Grant County, Indiana

Coordinates: 40°31′N 85°39′W / 40.52°N 85.65°W / 40.52; -85.65
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Grant County
Grant County Courthouse in Marion
Grant County Courthouse in Marion
Map of Indiana highlighting Grant County
Location within the U.S. state of Indiana
Map of the United States highlighting Indiana
Indiana's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 40°31′N 85°39′W / 40.52°N 85.65°W / 40.52; -85.65
Country United States
State Indiana
Founded1831
Named forSamuel and Moses Grant
SeatMarion
Largest cityMarion
Area
 • Total414.90 sq mi (1,074.6 km2)
 • Land414.07 sq mi (1,072.4 km2)
 • Water0.82 sq mi (2.1 km2)  0.20%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total66,674
 • Density159/sq mi (61.4/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district5th
Websitewww.grantcounty.net
Indiana county number 27

Grant County is a county in central Indiana in the United States Midwest. At the time of the 2020 census, the population was 66,674.[1] The county seat is Marion.[2] Important paleontological discoveries, dating from the Pliocene epoch, have been made at the Pipe Creek Sinkhole in Grant County.

History[edit]

Grant County was formed in 1831 by settlers from Kentucky and Virginia. It was named for Captains Samuel and Moses Grant of Kentucky, who were killed fighting indigenous warriors north of the Ohio River.[3] Their home county was also named for them, Grant County, Kentucky.

In 1831, Martin Boots and David Branson each donated 30 acres of land to begin a settlement called Marion. This land was on the north side of a fast-flowing and scenic river which the Miami Indians called Mississinewa. Marion was designated as the County Seat.[4]

As the county was developed for agriculture, the county seat became a center of trade and business, as well as government and the court system. On 7 August 1930, a mob of an estimated 5,000 people took three African-American men, Thomas Shipp and Abram Smith, both 19, and James Cameron, 16, from the county jail. They were suspects in a robbery/murder and rape. The first two were hanged from trees in the courthouse square. Cameron was spared and later became a civil rights activist. This was the last lynching in Indiana.[5]

In 1982, Stephen Johnson was elected as Grant County's first full-time prosecutor. He served for five terms, from 1983 through 2002.

Geography[edit]

Grant County consists of low rolling hills, covered with vegetation and devoted to agriculture or urban development.[6] The Mississinewa River flows northwesterly through the center of the county toward Mississinewa Lake in adjacent Miami County. The highest terrain consists of two rises in southeast Upland, at 950 ft (290 m) ASL.[7] According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 414.90 square miles (1,074.6 km2), of which 414.07 square miles (1,072.4 km2) (or 99.80%) is land and 0.82 square miles (2.1 km2) (or 0.20%) is water.[8]

Aerial view of Marion

Adjacent counties[edit]

Grant County shares a border with nine neighboring counties, more than any other county in Indiana.

Transit[edit]

Major highways[edit]

Climate and weather[edit]

Marion, Indiana
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
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2.2
 
 
32
16
 
 
2
 
 
37
19
 
 
3
 
 
48
28
 
 
3.6
 
 
60
38
 
 
4.3
 
 
72
49
 
 
3.9
 
 
81
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4.7
 
 
85
63
 
 
3.7
 
 
82
61
 
 
2.8
 
 
76
53
 
 
2.6
 
 
64
42
 
 
3.4
 
 
50
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2.9
 
 
37
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Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Source: The Weather Channel[9]
Metric conversion
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
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55
 
 
0
−9
 
 
52
 
 
3
−7
 
 
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22
9
 
 
100
 
 
27
15
 
 
120
 
 
29
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93
 
 
28
16
 
 
72
 
 
24
12
 
 
66
 
 
18
6
 
 
85
 
 
10
1
 
 
72
 
 
3
−6
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm

In recent years, average temperatures in Marion have ranged from a low of 16 °F (−9 °C) in January to a high of 85 °F (29 °C) in July, although a record low of −23 °F (−31 °C) was recorded in January 1985 and a record high of 108 °F (42 °C) was recorded in July 1936. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 2.03 inches (52 mm) in February to 4.73 inches (120 mm) in July.[9]

Government[edit]

The county government is a constitutional body, granted specific powers by the Constitution of Indiana and the Indiana Code.

County Council: The legislative branch of the county government; controls spending and revenue collection in the county. Representatives, elected to four-year terms from county districts, 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.[10][11]

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 are charged with executing the acts legislated by the council, collecting revenue, and managing the day-to-day functions of the county government.[10][11]

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.[11]

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 county government positions are required to declare party affiliations and to be residents of the county.[11]

Grant County is part of Indiana's 5th congressional district; Indiana Senate districts 17, 19 and 21;[12] and Indiana House of Representatives districts 31, 32 and 82.[13]

United States presidential election results for Grant County, Indiana[14][15]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 18,543 68.10% 8,015 29.43% 672 2.47%
2016 17,008 66.51% 7,010 27.41% 1,554 6.08%
2012 15,151 59.82% 9,589 37.86% 589 2.33%
2008 14,734 55.93% 11,293 42.87% 317 1.20%
2004 18,769 68.35% 8,509 30.99% 182 0.66%
2000 16,153 61.22% 9,712 36.81% 521 1.97%
1996 13,443 50.77% 9,818 37.08% 3,217 12.15%
1992 13,806 48.04% 9,211 32.05% 5,721 19.91%
1988 18,441 62.79% 10,799 36.77% 131 0.45%
1984 20,482 66.78% 9,986 32.56% 205 0.67%
1980 19,078 61.72% 10,390 33.61% 1,441 4.66%
1976 16,847 55.14% 13,468 44.08% 239 0.78%
1972 20,969 72.41% 7,912 27.32% 77 0.27%
1968 16,170 52.46% 10,938 35.48% 3,718 12.06%
1964 14,688 45.20% 17,574 54.08% 232 0.71%
1960 19,021 57.92% 13,642 41.54% 178 0.54%
1956 17,548 64.50% 9,455 34.75% 203 0.75%
1952 16,678 59.73% 10,646 38.13% 599 2.15%
1948 13,138 50.31% 12,212 46.76% 765 2.93%
1944 14,527 55.07% 11,031 41.82% 821 3.11%
1940 15,187 52.77% 13,257 46.06% 335 1.16%
1936 11,774 44.84% 13,655 52.00% 831 3.16%
1932 11,398 43.90% 13,390 51.58% 1,173 4.52%
1928 14,659 65.98% 7,273 32.74% 284 1.28%
1924 11,173 55.10% 7,086 34.95% 2,017 9.95%
1920 12,349 55.12% 7,900 35.26% 2,156 9.62%
1916 6,059 43.38% 5,827 41.72% 2,081 14.90%
1912 3,939 30.22% 4,390 33.68% 4,707 36.11%
1908 7,181 49.42% 5,819 40.05% 1,531 10.54%
1904 9,550 58.27% 4,668 28.48% 2,170 13.24%
1900 8,832 57.79% 5,312 34.76% 1,140 7.46%
1896 7,723 58.95% 5,072 38.72% 305 2.33%
1892 4,916 52.21% 3,590 38.13% 909 9.65%
1888 3,929 53.87% 2,990 41.00% 374 5.13%

Demographics[edit]

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18404,875
185011,092127.5%
186015,79742.4%
187018,48717.0%
188023,61827.8%
189031,49333.3%
190054,69373.7%
191051,426−6.0%
192051,353−0.1%
193051,066−0.6%
194055,8139.3%
195062,15611.4%
196075,74121.9%
197083,95510.8%
198080,934−3.6%
199074,169−8.4%
200073,403−1.0%
201070,061−4.6%
202066,674−4.8%
2022 (est.)66,022[16]−1.0%
US Decennial Census[17]
1790-1960[18] 1900-1990[19]
1990-2000[20] 2010-2013[1]

2020 census[edit]

Grant County Racial Composition[21]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 54,500 81.7%
Black or African American (NH) 4,566 6.8%
Native American (NH) 157 0.23%
Asian (NH) 524 0.8%
Pacific Islander (NH) 22 0.03%
Other/Mixed (NH) 3,493 5.2%
Hispanic or Latino 3,412 5%

2010 United States Census[edit]

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 70,061 people, 27,245 households, and 18,000 families in the county.[8] The population density was 169.2 inhabitants per square mile (65.3/km2). There were 30,443 housing units at an average density of 73.5 per square mile (28.4/km2).[22] The racial makeup of the county was 88.2% white, 7.0% black or African American, 0.6% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 1.4% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.6% of the population.[8] In terms of ancestry, 19.5% were German, 12.4% were American, 10.0% were Irish, and 9.0% were English.[23]

Of the 27,245 households, 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.0% were married couples living together, 13.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.9% were non-families, and 28.8% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.89. The median age was 39.5 years.[8]

The median income for a household in the county was $47,697 and the median income for a family was $49,860. Males had a median income of $40,146 versus $28,588 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,792. About 12.0% of families and 17.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.0% of those under age 18 and 9.4% of those age 65 or over.[24]

Localities[edit]

Cities[edit]

Towns[edit]

Census-designated places[edit]

Unincorporated communities[edit]

Townships[edit]

Education[edit]

School districts include:[25]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b "Grant County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 14.
  4. ^ Grant County History, Grant County website
  5. ^ David Bradley, "Anatomy of a Murder", The Nation, 24 May 2006; accessed 1 June 2018.
  6. ^ Grant County IN (Google Maps, accessed 20 January 2020)
  7. ^ Grant County High Point, Indiana (PeakBagger.com, accessed 20 January 2020)
  8. ^ a b c d "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.
  9. ^ a b "Monthly Averages for Marion IN". The Weather Channel. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
  10. ^ a b Indiana Code. "Title 36, Article 2, Section 3". IN.gov. Retrieved September 16, 2008.
  11. ^ a b c d Indiana Code. "Title 2, Article 10, Section 2" (PDF). IN.gov. Retrieved September 16, 2008.
  12. ^ "Indiana Senate Districts". State of Indiana. Retrieved July 14, 2011.
  13. ^ "Indiana House Districts". State of Indiana. Retrieved July 14, 2011.
  14. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 9, 2018.
  15. ^ The leading "other" candidate, Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, received 2,185 votes, while Socialist candidate Eugene Debs received 1,323 votes, Prohibition candidate Eugene Chafin received 1,015 votes, and Socialist Labor candidate Arthur Reimer received 184 votes.
  16. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
  17. ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  18. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  19. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  20. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  21. ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Grant County, Indiana".
  22. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  23. ^ "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.
  24. ^ "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.
  25. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Grant County, IN" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 22, 2022. - Text list

40°31′N 85°39′W / 40.52°N 85.65°W / 40.52; -85.65