Hamilton County, Indiana
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| Hamilton County, Indiana | |
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| Map | |
 Location in the state of Indiana |
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 Indiana's location in the USA |
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| Statistics | |
| Founded | 1823 |
|---|---|
| Seat | Noblesville |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
1,043 km² (403 mi²) 1,031 km² (398 mi²) 12 km² (5 mi²), 1.19% |
| Population - (2000) - Density |
182,740 177/km² |
| Website: www.co.hamilton.in.us | |
Hamilton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. The county seat is Noblesville. The center of population of Indiana is located in Hamilton County, in the town of Sheridan. [1]
Hamilton County's roots are in agriculture. However after World War II, Indianapolis grew north and the county developed as a suburb. Many farm fields are now replaced with residential and commercial development. The county is now known as one of the fastest-growing counties in the nation. According to 2007 estimates by the U.S. Census, the County's population jumped from an estimated 182,740 in 2000 to 250,979 in 2006. The county's population was 108,936 in 1990, 82,027 in 1980, 54,532 in 1970, and 40,132 in 1960; according to census data. The increase of 37.3% made it the 26th fastest growing county in the nation. In 2006, Hamilton County was the 18th fastest-growing county in the nation based on census estimates between 2000 and 2005.
Geist and Morse Reservoir are two man-made lakes in Hamilton County that offer residents and visitors recreational opportunities, such as boating and fishing and high-end waterfront living.
The median household income of Hamilton County is more than $82,000, making it the most affluent community in Indiana. [2]
History
The land containing Hamilton County was brought into the possession of the United States by the Treaty of St. Mary's in 1818. William Conner was the first white settler in the county. In the summer of 1822, after realizing there were enough settlers in the area, Conner and other settlers applied to the Indiana Legislature for a charter authorizing them to become a separate and independent county under Indiana law. The application was presented to the Legislature at the 1822-23 session and the act was passed and approved by the Governor on January 8, 1823. The act took effect on the first Monday in April (April 7), 1823. The County Commissioners first met on May 5, 1823 at the house of William Conner. Conner's house would also serve as the County Circuit Court. The county was named after Alexander Hamilton, the first secretary of the treasury. [3]
Government
The county executive body is filled by the Board of County Commissioners. The Board of County Commissioners consists of three Commissioners representing the three commissioner districts.
District 1 consists of Carmel and Clay Township. District 2 consists of Fishers, Noblesville, Delaware Township, and Noblesville Township. District 3 consists of Adams Township, Fall Creek Township, Jackson Township, Washington Township, Wayne Township, White River Township, Arcadia, Atlanta, Cicero, Sheridan and Westfield.
The current County Commissioners are:
- Christine Altman - District 1
- Steven C. Dillinger - District 2
- Steven A. Holt - District 3
The county's finances are managed by the County Council, which consists of seven members, four elected by district and three elected at-large.
District 1 consists of parts of Clay Township. District 2 consists of Delaware, Fall Creek and Wayne Townships. District 3 consists of Noblesville, Jackson and White River Townships. District 4 consists of parts of Clay Township, Adams and Washington Townships.
The current members of the County Council are:
- Meredith Carter - District 1
- Judy Levine- District 2
- Steve Schwartz - District 3
- John Hiatt - District 4
- Brad Beaver - Council member at large
- Jim Belden - Council member at large
- Rick McKinney - Council member at large
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,043 km² (403 mi²). 1,031 km² (398 mi²) of it is land and 12 km² (5 mi²) of it (1.19%) is water.
Major Highways
- Interstate 69
- Interstate 465
- U.S. Route 31
- U.S. Route 421
- State Road 19
- State Road 32
- State Road 37
- State Road 38
- State Road 47
- State Road 431
Adjacent Counties
- Tipton County (North)
- Madison County (East)
- Hancock County (Southeast)
- Marion County (South)
- Boone County (West)
- Clinton County (Northwest)
Cities and towns
Townships
Demographics
As of the census² of 2000, there were
182,740 people, 65,933 households, and 50,834 families residing in the county. The population density was 177/km² (459/mi²). There were 69,478 housing units at an average density of
67/km² (175/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 94.38% White, 1.54% Black or African American, 0.17% Native American, 2.44% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.54% from other races, and 0.90% from two or more races. 1.59% of the population
were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 26.3% were of German, 13.0%
There were 65,933 households out of which 43.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.50% were married couples living together, 7.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.90% were non-families. 18.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.16.
In the county the population was spread out with 30.80% under the age of 18, 5.60% from 18 to 24, 34.90% from 25 to 44, 21.20% from 45 to 64, and 7.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 96.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.50 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $71,026, and the median income for a family was $80,239. Males had a median income of $56,638 versus $34,807 for females. The per capita income for the county was $33,109. About 2.00% of families and 2.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.80% of those under age 18 and 3.80% of those age 65 or over.
External links
References
- ^ US census. US census. Retrieved on 2007-06-30.
- ^ [1]
- ^ Hamilton County stats. Indiana.edu. Retrieved on 2007-06-30.
- Forstall, Richard L. (editor) (1996). Population of states and counties of the United States: 1790 to 1990 : from the twenty-one decennial censuses. United States Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, Population Division. ISBN 0-934213-48-8.
- (1880) History of Hamilton County, Indiana, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of its Prominent Men and Pioneers, To Which are Appended Maps of its Several Townships.. Chicago: Kingman Brothers.
- "The fastest growing county in the state ... and then some", The Indianapolis Star. Retrieved on 2007-03-25. (English)
- "Hamilton's growth keeps it in Top 30", The Indianapolis Star, March 22, 2007. Retrieved on 2007-03-25. (English)
- Hamilton County, Indiana Government Website. Hamilton County government. Retrieved on 2007-03-26.
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