Sheridan, Indiana

Sheridan is a town in Hamilton County, Indiana, United States. The population was 2,520 at the 2000 census.

Geography

Sheridan is located at (40.133865, -86.220011).

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 3.4 km² (1.3 mi²), all land.

History

The first settler in what is now Sheridan was George Boxley, a successful merchant and miller in Virginia who had fled from there ahead of bounty hunters because he was also an abolitionist suspected of fomenting a failed slave rebellion in 1816 (a hanging offense). With his wife's help he had escaped from a jail in Spotsylvania. In 1828 Boxley built a sturdy log cabin at the north end of what is now main street for himself and his family.

As other settlers came to the area additional little settlements began to consolidate. For instance Millwood, plotted by Egbert Higbee, was formed nearby. Boxley's son, Caswell, laid out his father's original town concept for Sheridan in 1870. The communities became one and, because the name Millwood was already in use elsewhere, the town was called Sheridan after General Philip Sheridan. It was incorporated in 1886. At one time it was the second largest town in Hamilton County.

Over the years Sheridan has had a sorghum mill, saw mills, a wagon and buggy shop, a grist mill, a copper shop and tile factory, a glass-making factory, a condensed milk factory, hatcheries, stockyards, an extensive poultry business and a modern machined parts factory.

Notable Sports History

Sheridan High School has had notable success in football in recent years, winning Class 1A Indiana state championships in 1980, 1984, 1987, 1988, 1992, 1998 and 2005 under coach Larry Wright.

In the 1940's and 50's, Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame coach Larry Hobbs led Sheridan teams to remarkable successes.

Transportation

Sheridan lies a few miles north of Indianapolis at the intersection of Indiana Highways 38 and 47. It was on the Monon Railroad until that was closed. Sheridan is served by the Sheridan Airport.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,520 people, 930 households, and 629 families residing in the town. The population density was 737.1/km² (1,912.4/mi²). There were 988 housing units at an average density of 289.0/km² (749.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.66% White, 0.56% African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.32% from other races, and 1.03% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.75% of the population.

There were 930 households out of which 36.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.2% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.3% were non-families. 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.17.

In the town the population was spread out with 29.1% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 86.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $38,390, and the median income for a family was $51,017. Males had a median income of $40,288 versus $26,544 for females. The per capita income for the town was $17,802. About 2.7% of families and 5.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.2% of those under age 18 and 13.9% of those age 65 or over.

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