Wayne County, Indiana

Infobox U.S. County
county = Wayne County
state = Indiana


founded year = 1811
founded date =
seat wl = Richmond
largest city wl =
city type =
area_total_sq_mi = 404
area_total_km2 = 1047
area_land_sq_mi = 403
area_land_km2 = 1045
area_water_sq_mi = 1
area_water_km2 = 2
area percentage = 0.19%
census yr = 2000
pop = 71097
density_sq_mi = 176
density_km2 = 68
time zone = Eastern
UTC offset = -5
DST offset = -4
footnotes =
web = co.wayne.in.us
named for = Anthony Wayne

Wayne County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2000, the population was 71,097. The county seat is RichmondGR|6.

History

Wayne County was formed in 1811. It was named for Gen. "Mad" Anthony Wayne, who was an officer during the Revolutionary War. Wayne is mainly remembered for his service in the 1790s in the Northwest Indian War, which included many actions in Indiana and Ohio.

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.cite web|author=Indiana Code|url=http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title36/ar2/ch3.html |title=Title 36, Article 2, Section 3|accessdate=2008-09-16|publisher=IN.gov] cite web|author= Indiana Code |url= http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title3/ar10/ch2.pdf |title= Title 2, Article 10, Section 2 |accessdate=2008-09-16|publisher=IN.gov]

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, the collection of revenue, and managing the day-to-day functions of the county government.

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 terms of four years. In some cases, court decisions can be appealed to the state level circuit 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 serve terms of four years and oversee different parts of the county government. Members elected to any county government position are required to declare a party affiliation and be a resident of the county.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 404 square miles (1,047 km²), of which 404 square miles (1,045 km²) is land and 1 square mile (2 km²) (0.19%) is water. Wayne County includes Indiana's highest natural elevation, Hoosier Hill, at 1,257 feet (383 meters).

Adjacent counties

*Randolph County (north)
*Darke County, Ohio (northeast)
*Preble County, Ohio (east)
*Union County (south)
*Fayette County (southwest)
*Henry County (west)

Cities and towns

Major highways

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 71,097 people, 28,469 households, and 19,301 families residing in the county. The population density was 176 people per square mile (68/km²). There were 30,468 housing units at an average density of 76 per square mile (29/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 92.04% White, 5.10% Black or African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.51% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.69% from other races, and 1.42% from two or more races. 1.37% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 24.7% were of American, 23.3% German, 10.8% English and 10.6% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 28,469 households out of which 30.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.80% were married couples living together, 11.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.20% were non-families. 27.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the county the population was spread out with 24.20% under the age of 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 23.40% from 45 to 64, and 15.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 92.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,885, and the median income for a family was $42,811. Males had a median income of $32,298 versus $21,901 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,727. About 8.50% of families and 11.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.10% of those under age 18 and 8.60% of those age 65 or over.

chool Corporations

*Richmond Community Schools, Richmond
*Western Wayne Schools, Cambridge City
*Northeastern Wayne Schools, Fountain City
*Nettle Creek Schools, Hagerstown
*Centerville-Abington Community Schools, Centerville

Links

* [http://co.wayne.in.us/ Wayne County, Indiana]

References

*cite book
first = Richard L. (editor)
last = Forstall
year = 1996
title = Population of states and counties of the United States: 1790 to 1990 : from the twenty-one decennial censuses
publisher = United States Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, Population Division
id = ISBN 0-934213-48-8