Editing Switzerland County, Indiana

{{short description|County in Indiana, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Switzerland County
 | state                = Indiana
 | seal                 = 
 | founded              = 1814
 | seat wl              = Vevay
 | largest city         = Vevay
 | city type            = town
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 223.44
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 220.63
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 2.81
 | area percentage      = 1.26%
 | census yr            = 2020
 | pop                  = 9737 
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2024
 | population_est       = 9988 {{increase}}
 | pop_est_footnotes    = <ref name=qf>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/switzerlandcountyindiana/PST045224|title=Switzerland County, Indiana|website=Census.gov|access-date= }}</ref>
 | density_sq_mi        = 45.3
 | time zone            = Eastern
 | footnotes            = Indiana county number 78
 | web                  = http://www.switzerland-county.com/
 | named for            = [[Switzerland]]
 | district             = 9th
 | ex image             = Switzerland County Courthouse, Vevay, IN (48458045947).jpg
 | ex image cap         = Switzerland County Courthouse in Vevay
}}

'''Switzerland County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] in the southeast corner of the [[U.S. state]] of [[Indiana]]. As of the [[2020 United States census]], the population was 9,737.<ref name=QF>{{cite web|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/18/18155.html|title=Switzerland County QuickFacts|access-date=September 25, 2021|publisher=US Census Bureau}}</ref> The [[county seat]] is [[Vevay, Indiana|Vevay]],<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2021|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> one of two incorporated towns in the county.

==History==
In 1787, the fledgling United States defined the [[Northwest Territory]], which included the area of present-day Indiana. In 1800, Congress separated [[Ohio]] from the Northwest Territory, designating the rest of the land as the [[Indiana Territory]].<ref name=GAC/> President [[Thomas Jefferson]] chose [[William Henry Harrison]] as the territory's first governor, and [[Vincennes, Indiana|Vincennes]] was established as the territorial capital.<ref>{{cite book|title=Indiana|author=Brill, Marlene Targ|year=2005|publisher=[[Marshall Cavendish]]|page=35|isbn=978-0-7614-2020-0}}</ref> After the [[Michigan Territory]] was separated and the [[Illinois Territory]] was formed, Indiana was reduced to its current size and geography.<ref name=GAC>{{cite web|title=Government at Crossroads: An Indiana chronology|website=[[The Herald Bulletin]]|date=January 5, 2008|url=http://www.heraldbulletin.com/news/local_news/government-at-crossroads-an-indiana-chronology/article_3a07aa44-1cd4-5028-82e7-96b907121b31.html?mode=jqm|access-date=July 22, 2009}}</ref> By December 1816 the Indiana Territory was admitted to the Union as a state.

Starting in 1794, Native American titles to Indiana lands were extinguished by usurpation, purchase, or war and treaty. The United States acquired land from the [[Native Americans in the United States|Native Americans]] in the [[Treaty of Fort Wayne (1809)|1809 treaty of Fort Wayne]], and by the [[Treaty of St. Mary's (1818)|treaty of St. Mary's in 1818]], the SE portion of Indiana Territory was acquired for settlement.

The area included in present-day Switzerland County was first placed in [[Knox County, Indiana|Knox County]], formed in 1790. Parts of that extremely large county were partitioned off in 1803 to form [[Dearborn County, Indiana|Dearborn County]] and in 1810 to form [[Jefferson County, Indiana|Jefferson County]]. Settlers had been pouring into the extreme SE part of the Indiana Territory starting in 1795, and by 1814 there was sufficient population to form a local governing body. Accordingly, the state legislature authorized Switzerland County effective October 1, 1814, partitioning portions of Dearborn and Jefferson counties to make the creation. Four fledgling settlements were considered as the seat of government (Vevay, Little York [present-day Florence], Troy [present-day Patriot], and Center Square).<ref name=HSCI>{{cite web|url=http://ingenweb.org/inswitzer/history/1913hist(5-10).html|publisher=INGenWeb Project|access-date=September 13, 2020|date=1913|title=Brief History of Switzerland County, In.}}</ref> Center Square was nearest the geographic center and was the presumed site, but Vevay carried the day.

Several early settlers were originally from Switzerland. The first was probably Heathcoat Pickett, in 1795. He was followed by John James Dufour (1796), and the Dickason, Cotton, and Rayl families in 1798. Pickett also made the area's first flatboats; he floated them (loaded with goods for sale) to New Orleans and sold the entire package, then walked back to Switzerland County. He made 20 such trips.<ref name=HSCI/> Early county residents noted the passage of the first [[steamboat]] on the [[Ohio River]] in 1811; this form of transport quickly transformed the river into a conduit for commerce and travel.<ref name=HSCI/> Although Indiana was criss-crossed with railroad tracks during the nineteenth century, none was laid to Switzerland County. This hindered its growth after the decline of steamboat travel.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3_zwAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA1|title=Soil Survey of Switzerland County, Indiana|publisher=US Dept. of Agriculture|year=1987|page=1}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vevaybicentennial.org/history_of_settlement.htm|title=History of Settlement|publisher=Vevay Bicentennial|access-date=June 5, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140723012611/http://www.vevaybicentennial.org/history_of_settlement.htm|archive-date=July 23, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Industrial wine grape production in Switzerland County earned the area the title "The Rhineland of America".<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=RXQgqekmP2AC&q=rising+sun+indiana&pg=PA15|title=Indiana|publisher=Globe Pequot|date=March 1, 2001|access-date=October 16, 2013|author=Wissing, Douglas|page=15}}</ref>

==Geography==
Switzerland County lies at the SE tip of Indiana, with its southeastern border defined by the [[Ohio River]]; the state of [[Kentucky]] abuts on the opposite shore. Its rolling hills were originally completely wooded. Its more flat areas have been cleared for agricultural or urban use, but its many drainages are still wooded.<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Switzerland+County,+IN/@38.808808,-85.0984179,25792m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m5!3m4!1s0x886a0b8d26100c21:0xdc18401556daa2f6!8m2!3d38.8419394!4d-85.0649071 ''Switzerland County IN'' (Google Maps, accessed 13 September 2020)]</ref> Its highest elevation ({{convert|981|ft|m|abbr=off|disp=x|/|sp=us}} ASL) is a hill in its NW quadrant, {{convert|0.7|mi|km}} west of [[Avonburg, Indiana|Avonburg]].<ref>[https://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=23013 ''Switzerland County High Point, Indiana'' (PeakBagger.com, accessed 13 September 2020)]</ref>

According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of {{convert|223.44|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|220.63|sqmi}} (or 98.74%) is land and {{convert|2.81|sqmi}} (or 1.26%) is water.<ref name=DC/>

===Adjacent counties===
{{div col|colwidth=35em}}
* [[Ohio County, Indiana|Ohio County]] - north
* [[Boone County, Kentucky|Boone County]], [[Kentucky]] - northeast
* [[Gallatin County, Kentucky|Gallatin County]], [[Kentucky]] - east
* [[Carroll County, Kentucky|Carroll County]], [[Kentucky]] - south
* [[Jefferson County, Indiana|Jefferson County]] - west
* [[Ripley County, Indiana|Ripley County]] - northwest
{{div col end}}

===Incorporated towns===
* [[Patriot, Indiana|Patriot]]
* [[Vevay, Indiana|Vevay]] (county seat)

===Unincorporated towns===
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Aaron, Indiana|Aaron]]
* [[Allensville, Indiana|Allensville]]
* [[Antioch, Switzerland County, Indiana|Antioch]]
* [[Avonburg, Indiana|Avonburg]]
* [[Bennington, Indiana|Bennington]]
* [[Braytown, Indiana|Braytown]]
* [[Center Square, Indiana|Center Square]]
* [[East Enterprise, Indiana|East Enterprise]] (census-designated place)
* [[Fairview, Switzerland County, Indiana|Fairview]]
* [[Florence, Indiana|Florence]] (census-designated place)
* [[Five Points, Switzerland County, Indiana|Five Points]]
* [[Gurley Corner, Indiana|Gurley Corner]]
* [[Jacksonville, Indiana|Jacksonville]]
* [[Lamb, Indiana|Lamb]]
* [[Long Run, Indiana|Long Run]]
* [[Markland, Indiana|Markland]]
* [[Moorefield, Indiana|Moorefield]]
* [[Mount Sterling, Indiana|Mount Sterling]]
* [[Pleasant, Indiana|Pleasant]]
* [[Quercus Grove, Indiana|Quercus Grove]]
* Searcy Crossroads
{{div col end}}

===Townships===
{{div col|colwidth=40em}}
* [[Cotton Township, Switzerland County, Indiana|Cotton]]
* [[Craig Township, Switzerland County, Indiana|Craig]]
* [[Jefferson Township, Switzerland County, Indiana|Jefferson]]
* [[Pleasant Township, Switzerland County, Indiana|Pleasant]]
* [[Posey Township, Switzerland County, Indiana|Posey]]
* [[York Township, Switzerland County, Indiana|York]]
{{div col end}}

===Highways===
{{div col|colwidth=40em}}
* [[Image:indiana 56.svg|20px]] [[Indiana State Road 56]]
* [[Image:indiana 101.svg|20px]] [[Indiana State Road 101]]
* [[Image:indiana 129.svg|20px]] [[Indiana State Road 129]]
* [[Image:indiana 156.svg|20px]] [[Indiana State Road 156]]
* [[Image:indiana 250.svg|20px]] [[Indiana State Road 250]]
{{div col end}}

==Climate and weather==
{{climate chart
|[[Vevay, Indiana]]
|23|40|3.17
|26|46|3.00
|35|56|4.05
|43|67|4.20
|53|77|4.72
|62|85|4.56
|67|88|3.87
|65|86|4.00
|58|80|3.10
|46|68|3.06
|37|55|3.66
|28|44|3.70
|float=left
|units=imperial
|clear=both
|source=The Weather Channel<ref name=WX>{{cite web|url=http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USIN0686|title=Monthly Averages for Vevay IN|access-date=January 27, 2011|publisher=The Weather Channel}}</ref>}}
In recent years, average temperatures in Vevay have ranged from a low of {{convert|23|°F}} in January to a high of {{convert|88|°F}} in July, although a record low of {{convert|-24|°F}} was recorded in January 1977 and a record high of {{convert|106|°F}} was recorded in July 1999. Average monthly precipitation ranged from {{convert|3.00|in}} in February to {{convert|4.72|in}} in May.<ref name=WX/>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1820= 3934
|1830= 7028
|1840= 9920
|1850= 12932
|1860= 12698
|1870= 12134
|1880= 13336
|1890= 12514
|1900= 11840
|1910= 9914
|1920= 9311
|1930= 8432
|1940= 8167
|1950= 7599
|1960= 7092
|1970= 6306
|1980= 7153
|1990= 7738
|2000= 9065
|2010= 10613
|2020= 9737
|estyear=2024
|estimate=9988
|align-fn=center
|footnote=US Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=US Decennial Census|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=July 10, 2014}}</ref><br/>1790-1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=July 10, 2014}}</ref> 1900-1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/in190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=July 10, 2014}}</ref><br/>1990-2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=July 10, 2014}}</ref> 2010-2013<ref name=QF/> 2020<ref name="USCensusEst2023">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.html|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=April 2, 2024}}</ref> 2024<ref name=qf/>
}}

=== 2010 census ===
As of the [[2010 United States Census]], there were 10,613 people, 4,034 households, and 2,847 families in the county.<ref name=DP>{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US18155|title=Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data|access-date=July 10, 2015|publisher=US Census Bureau|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213033606/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US18155|archive-date=February 13, 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref> The population density was {{convert|48.1|PD/sqmi}}. There were 4,969 housing units at an average density of {{convert|22.5|/sqmi}}.<ref name=DC>{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY10/0500000US18155|access-date=July 10, 2015|title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County|publisher=US Census Bureau|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212202431/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY10/0500000US18155|archive-date=February 12, 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref> The racial makeup of the county was 97.8% white, 0.3% black or African American, 0.2% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.7% from other races, and 0.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.4% of the population.<ref name=DP/> In terms of ancestry, 25.4% were [[Germans|German]], 16.1% were [[Americans|American]], 13.2% were [[Irish people|Irish]], and 10.1% were [[English people|English]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0400000US18%7c0500000US18155|title=Selected Social Characteristics in the US – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates|access-date=July 10, 2015|publisher=US Census Bureau|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200214002847/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0400000US18%7C0500000US18155|archive-date=February 14, 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Of the 4,034 households, 33.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.2% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.4% were non-families, and 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.60 and the average family size was 3.07. The median age was 39.1 years.<ref name=DP/>

The median income for a household in the county was $47,697 and the median income for a family was $51,769. Males had a median income of $39,167 versus $30,814 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,214. About 11.0% of families and 14.4% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 19.2% of those under age 18 and 7.5% of those age 65 or over.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0400000US18%7c0500000US18155|title=Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates|access-date=July 10, 2015|publisher=US Census Bureau|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200214004036/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0400000US18%7C0500000US18155|archive-date=February 14, 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Government==
{{See also|Government of Indiana}}
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 legislative branch of the county government; controls spending and revenue collection in the county. Representatives are elected to four-year terms from county districts. They set salaries, the annual budget, and special spending. The council 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.<ref name=inc3623>{{cite web|author=Indiana Code|author-link=Indiana Code|url=http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title36/ar2/ch3.html|title=Title 36, Article 2, Section 3|access-date=September 16, 2008|publisher=IN.gov}}</ref><ref name=inc2102>{{cite web|author=Indiana Code|url= http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title3/ar10/ch2.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20041227171739/http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title3/ar10/ch2.pdf |archive-date=December 27, 2004 |url-status=live|title=Title 2, Article 10, Section 2|access-date=September 16, 2008|publisher=IN.gov}}</ref>

'''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 execute acts legislated by the council, collect revenue, and manage the county government.<ref name=inc3623/><ref name=inc2102/>

'''Court:''' The county maintains a circuit court which was established January 1, 2009. The first Judge of the Switzerland Circuit Court is W. Gregory Coy. The Judge is elected to a term of six years. The Court is a general jurisdiction court, meaning it handles all types of cases. The Judge must be a licensed attorney. All decisions of the Court are appealable to the Indiana Court of Appeals or the Indiana Supreme Court.

'''County Officials:''' The county has other elected offices, including [[sheriff]], [[coroner]], [[auditor]], [[treasurer]], [[Recorder of deeds|recorder]], [[surveying|surveyor]], and circuit [[court clerk]]. They are elected to four-year terms. Members elected to county government positions are required to declare [[political party|party]] affiliations and to be residents of the county.<ref name=inc2102/>

Switzerland County is part of [[Indiana's 6th congressional district]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://baronhill.house.gov/district.shtml|title=Congressman Baron Hill|publisher=House.Gov|access-date=September 12, 2008|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100320075236/http://baronhill.house.gov/district.shtml|archive-date=March 20, 2010}}</ref>

{{PresHead|place=Switzerland County, Indiana|source=<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Atlas of US Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=May 20, 2018}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|3,319|873|66|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|3,133|964|62|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|2,558|930|221|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|1,872|1,437|88|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|1,940|1,638|62|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|2,161|1,479|31|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|1,831|1,336|72|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|1,266|1,496|425|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|1,211|1,535|642|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|1,572|1,479|8|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|1,857|1,484|6|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1980|Democratic|1,584|1,704|72|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|1,329|2,150|12|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|1,872|1,612|13|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|1,515|1,466|457|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|1,390|2,231|19|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1960|Democratic|1,929|1,955|21|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1956|Democratic|2,074|2,114|21|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1952|Democratic|2,070|2,167|38|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|1,839|2,375|33|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|2,019|2,191|57|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|2,285|2,659|22|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|2,212|2,840|14|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|1,953|2,981|101|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|2,617|1,805|42|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|2,346|2,414|98|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|2,525|2,412|101|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|1,214|1,446|96|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|882|1,342|464|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1908|Democratic|1,444|1,537|74|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1904|Democratic|1,461|1,554|62|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1900|Democratic|1,631|1,713|19|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1896|Democratic|1,637|1,742|12|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1892|Democratic|1,497|1,589|71|Indiana}}
{{PresFoot|1888|Democratic|1,560|1,637|62|Indiana}}

==See also==
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Switzerland County, Indiana]]

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Switzerland County, Indiana
|North     = [[Ohio County, Indiana|Ohio County]]
|East      = [[Gallatin County, Kentucky]]
|South     = [[Carroll County, Kentucky]]
|West      = [[Jefferson County, Indiana|Jefferson County]]
|Northwest = [[Ripley County, Indiana|Ripley County]]
}}
{{Switzerland County, Indiana}}
{{Indiana}}
{{Authority control}}

{{Coord|38.82|-85.03|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-IN_source:UScensus1990}}

[[Category:Switzerland County, Indiana| ]]
[[Category:Indiana counties]]
[[Category:1814 establishments in Indiana Territory]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1814]]
[[Category:Indiana counties on the Ohio River]]