Switzerland County, Indiana

Switzerland County, Indiana

Location in the state of Indiana

Indiana's location in the U.S.
Founded 1814
Named for Switzerland
Seat Vevay
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water

223.44 sq mi (579 km²)
220.63 sq mi (571 km²)
2.81 sq mi (7 km²), 1.26%
Population
 - (2010)
 - Density

10,613
41/sq mi (16/km²)
Congressional district 9th
Time zone Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Footnotes:  

Indiana county number 59

Switzerland County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2010, the population was 10,613.[1] The county seat is Vevay[2].

Contents

History

Switzerland County was formed in 1814. It was named for the home country of many of the early settlers.

Geography

According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 223.44 square miles (578.7 km2), of which 220.63 square miles (571.4 km2) (or 98.74%) is land and 2.81 square miles (7.3 km2) (or 1.26%) is water.[3]

Incorporated towns

Unincorporated towns

Townships

Major highways

Adjacent counties

Climate and weather

Vevay, Indiana
Climate chart (explanation)
J F M A M J J A S O N D
 
 
3.2
 
40
23
 
 
3
 
46
26
 
 
4.1
 
56
35
 
 
4.2
 
67
43
 
 
4.7
 
77
53
 
 
4.6
 
85
62
 
 
3.9
 
88
67
 
 
4
 
86
65
 
 
3.1
 
80
58
 
 
3.1
 
68
46
 
 
3.7
 
55
37
 
 
3.7
 
44
28
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Source: The Weather Channel[4]

In recent years, average temperatures in Vevay have ranged from a low of 23 °F (−5 °C) in January to a high of 88 °F (31 °C) in July, although a record low of −24 °F (−31 °C) was recorded in January 1977 and a record high of 106 °F (41 °C) was recorded in July 1999. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 3.00 inches (76 mm) in February to 4.72 inches (120 mm) in May.[4]

Government

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 county council is the legislative branch of the county government and controls all the spending and revenue collection in the county. Representatives are elected from county districts. The council members serve four year terms. They are responsible for setting salaries, the annual budget, and special spending. The council also 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.[5][6]

Board of Commissioners: The executive body of the county is made of a board of commissioners. The commissioners are elected county-wide, in staggered terms, and each serves a four-year term. One of the commissioners, typically the most senior, serves as president. The commissioners are charged with executing the acts legislated by the council, collecting revenue, and managing the day-to-day functions of the county government.[5][6]

Court: The county maintains a circuit court which was established January 1, 2009. The first Judge of the Switzerland Circuit Court is W. Gregory Coy. The Judge is elected to a term of six years. The Court is a general jurisdiction court, meaning it handles all types of cases. The Judge must be a licensed attorney. All decisions of the Court are appealable to the Indiana Court of Appeals or the Indiana Supreme Court.

County Officials: The county has several other elected offices, including sheriff, coroner, auditor, treasurer, recorder, surveyor, and circuit court clerk. Each of these elected officers serves a term of four years and oversees a different part of county government. Members elected to county government positions are required to declare party affiliations and to be residents of the county.[6]

Switzerland County is part of Indiana's 9th congressional district and is represented in Congress by Republican Todd Young.[7]

Demographics

Historical populations
Census Pop.
1820 3,934
1830 7,028 78.6%
1840 9,920 41.1%
1850 12,932 30.4%
1860 12,698 −1.8%
1870 12,134 −4.4%
1880 13,336 9.9%
1890 12,514 −6.2%
1900 11,840 −5.4%
1910 9,914 −16.3%
1920 9,311 −6.1%
1930 8,432 −9.4%
1940 8,167 −3.1%
1950 7,599 −7.0%
1960 7,092 −6.7%
1970 6,306 −11.1%
1980 7,153 13.4%
1990 7,738 8.2%
2000 9,065 17.1%
2010 10,613 17.1%
Sources: United States Department of Commerce,
Bureau of the Census, Population Division[8]
Census Quickfacts[1]

As of the census[9] of 2000, there were 9,065 people, 3,435 households, and 2,538 families residing in the county. The population density was 41 people per square mile (16/km²). There were 4,226 housing units at an average density of 19 per square mile (7/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.78% White, 0.23% Black or African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.09% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.31% from other races, and 0.43% from two or more races. 0.86% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 37.2% were of American, 23.1% German, 11.6% Irish and 8.1% English ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 3,435 households out of which 33.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.70% were married couples living together, 10.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.10% were non-families. 21.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the county the population was spread out with 26.30% under the age of 18, 8.50% from 18 to 24, 28.00% from 25 to 44, 24.60% from 45 to 64, and 12.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 101.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $37,092, and the median income for a family was $41,395. Males had a median income of $30,197 versus $21,324 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,466. About 10.60% of families and 13.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.40% of those under age 18 and 9.80% of those age 65 or over.

See also

References