Jasper County, Indiana

Jasper County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2010, the population was 33,478.[6] The county seat is Rensselaer.[7]

Not to be confused with Jasper, Indiana.
Jasper County, Indiana
County
Jasper County Courthouse in Rensselaer
Location in the state of Indiana
Indiana's location in the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°01′N 87°07′W
Country United States
State Indiana
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)
Area rank3rd largest county in Indiana
 • Region2,726 sq mi (7,060 km2)
Elevation
696 ft (212 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • County33,478
 • Estimate 
(2018)
33,270
 • Rank54th largest county in Indiana
1,341st largest county in U.S.[4]
 • Density59.5/sq mi (23.0/km2)
 • Metro
9,522,434
 • Region
819,537
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. Route
State Routes
AirportJasper County
WaterwaysIroquois River – Kankakee River
Amtrak stationRensselaer
Websitewww.jaspercountyin.gov
  • Indiana county number 37
Demographics (2010)[5]
White Black Asian
95.8% 0.6% 0.4%
Islander Native Other Hispanic
(any race)
0.0% 0.2% 3.0% 5.4%

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. An act dated 7 February 1835 described the boundaries of Newton and Jasper counties, although their governing structures were not established at that time. The area was 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.[8] 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.[9] 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.[10] 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.[11] 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).[12] In comparing the proportions of men able to fight, Indiana contributed more soldiers than any other state to the Union.[13]

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.[14] Until the middle of the 19th century when it was drained to make farmland, this county was part of the 2nd largest freshwater wetland in the US, with abundant flora and fauna.[15] 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.[16]

Major highways

Railroads

Adjacent counties

Municipalities

The municipalities in Jasper County, and their populations as of the 2010 Census, are:

Cities

Towns

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Townships

The 13 townships of Jasper County, with their populations as of the 2010 Census, are:

Education

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

High Schools

Middle Schools

  • Kankakee Valley Middle School
  • Rensselaer Central Middle School

Elementary Schools

  • DeMotte Christian Elementary School (Preschool through 8th)
  • DeMotte Elementary School
  • Kankakee Valley Intermediate School
  • St. Augustine Catholic School
  • Tri-County Primary School (K-2nd)
  • Van Rensselaer Elementary School
  • Wheatfield Elementary School

Colleges and Universities

Hospitals
  • Franciscan Health Rensselaer, Rensselaer – 46 beds[17]

Climate and weather
Rensselaer, Indiana
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
2
 
 
30
14
 
 
1.7
 
 
36
19
 
 
3.1
 
 
47
29
 
 
3.5
 
 
60
39
 
 
4.2
 
 
72
50
 
 
4.3
 
 
81
60
 
 
3.8
 
 
85
64
 
 
3.5
 
 
83
61
 
 
3.3
 
 
76
53
 
 
3
 
 
64
41
 
 
3.2
 
 
49
32
 
 
2.7
 
 
36
21
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Source: The Weather Channel[18]

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.[18]

Government
See also: Government of Indiana

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.[19][20]

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.[19][20]

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.[20]

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.[20]

Jasper County is part of Indiana's 4th congressional district. It is also part of Indiana Senate districts 5 and 7[21] and Indiana House of Representatives districts 4, 16 and 20.[22]

Presidential election results
Presidential elections results[23]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2016 70.1% 9,382 24.9% 3,329 5.0% 667
2012 61.6% 7,955 36.2% 4,672 2.3% 293
2008 59.4% 7,669 39.1% 5,044 1.6% 200
2004 68.0% 8,056 31.1% 3,678 0.9% 110
2000 64.6% 7,212 33.5% 3,744 1.9% 211
1996 51.3% 5,173 35.3% 3,554 13.4% 1,350
1992 48.6% 4,809 30.7% 3,033 20.7% 2,048
1988 64.7% 6,009 34.8% 3,237 0.5% 46
1984 69.2% 6,537 29.9% 2,821 0.9% 86
1980 68.1% 6,316 27.4% 2,544 4.5% 416
1976 60.8% 5,398 37.0% 3,286 2.3% 200
1972 76.2% 6,369 23.0% 1,920 0.8% 68
1968 60.5% 4,996 26.7% 2,201 12.8% 1,055
1964 52.8% 4,497 46.9% 3,995 0.3% 24
1960 64.3% 5,364 35.5% 2,959 0.2% 16
1956 72.6% 5,374 27.1% 2,004 0.3% 21
1952 72.2% 5,556 27.3% 2,102 0.4% 34
1948 65.4% 4,320 33.6% 2,216 1.0% 67
1944 66.6% 4,364 33.1% 2,168 0.3% 18
1940 61.6% 4,462 38.0% 2,751 0.4% 28
1936 52.7% 3,540 46.3% 3,109 1.1% 72
1932 44.5% 2,897 54.4% 3,538 1.1% 69
1928 65.7% 3,700 34.0% 1,915 0.4% 21
1924 64.4% 3,679 30.5% 1,744 5.1% 293
1920 66.9% 3,942 31.8% 1,872 1.4% 81
1916 56.5% 1,995 42.1% 1,488 1.4% 48
1912 37.5% 1,238 39.2% 1,292 23.3% 768
1908 55.2% 1,939 42.6% 1,495 2.3% 79
1904 58.6% 2,137 36.8% 1,341 4.7% 170
1900 55.3% 2,083 42.0% 1,580 2.7% 102
1896 55.1% 2,032 43.6% 1,608 1.4% 51
1892 50.0% 1,364 34.3% 937 15.7% 428
1888 59.3% 1,604 37.1% 1,003 3.6% 98

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
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%
Est. 201833,270[24]−0.6%
US Decennial Census[25]
1790-1960[26] 1900-1990[27]
1990-2000[28] 2010-2013[6]

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 33,478 people, 12,232 households, and 9,165 families in the county.[29] 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).[14] 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.[29] 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.[30]

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.[29]

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.[31]

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.[32]

See also

References
  1. Hamilton Louis H. & William Darroch (1916). A Standard History of Jasper and Newton Counties, Indiana, Vol. 1. Chicago & New York: Lewis Publishing Co.
  2. Jasper County Home Page (accessed 19 January 2020)
  3. Origin of Indiana County Names. Indiana Historical Bureau (accessed 21 January 2020)
  4. "USA Counties in Profile". STATS Indiana. Retrieved 29 June 2014.
  5. 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.
  6. "Jasper County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 7 June 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2011.
  7. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 31 May 2011. Retrieved 7 June 2011.
  8. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 168.
  9. De Witt Clinton Goodrich & Charles Richard Tuttle (1875). An Illustrated History of the State of Indiana. Indiana: R. S. Peale & co. pp. 562.
  10. Scudder, Horace E (1888). Indiana: American Commonwealths. Cambridge: Boston & New York: The Riverside Press, Cambridge. pp. 235, 237, 438–400.
  11. 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.
  12. 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.
  13. Hoover Dwight W. (1980). A Pictorial History of Indiana. Bloomington: the Indiana University Press. p. 93.
  14. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 12 February 2020. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  15. Everglades of the North on IMDb
  16. Battle J.H. (1883). Counties of Warren, Benton, Jasper and Newton. Chicago: F.A. Battey & Co. p. 411.
  17. "Franciscan Health is New Name for Leading Hospital System". Franciscan Alliance, Inc. 6 September 2016. Retrieved 11 September 2016.
  18. "Monthly Averages for Rensselaer IN". The Weather Channel. Retrieved 27 January 2011.
  19. Indiana Code. "Title 36, Article 2, Section 3". IN.gov. Retrieved 16 September 2008.
  20. Indiana Code. "Title 2, Article 10, Section 2" (PDF). IN.gov. Retrieved 16 September 2008.
  21. "Indiana Senate Districts". State of Indiana. Retrieved 14 July 2011.
  22. "Indiana House Districts". State of Indiana. Retrieved 14 July 2011.
  23. Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 17 May 2018.
  24. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved 26 July 2019.
  25. "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  26. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  27. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  28. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  29. "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 13 February 2020. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  30. "Selected Social Characteristics in the US – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 14 February 2020. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  31. "Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 14 February 2020. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  32. ARDA
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