Morgan County, Indiana

Morgan County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 68,894.[1] The county seat (and only incorporated city) is Martinsville.[2]

Morgan County
U.S. county
Morgan County courthouse in Martinsville
Location within the U.S. state of Indiana
Indiana's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 39°29′N 86°27′W
Country United States
State Indiana
Founded15 February 1822 (authorized)
December 1822 (organized)
Named forGen. Daniel Morgan
SeatMartinsville
Largest cityMartinsville
Area
 • Total409.43 sq mi (1,060.4 km2)
 • Land403.97 sq mi (1,046.3 km2)
 • Water5.46 sq mi (14.1 km2)  1.33%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2019)
70,489
 • Density173.6/sq mi (67.0/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts4th, 9th
Websitehttp://www.morgancounty.in.gov/
Indiana county number 55

Morgan County is between Indianapolis, in Marion County, and Bloomington in Monroe County. It is included in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN Metropolitan Statistical Area. Two major highways, Interstate 69 and Indiana State Road 67, carry large numbers of daily commuters between the two larger communities. The county has 14 townships which provide local services.[3][4]

History

The future state of Indiana was first regulated by passage of the Northwest Ordinance in 1787. The governing structure created by this act was superposed over an area that was still largely contested with the country's natives, although these were being gradually pushed out of the area. In 1818, a series of treaties was concluded, resulting in the confinement of the Miami tribe to the reserve area and the removal of the Delaware tribe, who had dominated central and east central Indiana, to west of the Mississippi River by 1820, clearing the way for colonization. The area was called the Delaware New Purchase until it was divided into Wabash County in the northwest and Delaware County in the southeast on 2 January 1820. Those counties were soon after dissolved, and the areas came to be called the "Wabash New Purchase" and "Delaware New Purchase" (renamed the "Adams New Purchase" in 1827). Subsequently, 35 new counties (including Morgan, authorized on 15 February 1822) were carved out of the original area. It was named for Gen. Daniel Morgan, who defeated the British at the Battle of Cowpens in the Revolutionary War.

The first settlers arrived in Morgan County in 1822.[5] They came mostly from southern states. The Mooresville area and surrounding communities received large numbers of southern Quakers, driven to migrate because of their opposition to slavery. Paul Hadley, a Mooresville resident, was the designer of the current Indiana flag, as well as a locally prominent water color artist in the early twentieth century.

In the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries, mineral springs in Martinsville gave rise to several spas, and the nickname of the Martinsville High School athletic teams has subsequently been the Artesians.

County government took several steps forward in the 2000s, creating a new Plan Commission, re-instituting a county economic development organization, and establishing the county's first Park and Recreation Board between 2000 and 2004. Morgan County also was the first county in the metropolitan Indianapolis region to establish a smoking ban ordinance for restaurants, taking that step in 2004. Other communities in the region soon followed Morgan County's lead.

Courthouse

The first building used for Morgan County courts was the log house of a pioneer. Work began in 1823 to build the first courthouse, a two-story log house. A brick courthouse replaced it in 1833.[6]

The Morgan County courthouse was designed by Isaac Hodgson in the Italianate style. It was built from 1857 to 1859 by Perry M. Blankenship of Martinsville at a cost of $32,000. It was almost identical to Hodgson's Jennings County courthouse in Vernon, which was also begun in 1857, but the Martinsville building received an addition in the 1970s; the original section was also remodeled and renovated at that time. The building is of red brick with white stone quoins and has tall windows with round arches, arranged in pairs. It is one of the few remaining pre-Civil War courthouses.[7]

Geography

Morgan County is where the glaciers stopped their southward advance during the last ice age. As a result, the area has both flat areas and rolling hills, with the most diverse soil of any county in the United States.[8] The extensive woodlands of the eighteenth century have been cleared on the county's flat areas, with agricultural or urban uses dominating. The county is significantly carved with wooded drainages, leading to the southwest-flowing White River.[9] According to radar telemetry gathered by the US Shuttle Radar Topographic Mission, Morgan County terrain ranges from 604 feet/184 meters to 1010 feet/308 meters ASL.[10]

According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 409.43 square miles (1,060.4 km2), of which 403.97 square miles (1,046.3 km2) (or 98.67%) is land and 5.46 square miles (14.1 km2) (or 1.33%) is water.[11] Morgan County is bisected by the White River Valley; the community has taken an interest in recent years in protecting the river as an asset, seeking to develop parks and greenways along the White River and initiating an annual river cleanup day in the spring.

The county also is home to large areas of land that were not glaciated during the last ice age. The river valley and contributing watersheds, along with the non-glaciated hills, results in a topography unlike the rest of the metropolitan Indianapolis area. County residents are proud of the scenic terrain, and in recent years have established a county park system and a bike/pedestrian trail system plan to provide protection and access to the amenities. An annual five mile (8 km) run is held as a fundraiser for the path system endowment.[12]

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Communities

City and towns

Unincorporated places

Townships
Morgan County

Climate and weather
Martinsville, Indiana
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
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D
 
 
2.6
 
 
35
18
 
 
2.4
 
 
41
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3.5
 
 
51
30
 
 
4.2
 
 
63
40
 
 
4.7
 
 
73
50
 
 
4
 
 
81
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85
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4.2
 
 
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77
52
 
 
3
 
 
66
40
 
 
3.8
 
 
53
32
 
 
3.1
 
 
40
23
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Source: The Weather Channel[13]

In recent years, average temperatures in Martinsville have ranged from a low of 18 °F (−8 °C) in January to a high of 85 °F (29 °C) in July, although a record low of −35 °F (−37 °C) was recorded in January 1994 and a record high of 105 °F (41 °C) was recorded in July 1954. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 2.44 inches (62 mm) in February to 4.73 inches (120 mm) in May.[13]

Government
See also: Government of Indiana

The county government is a constitutional body granted specific powers by the Constitution of Indiana and the Indiana Code. The county council is the fiscal branch of the county government and controls spending and revenue collection. Four Council members are elected from county districts, and three are elected at-large by the entire county electorate. The council members serve four-year terms and are responsible for setting salaries, the annual budget and special spending. The council has limited authority to impose local taxes, in the form of optional income taxes and the property tax levy that is subject to state level approval, excise taxes and service taxes.[14][15]

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.[14][15]

The county maintains a small claims court that handles civil cases. The judge on the court is elected to a term of four years and must be a member of the Indiana Bar Association. The judge is assisted by a constable who is elected to a four-year term. In some cases, court decisions can be appealed to the state level circuit court.[15]

The county has other elected offices, including sheriff, coroner, auditor, treasurer, recorder, surveyor and circuit court clerk. These officers are elected to four-year terms. Members elected to county government positions are required to declare party affiliations and be residents of the county.[15]

Each township has a trustee who administers rural fire protection and ambulance service, provides poor relief and manages cemetery care, among other duties.[4] The trustee is assisted in these duties by a three-member township board. The trustees and board members are elected to four-year terms.[16]

Morgan County is split between Indiana's fourth and ninth districts; Indiana Senate districts 35 and 37;[17] and Indiana House of Representatives districts 47 and 91.[18]

Presidential election results
Presidential elections results[19]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 76.1% 27,510 21.5% 7,777 2.4% 861
2016 75.3% 23,674 19.2% 6,040 5.5% 1,732
2012 69.2% 19,591 28.1% 7,969 2.7% 765
2008 62.9% 18,129 35.9% 10,330 1.2% 352
2004 73.8% 19,197 25.6% 6,650 0.7% 182
2000 69.4% 15,286 28.3% 6,228 2.4% 522
1996 59.6% 12,872 26.9% 5,812 13.5% 2,912
1992 51.8% 10,939 22.2% 4,690 26.0% 5,478
1988 72.4% 14,284 27.2% 5,375 0.4% 77
1984 75.9% 14,884 23.6% 4,627 0.5% 96
1980 68.5% 13,321 28.0% 5,439 3.5% 678
1976 60.0% 10,983 39.2% 7,181 0.8% 145
1972 77.6% 11,980 22.0% 3,390 0.4% 65
1968 55.5% 8,944 25.1% 4,042 19.5% 3,144
1964 54.1% 8,347 45.4% 7,011 0.5% 70
1960 63.4% 9,416 36.2% 5,375 0.5% 69
1956 63.5% 8,318 36.1% 4,735 0.4% 50
1952 62.9% 8,222 36.4% 4,755 0.7% 95
1948 55.1% 5,677 43.0% 4,428 1.9% 192
1944 59.1% 6,115 40.2% 4,156 0.7% 77
1940 57.3% 6,613 42.4% 4,895 0.3% 36
1936 51.1% 5,793 48.1% 5,451 0.7% 84
1932 44.7% 4,825 53.5% 5,775 1.8% 195
1928 57.8% 5,464 41.6% 3,933 0.7% 63
1924 55.6% 5,328 42.2% 4,042 2.3% 216
1920 56.0% 5,634 42.3% 4,254 1.8% 181
1916 50.1% 2,860 45.8% 2,616 4.2% 237
1912 24.2% 1,353 46.7% 2,608 29.1% 1,623
1908 51.0% 3,074 46.3% 2,789 2.8% 167
1904 54.1% 3,119 42.1% 2,428 3.8% 216
1900 51.4% 2,904 46.6% 2,632 2.1% 116
1896 52.2% 2,688 46.9% 2,414 0.9% 44
1892 51.3% 2,377 43.5% 2,014 5.3% 244
1888 53.6% 2,500 44.5% 2,077 1.9% 89

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18305,593—
184010,74192.0%
185014,57635.7%
186016,11010.5%
187017,5288.8%
188018,9007.8%
189018,643−1.4%
190020,4579.7%
191021,1823.5%
192020,010−5.5%
193019,424−2.9%
194019,8011.9%
195023,72619.8%
196033,87542.8%
197044,17630.4%
198051,99917.7%
199055,9207.5%
200066,68919.3%
201068,8943.3%
2019 (est.)70,489[20]2.3%
US Decennial Census[21]
1790-1960[22] 1900-1990[23]
1990-2000[24] 2010-2013[1]

2010 Census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 68,894 people, 25,765 households, and 19,355 families in the county.[25] The population density was 170.5 inhabitants per square mile (65.8/km2). There were 27,754 housing units at an average density of 68.7 per square mile (26.5/km2).[11] The racial makeup of the county was 97.7% white, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.3% black or African American, 0.3% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.2% of the population.[25] In terms of ancestry, 46% of people in Morgan County were of English ancestry, 22.1% were of German ancestry, and 10.3% were of Irish ancestry. Of the 25,765 households, 35.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.8% were married couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 24.9% were non-families, and 20.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.04. The median age was 39.9 years.[25]

The median income for a household in the county was $47,697 and the median income for a family was $62,507. Males had a median income of $48,457 versus $34,831 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,972. About 7.2% of families and 10.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.9% of those under age 18 and 6.8% of those age 65 or over.[26]

Education

Morgan County is served by the Morgan County Public Library, which operates six branches.[27]

See also

References
  1. "Morgan County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 7 June 2011. Retrieved 25 September 2011.
  2. "Find a County – Morgan County IN". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 10 December 2017. Retrieved 15 November 2011.
  3. "Morgan". Indiana Township Association. Archived from the original on 15 April 2012. Retrieved 15 November 2011.
  4. "Duties". United Township Association of Indiana. Retrieved 6 January 2011.
  5. History of Morgan County (Genealogy Trails, accessed 6 August 2020)
  6. Blanchard, Charles (1884). Counties of Morgan, Monroe and Brown, Indiana: Historical and Biographical. F.A. Battey & Co. p. 19.
  7. Counts, Will; Jon Dilts (1991). The 92 Magnificent Indiana Courthouses. Bloomington IN: Indiana University Press. pp. 116–7. ISBN 978-0-253-33638-5.
  8. History and Heritage (Visit Morgan County - accessed 6 August 2020)
  9. Morgan County IN (Google Maps, accessed 6 August 2020)
  10. Morgan County Topo Maps (anyplaceamerica.com - accessed 6 August 2020)
  11. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 12 February 2020. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  12. 20" Races to Run in 2020 (Visit Morgan County - accessed 6 August 2020)
  13. "Monthly Averages for Martinsville IN". The Weather Channel. Retrieved 27 January 2011.
  14. Indiana Code. "Title 36, Article 2, Section 3". Government of Indiana. Retrieved 16 September 2008.
  15. Indiana Code. "Title 2, Article 10, Section 2" (PDF). Government of Indiana. Retrieved 16 September 2008.
  16. "Government". United Township Association of Indiana. Retrieved 6 January 2011.
  17. "Indiana Senate Districts". State of Indiana. Retrieved 14 July 2011.
  18. "Indiana House Districts". State of Indiana. Retrieved 14 July 2011.
  19. Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 18 May 2018.
  20. "American FactFinder". Archived from the original on February 14, 2020. Retrieved April 22, 2019.
  21. "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  22. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  23. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  24. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  25. "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 13 February 2020. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  26. "Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 14 February 2020. Retrieved 10 July 2015.
  27. "Homepage". Morgan County Public Library. Retrieved 10 March 2018.

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