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White County
White County Courthouse in Monticello
White County Courthouse in Monticello
Map of Indiana highlighting White County
Location within the U.S. state of Indiana
Map of the United States highlighting Indiana
Indiana's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Indiana
Founded February 1, 1834 (authorized)
Named for Isaac White
Seat Monticello
Largest city Monticello
Area
 • Total 508.68 sq mi (1,317.5 km2)
 • Land 505.12 sq mi (1,308.3 km2)
 • Water 3.56 sq mi (9.2 km2)  0.70%%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 24,688
 • Estimate 
(2023)
24,917 Increase
 • Density 48.5335/sq mi (18.7389/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 4th
Indiana county number 91

White County is a county in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 24,688. The county seat (and only incorporated city) is Monticello.

History

The first white settlers in the future White County arrived in the land west of Tippecanoe River in 1829, and in other parts of the county in 1831. This area was part of Carroll County during that period.

By 1833, so many settlers had entered the area that the state legislature were pressured to have a separate county created. On February 1, 1834, the state approved the creation of this county, directing that it be named for Isaac White. Interim commissioners were named and directed to organize the county during the summer of 1834, and to choose a county seat in September. They did so on September 5, 1834, naming Monticello as the future seat, due to its central location. While the county was being organized, it was attached to Carroll County for administrative and judicial purposes.

The county name honored Isaac White, a colonel from Equality, Illinois who fought and was killed in the Battle of Tippecanoe in 1811.

Alterations were made to the county's boundaries on December 24, 1834, on February 4, 1837, and on February 14, 1839. In addition, the counties of Jasper (1837), Pulaski (1839), Newton (1839), and Benton (1840) removed significant portions of the county's territory. The borders have remained unchanged since 1840.

Geography

The low, rolling hills of White County are entirely devoted to agriculture or to urban development. The Tippecanoe River flows southward through the central part of the county. The highest point on the terrain (770 feet/230 meters ASL) is a gentle rise about 2.8 miles (4.5 km) SSE from Wolcott.

According to the 2010 United States Census, the county has a total area of 508.68 square miles (1,317.5 km2), of which 505.12 square miles (1,308.3 km2) (or 99.30%) is land and 3.56 square miles (9.2 km2) (or 0.70%) is water.

Adjacent counties

City and towns

Census-designated places

Unincorporated places

Townships

Major highways

  • I-65.svg Interstate 65
  • US 24.svg U.S. Route 24
  • US 231.svg U.S. Route 231
  • US 421.svg U.S. Route 421
  • Indiana 16.svg Indiana State Road 16
  • Indiana 18.svg Indiana State Road 18
  • Indiana 39.svg Indiana State Road 39
  • Indiana 43.svg Indiana State Road 43
  • Indiana 119.svg Indiana State Road 119

Railroads

Climate and weather

Weather chart for Monticello, Indiana
J F M A M J J A S O N D
 
 
2
 
33
17
 
 
1.9
 
39
21
 
 
2.9
 
51
31
 
 
3.5
 
64
40
 
 
3.9
 
74
50
 
 
4.1
 
83
60
 
 
4.2
 
86
63
 
 
4
 
84
61
 
 
2.9
 
78
53
 
 
2.7
 
66
42
 
 
3.1
 
51
33
 
 
2.7
 
38
23
temperatures in °F
precipitation totals in inches
source: The Weather Channel

In recent years, average temperatures in Monticello have ranged from a low of 17 °F (−8 °C) in January to a high of 86 °F (30 °C) in July, although a record low of −25 °F (−32 °C) was recorded in January 1963 and a record high of 107 °F (42 °C) was recorded in July 1954. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.94 inches (49 mm) in February to 4.16 inches (106 mm) in July.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1840 1,832
1850 4,761 159.9%
1860 8,258 73.5%
1870 10,554 27.8%
1880 13,795 30.7%
1890 15,671 13.6%
1900 19,138 22.1%
1910 17,602 −8.0%
1920 17,351 −1.4%
1930 15,831 −8.8%
1940 17,037 7.6%
1950 18,042 5.9%
1960 19,709 9.2%
1970 20,995 6.5%
1980 23,867 13.7%
1990 23,265 −2.5%
2000 25,267 8.6%
2010 24,643 −2.5%
2020 24,688 0.2%
2023 (est.) 24,917 1.1%
US Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2010

2010 Census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 24,643 people, 9,741 households, and 6,849 families in the county. The population density was 48.8 inhabitants per square mile (18.8/km2). There were 12,970 housing units at an average density of 25.7 per square mile (9.9/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 93.9% white, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.3% black or African American, 3.7% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 7.1% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 27.0% were German, 13.3% were Irish, 9.7% were English, and 8.4% were American.

Of the 9,741 households, 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.1% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.7% were non-families, and 24.8% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.96. The median age was 41.9 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $47,697 and the median income for a family was $52,626. Males had a median income of $39,715 versus $28,880 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,323. About 7.7% of families and 9.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.0% of those under age 18 and 4.5% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Public schools in White County are administered by the Frontier School Corporation, North White School Corporation, Tri-County School Corporation and Twin Lakes School Corporation.

High Schools and Middle Schools

  • Tri-County Middle/Senior High School
  • Frontier Junior-Senior High School
  • North White High School
  • North White Middle School
  • Roosevelt Middle School
  • Twin Lakes High School

Elementary Schools

  • Eastlawn Elementary School
  • Frontier Elementary School
  • Meadowlawn Elementary School
  • Monon Elementary School
  • Oaklawn Elementary School
  • Tri-County Intermediate School

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de White (Indiana) para niños

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