Ohio County, Indiana

Ohio County
County
Ohio County Courthouse in Rising Sun
Ohio County Courthouse in Rising Sun
Map of Indiana highlighting Ohio County
Location within the U.S. state of Indiana
Map of the United States highlighting Indiana
Indiana's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 38°57′N 84°58′W / 38.95°N 84.97°W / 38.95; -84.97
Country United States
State Indiana
Founded1844
Named forOhio River
SeatRising Sun
Largest cityRising Sun
Area
 • Total87.43 sq mi (226.4 km2)
 • Land86.14 sq mi (223.1 km2)
 • Water1.29 sq mi (3.3 km2)  1.48%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total5,940
 • Estimate 
(2023)
6,004 Increase
 • Density68/sq mi (26/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district6th
Indiana county number 58
FIPS County Code 115
Smallest county in Indiana in area
Least populated county in Indiana

Ohio County is a county located in southeastern Indiana. With a 2020 population of 5,940, and an area of just 87 square miles, Ohio County is the smallest county in Indiana by area and the least populous.[1] The county seat and only incorporated municipality is Rising Sun.[2][3] The county was officially established in 1844 and was one of the last Indiana counties to be created. Ohio County borders the state of Kentucky across the Ohio River for which it was named. It is part of the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area. The county is divided into four townships which provide local services.[4][5] Three state roads pass through or into the county.[6]

History

[edit]

Dearborn County was formed from Indiana Territory in 1803, and its borders were modified several times, both before and after the creation of the state of Indiana in 1816. Ohio County was created out of Dearborn County, authorized by legislative action effective January 4, 1844, to resolve a dispute of county seat between Rising Sun and Lawrenceburg.[7] It was named for the Ohio River, which defines its eastern border.[8]

The Ohio County courthouse was built in the county seat of Rising Sun in 1845. It is a two-story Greek Revival brick building measuring about 60 feet (18 m) by 40 feet (12 m), including the portico supported by Doric pillars.[9] This courthouse is still in use and is the oldest continuously used courthouse in the state.[10]

Geography

[edit]
Map of Ohio County, showing townships and settlements

According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 87.43 square miles (226.4 km2), of which 86.14 square miles (223.1 km2) (or 98.52%) is land and 1.29 square miles (3.3 km2) (or 1.48%) is water.[11]

Adjacent counties

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Communities

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Incorporated communities

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Unincorporated communities

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Townships

[edit]
Rising Sun, on the Ohio River.

Transportation

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Highways

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  • US Route 50 in Dearborn County passes within 2 miles (3.2 km) of Ohio County's northern border.[12]
  • State Road 56 enters from Switzerland County to the south and passes east along the southern border, then north through Rising Sun and along the river, continuing north to Dearborn county.[13]
  • State Road 156 runs along the Ohio River in Switzerland County, and enters the far southeast part of Ohio County, continuing NW and north to its intersection with State Road 56, 1.5 miles inside Ohio County.[14]
  • State Road 262 enters from Dillsboro and crosses the county in a general eastern direction, ending in Rising Sun.[15]

Railroads

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There are no active railroad lines in the county.[16]

Education

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Ohio County has two schools managed by a single school corporation.[17] The Ohio County Elementary–Middle School served a total of 636 students during the 2009–2010 school year.[18] Rising Sun High School served a total of 264 students during the same period.[19]

Ohio County residents are served by the Ohio County Public Library with a single branch in Rising Sun.[20]

Climate and weather

[edit]
Rising Sun, Indiana
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
3.1
 
 
39
21
 
 
3
 
 
45
24
 
 
4.1
 
 
55
32
 
 
4.2
 
 
66
41
 
 
4.7
 
 
75
51
 
 
4.8
 
 
83
60
 
 
3.9
 
 
87
65
 
 
3.8
 
 
86
63
 
 
3.1
 
 
79
56
 
 
2.9
 
 
68
43
 
 
3.5
 
 
56
35
 
 
3.4
 
 
44
26
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
█ Precipitation totals in inches
Source: The Weather Channel[21]
Metric conversion
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
78
 
 
4
−6
 
 
75
 
 
7
−4
 
 
104
 
 
13
0
 
 
107
 
 
19
5
 
 
120
 
 
24
11
 
 
123
 
 
28
16
 
 
100
 
 
31
18
 
 
97
 
 
30
17
 
 
78
 
 
26
13
 
 
74
 
 
20
6
 
 
88
 
 
13
2
 
 
87
 
 
7
−3
█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
█ Precipitation totals in mm

In recent years, average temperatures in Rising Sun have ranged from a low of 21 °F (−6 °C) in January to a high of 87 °F (31 °C) in July, although a record low of −23 °F (−31 °C) was recorded in January 1994 and a record high of 104 °F (40 °C) was recorded in July 1988. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 2.92 inches (74 mm) in October to 4.83 inches (123 mm) in June.[21]

Government

[edit]
See also: Government of Indiana

The county government is a constitutional body granted specific powers by the Constitution of Indiana and the Indiana Code. The county council is the legislative branch of the county government and controls all spending and revenue collection. Representatives are elected from county districts. The council members serve four-year terms and 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.[22][23]

A board of commissioners serves as the county's executive body. The commissioners are elected county–wide to staggered four–year terms. One commissioner serves as board president. The board executes the acts legislated by the council, collects revenue, and manages day-to-day functions of the county government.[22][23]

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 elected to a four-year term. In some cases, court decisions can be appealed to the state level circuit court which is shared with neighboring Dearborn County.[23][24]

The county has several other elected offices, including sheriff, coroner, auditor, treasurer, recorder, surveyor and circuit court clerk; they are elected to four–year terms. Members elected to county government positions are required to declare party affiliations and be residents of the county.[23]

Each of the townships has a trustee who administers rural fire protection and ambulance service, provides poor relief and manages cemetery care, among other duties.[5] The trustee is assisted in these duties by a three-member township board. The trustees and board members are elected to four-year terms.[25]

Ohio County is part of Indiana's 6th congressional district; Indiana Senate district 43;[26] and Indiana House of Representatives district 68.[27]

United States presidential election results for Ohio County, Indiana[28]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 2,392 75.60% 750 23.70% 22 0.70%
2016 2,118 72.51% 686 23.49% 117 4.01%
2012 1,759 62.40% 994 35.26% 66 2.34%
2008 1,713 58.70% 1,158 39.68% 47 1.61%
2004 1,796 60.72% 1,139 38.51% 23 0.78%
2000 1,515 60.79% 951 38.16% 26 1.04%
1996 1,098 44.38% 1,083 43.78% 293 11.84%
1992 1,009 40.14% 970 38.58% 535 21.28%
1988 1,412 55.79% 1,113 43.97% 6 0.24%
1984 1,503 58.32% 1,068 41.44% 6 0.23%
1980 1,264 52.23% 1,074 44.38% 82 3.39%
1976 1,027 43.95% 1,300 55.63% 10 0.43%
1972 1,368 59.50% 922 40.10% 9 0.39%
1968 1,053 46.04% 991 43.33% 243 10.63%
1964 905 39.21% 1,397 60.53% 6 0.26%
1960 1,314 56.25% 1,015 43.45% 7 0.30%
1956 1,237 53.07% 1,087 46.63% 7 0.30%
1952 1,219 51.92% 1,119 47.66% 10 0.43%
1948 1,031 46.55% 1,173 52.96% 11 0.50%
1944 1,126 51.56% 1,043 47.76% 15 0.69%
1940 1,186 49.33% 1,210 50.33% 8 0.33%
1936 1,022 42.87% 1,362 57.13% 0 0.00%
1932 997 43.25% 1,288 55.88% 20 0.87%
1928 1,230 57.10% 911 42.29% 13 0.60%
1924 989 46.98% 1,058 50.26% 58 2.76%
1920 1,177 50.91% 1,097 47.45% 38 1.64%
1916 597 47.46% 632 50.24% 29 2.31%
1912 406 36.02% 553 49.07% 168 14.91%
1908 619 49.13% 622 49.37% 19 1.51%
1904 962 60.66% 584 36.82% 40 2.52%
1900 730 53.25% 632 46.10% 9 0.66%
1896 705 52.61% 634 47.31% 1 0.07%
1892 662 51.72% 606 47.34% 12 0.94%
1888 726 55.25% 585 44.52% 3 0.23%

Demographics

[edit]
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18505,308—
18605,4622.9%
18705,8376.9%
18805,563−4.7%
18904,955−10.9%
19004,724−4.7%
19104,329−8.4%
19204,024−7.0%
19303,747−6.9%
19403,7820.9%
19504,22311.7%
19604,165−1.4%
19704,2893.0%
19805,11419.2%
19905,3153.9%
20005,6235.8%
20106,1289.0%
20205,940−3.1%
2023 (est.)6,004[29]1.1%
U.S. Decennial Census[30]
1790-1960[31] 1900-1990[32]
1990-2000[33] 2010-2017[1]

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 6,128 people, 2,477 households, and 1,737 families residing in the county.[34] The population density was 71.1 inhabitants per square mile (27.5/km2). There were 2,784 housing units at an average density of 32.3 per square mile (12.5/km2).[11] The racial makeup of the county was 98.1% white, 0.4% black or African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.3% from other races, and 0.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.1% of the population.[34] In terms of ancestry, 33.5% were German, 12.6% were Irish, 12.2% were American, and 7.3% were English.[35]

Of the 2,477 households, 28.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.2% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.9% were non-families, and 25.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.91. The median age was 43.7 years.[34]

The median income for a household in the county was $47,697 and the median income for a family was $64,271. Males had a median income of $49,241 versus $30,536 for females. The per capita income for the county was $25,703. About 5.5% of families and 8.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.4% of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those age 65 or over.[36]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Ohio County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 4, 2011. Retrieved September 25, 2011.
  2. ^ "Find a County – Ohio County IN". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on February 27, 2014. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
  3. ^ "Ohio County IN – County Subdivision and Place. GCT-PH1. Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2000". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 16, 2020. Retrieved February 9, 2011.
  4. ^ "Ohio". Indiana Township Association. Archived from the original on June 1, 2009. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
  5. ^ a b "Duties". United Township Association of Indiana. Retrieved January 6, 2011.
  6. ^ "Indiana Transportation Map 2009–2010" (PDF). Indiana Dept. of Transportation. 2009. Retrieved December 16, 2010.
  7. ^ History of Dearborn and Ohio Counties, Indiana 1885, p9. 111–9.
  8. ^ Baker, Ronald L.; Carmony, Marvin (1975). Indiana Place Names. Bloomington IN: Indiana University Press. p. 121.
  9. ^ History of Dearborn and Ohio Counties, Indiana 1885, pp. 123–124.
  10. ^ Counts, Will; Jon Dilts (1991). The 92 Magnificent Indiana Courthouses. Bloomington IN: Indiana University Press. pp. 162–3. ISBN 978-0-253-33638-5.
  11. ^ a b "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  12. ^ "US Route 50". Highway Explorer. Archived from the original on October 12, 2012. Retrieved December 11, 2011.
  13. ^ "State Road 56". Highway Explorer. Archived from the original on March 9, 2012. Retrieved December 11, 2011.
  14. ^ "State Road 156". Highway Explorer. Archived from the original on April 6, 2012. Retrieved December 11, 2011.
  15. ^ "State Road 262". Highway Explorer. Archived from the original on April 6, 2012. Retrieved December 11, 2011.
  16. ^ "State of Indiana 2011 Rail System Map" (PDF). Indiana Dept. of Transportation. 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2011.
  17. ^ "Ohio County School Corporations". Indiana Department of Education. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
  18. ^ "Ohio County Elem-Middle Sch - Overview". Indiana Department of Education. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
  19. ^ "Rising Sun High School - Overview". Indiana Department of Education. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
  20. ^ "Indiana public library directory" (PDF). Indiana State Library. Retrieved March 14, 2018.
  21. ^ a b "Monthly Averages for Rising Sun, Indiana". The Weather Channel. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
  22. ^ a b Indiana Code. "Title 36, Article 2, Section 3". Government of Indiana. Retrieved September 16, 2008.
  23. ^ a b c d Indiana Code. "Title 2, Article 10, Section 2" (PDF). Government of Indiana. Retrieved September 16, 2008.
  24. ^ "Indiana Trial Courts: Types of Courts". Indiana Courts. Archived from the original on October 19, 2011. Retrieved December 3, 2011.
  25. ^ "Government". United Township Association of Indiana. Retrieved January 6, 2011.
  26. ^ "Indiana Senate Districts". State of Indiana. Retrieved July 14, 2011.
  27. ^ "Indiana House Districts". State of Indiana. Retrieved July 14, 2011.
  28. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved May 19, 2018.
  29. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
  30. ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  31. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  32. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  33. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  34. ^ a b c "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.
  35. ^ "Selected Social Characteristics in the United States – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 14, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  36. ^ "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.
[edit]

38°57′N 84°58′W / 38.95°N 84.97°W / 38.95; -84.97

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