Rush County, Indiana

Official map of Rush County, Indiana 1919

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Aerial view of Rushville

Rush County is a county in the U.S. state of Indiana. In the 2020 United States census, the population was 16,752.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The county seat (and only city) is Rushville.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

History

When the Indiana Territory was granted statehood (December 20, 1816), there were no settlers on the lands of the future Rush County. However, this changed quickly, and by 1821 the newly founded settlements were desirous of being organized into a county unit. Accordingly, the state legislature passed an act dated December 31, 1821, which authorized Rush County, effective April 1, and further authorized the first commissioners (pro tem) to begin organizing the county's governing structure on June 3, 1822. The act also authorized six townships to cover the county; subsequent growth through the years has caused the number of townships to double.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> It was named for Dr. Benjamin Rush, one of the signers of the 1776 Declaration of Independence.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> That same summer (1822) the future town (and county seat) of Rushville was platted and laid out.

Geography

In the 1820s the low rolling hills of Rush County were generously covered with trees, usually walnut and sugar maples. By 1879 Rush County was the state's largest producer of maple syrup.<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> However, logging and clearing for agriculture have completely removed the trees, except for stands in drainages, and the available land is completely devoted to agriculture or urban development.<ref>Rush County, Indiana (Google Maps, accessed 6 August 2020)</ref> The Big Blue River drains the upper part of the county, flowing to the southwest. The Little Blue River flows southwest to drain the central part of the county, and Flatrock River flows south-southwest through the lower central part of the county.<ref>Template:Cite AmCyc</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> The terrain's highest point (1,135 feet/346 m ASL) is an isolated rise at the county's east boundary, Template:Convert SSW of Glenwood.<ref>Rush County High Point, Indiana (PeakBagger.com, accessed 6 August 2020)</ref> According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of Template:Convert, of which Template:Convert (or 99.92%) is land and Template:Convert (or 0.08%) is water.<ref name=DC/>

Adjacent counties

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Henry County - north
Fayette County - east
Franklin County - southeast
Decatur County - south
Shelby County - west
Hancock County - northwest

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Cities and towns

Carthage
Glenwood
Rushville (city/county seat)

Census-designated places

Climate and weather

Template:Climate chart In recent years, average temperatures in Rushville have ranged from a low of Template:Convert in January to a high of Template:Convert in July, although a record low of Template:Convert was recorded in January 1994 and a record high of Template:Convert was recorded in July 1901. Average monthly precipitation ranged from Template:Convert in February to Template:Convert in May.<ref name=WX/>

Government

Template:See also 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>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name=inc2102>Template:Cite web</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/>

Demographics

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2010 Census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 17,392 people, 6,767 households, and 4,803 families in the county.<ref name=DP>Template:Cite web</ref> The population density was Template:Convert. There were 7,508 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert.<ref name=DC>Template:Cite web</ref> The racial makeup of the county was 97.4% white, 0.8% black or African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.5% from other races, and 0.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.1% of the population.<ref name=DP/> In terms of ancestry, 23.4% were German, 16.8% were American, 12.0% were Irish, and 11.9% were English.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Of the 6,767 households, 32.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.9% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.0% were non-families, and 24.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 2.99. The median age was 40.6 years.<ref name=DP/>

The median income for a household in the county was $47,697 and the median income for a family was $52,874. Males had a median income of $41,581 versus $30,035 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,215. About 10.3% of families and 12.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.4% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

References

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External links

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Template:Rush County, Indiana Template:Indiana

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