Jackson County, Indiana

Jackson County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2000, the population was 41,335. The county seat is Brownstown ⁶.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,331 km² (514 mi²). 1,319 km² (509 mi²) of it is land and 12 km² (4 mi²) of it (0.86%) is water.

Adjacent counties

History

Jackson County was formed in 1816. It was named for Andrew Jackson, who defeated the British in 1815 at the Battle of New Orleans in the War of 1812, and later became President.

Jackson County is home to the second longest covered bridge in the United States. However, due to decades of neglect the bridge is on the verge of collapse and has been closed to pedestrain traffic. Another long neglected covered bridge, the Bell's Ford Bridge, which was the last remaining Post Truss bridge in the world, sccumbed to similar neglect, collpasing into the White River on January 2, 2006.

Because the Bell's Ford Bridge used a metal truss it was able to be largely salvaged, however, the Commissioner President Gary Darlage has been quoted as saying: "There is nothing left of the Bell Ford Bridge and I will not spend another tax dollar on it. Ninety percent of the people in this county think it is asinine to even consider rebuilding that bridge. By asking for any amount of money to be used on it, you are asking me to do something I don’t believe is right." Although it has been brought to Darlage's attention that federal funds could be used to restore the Bell's Ford Bridge, Darlage has refused to request federal funds, saying, "I guess I’m just not a historic person. The average taxpayer sees it as their tax money, even if it is federal money."

External links

County seeks bridge money

Demographics

2000 41,335
1990 37,730
1980 36,523
1970 33,187
1960 30,556
1950 28,237
1940 26,612
1930 23,731
1920 24,228
1910 24,727
1900 26,633

'''Jackson County Population by year

As of the census ² of 2000, there were 41,335 people, 16,052 households, and 11,573 families residing in the county. The population density was 31/km² (81/mi²). There were 17,137 housing units at an average density of 13/km² (34/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.13% White, 0.55% Black or African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.78% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 1.54% from other races, and 0.70% from two or more races. 2.69% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 16,052 households out of which 33.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.10% were married couples living together, 9.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.90% were non-families. 23.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the county the population was spread out with 25.50% under the age of 18, 8.80% from 18 to 24, 30.30% from 25 to 44, 22.10% from 45 to 64, and 13.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 97.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $39,401, and the median income for a family was $45,210. Males had a median income of $31,505 versus $22,301 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,400. About 6.50% of families and 8.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.70% of those under age 18 and 9.00% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

Indiana counties | Jackson County, Indiana