West Terre Haute, Indiana

By 1878, industries included a lumber mill, a cigar factory, and a shingle manufacturer, and the town had grown to a population of 250.[5]

With coal-bearing bluffs immediately to the town's north and west, coal mining became a major industry in the town. By 1906, West Terre Haute had eleven mines in operation, served by both railroads and wagon roads. These mines averaged a daily output of 2,000 tons.[5]

Clay deposits in the town led to the production of clay products including building brick, paving brick, sewer pipe and drain tile. Four separate companies in the area worked in this industry, including the Vigo Clay Company, the Miller Brick Company, Terre Haute Brick and Pipe Company (also known as the Vitrified Brick Company), and the National Drain Tile Company.

Just north of West Terre Haute was a large gravel pit a mile in length at its widest point. The gravel was mainly used in railroad grades.

Due to increased employment opportunities, the population of West Terre Haute increased from several hundred in the 1880s to approximately 3500 by the mid-1890s. To accommodate these new residents and commuters, in 1905 a new bridge was built to cross the Wabash River including tracks for the city's streetcar and interurban line. The Bank of West Terre Haute was established that same year.

Beginning in the early 1920s, the coal, clay and gravel industries slowly declined. West Terre Haute became a mainly residential community for factory workers and miners. After the Great Depression, the town's businesses included automobile repair shops and grocers. However, business faded when I-70 was constructed and circumvented the town.[5]

As of the census[12] of 2010, there were 2,236 people, 839 households, and 588 families living in the town. The population density was 2,981.3 inhabitants per square mile (1,151.1/km²). There were 975 housing units at an average density of 1,300.0 per square mile (501.9/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.3% White, 0.5% African American, 0.6% Native American, 0.4% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.3% of the population.

There were 839 households, of which 38.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.2% were married couples living together, 20.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 8.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 29.9% were non-families. 24.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.09.

The median age in the town was 35.5 years. 26% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.6% were from 25 to 44; 23.9% were from 45 to 64; and 12.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 48.4% male and 51.6% female.

As of the census[3] of 2000, there were 2,330 people, 895 households, and 620 families living in the town. The population density was 3,082.4 inhabitants per square mile (1,190.1/km²). There were 1,046 housing units at an average density of 1,383.8 per square mile (534.3/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.55% White, 0.04% African American, 0.52% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 0.17% Pacific Islander, 0.04% from other races, and 1.20% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.56% of the population.

There were 895 households, out of which 36.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.0% were married couples living together, 16.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.7% were non-families. 26.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.12.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 29.1% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 30.3% from 25 to 44, 19.2% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $25,954, and the median income for a family was $30,469. Males had a median income of $25,854 versus $19,618 for females. The per capita income for the town was $11,887. About 16.5% of families and 20.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.4% of those under age 18 and 11.1% of those age 65 or over.