Hamilton County, Indiana

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Hamilton County, Indiana
File:Noblesville-indiana-county-seat.jpg
Hamilton County courthouse in Noblesville, Indiana
Seal of Hamilton County, Indiana
Seal
Map of Indiana highlighting Hamilton County
Location in the U.S. state of Indiana
Map of the United States highlighting Indiana
Indiana's location in the U.S.
Founded 1823
Named for Alexander Hamilton
Seat Noblesville
Largest city Carmel
Area
 • Total 402.44 sq mi (1,042 km2)
 • Land 394.27 sq mi (1,021 km2)
 • Water 8.17 sq mi (21 km2), 2.03%
Population (est.)
 • (2014) 302,623
Congressional district 5th
Time zone Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Website www.hamiltoncounty.in.gov
Footnotes:  
  • Indiana county number 29
  • Fastest-growing county in the state
  • Most affluent county in the state

Hamilton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. Census 2010 recorded a population of 274,569.[1] The county seat is Noblesville.

Hamilton County is included in the Indianapolis-Carmel-Anderson, IN Metropolitan Statistical Area

Hamilton County’s roots are in agriculture. However, after World War II, Indianapolis grew north and towns in the southern part of the county developed as suburbs. Many farm fields have been replaced by both residential and commercial development. The northern portion of the county remains largely agricultural. Today, the county is one of the fastest-growing counties in the United States. According to 2007 estimates by the U.S. Census, the county’s population increased from an estimated 182,740 in 2000 to 261,661 in 2007, making it the fastest-growing county in Indiana out of 92. Recently, Hamilton County surpassed St. Joseph County in population, making it the fourth most populous in the state.[2]

In 2010, Hamilton County was home to three of the state’s 20 largest cities and towns: Carmel (8th), Fishers (9th), and Noblesville (14th).

Geist and Morse reservoirs are two man-made lakes in Hamilton County that offer residents and visitors recreational opportunities such as boating, fishing, and waterfront living.

In June 2008, Hamilton County was named America’s Best Place to Raise a Family by Forbes.com[3] due to its strong economy, affordable living, top-ranked schools, and close proximity to Indianapolis. The city of Carmel in southwestern Hamilton County was designated CNN Money's top place to live in 2013.[4]

History

The land containing Hamilton County was brought into the possession of the United States by the Treaty of St. Mary's in 1818. William Conner was the first white settler in the county. In the summer of 1822, after realizing there were enough settlers in the area, Conner and other settlers applied to the Indiana Legislature for a charter authorizing them to become a separate and independent county under Indiana law. The application was presented to the Legislature at the 1822-23 session and the act was passed and approved by the governor on January 8, 1823. The act took effect on the first Monday in April (April 7), 1823. The County Commissioners first met on May 5, 1823, at the house of William Conner. Conner’s house would also serve as the County Circuit Court. The county was named after Alexander Hamilton, the first secretary of the treasury.[5][6][7]

Climate and weather

Noblesville, Indiana
Climate chart (explanation)
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Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Source: The Weather Channel[8]

In recent years, average temperatures in Noblesville have ranged from a low of 17 °F (−8 °C) in January to a high of 85 °F (29 °C) in July, although a record low of −23 °F (−31 °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 2.42 inches (61 mm) in January to 4.86 inches (123 mm) in May. Hamilton County's climate thus falls within the Köppen climate classification system as a humid continental temperate climate, with pleasant spring and fall seasons surrounded by harsh cold and humid heat in the winter and summer, respectively.[8]

Government

The county executive body is filled by the Board of County Commissioners. The Board of County Commissioners consists of three Commissioners representing the three commissioner districts.

District 1 consists of Carmel and Clay Township. District 2 consists of Fishers, Noblesville, Delaware Township, and Noblesville Township. District 3 consists of Adams Township, Fall Creek Township, Jackson Township, Washington Township, Wayne Township, White River Township, Arcadia, Atlanta, Cicero, Sheridan and Westfield.

The current County Commissioners are:

  • Christine Altman - District 1
  • Steven C. Dillinger - District 2
  • Mark Heirbrandt - District 3

The county's finances are managed by the County Council, which consists of seven members, four elected by district and three elected at-large.

District 1 consists of parts of Clay Township (45 precincts). District 2 consists of Delaware, Fall Creek and Wayne Townships. District 3 consists of Noblesville, Jackson and White River Townships. District 4 consists of parts of Clay Township (17 precincts), Adams and Washington Townships.

The current members of the County Council are:

  • Fred Glynn - District 1
  • Amy Massillamany - District 2
  • Steve Schwartz1 - District 3
  • Paul Ayers - District 4
  • Brad Beaver - Council member at large
  • Jim Belden - Council member at large
  • Rick McKinney - Council member at large

Hamilton County is part of Indiana's 5th congressional district; Indiana Senate districts 20, 21, 28, 29 and 30;[9] and Indiana House of Representatives districts 29, 32, 35, 36, 38, 39, 86, 87 and 88.[10]

Politics

The county is located in Indiana's 5th congressional district, which is represented by Susan Brooks.

Hamilton County has been won by every Republican presidential candidate since Charles Evans Hughes in 1916. In 1912, Democratic candidate Woodrow Wilson had carried the county with a 3.06% majority over Republican opponent William Taft.[11]

Although Barack Obama got only 38.45% of Hamilton County's vote during the 2008 election, it is the best showing for a Democratic presidential candidate in this county since Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1936 (who himself also lost the county).[11]

Hamilton County's loyalty to the Republican Party is not limited to presidential elections. The county regularly rejects Democrats in gubernatorial and senatorial races, and is typically one of the Republicans' strongest counties at the state level. One of the few times in recent memory that Hamilton County has supported a Democrat for governor or Senate was in 1992, when Evan Bayh narrowly carried it with 50.48 percent of the vote in his successful reelection bid. However, Bayh lost Hamilton County in both of his bids for Senate, even as he won handily statewide.

Geography

According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 402.44 square miles (1,042.3 km2), of which 394.27 square miles (1,021.2 km2) (or 97.97%) is land and 8.17 square miles (21.2 km2) (or 2.03%) is water.[12]

Major highways

Airport

Adjacent counties

Cities and towns

Townships

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1890 26,123
1900 29,914 14.5%
1910 27,026 −9.7%
1920 24,222 −10.4%
1930 23,444 −3.2%
1940 24,614 5.0%
1950 28,491 15.8%
1960 40,132 40.9%
1970 54,532 35.9%
1980 82,027 50.4%
1990 108,936 32.8%
2000 182,740 67.7%
2010 274,569 50.3%
Est. 2014 302,623 [13] 10.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[14]
1790-1960[15] 1900-1990[16]
1990-2000[17] 2010-2013[1]
File:USA Hamilton County, Indiana age pyramid.svg
Age and gender distribution in Hamilton County

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 274,569 people, 99,835 households, and 74,755 families residing in the county.[18] The population density was 696.4 inhabitants per square mile (268.9/km2). There were 106,772 housing units at an average density of 270.8 per square mile (104.6/km2).[12] The racial makeup of the county was 88.5% white, 4.8% Asian, 3.5% black or African American, 0.2% American Indian, 1.2% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.4% of the population.[18] In terms of ancestry, 29.0% were German, 14.6% were Irish, 13.0% were English, and 7.7% were American.[19]

Of the 99,835 households, 43.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.2% were married couples living together, 8.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 25.1% were non-families, and 20.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.19. The median age was 35.6 years.[18]

The median income for a household in the county was $47,697 and the median income for a family was $95,376. Males had a median income of $67,221 versus $44,273 for females. The per capita income for the county was $38,500. About 3.6% of families and 4.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.6% of those under age 18 and 3.5% of those age 65 or over.[20]

See also

References

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  11. 11.0 11.1 David Leip's Presidential Atlas (Maps for Indiana by election) Results prior to 1960 available through subscription only
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External links

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