Editing Otterbein, Indiana

{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
<!--See Template:Infobox Settlement for additional fields that may be available-->
<!-- Basic info  ---------------->
| official_name      = Otterbein, Indiana
| blank_emblem_type  = Logo
| blank_emblem_size  = 
| nickname           = The Town Between Two Counties
| settlement_type    = [[Town]]
| motto              = 

<!-- images and maps  ----------->
| image_skyline      = Otterbein, Indiana Main Street.png
| imagesize          = 
| image_caption      = The view north along Main Street.
| image_seal         = 
| seal_size          = 
| image_shield       = 
| shield_size        = 
| image_blank_emblem = Logo of Otterbein, Indiana.png
| image_map          = File:Benton County and Tippecanoe County Indiana Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Otterbein Highlighted 1857258.svg
| mapsize            = 150px
| map_caption        = Location of Otterbein in Tippecanoe County and Benton County, Indiana.
| image_map1         = Map of Otterbein, Indiana.svg
| mapsize1           = 
| map_caption1       = Map of Otterbein
| pushpin_map        = USA Indiana Benton County
| pushpin_label_position = 
| pushpin_map_caption = Otterbein's location in Benton County
| pushpin_mapsize    = 

<!-- Location ------------------>
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = {{USA}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = {{flag|Indiana}}
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Indiana|Counties]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Tippecanoe County, Indiana|Tippecanoe]], [[Benton County, Indiana|Benton]]
| subdivision_type3  = [[List of townships in Indiana|Townships]]
| subdivision_name3  = [[Shelby Township, Tippecanoe County, Indiana|Shelby]], [[Bolivar Township, Benton County, Indiana|Bolivar]]

<!-- Politics ----------------->
| government_type    = 
| leader_title       = 
| leader_name        = 
| established_title  = [[Plat]]ted
| established_date   = October 25, 1872
| established_title2 = 
| established_date2  = 
|named_for           = William Otterbein Brown

<!-- Area    --------------------->
| area_land_km2      = 3.32
| area_water_km2     = 0.00
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_18.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=March 16, 2022}}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = 3.33
| area_total_sq_mi   = 1.28
| area_magnitude     = 
| area_land_sq_mi    = 1.28
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.00

<!-- Population   ----------------------->
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_est     = 
| pop_est_as_of      = 
| population_footnotes = 
| population_total   = 1144
| population_density_km2 = 344.39
| population_density_sq_mi = 891.66
| timezone           = [[Eastern Time Zone (North America)|EST]]
| utc_offset         = -5
| timezone_DST       = [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]]
| utc_offset_DST     = -4
| coordinates        = {{coord|40|29|19|N|87|05|14|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}<ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft       = 705
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>

<!-- Area/postal codes & others -------->
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code        = 47970
| area_code          = [[Area code 765|765]]
| website            = {{URL|http://otterbein.in.gov/}}
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 18-57258<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 2396841<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2396841}}</ref>
| footnotes          = 
| unit_pref          = Imperial
}}
'''Otterbein''' is a town in [[Shelby Township, Tippecanoe County, Indiana|Shelby Township]], [[Tippecanoe County, Indiana|Tippecanoe County]] and [[Bolivar Township, Benton County, Indiana|Bolivar Township]], [[Benton County, Indiana|Benton County]], [[Indiana]],<ref name=gnis/> named for William Otterbein Brown who donated land for the town. As of the [[United States Census, 2020|2020 census]], its population was 1,144.

It is part of the [[Lafayette, Indiana]] [[Lafayette, Indiana metropolitan area|Metropolitan Statistical Area]].

==History==
Originally a site known as Pond Grove, Otterbein's first 60 lots were laid out by John Levering and his wife on October 25, 1872, with an addition by Mary A. Clancey on April 24, 1883.  The first home was built by Dr. John K. Thompson and the first business, a general store, by Henry H. Moore.  William Otterbein Brown, the farmer and stock-dealer for whom the town was named, held the office of postmaster until his death on February 18, 1879. Otterbein High School ran from 1910 to 1966, when the consolidated [[Benton Community School Corporation]] came into existence. The gym and most of the building burned in a fire in 1975.

As of 2023, Otterbein has two churches, Catholic and United Methodist, 4 restaurants, 2 sporting goods stores, a thrift shop, an elementary school, and a public library.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.bentoncounty.in.gov/libraries | title=Benton County Libraries | publisher=Benton County, IN | access-date=May 19, 2023}}</ref>

At one time, two sets of [[New York, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad|Nickel Plate Railroad]] tracks ran through the town. One set of tracks has since been removed, and the other is used by [[Kankakee, Beaverville and Southern Railroad]]. Since the end of 2008, the [[Right-of-way (transportation)|railroad right-of-way]] has been used for the placement of poles that carry electric power from the wind turbines in western Benton County to the substation at [[Montmorenci, Indiana|Montmorenci]].

Kerkhoff Truss Plant and Rowe Trucking Inc occupy the industrial park at the east edge of town, which is actually in Tippecanoe County. The Otterbein post office has been in operation since 1872.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.postalhistory.com/postoffices.asp?task=display&state=IN&county=Benton | title=Benton County | publisher=Jim Forte Postal History | access-date=July 25, 2016}}</ref>

==Geography==
Otterbein occupies mostly flat, open farm land on the eastern border of Benton County in Bolivar Township, with eastern sections of the community extending into [[Tippecanoe County]].  [[U.S. Route 52]] passes along its north side and the Kankakee, Beaverville and Southern Railroad cuts through town to the south.

According to the 2020 census, Otterbein has a total area of {{convert|1.284|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{Convert|1.283|sqmi|sqkm}} is land and {{Convert|0.001|sqmi|sqkm}} is water.<ref>{{Cite web |title=2020 Gazetteer |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_18.txt |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>

Oxford Street, old US 52, is the central east-west street and the only blinking traffic light in town is located at its junction with Main Street. Otterbein is known for its extremely wide, block-long Main Street that accommodates two rows of parallel parking in the middle of the street.

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1910= 652
|1920= 702
|1930= 616
|1940= 570
|1950= 641
|1960= 788
|1970= 916
|1980= 1118
|1990= 1291
|2000= 1312
|2010= 1262
|2020= 1144
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}
[[Image:Otterbein, Indiana Water Tower.png|thumb|left|160px|The Otterbein water tower.]]

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=December 11, 2012}}</ref> of 2010, there were 1,262 people, 502 households, and 335 families living in the town. The [[population density]] was {{convert|2068.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 550 housing units at an average density of {{convert|901.6|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the town was 96.8% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (1211), 0.7% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]] (9), 0.3% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]] (3), 0.1% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]] (1), 0.1% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.8% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 1.2% from two or more races (13). [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 3.1% of the population (38).

There were 502 households, of which 38.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.4% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 12.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 7.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.3% were non-families. 27.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.04.

The median age in the town was 32.4 years. 28% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.8% were from 25 to 44; 23.1% were from 45 to 64; and 11.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 49.2% male and 50.8% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 1,312 people, 498 households, and 359 families living in the town. The population density was {{convert|2,291.9|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 518 housing units at an average density of {{convert|904.9|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the town was 98.02% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.23% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.23% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.61% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.91% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.07% of the population.

There were 498 households, out of which 42.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.2% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 12.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.9% were non-families. 24.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.63 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 30.8% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 31.6% from 25 to 44, 17.1% from 45 to 64, and 11.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $40,524, and the median income for a family was $45,341. Males had a median income of $31,000 versus $20,944 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $17,128. About 4.8% of families and 6.9% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 6.8% of those under age 18 and 9.9% of those age 65 or over.

==Notable people==
* [[Richard Atha]], [[Indiana State Sycamores men's basketball|Indiana State]] and NBA player, member Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame
* [[Adam Kennedy (actor)|Adam Kennedy]] (1922–1997), actor, author, and [[Painting|painter]]
* [[Neal Musser]], professional baseball player
* [[Donald E. Williams]] (1942–2016), Commander [[NASA]] space shuttle

==Education==
Students attend [[Otterbein Elementary]] School ([[kindergarten]] through sixth grade) and then continue their education at [[Benton Central Junior-Senior High School]] in [[Atkinson, Indiana|Atkinson]].

==References==
<references />

==Further reading==
* Mossman, Ed (1883), "History of Benton County: Past Events -- Present Condition" in ''Counties of Warren, Benton, Jasper and Newton, Indiana: Historical and Biographical'', Chicago: F. A. Battey & Co.

{{commons category}}

== External links ==

* [https://otterbein.in.gov/ Otterbein, Indiana]
{{Benton County, Indiana}}
{{Tippecanoe County, Indiana}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Towns in Benton County, Indiana]]
[[Category:Towns in Tippecanoe County, Indiana]]
[[Category:Towns in Indiana]]
[[Category:Lafayette metropolitan area, Indiana]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1872]]
[[Category:1872 establishments in Indiana]]