Tippecanoe County, Indiana

Tippecanoe County, Indiana

Tippecanoe County courthouse in Lafayette, Indiana
Map of Indiana highlighting Tippecanoe County
Location in the U.S. state of Indiana
Map of the United States highlighting Indiana
Indiana's location in the U.S.
Founded March 1, 1826
Named for Kethtippecanoogi ("Place of the Succor Fish People" in Miami)
Seat Lafayette
Largest city Lafayette
Area
 • Total 503.24 sq mi (1,303 km2)
 • Land 499.81 sq mi (1,295 km2)
 • Water 3.44 sq mi (9 km2), 0.68%
Population
 • (2010) 172,780
 • Density 346/sq mi (133.48/km²)
Congressional district 4th
Time zone Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Website www.tippecanoe.in.gov
Footnotes: Indiana county number 79

Tippecanoe County is a county located in the northwest quadrant of the U.S. state of Indiana. As of the 2010 census, the population was 172,780.[1] The county seat is Lafayette.[2] It was created in 1826 from Wabash County.[3]

Tippecanoe County is part of the Lafayette, Indiana, Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Tippecanoe County was formed March 1, 1826, and named for the anglicization of "Kethtippecanoogi", a Miami people term meaning "place of the succor fish people." (Kriebel, Robert C. - Tippecanoe at 2000: A Hoosier County Recalls Its Past). The county is best known for Purdue University, the 1811 Battle of Tippecanoe, and the Tippecanoe County Courthouse, a structure built in 1881 and included in the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography

According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 503.24 square miles (1,303.4 km2), of which 499.81 square miles (1,294.5 km2) (or 99.32%) is land and 3.44 square miles (8.9 km2) (or 0.68%) is water.[4]

Adjacent counties

Cities and towns

The county courthouse and nearby buildings along the Wabash River in Lafayette and West Lafayette.
The view northeast into the town of Battle Ground.

Incorporated

Unincorporated

Extinct

  • Archerville
  • Beeville
  • Chauncey (consolidated into West Lafayette)
  • Corwin
  • Columbus
  • Cincinnatus[5]
  • Clarksburg
  • Cleveland
  • Conroe
  • Erie
  • Florentine
  • Fulton (absorbed by Lafayette)
  • Gerard
  • Prairieville
  • Sidney
  • South Raub
  • Sugar Grove
  • Sunberry
  • Texas
  • Wheeler's Grove
  • Wyandot
  • Yorktown

Townships

A freight train approaches the town of South Raub on the border of Randolph and Wea Townships.

Climate and weather

Lafayette, Indiana
Climate chart (explanation)
JFMAMJJASOND
 
 
1.8
 
 
33
17
 
 
1.6
 
 
39
22
 
 
2.9
 
 
50
31
 
 
3.5
 
 
62
40
 
 
3.9
 
 
74
51
 
 
4.2
 
 
83
60
 
 
3.8
 
 
86
65
 
 
3.9
 
 
84
63
 
 
2.7
 
 
78
55
 
 
2.6
 
 
66
43
 
 
2.8
 
 
51
34
 
 
2.6
 
 
38
23
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Source: The Weather Channel[6]

In recent years, temperatures in Lafayette have ranged from an average low of 17 °F (−8 °C) in January to a high of 86 °F (30 °C) in July, although a record low of −23 °F (−31 °C) was recorded in January 1985 and a record high of 105 °F (41 °C) was recorded in June 1988. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.58 inches (40 mm) inches in February to 4.24 inches (108 mm) inches in June.[6]

Transportation

Highways

Railroads

Three different railroad lines intersect in Tippecanoe County, all running through the Lafayette area. CSX Transportation operates a north-south line; Norfolk Southern Railway operates a southwest-to-northeast line,[7] and the Kankakee, Beaverville and Southern Railroad operates an infrequently-used line running from the northwest to the southeast.

Airport

The county contains one public-use airport: Purdue University Airport (LAF) in West Lafayette, Indiana.[8]

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 fiscal branch of the county government and controls all the spending and revenue collection in the county. The county council and the board of commissioners share legislative authority. [9] 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.[10][11]

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.[10][11]

Court: The county maintains a small claims court that can handle some 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.[11]

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.[11]

Politics

Like the state of Indiana, Tippecanoe County has historically been politically conservative. But like the rest of Indiana, its political leanings at the national level moved from the conservative towards the middle of the spectrum from 2005-2009 before returning to its more conservative roots since those years. The more moderate political leaning of the county is due in large part to the presence of Purdue University.

In the 2008 Democratic primary, Tippecanoe County was one of 10 (out of 92) Indiana counties to give the majority of its votes to Barack Obama.[12] In the 2008 Presidential election, Tippecanoe County was one of 15 Indiana counties to give the majority of its votes to Obama/Biden. Thanks to the sizable support of Purdue University students, Tippecanoe County played a pivotal role in Barack Obama's upset win in Indiana (49.9%-49.0%; 1,367,264 votes to 1,341,101 votes) by supporting the Democrat ticket of Barack Obama/Joe Biden 55.1%-43.5% over the Republican ticket of John McCain/Sarah Palin.[13]

Presidential Election Results (Tippecanoe County, IN): 1960–present: U.S. winner is represented by (W), IN winner is represented by (I), and the Tippecanoe County vote winner is represented by italicized number of votes received in the county.
Year Democrat Republican Other
2012[14] (W) Obama/Biden 47.0% 26,642 (I) Romney/Ryan 50.6% 28,708
2008[13] (W)(I) Obama/Biden 55.1% 37,781 McCain/Palin 43.5% 29,822
2004[15] Kerry/Edwards 39.8% 20,818 (W)(I) G.W. Bush/Cheney 59% 30,897
2000[16] Gore/Lieberman 39.4% 18,220 (W)(I) G.W. Bush/Cheney 56.4% 26,106
1996[17] (W) Clinton/Gore 39.9% 17,232 (I) Dole/Kemp 49.5% 22,556 Perot 11.8% 5,394
1992[18] (W) Clinton/Gore 37.2% 17,343 (I) G. Bush/Quayle 42.8% 23,050 Perot 19.2% 9,684
1988[19] Dukakis/Bentsen 36.6% 16,256 (W)(I) G. Bush/Quayle 62.9% 27,897
1984[20] Mondale/Ferraro 34.4% 15,789 (W)(I) Reagan/G. Bush 64.8% 29,706
1980[21] Carter/Mondale 30.2% 14,636 (W)(I) Reagan/G. Bush 56.9% 27,589 Anderson 10.6% 5,141
1976[22] (W) Carter/Mondale 37.5% 17,850 (I) Ford/Dole 59.7% 29,186
1972[23] McGovern/Shriver 31.5% 14,598 (W)(I) Nixon/Agnew 68.1% 31,565
1968[24] Humphrey/Muskie 35.5% 14,528 (W)(I) Nixon/Agnew 59.4% 24,352 Wallace 4.9% 2,000
1964[25] (W)(I) L. Johnson/Humphrey 51.5% 20,257 Goldwater/Miller 48.3% 19,036
1960[26] (W) Kennedy/L. Johnson 36.3% 14,041 (I) Nixon/Lodge 63.5% 24,572

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
18307,187—
184013,72491.0%
185019,37741.2%
186025,72632.8%
187033,51530.3%
188035,9667.3%
189035,078−2.5%
190038,65910.2%
191040,0633.6%
192042,8136.9%
193047,53511.0%
194051,0207.3%
195074,47346.0%
196089,12219.7%
1970109,37822.7%
1980121,70211.3%
1990130,5987.3%
2000148,95514.1%
2010172,78016.0%
Est. 2015185,826[27]7.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[28]
1790-1960[29] 1900-1990[30]
1990-2000[31] 2010-2013[1]

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 172,780 people, 65,532 households, and 37,003 families residing in the county.[32] The population density was 345.7 inhabitants per square mile (133.5/km2). There were 71,096 housing units at an average density of 142.2 per square mile (54.9/km2).[4] The racial makeup of the county was 84.0% white, 6.2% Asian, 4.0% black or African American, 0.3% American Indian, 3.3% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 7.5% of the population.[32] In terms of ancestry, 27.5% were German, 13.9% were Irish, 10.8% were English, and 6.1% were American.[33]

Of the 65,532 households, 28.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.4% were married couples living together, 9.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 43.5% were non-families, and 29.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.02. The median age was 27.7 years.[32]

The median income for a household in the county was $47,697 and the median income for a family was $60,367. Males had a median income of $45,018 versus $31,995 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,203. About 10.3% of families and 20.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.2% of those under age 18 and 5.0% of those age 65 or over.[34]

Education

Public schools in rural/suburban Tippecanoe County are administered by the Tippecanoe School Corporation, while those in the cities are under either the Lafayette School Corporation or West Lafayette Community School Corporation. Purdue and Ivy Tech each have campuses at other sites in Indiana.

Universities and colleges

High Schools

Middle Schools/Junior High Schools

Elementary Schools

Private Schools

Economy

Much of the economy of Tippecanoe County is centered in its two largest communities: Lafayette and West Lafayette. Purdue University is by far the largest employer in the county, but private industry and commerce also employ many others. Major employers include Subaru-Indiana Automotive, Wabash National, Caterpillar, Fairfield Manufacturing, Franciscan St. Elizabeth Health, Alcoa, and State Farm.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. ↑ DeHart 1909, p. 151.
  4. 1 2 "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2015-07-10.
  5. ↑ http://www.ingenweb.org/intippecanoe/ghosttowns.htm
  6. 1 2 "Monthly Averages for Lafayette, Indiana". The Weather Channel. Retrieved 2011-01-27.
  7. ↑ "Indiana Railroads" (PDF). Indiana Department of Transportation. 2008. Retrieved 2010-12-11.
  8. ↑ Public and Private Airports, Tippecanoe County, Indiana
  9. ↑ "Guide to Indiana County Government" (PDF). Association of Indiana Counties. Retrieved October 27, 2016.
  10. 1 2 Indiana Code. "Title 36, Article 2, Section 3". IN.gov. Retrieved 2008-09-16.
  11. 1 2 3 4 Indiana Code. "Title 2, Article 10, Section 2" (PDF). IN.gov. Retrieved 2008-09-16.
  12. ↑ "Election Center 2008: Primary Results - Elections & Politics news from CNN.com". CNN. Retrieved May 25, 2010.
  13. 1 2 "2008 presidential election results".
  14. ↑ "2012 presidential election results".
  15. ↑ "2004 presidential election results".
  16. ↑ "2000 presidential election results".
  17. ↑ "1996 presidential election results".
  18. ↑ "1992 presidential election results".
  19. ↑ "1988 presidential election results".
  20. ↑ "1984 presidential election results".
  21. ↑ "1980 presidential election results".
  22. ↑ "1976 presidential election results".
  23. ↑ "1972 presidential election results".
  24. ↑ "1968 presidential election results".
  25. ↑ "1964 presidential election results".
  26. ↑ "1960 presidential election results".
  27. ↑ "County Totals Dataset: Population, Population Change and Estimated Components of Population Change: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  28. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  29. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  30. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  31. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  32. 1 2 3 "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2015-07-10.
  33. ↑ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2015-07-10.
  34. ↑ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2015-07-10.

Bibliography

 Benton County White County Carroll County
Warren County Clinton County
   Tippecanoe County, Indiana  
Fountain County Montgomery County

Coordinates: 40°23′N 86°53′W / 40.39°N 86.89°W / 40.39; -86.89

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