Carroll County, Indiana

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




map size = 195
founded = 1828
seat = Delphi | leader =
area_total_sq_mi =375
area_land_sq_mi =372
area_water_sq_mi =3
area percentage = 0.75%
census yr = 2000
pop = 20165
density_km2 = 21 | density_sq_mi = 54
web = www.carrollcountyindiana.org
|

Carroll County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2000, the population was 20,166. The county seat is DelphiGR|6.

History

Carroll County was formed in 1828 and named for Charles Carroll, the last surviving signer of the Declaration of Independence, who died in 1832. The county seat of Delphi was established the same year by General Samuel Milroy. The Wabash and Erie Canal, built through the county in 1840 and operating until the early 1870s, is among the county's most significant historical legacies.

Courthouse

The current Carroll County courthouse was designed by Elmer E. Dunlap of Indianapolis, who also designed the Spencer County courthouse. It was constructed by A. E. Kemmer at a cost of about $250,000 from 1916 to 1917. The exterior is understated, but the interior is surprisingly elaborate, including a stained glass dome over a mosaic tile floor.

This building is the county's third courthouse. The first was built in 1831-1838. It was replaced by a brick structure in 1856; this building was designed by M. J. McBride of Logansport and had a tower at each corner, including a clock tower. The 730-pound bell from the first courthouse was made in Cincinnati in 1836 and given by Sheriff Samuel Davis Gresham, and was used in the second courthouse until 1916. While the bell was in transit to Lafayette by boat, the boat sank; the bell was later recovered from the Ohio River. It was later sold, but was returned to Carroll County in 1967. [cite book
last = Counts
first = Will
coauthors = Jon Dilts
title = The 92 Magnificent Indiana Courthouses
publisher = Indiana University Press
date = 1991
location = Bloomington, Indiana
isbn = 978-0253336385
pages = pp. 22-23]

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.

Carroll County is part of Indiana's 2nd congressional district and in 2008 was represented by Joe Donnelly in the United States Congress. [cite web|url=http://www.house.gov/donnelly/|title=US Congressman Joe Donnelly|publisher=US Congress|accessdate=2008-10-08]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 375 square miles (971 km²); 372 square miles (964 km²) of it is land and 3 square miles (7 km²) of it (0.75%) is water.

Adjacent counties

*Cass County (northeast)
*Howard County (east)
*Clinton County (south)
*Tippecanoe County (southwest)
*White County (northwest)

Cities and towns

Townships

Major highways

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*

Railroads

*Norfolk Southern Railway
*Winamac Southern Railroad

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 20,165 people, 7,718 households, and 5,688 families residing in the county. The population density was 54 people per square mile (21/km²). There were 8,675 housing units at an average density of 23 per square mile (9/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.65% White, 0.20% Black or African American, 0.16% Native American, 0.06% Asian, 1.39% from other races, and 0.54% from two or more races. 2.93% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 28.8% were of American, 25.1% German, 9.8% Irish and 8.8% English ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 7,718 households out of which 33.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.50% were married couples living together, 6.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.30% were non-families. 22.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the county the population was spread out with 26.30% under the age of 18, 7.40% from 18 to 24, 28.70% from 25 to 44, 23.60% from 45 to 64, and 13.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 99.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $42,677, and the median income for a family was $50,216. Males had a median income of $35,348 versus $21,385 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,436. About 4.30% of families and 6.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.00% of those under age 18 and 6.30% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Public schools in Carroll County are administered by the Carroll Consolidated School District and the Delphi Community School Corporation

High Schools and Middle Schools
*Delphi Community High School [http://www.delphi.k12.in.us/HS/]
*Delphi Community Middle School [http://www.delphi.k12.in.us/MS/]
*Carroll Consolidated School [http://www.carroll.k12.in.us/high_school/index.asp]

Elementary Schools
*Carroll Elementary School [http://intranet.carroll.k12.in.us/Teachers/ELEM/ReneeMcIlr/index.htm]
*Delphi Community Elementary School [http://www.delphi.k12.in.us/HC/]

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

External links

* [http://www.carrollcountyindiana.org/ Carroll County official website]
* [http://www.carroll.k12.in.us/ Carroll Consolidated School District]
* [http://www.delphi.k12.in.us/ Delphi Community School Corporation]