Editing Vanderburgh County, Indiana

{{short description|County in Indiana, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Vanderburgh County
 | state                = Indiana
 | seal                 = Vanderburgh County in seal.png
 | founded              = January 7, 1818
 | seat wl              = Evansville
 | largest city wl      = Evansville
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 236.33
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 233.48
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 2.86
 | area percentage      = 1.21%
 | census yr            = 2020
 | pop                  = 180136 
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2023
 | population_est       = 179810 {{decrease}}
 | density_sq_mi          = auto
 | footnotes            = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/vanderburghcountyindiana,evansvillecityindiana/POP010220#POP010220 |title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Vanderburgh County, Indiana; Evansville city, Indiana |publisher=Census.gov |date= |accessdate=July 20, 2022}}</ref>
* Indiana county number 82
* Eighth-largest county in Indiana by population as of 2020
* Eighth-smallest county in Indiana by area
 | web                  = www.vanderburghgov.org
 | ex image             = Oldcourthouse.jpg
 | ex image cap         = The [[Old Vanderburgh County Courthouse]]
 | district             = 8th
 | time zone            = Central
 | named for            = [[Henry Vanderburgh]] }}

'''Vanderburgh County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Indiana]]. As of 2020, the population was 180,136.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Vanderburgh_County,_Indiana?g=050XX00US18163|title=Vanderburgh County, Indiana|access-date=June 7, 2023|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> The [[county seat]] is in [[Evansville, Indiana|Evansville]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> While Vanderburgh County was the eighth-largest county in 2020 population in Indiana, it is also the eighth-smallest county in area and the smallest in [[southwestern Indiana]], covering only {{convert|236|sqmi}}. Vanderburgh County forms the core of the [[Evansville, Indiana, metropolitan area|Evansville metropolitan statistical area]].

==History==
Vanderburgh County was formed on January 7, 1818, from [[Gibson County, Indiana|Gibson]], [[Posey County, Indiana|Posey]], and [[Warrick County, Indiana|Warrick]] counties. It was named for Captain [[Henry Vanderburgh]], [[American Revolutionary War|Revolutionary War]] veteran and judge for the [[Indiana Territory]].

==Geography==
According to the 2010 census, the county has an area of {{convert|236.33|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|233.48|sqmi}} (or 98.79%) is land and {{convert|2.86|sqmi}} (or 1.21%) is water.<ref name="census-density"/>

===Regional===
* [[Illinois–Indiana–Kentucky tri-state area]]
* [[Southwestern Indiana]]

===Adjacent counties===
{|
|- valign="top"
| 
* [[Gibson County, Indiana|Gibson County]] – north
* [[Posey County, Indiana|Posey County]] – west
* [[Henderson County, Kentucky]] – south
* [[Warrick County, Indiana|Warrick County]] – east
|}

===Cities and towns===
{|
|- valign="top"
|
* [[Darmstadt, Indiana|Darmstadt]]
* [[Evansville, Indiana|Evansville]]
|}

===Census-designated places===
{|
|- valign="top"
|
* [[Highland, Vanderburgh County, Indiana|Highland]]
* [[Melody Hill, Indiana|Melody Hill]]
|}

===Unincorporated towns===
{|
|- valign="top"
|
* [[Armstrong, Indiana|Armstrong]]
* [[Belknap, Indiana|Belknap]]
* [[Country Club Meadows, Indiana|Country Club Meadows]]
* [[Crossroads, Indiana|Crossroads]]
* [[Cypress, Indiana|Cypress]]
* [[Daylight, Indiana|Daylight]]
|
* [[Earle, Indiana|Earle]]
* [[Elliott, Indiana|Elliott]]
* [[Erskine Station, Indiana|Erskine Station]]
* [[Harwood, Indiana|Harwood]]
* [[Hillsdale, Vanderburgh County, Indiana|Hillsdale]]
* [[Inglefield, Indiana|Inglefield]]
|
* [[Kasson, Indiana|Kasson]]
* [[Knob Hill, Indiana|Knob Hill]]
* [[Kratzville, Indiana|Kratzville]]
* Lakewood Hills
* [[Martin, Indiana|Martin]]
* [[McCutchanville, Indiana|McCutchanville]]
|
* [[Mechanicsville, Indiana|Mechanicsville]]
* [[Mud Center, Indiana|Mud Center]]
* [[Nisbet, Indiana|Nisbet]]
* [[Rahm, Indiana|Rahm]]
* [[Red Bank, Indiana|Red Bank]]
* [[Saint Joseph, Vanderburgh County, Indiana|Saint Joseph]]
|
* [[Saint Wendel, Indiana|Saint Wendel]]
* [[Smythe, Indiana|Smythe]]
* [[Stacer, Indiana|Stacer]]
* [[Stringtown, Vanderburgh County, Indiana|Stringtown]]
* [[Vaughan, Indiana|Vaughan]]
|}

===Townships===
(2000 population)
{|
|- valign="top"
|
* [[Armstrong Township, Vanderburgh County, Indiana|Armstrong]] (1,651)
* [[Center Township, Vanderburgh County, Indiana|Center]] (32,220)
|
* [[German Township, Vanderburgh County, Indiana|German]] (7,354)
* [[Knight Township, Vanderburgh County, Indiana|Knight]] (67,941)
|
* [[Perry Township, Vanderburgh County, Indiana|Perry]] (23,687)
* [[Pigeon Township, Vanderburgh County, Indiana|Pigeon]] (33,682)
|
* [[Scott Township, Vanderburgh County, Indiana|Scott]] (5,445)
* [[Union Township, Vanderburgh County, Indiana|Union]] (392)
|}

===Major highways===
{|
|- valign="top"
|
* {{Jct|state=IN|I|64}}
* {{Jct|state=IN|I|69}}
* {{Jct|state=IN|US|41}}
|
* {{Jct|state=IN|SR|57}}
* {{Jct|state=IN|SR|62}}
* {{Jct|state=IN|SR|65}}
* {{Jct|state=IN|SR|66}}
|}

== Climate and weather ==
{{climate chart
|[[Evansville, Indiana]]|25|42|3.14
|29|48|3.27
|37|59|4.50
|46|70|4.54
|55|79|4.78
|64|87|4.21
|69|91|4.11
|67|90|3.10
|60|83|3.17
|48|72|2.96
|39|58|4.30
|29|46|3.68
|float=right
|units=imperial
|clear=both
|source=The Weather Channel<ref name="weather">{{cite web
 |url=http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USIN0190
 |title=Monthly Averages for Evansville, Indiana
 |access-date=January 27, 2011
 |publisher=The Weather Channel
}}</ref>}}
In recent years, average temperatures in Evansville have ranged from a low of {{convert|25|F}} in January to a high of {{convert|91|F}} in July, although a record low of {{convert|-17|F}} was recorded in January 1985 and a record high of {{convert|109|F}} was recorded in July 1954. Average monthly precipitation ranged from {{convert|2.96|in}} in October to {{convert|4.78|in}} in May.<ref name="weather"/>

==Government==
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 fiscal branch of the county government that has the legislative responsibilities for the spending and revenue collection in the county. Four representatives are elected from county districts and three are elected at-large by the entire county. 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.<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|author-link= 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 |format=PDF|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 is made of a board of commissioners. The commissioners are elected county-wide but must live within the district of the seat they hold, 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.<ref name = inc3623/><ref name = inc2102/>

'''Court:''' The county has eight state trial courts of original jurisdiction. One circuit court and seven superior courts. The judges offices are non-partisan with terms of six years. A judge must be a member of the Indiana Bar Association. The judges are assisted by magistrates that are appointed. [[circuit court]].<ref name = inc2102/>

'''County officials:''' The county has several other elected offices, including [[sheriff]], [[coroner]], [[auditor]], [[treasurer]], [[recorder of deeds|recorder]], [[surveying|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 [[political party|party]] affiliations and to be residents of the county.<ref name = inc2102/>

{{PresHead|place=Vanderburgh County, Indiana|source=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. 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|41,056|31,727|1,049|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|41,844|34,415|1,403|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|40,496|28,530|4,349|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|39,389|31,725|1,474|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|37,512|39,423|978|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|41,463|28,767|424|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|35,846|29,222|1,153|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|28,509|30,934|6,518|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|30,271|33,799|12,770|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|38,928|31,270|255|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|40,994|31,049|287|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|36,248|29,930|4,804|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|37,975|34,911|325|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|48,806|22,163|468|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|38,231|31,326|8,020|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|27,231|45,796|380|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|41,068|36,330|237|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|42,462|30,860|297|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|42,010|29,718|459|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|27,584|32,640|732|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|30,684|34,440|338|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|28,417|38,567|283|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|14,725|41,490|870|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|16,873|31,828|1,051|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|29,067|19,646|192|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|25,907|17,186|3,763|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|19,357|13,904|3,685|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|9,966|10,028|979|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|4,839|7,219|5,624|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|9,116|8,033|1,294|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|8,624|5,885|2,187|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1900|Republican|8,228|7,178|544|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1896|Republican|8,068|7,132|97|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1892|Republican|6,175|6,166|386|Indiana}}
{{PresFoot|1888|Republican|6,027|5,889|82|Indiana}}
{{See also|Government of Indiana}}
Vanderburgh County is generally a Republican-leaning swing county in presidential elections. Only two Democratic candidates - [[George McGovern]] in 1972 and [[Hillary Clinton]] in 2016 - have failed to win 40 percent of the county's vote since 1928. The city of Evansville itself is a swing city; it voted for Donald Trump in 2016 by 4 points, and four years later for Joe Biden, also by 4 points.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Bloch|first=Matthew|last2=Buchanan|first2=Larry|last3=Katz|first3=Josh|last4=Quealy|first4=Kevin|date=July 25, 2018|title=An Extremely Detailed Map of the 2016 Presidential Election|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/upshot/election-2016-voting-precinct-maps.html,%20https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/upshot/election-2016-voting-precinct-maps.html|access-date=September 13, 2021|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> In 2020, former Evansville mayor [[Jonathan Weinzapfel]] (a Democrat) carried the county in his bid for the office of [[Indiana Attorney General|Attorney General]] but lost statewide.

The county is located in the [[Indiana's 8th congressional district|8th congressional district]], which was notoriously dubbed "The Bloody Eighth" because of its tendency to oust incumbents from both parties - since 1933, no Congressman has represented the district longer than 12 years in a row.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Johnson|first=Dirk|date=October 10, 2000|title=THE 2000 CAMPAIGN: AN INDIANA RACE; Conservatives Face Off in Quirky Populist District|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2000/10/10/us/2000-campaign-indiana-race-conservatives-face-off-quirky-populist-district.html|access-date=September 13, 2021|issn=0362-4331}}</ref>

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1820= 1798
|1830= 2611
|1840= 6250
|1850= 11414
|1860= 20552
|1870= 33145
|1880= 42193
|1890= 59809
|1900= 71769
|1910= 77438
|1920= 92293
|1930= 113320
|1940= 130783
|1950= 160422
|1960= 165794
|1970= 168772
|1980= 167515
|1990= 165058
|2000= 171922
|2010= 179703
|2020= 180136
|estyear=2023
|estimate=179810
|estref=<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>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States 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=United States 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=United States Census Bureau|access-date=July 10, 2014}}</ref> 2010<ref name="census-quickfacts">{{cite web|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/18/18163.html|title=Vanderburgh County QuickFacts|access-date=September 25, 2011|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref>
}}

As of the [[2010 United States census]], there were 179,703&nbsp;people, 74,454&nbsp;households, and 45,118&nbsp;families residing in the county.<ref name="census-dp1">{{cite web
 |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US18163
 |title=DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data
 |access-date=July 10, 2015
 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213012900/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US18163
 |archive-date=February 13, 2020
 |url-status=dead
 }}</ref> The population density was {{convert|769.7|PD/sqmi}}. There were 83,003 housing units at an average density of {{convert|355.5|/sqmi}}.<ref name="census-density">{{cite web
 |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY10/0500000US18163
 |access-date=July 10, 2015
 |title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County
 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212203926/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY10/0500000US18163
 |archive-date=February 12, 2020
 |url-status=dead
 }}</ref> The racial makeup of the county was 86.2% white, 9.1% black or African American, 1.1% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 1.0% from other races, and 2.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.2% of the population.<ref name="census-dp1"/> In terms of ancestry, 32.3% were [[Germans|German]], 18.3% were [[Americans|American]], 11.7% were [[Irish people|Irish]], and 9.4% were [[English people|English]].<ref name="census-dp2">{{cite web
 |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0400000US18%7c0500000US18163
 |title=DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
 |access-date=July 10, 2015
 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200214004046/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0400000US18%7C0500000US18163
 |archive-date=February 14, 2020
 |url-status=dead
 }}</ref>

Of the 74,454&nbsp;households, 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.9% were married couples living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 39.4% were non-families, and 32.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.93. The median age was 37.5 years.<ref name="census-dp1"/>

The median income for a household in the county was $47,697 and the median income for a family was $57,076. Males had a median income of $42,663 versus $31,037 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,945. About 10.7% of families and 15.6% of the population were below the [[Poverty threshold|poverty line]], including 22.4% of those under age 18 and 7.7% of those age 65 or over.<ref name="census-dp3">{{cite web
 |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0400000US18%7c0500000US18163
 |title=DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
 |access-date=July 10, 2015
 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200214003436/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0400000US18%7C0500000US18163
 |archive-date=February 14, 2020
 |url-status=dead
 }}</ref>

==Education==
The entire county is in the [[Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corporation]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st18_in/schooldistrict_maps/c18163_vanderburgh/DC20SD_C18163.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220723002733/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st18_in/schooldistrict_maps/c18163_vanderburgh/DC20SD_C18163.pdf |archive-date=July 23, 2022 |url-status=live|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Vanderburgh County, IN|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|accessdate=July 22, 2022}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st18_in/schooldistrict_maps/c18163_vanderburgh/DC20SD_C18163_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref>

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

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}
== Further reading ==
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite book|title=History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana|publisher=Brant &amp; Fuller|year=1889|oclc=3557957}} ({{Internet Archive|id=historyofvanderb00madi|name=History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana}} {{HathiTrust Catalog|id=006793315|title=History of Vanderburgh County, Indiana}})
* {{cite book|title=A history of Evansville and Vanderburgh County, Indiana|year=1897|author1-last=Elliott|author1-first=Joseph Peter|location=Evansville, Indiana|publisher=Keller Printing Company|oclc=8488951}} ({{HathiTrust Catalog|id=008652944|title=A history of Evansville and Vanderburgh County, Indiana}})
{{refend}}

==External links==
* {{Commons category-inline}}
* [http://www.vanderburghgov.org/county/ Official Vanderburgh County website]

{{Geographic Location
|Centre  = Vanderburgh County, Indiana
|North   = [[Gibson County, Indiana|Gibson County]]
|Northeast =
|East   = [[Warrick County, Indiana|Warrick County]]
|Southeast =
|South   = [[Henderson County, Kentucky]]
|Southwest =
|West   = [[Posey County, Indiana|Posey County]]
|Northwest =
}}
{{Navboxes
|title = Articles relating to Vanderburgh County
|list =
{{Evansville, Indiana}}
{{Evansville Metropolitan Area}}
{{Southwestern Indiana}}
{{Vanderburgh County, Indiana}}
{{Indiana}}
{{Vanderburgh County High Schools}}
{{Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation (EVSC)}}
}}

{{Coord|38.02|-87.58|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-IN_source:UScensus1990}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Vanderburgh County, Indiana| ]]
[[Category:Indiana counties]]
[[Category:1818 establishments in Indiana]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1818]]
[[Category:Southwestern Indiana]]
[[Category:Indiana counties on the Ohio River]]
[[Category:Evansville metropolitan area]]