Henry County is a county located in east central Indiana, United States. As of 2020, the population was 48,914.[1] The county seat and largest and only city is New Castle.[2] Henry County is the main setting of the novel Raintree County by Ross Lockridge Jr.

Henry County
Henry County Courthouse
Henry County Courthouse
Map of Indiana highlighting Henry 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°56′N 85°24′W / 39.93°N 85.4°W / 39.93; -85.4
Country United States
State Indiana
Founded1822
Named forPatrick Henry
SeatNew Castle
Largest cityNew Castle
Area
 • Total394.83 sq mi (1,022.6 km2)
 • Land391.88 sq mi (1,015.0 km2)
 • Water2.96 sq mi (7.7 km2)  0.75%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total48,914 Decrease
 • Density120/sq mi (50/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district6th
Websitewww.henryco.net
Indiana county number 33

History edit

Henry County was formed in 1822 from the Delaware New Purchase resulting from the Treaty of St. Mary's in 1818. It was named for Patriot Patrick Henry, governor of Virginia.[3]

Geography edit

According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 394.83 square miles (1,022.6 km2), of which 391.88 square miles (1,015.0 km2) (or 99.25%) is land and 2.96 square miles (7.7 km2) (or 0.75%) is water.[4]

 
New Castle from the air, looking east.

Cities edit

Towns edit

Unincorporated areas edit

Townships edit

Reservoirs edit

Adjacent counties edit

Major highways edit

Sources: National Atlas,[5] U.S. Census Bureau[6]

Climate and weather edit

New Castle, Indiana
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
2.2
 
 
33
16
 
 
2.3
 
 
38
19
 
 
3
 
 
49
28
 
 
3.9
 
 
60
37
 
 
4.7
 
 
71
48
 
 
4.6
 
 
80
57
 
 
4.7
 
 
84
61
 
 
3.6
 
 
82
59
 
 
2.9
 
 
76
52
 
 
2.9
 
 
64
41
 
 
3.7
 
 
50
32
 
 
2.8
 
 
38
22
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Source: The Weather Channel[7]
Metric conversion
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
57
 
 
1
−9
 
 
57
 
 
3
−7
 
 
75
 
 
9
−2
 
 
100
 
 
16
3
 
 
119
 
 
22
9
 
 
117
 
 
27
14
 
 
119
 
 
29
16
 
 
91
 
 
28
15
 
 
73
 
 
24
11
 
 
75
 
 
18
5
 
 
93
 
 
10
0
 
 
71
 
 
3
−6
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm

In recent years, average temperatures in New Castle have ranged from a low of 16 °F (−9 °C) in January to a high of 84 °F (29 °C) in July, although a record low of −26 °F (−32 °C) was recorded in January 1994 and a record high of 103 °F (39 °C) was recorded in June 1988. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 2.24 inches (57 mm) in January to 4.70 inches (119 mm) in May.[7]

Government edit

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 county council is the legislative branch of the county government and controls all the spending and revenue collection in the county. Representatives are elected from county districts. The council members serve four-year terms. They 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.[8][9]

County Commissioners: The executive body of the county is made of a board of commissioners. The commissioners are elected county-wide, in staggered terms, and each serves a four-year term. One of the commissioners, typically the most senior, 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.[8][9]

County Courts: The county maintains three courts. Circuit Court I, Circuit Court II and Circuit Court III. The judge on the court is elected to a term of four years and must be a member of the Indiana Bar Association. In some cases, court decisions can be appealed to the state level circuit court.[9]

County Officials: The county has several other elected offices, including sheriff, coroner, auditor, treasurer, recorder, surveyor, and circuit court clerk Each of these elected officers serves a term of four years and oversees a different part of county government. Members elected to county government positions are required to declare party affiliations and to be residents of the county.[9]

Henry County is part of Indiana's 6th congressional district; Indiana Senate district 28;[10] and Indiana House of Representatives districts 54 and 56.[11]

United States presidential election results for Henry County, Indiana[12]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 15,043 71.43% 5,544 26.32% 474 2.25%
2016 13,895 68.48% 5,124 25.25% 1,271 6.26%
2012 10,838 57.02% 7,613 40.05% 556 2.93%
2008 10,896 51.11% 10,059 47.18% 364 1.71%
2004 13,137 64.07% 7,176 35.00% 191 0.93%
2000 10,321 56.35% 7,647 41.75% 347 1.89%
1996 8,537 45.68% 7,667 41.03% 2,484 13.29%
1992 8,720 43.62% 6,794 33.99% 4,475 22.39%
1988 11,280 59.01% 7,779 40.69% 57 0.30%
1984 11,926 62.56% 7,064 37.06% 72 0.38%
1980 12,724 60.03% 7,626 35.98% 846 3.99%
1976 11,620 53.19% 10,137 46.40% 91 0.42%
1972 14,538 71.94% 5,610 27.76% 60 0.30%
1968 11,626 52.61% 8,045 36.41% 2,426 10.98%
1964 10,184 44.87% 12,374 54.52% 139 0.61%
1960 13,752 58.44% 9,629 40.92% 149 0.63%
1956 13,750 61.33% 8,502 37.92% 166 0.74%
1952 14,184 61.99% 8,378 36.61% 320 1.40%
1948 10,487 54.00% 8,523 43.89% 411 2.12%
1944 10,583 54.85% 8,297 43.00% 416 2.16%
1940 11,051 52.98% 9,623 46.14% 184 0.88%
1936 9,099 46.85% 10,172 52.38% 149 0.77%
1932 8,430 48.67% 8,255 47.66% 634 3.66%
1928 10,502 68.53% 4,554 29.72% 268 1.75%
1924 8,800 60.85% 5,376 37.18% 285 1.97%
1920 8,742 57.03% 5,824 38.00% 762 4.97%
1916 4,386 50.01% 3,560 40.59% 825 9.41%
1912 2,479 32.12% 2,687 34.82% 2,551 33.06%
1908 4,358 54.63% 3,197 40.07% 423 5.30%
1904 4,391 59.99% 2,482 33.91% 446 6.09%
1900 4,047 56.72% 2,754 38.60% 334 4.68%
1896 4,001 56.43% 2,980 42.03% 109 1.54%
1892 3,336 55.04% 1,871 30.87% 854 14.09%
1888 3,849 60.07% 2,277 35.54% 281 4.39%

Demographics edit

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18306,497
184015,128132.8%
185017,60516.4%
186020,11914.3%
187022,98614.3%
188024,0164.5%
189023,879−0.6%
190025,0885.1%
191029,75818.6%
192034,68216.5%
193035,2381.6%
194040,20814.1%
195045,50513.2%
196048,8997.5%
197052,6037.6%
198053,3361.4%
199048,139−9.7%
200048,5080.8%
201049,4622.0%
202048,914−1.1%
2022 (est.)48,915[13]0.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[14]
1790-1960[15] 1900-1990[16]
1990-2000[17] 2010-2013[1]

2020 Census edit

As of the census[18] of 2020, there were 48,914 people, 18,387 households, and 9,489 families living in the town. The population density was 123.89 inhabitants per square mile (47.8/km2). There were 20,952 housing units at an average density of 53.07 per square mile (20.5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 93.8% White, 2.2% African American, 1.1% Asian, 0.02% Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, 0.2% Native American or Alaska Native, 0.8% from other races, and 3.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.2% of the population.

There were 18,387 households, of which 20.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.7% were married couples living together, 25.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 17.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 7.6% were non-families. 42.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 2.96.

26.8% of the population had never been married. 48.0% of residents were married and not separated, 7.0% were widowed, 16.4% were divorced, and 1.8% were separated.

The median age in the town was 42.0. 5.0% of residents were under the age of 5; 20.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 79.3% were age 18 or older; and 18.9% were age 65 or older. 9.5% of the population were veterans.

The most common language spoken at home was English with 98.5% speaking it at home, 1.0% spoke Spanish at home, 0.2% spoke other Indo-European languages, 0.2% spoke an Asian or Pacific Islander language at home, and 0.1% spoke other languages. 0.5% of the population were foreign born.

The median household income in Henry County was $51,104, 9.0% less than the median average for the state of Indiana. 13.9% of the population were in poverty, including 19.3% of residents under the age of 18. The poverty rate for the town was 1% higher than that of the state. 18.5% of the population were disabled and 6.8% had no healthcare coverage. 43.8% of the population had attained a high school or equivalent degree, 21.1% had attended college but received no degree, 9.0% had attained an Associate's degree or higher, 10.7% had attained a Bachelor's degree or higher, and 5.6% had a graduate or professional degree. 9.8% had no degree. 50.7% of Henry County residents were employed, working a mean of 40.0 hours per week. The median gross rent in Henry County was $697 and the homeownership rate was 74.4%. 1,998 housing units were vacant at a density of 5.06 per square mile (2.0/km2).

2010 Census edit

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 49,462 people, 19,077 households, and 13,020 families residing in the county.[19] The population density was 126.2 inhabitants per square mile (48.7/km2). There were 21,288 housing units at an average density of 54.3 per square mile (21.0/km2).[4] The racial makeup of the county was 95.7% white, 2.2% black or African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.1% American Indian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.4% of the population.[19] In terms of ancestry, 19.9% were German, 13.3% were American, 11.8% were Irish, and 9.1% were English.[20]

Of the 19,077 households, 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.1% were married couples living together, 11.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 31.8% were non-families, and 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.94. The median age was 41.4 years.[19]

The median income for a household in the county was $47,697 and the median income for a family was $52,701. Males had a median income of $42,628 versus $30,226 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,879. About 10.2% of families and 13.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.0% of those under age 18 and 8.8% of those age 65 or over.[21]

Recreation edit

Notable people edit

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ a b "Henry County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  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. pp. 155.
  4. ^ a b "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  5. ^ National Atlas Archived 2008-12-05 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ^ GEO. "Directory Browsing is Not Allowed". www.census.gov. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  7. ^ a b "Monthly Averages for New Castle, Indiana". The Weather Channel. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
  8. ^ a b Indiana Code. "Title 36, Article 2, Section 3". IN.gov. Retrieved September 16, 2008.
  9. ^ a b c d Indiana Code. "Title 2, Article 10, Section 2" (PDF). IN.gov. Retrieved September 16, 2008.
  10. ^ "Indiana Senate Districts". State of Indiana. Retrieved July 14, 2011.
  11. ^ "Indiana House Districts". State of Indiana. Retrieved July 14, 2011.
  12. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  13. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
  14. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  15. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  16. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  17. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  18. ^ "Henry County, Indiana - Census Bureau Profile". The United States Census Bureau. p. 1.
  19. ^ a b c "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  20. ^ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 14, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  21. ^ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 14, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  22. ^ Alford, Steve (1990). Playing for Knight: My Six Seasons with Coach Knight. Simon Schuster. ISBN 067172441X.
  23. ^ "Document Center / Remembering General Omar Bundy - by Ben Badgley / City of New Castle, IN". www.cityofnewcastle.net. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  24. ^ "Ira Hough | U.S. Civil War | U.S. Army | Medal of Honor Recipient". Congressional Medal of Honor Society. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  25. ^ "Arthur Calvin Mellette". National Governors Association. Retrieved November 9, 2022.
  26. ^ Lauck, Jon (2008). ""The Organic Law of a Great Commonwealth": The Framing of the South Dakota Constitution". South Dakota Law Review. 53 (2): 203–259.
  27. ^ "National Inventors Hall of Fame Inductee Wilbur Wright and the Airplane". www.invent.org. Retrieved October 22, 2020.

External links edit

39°56′N 85°24′W / 39.93°N 85.40°W / 39.93; -85.40