Sharpsville, Indiana

Sharpsville, Indiana
Town

Location of Sharpsville in the state of Indiana
Coordinates: 40°22′44″N 86°5′12″W / 40.37889°N 86.08667°WCoordinates: 40°22′44″N 86°5′12″W / 40.37889°N 86.08667°W
Country United States
State Indiana
County Tipton
Township Liberty
Area[1]
 • Total 0.24 sq mi (0.62 km2)
 • Land 0.24 sq mi (0.62 km2)
 • Water 0 sq mi (0 km2)
Elevation 879 ft (268 m)
Population (2010)[2]
 • Total 607
 • Estimate (2012[3]) 597
 • Density 2,529.2/sq mi (976.5/km2)
Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code 46068
Area code(s) 765
FIPS code 18-69048[4]
GNIS feature ID 0443313[5]

Sharpsville is a town in Liberty Township, Tipton County, Indiana, United States. It is part of the Kokomo, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of the 2010 census, Sharpsville's population is 607.

History

Sharpsville was founded by E.M. Sharp. Originally from Washington County, Pennsylvania, Sharp moved to Morgan County, Illinois in 1831, prior to relocating to Jennings County, Indiana in 1838. In spring 1849, he moved to Liberty Township. The town was platted on May 24, 1850, under the assumption that Sharpsville would become the county seat for Tipton Township (which became Tipton). A town square was incorporated into the town layout which became a public park rather than the location of a place of government.[6] The first Methodist church in Sharpsville was built in 1852.[7]

The town was incorporated in 1873, but it ceased to be incorporated by vote in 1881.[8] In 1873, the Hopewell Presbyterian Church was founded 2.5 miles east of Sharpsville, with a building being completed for the congregation in 1874.[9]

Geography

Sharpsville is located at 40°22′44″N 86°5′12″W / 40.37889°N 86.08667°W (40.378949, -86.086632).[10] According to the 2010 census, the town has a total area of 0.24 square miles (0.62 km2), all land.[1]

Demographics

Early 20th century

As of 1914, Sharpsville had a population of approximately 700.[11]

2010 census

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 607 people, 227 households, and 168 families residing in the town. The population density was 2,529.2 inhabitants per square mile (976.5/km2). There were 255 housing units at an average density of 1,062.5 per square mile (410.2/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 97.5% White, 0.2% African American, 0.7% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.0% of the population.

There were 227 households of which 38.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.6% were married couples living together, 14.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 26.0% were non-families. 21.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.05.

The median age in the town was 38.2 years. 28% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.2% were from 25 to 44; 30% were from 45 to 64; and 9.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 49.4% male and 50.6% female.

2000 census

As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 618 people, 232 households, and 179 families residing in the town. The population density was 2,795.4 people per square mile (1,084.6/km²). There were 243 housing units at an average density of 1,099.1 per square mile (426.5/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.54% White, 0.32% African American, 0.16% Asian, 0.32% Pacific Islander, 0.49% from other races, and 0.16% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.29% of the population.

There were 232 households out of which 40.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.9% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.8% were non-families. 19.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the town the population was spread out with 28.5% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 33.0% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 96.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $52,292, and the median income for a family was $58,750. Males had a median income of $46,389 versus $30,417 for females. The per capita income for the town was $22,480. About 1.2% of families and 2.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 1.4% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Historically, agriculture was the primary industry in Sharpsville. Corn and wheat were popular crops. Reuben Johnson opened the first general store in Sharpsville. That store closed, and another store was opened in 1853 by Madison and Washington Grishaw.[12] That store was destroyed by fire in 1856, however, many other merchants opened up shop in Sharpsville, with over 15 merchants in the town by the start of the American Civil War. By 1873, the town had two blacksmith shops.[8]

Manufacturing and industry

In the early 20th century, the Sharpsville Canning Company was the largest employer, followed by a flour mill and a lumber yard.[11]

Sharpsville was home to G.W. Invader Corporation, a boat manufacturer, owned and operated from the early 1960s through 1980s by Arne Gray and George Wooldridge.

Tourism

The first hotel to open in Sharpsville was in 1853. By the 1860s there were three hotels in town.[8]

Education

Students in Sharpsville attend Tri-Central Community Schools.

References

Footnotes

Sources