Indiana House of Representatives districts4th, 16th and 20th
FIPS code18-073
GNIS feature ID0450494
Interstate and U.S. Routelink = Interstate 65 in Indiana link = U.S. Route 24 link = U.S. Route 231
State Routeslink = Indiana State Road 10 link = Indiana State Road 14 link = Indiana State Road 16 link = Indiana State Road 49 link = Indiana State Road 110 link = Indiana State Road 114
AirportJasper County
WaterwaysIroquois River – Kankakee River
Amtrak stationRensselaer
Websitewww.jaspercountyin.gov
  • Indiana county number 37
Demographics (2010)[4]
Demographic Proportion
White 95.8%
Black 0.6%
Asian 0.4%
Islander 0.0%
Native 0.2%
Other 3.0%
Hispanic
(any race)		 5.4%

Jasper County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2020, the population was 32,918.[5] The county seat is Rensselaer.[6]

Jasper County is included in the Chicago-Naperville-Elgin, IL-IN-WI Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

The lands of present NW Indiana were explored by French explorer Robert de LaSalle. At that time the area was inhabited by the Miami Confederation of Indians. Through White settlement, encroachment, and confrontation, the various indigenous groups were forced to cede their claim to the area. In October 1818, the Pottawattamies, Weas, and Delawares ceded their lands west of the Tippecanoe River to the government. In a treaty dated 23 October 1826, the Pottawattamies and Miamis ceded all their lands east of the Tippecanoe. A treaty dated 26 October 1832 with the Pottawattamies ceded control of the northwestern part of Indiana; on 27 October the Pottawattamies of Indiana and Michigan also relinquished all claim to any remaining land in those states.

Until the 1832 treaty of 1832, the future Jasper County area was not open to settlement; those who did come to Indiana before that time had flooded the southern parts of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois through the Ohio Valley. Northwestern Indiana was also less desirable for initial settlement, the land being described as alternate swamps, sterile sand ridges and flat, wet prairies. It did proliferate in game, however, and eventually settlers found it. The first recorded settler was William Donahue, who located in present-day Gillam Township. He was a justice of the peace during the period prior to the county's establishment.

Although the settlers were sparse, the state legislature provided for two counties to be established in the area. The state legislature passed an omnibus bill[7] that authorized thirteen counties[8] and described their boundaries, although their governing structures were not established at that time. The new counties of Jasper and Newton were attached to White County for political and civil purposes.

In 1836 all the area north of the Kankakee River was partitioned from Jasper as Porter County. By 1837 preparations were being made to create the Jasper County governing structure, with a county commission being elected that year. They first met in January 1838 at the house of Robert Alexander in present-day Benton County. After that, the pro tem county seat was designated as the residence of George W. Spitler, in present-day Iroquois Township, Newton County, where the first meeting was held in March 1839.[1] The official date of formation of the Jasper County government is given as 15 March 1838.[3]

Jasper County was named for Sgt. William Jasper, a famous scout for the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War.[9] Jasper became famous in 1776, during the bombardment of Fort Moultrie, for erecting a new flagstaff under fire after the American flag had been shot down. Jasper was killed during the Siege of Savannah in 1779.[10] Jasper County's twin county, Newton County, was named after Jasper's friend and comrade, John Newton.[1]

A state legislature act dated 29 January 1839 caused the consolidation of Jasper and Newton, with Jasper retaining the name, and Newton (for the time being) being erased, and the consolidated area being seated at the Falls of the Iroquois River, with the name of Newton (the community's name was changed to Rensselaer in 1844). In 1840 the county of Benton was formed from Jasper's area. In 1859 the county of Newton was revived but with smaller area than before, leaving Jasper in its present form.

The Civil War

As early as 1825, the majority of the population were against slavery.[11] By the time of the War, Jasper County was one of the few counties of Indiana that had a military organization under the law of 1855.[12] The war greatly affected Jasper County when 935 soldiers were enlisted on behalf of the Union. This was considered an impressive amount at the time with the average population around 5,000. Although there were several companies from Indiana, the 9th Indiana Infantry Regiment produced Robert H. Milroy, the "Gray Eagle of the Army". Milroy became famous for suppressing Confederate mountain rangers, which caused the Confederate Congress to declare a $100,000 bounty on his head. The 9th Indiana Infantry Regiment became known for its involvement in the Battle of Philippi, one of the earliest battles of the Civil War at Laurel Hill (now known as Laurel Mountain).[13] In comparing the proportions of men able to fight, Indiana contributed more soldiers than any other state to the Union.[14]

Geography

According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 561.39 square miles (1,454.0 km2), of which 559.62 square miles (1,449.4 km2) (or 99.68%) is land and 1.76 square miles (4.6 km2) (or 0.31%) is water.[15] Until the middle of the 19th century when it was drained to make farmland, this county was part of the second largest freshwater wetland in the US, with abundant flora and fauna.[16] This is caused by the Iroquois River, one of the main tributaries of the Kankakee River that flows throughout Jasper County, a major water source for the area.[17]

Major highways

Railroads

Adjacent counties

Municipalities

The municipalities in Jasper County, and their populations as of the 2020 census, are:

Cities

Towns

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Townships

The 13 townships of Jasper County, with their populations as of the 2020 census, are:

Education

Residents of Jasper County attend public schools administered by four different districts in multiple counties:

High Schools

Middle Schools

Elementary Schools

  • DeMotte Christian Elementary School (preschool through 8)
  • DeMotte Elementary School[22]
  • Kankakee Valley Intermediate School[23]
  • St. Augustine Catholic School
  • Tri-County Primary School (K-2nd)
  • Van Rensselaer Elementary School[24]
  • Wheatfield Elementary School[25]

Colleges and Universities

Hospitals

Climate and weather

Rensselaer, Indiana
Climate chart (explanation)
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Source:The Weather Channel[27]
Metric conversion
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In recent years, average temperatures in Rensselaer have ranged from a low of 14 °F (−10 °C) in January to a high of 85 °F (29 °C) in July, although a record low of −25 °F (−32 °C) was recorded in January 1985 and a record high of 104 °F (40 °C) was recorded in August 1988. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.67 inches (42 mm) in February to 4.34 inches (110 mm) in June.[27]

Government

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

County Council: The county council is the legislative branch of the county government and controls all the spending and revenue collection in the county. Representatives are elected from county districts. The council members serve four-year terms. They are responsible for setting salaries, the annual budget, and special spending. The council also has limited authority to impose local taxes, in the form of an income and property tax that is subject to state level approval, excise taxes, and service taxes.[28][29]

Board of Commissioners: The executive body of the county is made of a board of commissioners. The commissioners are elected county-wide, in staggered terms, and each serves a four-year term. One of the commissioners, typically the most senior, serves as president. The commissioners are charged with executing the acts legislated by the council, collecting revenue, and managing the day-to-day functions of the county government.[28][29]

Court: The county maintains a small claims court that can handle some civil cases. The judge on the court is elected to a term of four years and must be a member of the Indiana Bar Association. The judge is assisted by a constable who is also elected to a four-year term. In some cases, court decisions can be appealed to the state level circuit court.[29]

County Officials: The county has several other elected offices, including sheriff, coroner, auditor, treasurer, recorder, surveyor, and circuit court clerk, elected to four-year terms. Members elected to any county government position are required to declare a political party affiliation and to be residents of the county.[29]

Jasper County is part of Indiana's 4th congressional district. It is also part of Indiana Senate districts 5 and 7[30] and Indiana House of Representatives districts 4, 16 and 20.[31]

United States presidential election results for Jasper County, Indiana[32]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 11,383 73.56% 3,798 24.54% 294 1.90%
2016 9,382 69.61% 3,329 24.70% 767 5.69%
2012 7,955 61.57% 4,672 36.16% 293 2.27%
2008 7,669 59.39% 5,044 39.06% 200 1.55%
2004 8,056 68.02% 3,678 31.05% 110 0.93%
2000 7,212 64.58% 3,744 33.53% 211 1.89%
1996 5,173 51.33% 3,554 35.27% 1,350 13.40%
1992 4,809 48.62% 3,033 30.67% 2,048 20.71%
1988 6,009 64.67% 3,237 34.84% 46 0.50%
1984 6,537 69.22% 2,821 29.87% 86 0.91%
1980 6,316 68.09% 2,544 27.43% 416 4.48%
1976 5,398 60.76% 3,286 36.99% 200 2.25%
1972 6,369 76.21% 1,920 22.97% 68 0.81%
1968 4,996 60.54% 2,201 26.67% 1,055 12.78%
1964 4,497 52.81% 3,995 46.91% 24 0.28%
1960 5,364 64.32% 2,959 35.48% 16 0.19%
1956 5,374 72.63% 2,004 27.08% 21 0.28%
1952 5,556 72.23% 2,102 27.33% 34 0.44%
1948 4,320 65.42% 2,216 33.56% 67 1.01%
1944 4,364 66.63% 2,168 33.10% 18 0.27%
1940 4,462 61.62% 2,751 37.99% 28 0.39%
1936 3,540 52.67% 3,109 46.26% 72 1.07%
1932 2,897 44.54% 3,538 54.40% 69 1.06%
1928 3,700 65.65% 1,915 33.98% 21 0.37%
1924 3,679 64.36% 1,744 30.51% 293 5.13%
1920 3,942 66.87% 1,872 31.76% 81 1.37%
1916 1,995 56.50% 1,488 42.14% 48 1.36%
1912 1,238 37.54% 1,292 39.18% 768 23.29%
1908 1,939 55.19% 1,495 42.56% 79 2.25%
1904 2,137 58.58% 1,341 36.76% 170 4.66%
1900 2,083 55.33% 1,580 41.97% 102 2.71%
1896 2,032 55.05% 1,608 43.57% 51 1.38%
1892 1,364 49.98% 937 34.33% 428 15.68%
1888 1,604 59.30% 1,003 37.08% 98 3.62%

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18401,267—
18503,540179.4%
18604,29121.2%
18706,35448.1%
18809,46448.9%
189011,18518.2%
190014,29227.8%
191013,044−8.7%
192013,9617.0%
193013,388−4.1%
194014,3977.5%
195017,03118.3%
196018,84210.6%
197020,4298.4%
198026,13827.9%
199024,960−4.5%
200030,04320.4%
201033,47811.4%
202032,918−1.7%
US Decennial Census[33]
1790-1960[34] 1900-1990[35]
1990-2000[36] 2010[37]

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 33,478 people, 12,232 households, and 9,165 families in the county.[38] The population density was 59.8 inhabitants per square mile (23.1/km2). There were 13,168 housing units at an average density of 23.5 per square mile (9.1/km2).[15] The racial makeup of the county was 95.8% white, 0.6% black or African American, 0.4% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 2.0% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 5.4% of the population.[38] In terms of ancestry, 27.6% were German, 16.5% were Irish, 9.6% were Dutch, 9.3% were English, 6.9% were American, and 6.0% were Polish.[39]

Of the 12,232 households, 35.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.7% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 25.1% were non-families, and 20.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.07. The median age was 38.0 years.[38]

The median income for a household in the county was $47,697 and the median income for a family was $63,842. Males had a median income of $50,984 versus $32,313 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,676. About 7.7% of families and 9.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.1% of those under age 18 and 5.7% of those age 65 or over.[40]

Religion

The Catholic church is the biggest denomination in the county with 4,341 members, the second largest is the Reformed Church in America with 1,502 members and 2 churches (First Church and American Reformed Church) the third is the United Methodist Church with 1,300 members, the fourth largest is the Christian Reformed Church in North America with 1,013 members in 3 congregations as of 2010.[41]

See also

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Jasper County, Indiana.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Hamilton Louis H. & William Darroch (1916). A Standard History of Jasper and Newton Counties, Indiana, Vol. 1. Chicago & New York: Lewis Publishing Co.
  2. ↑ "Home Page / Jasper County, Indiana". www.jaspercountyin.gov.
  3. 1 2 "Origin of Indiana County Names". IHB. December 7, 2020.
  4. ↑ US Census Bureau. American Community Survey, Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics 2010, Table DP-1, 2010 Demographic Profile Data. U.S. Census website. Retrieved 29 June 2014.
  5. ↑ "Jasper County, Indiana". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 2, 2023.
  6. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  7. ↑ Tyndall, John W. (John Wilson); Lesh, O. E. (Orlo Ervin) (June 28, 1918). "Standard history of Adams and Wells counties, Indiana : An authentic narrative of the past, with an extended survey of modern developments in the progress of town and country". Chicago : Lewis Publishing Co. – via Internet Archive.
  8. ↑ The counties are Dekalb, Fulton, Jasper, Jay, Kosciusko, Marshall, Newton, Porter, Pulaski, Stark, Steuben, Wells, and Whitley. Newton was dissolved in 1839 and re-authorized in 1859.
  9. ↑ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 168.
  10. ↑ De Witt Clinton Goodrich & Charles Richard Tuttle (1875). An Illustrated History of the State of Indiana. Indiana: R. S. Peale & co. pp. 562.
  11. ↑ Scudder, Horace E (1888). Indiana: American Commonwealths. Cambridge: Boston & New York: The Riverside Press, Cambridge. pp. 235, 237, 438–400.
  12. ↑ Hamilton Louis H. & William Darroch (1916). A Standard History of Jasper and Newton Counties Indiana, Vol. 1. Chicago & New York: Lewis Publishing Co. p. 159.
  13. ↑ Hamilton Louis H. & William Darroch (1916). A Standard History of Jasper and Newton Counties Indiana, Volume 1. Chicago & New York: Lewis Publishing Co. p. 115,118.
  14. ↑ Hoover Dwight W. (1980). A Pictorial History of Indiana. Bloomington: the Indiana University Press. p. 93.
  15. 1 2 "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  16. ↑ Everglades of the North at IMDb
  17. ↑ Battle J.H. (1883). Counties of Warren, Benton, Jasper and Newton. Chicago: F.A. Battey & Co. p. 411.
  18. 1 2 "Home - Kankakee Valley School Corporation". www.kv.k12.in.us.
  19. ↑ "Rensselaer Central High School - RCHS Home". Archived from the original on September 29, 2006.
  20. ↑ "Kankakee Valley Middle School". February 4, 2013. Archived from the original on February 4, 2013.
  21. ↑ "Rensselaer Central Middle School - RCMS Home". Archived from the original on September 29, 2006.
  22. ↑ "DeMotte Elementary School". Archived from the original on September 29, 2006.
  23. ↑ "Index.HTM". Archived from the original on December 24, 2012.
  24. ↑ "Van Rensselaer Elementary School - Home". Archived from the original on September 29, 2006.
  25. ↑ "Firstpage". Archived from the original on February 13, 2005.
  26. ↑ "Franciscan Health is New Name for Leading Hospital System". Franciscan Alliance, Inc. September 6, 2016. Retrieved September 11, 2016.
  27. 1 2 "Monthly Averages for Rensselaer IN". The Weather Channel. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
  28. 1 2 Indiana Code. "Title 36, Article 2, Section 3". IN.gov. Retrieved September 16, 2008.
  29. 1 2 3 4 Indiana Code. "Title 2, Article 10, Section 2" (PDF). IN.gov. Retrieved September 16, 2008.
  30. ↑ "Indiana Senate Districts". State of Indiana. Retrieved July 14, 2011.
  31. ↑ "Indiana House Districts". State of Indiana. Retrieved July 14, 2011.
  32. ↑ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved May 17, 2018.
  33. ↑ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  34. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  35. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  36. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  37. ↑ "Jasper County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved September 25, 2011.
  38. 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.
  39. ↑ "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.
  40. ↑ "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.
  41. ↑ "Congregational Membership Reports | US Religion". www.thearda.com.
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