Boone County, Indiana

Coordinates: 40°03′N 86°28′W / 40.05°N 86.47°W / 40.05; -86.47
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Boone County
Boone County Courthouse in Lebanon
Map of Indiana highlighting Boone County
Location within the U.S. state of Indiana
Map of the United States highlighting Indiana
Indiana's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 40°03′N 86°28′W / 40.05°N 86.47°W / 40.05; -86.47
Country United States
State Indiana
Founded1 April 1830 (created)
1831 (organized)
Named forDaniel Boone
SeatLebanon
Largest cityZionsville
Area
 • Total423.25 sq mi (1,096.2 km2)
 • Land422.91 sq mi (1,095.3 km2)
 • Water0.34 sq mi (0.9 km2)  0.08%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total70,812
 • Density170/sq mi (65/km2)
Congressional districts4th, 5th
Websiteboonecounty.in.gov
Indiana county number 6

Boone County is a county in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2020, the population was 70,812.[1] The county seat is Lebanon.[2]

History[edit]

In 1787, the fledgling United States defined the Northwest Territory, which included the area of present-day Indiana. In 1800, Congress separated Ohio from the Northwest Territory, designating the rest of the land as the Indiana Territory.[3] President Thomas Jefferson chose William Henry Harrison as the territory's first governor, and Vincennes was established as the territorial capital.[4] After the Michigan Territory was separated and the Illinois Territory was formed, Indiana was reduced to its current size and geography.[3] By December 1816 the Indiana Territory was admitted to the Union as a state.

Starting in 1794, Native American titles to Indiana lands were extinguished by usurpation, purchase, or war and treaty. The United States acquired land from the Native Americans in the 1809 treaty of Fort Wayne, and by the treaty of St. Mary's in 1818 considerably more territory became property of the government. This included the future Boone County, designating areas covered by the Delaware New Purchase.

Boone County was created by the state legislature on 1 April 1830, with Jamestown (which had been first settled that year) named as the initial county seat. The county was named for frontiersman Daniel Boone.[5] The interim county commissioners met on 1 May of the following year to identify a permanent seat of government, which by law had to be within 2 miles (3.2 km) of the county's center; the [future] city of Lebanon was selected to serve this purpose.[6]

Geography[edit]

Boone County lies near the center of the state. It is 24 miles (39 km) from east to west and 17.5 miles (28.2 km) from north to south. It contains about 418.5 square miles (108,500 hectares), two-thirds of which is in cultivation. Its central position, excellent soil, and available water power have been in its favor.[7] The highest point of the county (984 feet (300 meters) ASL) is a small hill two miles/3.2 km northeast of Lebanon.[8] The upper part of the county is drained by Sugar Creek, flowing westward into Montgomery County; the southwest part of the county is drained by Big Raccoon Creek, also flowing west-southwestward into Montgomery. The southeast part of the county is drained by Eagle Creek and its tributaries, flowing southward into Marion County.[9]

According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 423.25 square miles (1,096.2 km2), of which 422.91 square miles (1,095.3 km2) (or 99.92%) is land and 0.34 square miles (0.88 km2) (or 0.08%) is water.[10]

Adjacent counties[edit]

Cities[edit]

Towns[edit]

Unincorporated communities[edit]

Townships[edit]

Transit[edit]

Major highways[edit]

Airport[edit]

Railroads[edit]

Education[edit]

Public schools in Boone County are administered by the Lebanon Community School Corporation, Western Boone County Community School District, Zionsville Community Schools, and Sheridan Community Schools.

Climate and weather[edit]

Lebanon, Indiana
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
2.4
 
 
34
18
 
 
2.4
 
 
41
22
 
 
3.4
 
 
52
31
 
 
3.8
 
 
65
40
 
 
4.5
 
 
75
50
 
 
4.2
 
 
84
60
 
 
4.5
 
 
86
63
 
 
3.6
 
 
85
61
 
 
3
 
 
79
53
 
 
2.9
 
 
67
43
 
 
3.7
 
 
52
34
 
 
3.1
 
 
39
23
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Source: The Weather Channel[16]
Metric conversion
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
62
 
 
1
−8
 
 
60
 
 
5
−6
 
 
86
 
 
11
−1
 
 
97
 
 
18
4
 
 
114
 
 
24
10
 
 
105
 
 
29
16
 
 
115
 
 
30
17
 
 
90
 
 
29
16
 
 
76
 
 
26
12
 
 
73
 
 
19
6
 
 
94
 
 
11
1
 
 
78
 
 
4
−5
Average max. and min. temperatures in °C
Precipitation totals in mm

In recent years, average temperatures in Lebanon have ranged from a low of 18 °F (−8 °C) in January to a high of 86 °F (30 °C) in July, although a record low of −27 °F (−33 °C) was recorded in January 1994 and a record high of 112 °F (44 °C) was recorded in July 1936. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 2.35 inches (60 mm) in February to 4.54 inches (115 mm) in July.[16]

Government[edit]

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 legislative branch of the county's government; controls and revenue collection in the county. Representatives are elected to four-year terms from county districts. They set salaries, the annual budget, and special spending. The council 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.[17][18]

Board of Commissioners: 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.[17][18]

Court: 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 also elected to a four-year term. In some cases, court decisions can be appealed to the state level circuit court.[18]

County Officials: The county has other elected offices, including sheriff, coroner, auditor, treasurer, recorder, surveyor, and circuit court clerk. They are elected to four-year terms. Members elected to county government positions are required to declare a party affiliation and to be residents of the county.[18]

Boone County is part of Indiana's 4th and 5th congressional districts, Indiana Senate districts 21 and 23,[19] and Indiana House of Representatives districts 28, 38 and 87.[20]

Prior to 1940, Boone County was a Democratic-leaning swing county in presidential elections, backing the national winner in every election from 1912 to 1936. From 1940 on, it has become a Republican stronghold, with no Democratic presidential candidate since Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964 even managing to win forty percent of the county's votes.

United States presidential election results for Boone County, Indiana[21]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 22,351 57.80% 15,244 39.42% 1,073 2.77%
2016 19,654 60.41% 10,181 31.29% 2,702 8.30%
2012 18,808 67.70% 8,328 29.98% 646 2.33%
2008 16,622 62.27% 9,752 36.54% 318 1.19%
2004 17,055 74.48% 5,636 24.61% 207 0.90%
2000 13,161 71.54% 4,763 25.89% 472 2.57%
1996 11,338 64.44% 4,625 26.28% 1,633 9.28%
1992 9,485 54.64% 3,982 22.94% 3,891 22.42%
1988 11,608 73.44% 4,168 26.37% 30 0.19%
1984 11,790 74.38% 3,982 25.12% 78 0.49%
1980 10,484 66.11% 4,535 28.60% 840 5.30%
1976 9,214 61.48% 5,686 37.94% 86 0.57%
1972 9,874 75.10% 3,235 24.61% 38 0.29%
1968 7,905 58.96% 4,118 30.72% 1,384 10.32%
1964 7,419 52.32% 6,716 47.36% 46 0.32%
1960 8,979 62.28% 5,377 37.30% 60 0.42%
1956 8,573 61.56% 5,318 38.19% 35 0.25%
1952 8,619 63.04% 4,986 36.47% 68 0.50%
1948 6,450 55.67% 5,037 43.47% 99 0.85%
1944 6,823 56.00% 5,292 43.43% 70 0.57%
1940 7,066 53.26% 6,152 46.37% 49 0.37%
1936 5,739 45.57% 6,775 53.80% 79 0.63%
1932 5,309 42.68% 6,900 55.47% 231 1.86%
1928 6,556 58.81% 4,500 40.37% 91 0.82%
1924 6,256 52.57% 5,466 45.93% 178 1.50%
1920 6,650 50.93% 6,178 47.31% 230 1.76%
1916 3,333 46.97% 3,513 49.51% 250 3.52%
1912 1,181 17.55% 3,280 48.74% 2,269 33.71%
1908 3,471 48.22% 3,525 48.97% 202 2.81%
1904 3,633 50.20% 3,263 45.09% 341 4.71%
1900 3,360 46.46% 3,718 51.41% 154 2.13%
1896 3,449 47.23% 3,800 52.03% 54 0.74%
1892 3,136 46.82% 3,104 46.34% 458 6.84%
1888 3,441 48.95% 3,324 47.29% 264 3.76%

Demographics[edit]

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1830621
18408,1211,207.7%
185011,63143.2%
186016,75344.0%
187022,59334.9%
188025,92214.7%
189026,5722.5%
190026,321−0.9%
191024,673−6.3%
192023,575−4.5%
193022,290−5.5%
194022,081−0.9%
195023,9938.7%
196027,54314.8%
197030,87012.1%
198036,44618.1%
199038,1474.7%
200046,10720.9%
201056,64022.8%
202070,81225.0%
2022 (est.)74,164[22]4.7%
US Decennial Census[23]
1790-1960[24] 1900-1990[25]
1990-2000[26] 2010[27]

2010 census[edit]

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 56,640 people, 21,149 households, and 15,509 families in the county.[28] The population density was 133.9 inhabitants per square mile (51.7/km2). There were 22,754 housing units at an average density of 53.8 per square mile (20.8/km2).[10] The racial makeup of the county was 95.3% white, 1.7% Asian, 0.9% black or African American, 0.2% American Indian, 0.7% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.2% of the population.[28] In terms of ancestry, 28.9% were German, 19.3% were English, 14.1% were Irish, and 9.0% were American.[29]

Of the 21,149 households, 38.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.1% were married couples living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 26.7% were non-families, and 22.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.12. The median age was 38.6 years.[28]

The median income for a household in the county was $47,697 and the median income for a family was $81,401. Males had a median income of $57,251 versus $41,309 for females. The per capita income for the county was $38,696. About 6.1% of families and 7.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.6% of those under age 18 and 5.6% of those age 65 or over.[30]

2020 census[edit]

As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 70,812 people.[31]

Boone County Racial Composition[31]
Race Num. Perc.
White (NH) 61,135 86.3%
Black or African American (NH) 1,426 2%
Native American (NH) 128 0.2%
Asian (NH) 2,389 3.37%
Pacific Islander (NH) 19 0.03%
Other/Mixed (NH) 2,940 4.15%
Hispanic or Latino 2,775 4%

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Boone County, Indiana". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 29, 2023.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ a b "Government at Crossroads: An Indiana chronology". The Herald Bulletin. January 5, 2008. Retrieved July 22, 2009.
  4. ^ Brill, Marlene Targ (2005). Indiana. Marshall Cavendish. p. 35. ISBN 978-0-7614-2020-0.
  5. ^ Harden and Spahr 1887, p. 10.
  6. ^ Harden and Spahr 1887, p. 37.
  7. ^ Boone County Genealogy and History (Indiana Genealogy.org, accessed 1 November 2020)
  8. ^ High Point of Boone County, Indiana (PeakBagger.com, accessed 1 November 2020)
  9. ^ Boone County IN (Google Maps, accessed 1 November 2020)
  10. ^ a b "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  11. ^ "History of Boone County". Boone County. Archived from the original on March 24, 2018. Retrieved March 24, 2018.
  12. ^ Eaglewood Estates IN (Google Maps, accessed 1 November 2020)
  13. ^ Hazel College/Center Township IN (Google Maps, accessed 1 November 2020)
  14. ^ Northfield Village/Lebanon IN (Google Maps, accessed 1 November 2020)
  15. ^ Russell Lake (Google Maps, accessed 1 November 2020)
  16. ^ a b "Monthly Averages for Lebanon, Indiana". The Weather Channel. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
  17. ^ a b Indiana Code. "Title 36, Article 2, Section 3". IN.gov. Retrieved September 16, 2008.
  18. ^ a b c d Indiana Code. "Title 2, Article 10, Section 2" (PDF). IN.gov. Retrieved September 16, 2008.
  19. ^ "Indiana Senate Districts". State of Indiana. Retrieved November 1, 2020.
  20. ^ "Indiana House Districts". State of Indiana. Retrieved January 23, 2011.
  21. ^ Leip, David. "Atlas of US Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  22. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
  23. ^ "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  24. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  25. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  26. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  27. ^ "Boone County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 7, 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
  28. ^ a b c "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  29. ^ "Selected Social Characteristics in the US – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 14, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  30. ^ "Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 14, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  31. ^ a b "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Boone County, Indiana".

Bibliography[edit]

External links[edit]

40°03′N 86°28′W / 40.05°N 86.47°W / 40.05; -86.47