Rush County, Indiana

Rush County is a county in the U.S. state of Indiana. In the 2020 United States Census, the population was 16,752.[1] The county seat (and only city) is Rushville.[2]

Rush County
County
The Rush County Courthouse in Rushville
The Rush County Courthouse in Rushville
Map of Indiana highlighting Rush 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°37′N 85°28′W
Country United States
State Indiana
Founded1822
Named forBenjamin Rush
SeatRushville
Largest cityRushville
Area
 • Total408.46 sq mi (1,057.9 km2)
 • Land408.12 sq mi (1,057.0 km2)
 • Water0.34 sq mi (0.9 km2)  0.08%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total16,752
 • Density41/sq mi (16/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district6th
Websiterushcounty.in.gov
Indiana county number 70
Aerial view of Rushville

History

When the Indiana Territory was granted statehood (20 December 1816), there were no settlers on the lands of the future Rush County. However, this changed quickly, and by 1821 the newly founded settlements were desirous of being organized into a county unit. Accordingly, the state legislature passed an act dated 31 December 1821 which authorized Rush County, effective 1 April, and further authorized the first commissioners (pro tem) to begin organizing the county's governing structure on 3 June 1822. The act also authorized six townships to cover the county; subsequent growth through the years has caused the number of townships to double.[3] It was named for Dr. Benjamin Rush, one of the signers of the 1776 Declaration of Independence.[4] That same summer (1822) the future town (and county seat) of Rushville was platted and laid out.

Geography

In the 1820s the low rolling hills of Rush County were generously covered with trees, usually walnut and sugar maples. By 1879 Rush County was the state's largest producer of maple syrup.[5] However, logging and clearing for agriculture have completely removed the trees, except for stands in drainages, and the available land is completely devoted to agriculture or urban development.[6] The Big Blue River drains the upper part of the county, flowing to the southwest. The Little Blue River flows southwest to drain the central part of the county, and Flatrock River flows south-southwest through the lower central part of the county.[7][8] The terrain's highest point (1,135 feet/346 m ASL) is an isolated rise at the county's east boundary, 1.4 miles (2.3 km) SSW of Glenwood.[9] According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 408.46 square miles (1,057.9 km2), of which 408.12 square miles (1,057.0 km2) (or 99.92%) is land and 0.34 square miles (0.88 km2) (or 0.08%) is water.[10]

Adjacent counties

Cities and towns

Census-designated places

Unincorporated towns

Townships

Major highways

Climate and weather
Rushville, Indiana
Climate chart (explanation)
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█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
█ Precipitation totals in inches
Source:The Weather Channel[11]
Metric conversion
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█ Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
█ Precipitation totals in mm

In recent years, average temperatures in Rushville have ranged from a low of 17 °F (−8 °C) in January to a high of 84 °F (29 °C) in July, although a record low of −28 °F (−33 °C) was recorded in January 1994 and a record high of 108 °F (42 °C) was recorded in July 1901. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 2.55 inches (65 mm) in February to 5.06 inches (129 mm) in May.[11]

Government
See also: Government of Indiana

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.[12][13]

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.[12][13]

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.[13]

United States presidential election results for Rush County, Indiana[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 6,035 76.00% 1,754 22.09% 152 1.91%
2016 5,292 72.83% 1,525 20.99% 449 6.18%
2012 4,633 65.94% 2,221 31.61% 172 2.45%
2008 4,271 55.98% 3,229 42.33% 129 1.69%
2004 5,363 72.27% 2,000 26.95% 58 0.78%
2000 4,749 65.20% 2,370 32.54% 165 2.27%
1996 3,827 51.52% 2,578 34.71% 1,023 13.77%
1992 3,873 48.36% 2,168 27.07% 1,967 24.56%
1988 5,112 67.41% 2,451 32.32% 20 0.26%
1984 5,429 69.86% 2,307 29.69% 35 0.45%
1980 4,829 64.29% 2,388 31.79% 294 3.91%
1976 4,723 60.32% 3,052 38.98% 55 0.70%
1972 5,965 76.95% 1,764 22.76% 23 0.30%
1968 5,004 59.42% 2,636 31.30% 781 9.27%
1964 4,507 49.94% 4,450 49.31% 68 0.75%
1960 6,215 63.54% 3,516 35.94% 51 0.52%
1956 6,202 64.69% 3,346 34.90% 39 0.41%
1952 6,918 66.82% 3,348 32.34% 87 0.84%
1948 5,362 57.53% 3,814 40.92% 145 1.56%
1944 5,853 59.60% 3,891 39.62% 77 0.78%
1940 6,486 60.02% 4,282 39.62% 39 0.36%
1936 5,457 47.45% 5,999 52.17% 44 0.38%
1932 5,094 49.50% 5,056 49.14% 140 1.36%
1928 6,640 68.38% 2,996 30.85% 75 0.77%
1924 5,958 62.58% 3,415 35.87% 148 1.55%
1920 6,113 56.59% 4,513 41.78% 177 1.64%
1916 2,950 51.22% 2,569 44.60% 241 4.18%
1912 1,931 34.57% 2,312 41.39% 1,343 24.04%
1908 3,102 52.96% 2,544 43.44% 211 3.60%
1904 3,082 54.12% 2,363 41.49% 250 4.39%
1900 2,913 52.21% 2,503 44.86% 163 2.92%
1896 2,891 51.88% 2,602 46.69% 80 1.44%
1892 2,566 51.26% 2,210 44.15% 230 4.59%
1888 2,713 52.46% 2,292 44.32% 167 3.23%

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18309,707—
184016,45669.5%
185016,445−0.1%
186016,193−1.5%
187017,6268.8%
188019,2389.1%
189019,034−1.1%
190020,1485.9%
191019,349−4.0%
192019,241−0.6%
193019,4120.9%
194018,927−2.5%
195019,7994.6%
196020,3933.0%
197020,352−0.2%
198019,604−3.7%
199018,129−7.5%
200018,2610.7%
201017,392−4.8%
202016,752−3.7%
US Decennial Census[15]
1790-1960[16] 1900-1990[17]
1990-2000[18] 2010[19]

2010 Census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 17,392 people, 6,767 households, and 4,803 families in the county.[20] The population density was 42.6 inhabitants per square mile (16.4/km2). There were 7,508 housing units at an average density of 18.4 per square mile (7.1/km2).[10] The racial makeup of the county was 97.4% white, 0.8% black or African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.5% from other races, and 0.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.1% of the population.[20] In terms of ancestry, 23.4% were German, 16.8% were American, 12.0% were Irish, and 11.9% were English.[21]

Of the 6,767 households, 32.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.9% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.0% were non-families, and 24.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 2.99. The median age was 40.6 years.[20]

The median income for a household in the county was $47,697 and the median income for a family was $52,874. Males had a median income of $41,581 versus $30,035 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,215. About 10.3% of families and 12.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.4% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over.[22]

See also

References
  1. "Rush County, Indiana". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 7, 2023.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. History of Rush County, Indiana. Chicago IL: Brant & Fuller. 1888. pp. 284–5.
  4. De Witt Clinton Goodrich & Charles Richard Tuttle (1875). An Illustrated History of the State of Indiana. Indiana: R. S. Peale & Co. p. 572.
  5. History of Rush County, Indiana. Chicago IL: Brant & Fuller. 1888. pp. 271–3.
  6. Rush County, Indiana (Google Maps, accessed 6 August 2020)
  7. Ripley, George; Dana, Charles A., eds. (1879). "Rush. I. A S. E. county of Indiana" . The American Cyclopædia.
  8. AAA World Atlas. Hammond Inc. 1992. p. 227.
  9. Rush County High Point, Indiana (PeakBagger.com, accessed 6 August 2020)
  10. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  11. "Monthly Averages for Rushville IN". The Weather Channel. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
  12. Indiana Code. "Title 36, Article 2, Section 3". IN.gov. Retrieved September 16, 2008.
  13. Indiana Code. "Title 2, Article 10, Section 2" (PDF). IN.gov. Retrieved September 16, 2008.
  14. Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved May 20, 2018.
  15. "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  16. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  17. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  18. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  19. "Rush County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 14, 2011. Retrieved September 25, 2011.
  20. "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.
  21. "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.
  22. "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.

39.62°N 85.47°W / 39.62; -85.47

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