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Colfax, Indiana
The Colfax Carnegie Library
The Colfax Carnegie Library
Location of Colfax in Clinton County, Indiana.
Location of Colfax in Clinton County, Indiana.
Country United States
State Indiana
County Clinton
Township Perry
Founded 1849
Named for Schuyler Colfax
Area
 • Total 0.37 sq mi (0.96 km2)
 • Land 0.37 sq mi (0.96 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
843 ft (257 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 702
 • Density 1,897.30/sq mi (733.11/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST) UTC-5 (EST)
ZIP code
46035
Area code(s) 765
FIPS code 18-14284
GNIS feature ID 2396658

Colfax is a town in Perry Township, Clinton County, Indiana, United States. The population was 691 at the 2010 census. The town was originally known as Midway since it was a half-way point on the IC&L Railroad between Chicago & Louisville. Railways intersected North/South & East/West making Colfax a popular transfer destination. The town was renamed to honor Vice President Schuyler Colfax in 1857.

History

Colfax was laid out in 1849 by Montgomery Stroud. It was originally named Midway for its position between Chicago and Louisville along the IC&L railroad. In 1853 the town gained a post office named Colfax, and in December 1857 the name of the town itself became Colfax, by petition of the residents. By 1861 the town had two churches, two general stores, a hotel, a saw mill and approximately 200 residents.

An incorporation election held December 25, 1869, resulted in 24 yeas and 1 no. The town had 187 residents in 1870, but with the construction of the Vandalia railroad through town in 1870-71 it grew quickly and by 1880 had a population of 638.

The Colfax Carnegie Library and Rosenberger Building are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography

According to the 2010 census, Colfax has a total area of 0.36 square miles (0.93 km2), all land.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1870 187
1880 638 241.2%
1890 730 14.4%
1900 767 5.1%
1910 801 4.4%
1920 793 −1.0%
1930 690 −13.0%
1940 717 3.9%
1950 725 1.1%
1960 725 0.0%
1970 633 −12.7%
1980 823 30.0%
1990 727 −11.7%
2000 768 5.6%
2010 691 −10.0%
2020 702 1.6%
U.S. Decennial Census

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 691 people, 268 households, and 194 families living in the town. The population density was 1,919.4 inhabitants per square mile (741.1/km2). There were 322 housing units at an average density of 894.4 per square mile (345.3/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 96.1% White, 0.4% African American, 0.7% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.2% of the population.

There were 268 households, of which 37.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.7% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 27.6% were non-families. 23.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.01.

The median age in the town was 40.1 years. 25.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.1% were from 25 to 44; 26.6% were from 45 to 64; and 15.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 47.2% male and 52.8% female.

Education

The town has a free lending library, the Colfax-Perry Township Public Library.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Colfax (Indiana) para niños

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