Lawrence County, Indiana

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


founded year = 1818
founded date =
seat wl = Bedford
largest city wl =
city type = town
area_total_sq_mi = 452
area_total_km2 = 1171
area_land_sq_mi = 449
area_land_km2 = 1162
area_water_sq_mi = 3
area_water_km2 = 8
area percentage = 0.72%
lat deg =
lat min =
long deg =
long min =
census yr = 2000
pop = 45922
density_sq_mi = 46
density_km2 = 18
time zone = Eastern
footnotes =
web =
named for = James Lawrence

Lawrence County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2000, the population was 45,922. The county seat is BedfordGR|6.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 452 square miles (1,171 km²), of which 449 square miles (1,162 km²) is land and 3 square miles (8 km²) (0.72%) is water.

Adjacent counties

*Monroe County (north)
*Jackson County (east)
*Washington County (southeast)
*Orange County (south)
*Martin County (west)
*Greene County (northwest)

National protected area

* Hoosier National Forest (part)

History

Lawrence County was formed in 1818. It was named for Capt. James Lawrence, who uttered the famous words "Don't give up the ship" after being mortally wounded during the War of 1812.

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.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 45,922 people, 18,535 households, and 13,141 families residing in the county. The population density was 102 people per square mile (40/km²). There were 20,560 housing units at an average density of 46 per square mile (18/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.92% White, 0.39% Black or African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.34% from other races, and 0.78% from two or more races. 0.91% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 32.9% were of American, 15.3% German, 14.3% English and 10.9% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 18,535 households out of which 31.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.50% were married couples living together, 9.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.10% were non-families. 25.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the county the population was spread out with 24.60% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 28.10% from 25 to 44, 25.00% from 45 to 64, and 14.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 95.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,280, and the median income for a family was $43,109. Males had a median income of $34,167 versus $21,647 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,653. About 7.30% of families and 9.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.60% of those under age 18 and 8.50% of those age 65 or over.

Lawrence County is the hometown of several astronauts. Virgil I. "Gus" Grissom was born and raised in Rabbitville. Charles "Charlie" Walker was born and raised in Oolitic. Although he was born in Virginia, Kenneth "Kenny" Bowersox considers Brownstown to be his hometown since that is where he was raised.

Cities and towns

Incorporated

*Bedford
*Mitchell
*Oolitic

Unincorporated

*Bono
*Buddha
*Pinhook

Townships

*Bono
*Guthrie
*Indian Creek
*Judah
*Marion
*Marshall
*Perry
*Pleasant Run
*Shawswick
*Spice Valley

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