Hamilton County, Indiana

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

---

map size = 175
founded = 1823
seat = Noblesville | area_total_sq_mi =403
area_land_sq_mi =398
area_water_sq_mi =5
area percentage = 1.19%
census yr = 2007
pop = 261661
density_sq mi = 657
time zone = Eastern
web = http://www.co.hamilton.in.us
named for = Alexander Hamilton|

Hamilton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. The county seat is Noblesville. The center of population of Indiana is located in Hamilton County, in the town of Sheridan. [cite web | title=US census | publisher=US census| url=http://www.census.gov/geo/www/cenpop/statecenters.txt| accessdate=2007-06-30]

Hamilton County's roots are in agriculture. However after World War II, Indianapolis grew north and the county developed as a suburb. Many farm fields have been replaced over the past couple decades by both residential and commercial development.

Today, the county is one of the fastest-growing counties in the nation. According to 2007 estimates by the U.S. Census, the County's population jumped from an estimated 182,740 in 2000 to 261,661 in 2007, 30% of the state's total population increase from between 2000 and 2007. It is the fastest growing county in Indiana out of 92. In 2006, Hamilton County was the 18th fastest-growing county in the nation (out of 3,141) based on census estimates between 2000 and 2005. In 2008, it was the 23rd fastest-growing county in the nation based on census estimates between 2000 and 2007. In the next year, Hamilton County is expected to surpass St. Joseph County in population making it the 4th most populous in the state. [cite news |title=Hamilton takes top spot in county headcount|url=http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2008803210423 |work=The Indianapolis Star|publisher=Gannett Company |date=2008-03-21|accessdate=2008-03-21 ]

In 2007, Hamilton County was home to 3 of the state's 20 largest cities. Fishers (8th), Carmel (10th) and Noblesville (19th). All three are expected to move up in the rankings by 2010.

Geist and Morse Reservoirs are two man-made lakes in Hamilton County that offer residents and visitors recreational opportunities, such as boating, fishing and waterfront living. Today, Hamilton County is often called the playground of Indianapolis as many parks, museums, venues and recreational spots have become very popular amongst Indianapolis residents.

The median household income of Hamilton County is more than $82,000, making it the most affluent county in Indiana. [ [http://www.census.gov/cgi-bin/saipe/saipe.cgi] ] In June 2008 Hamilton County was named America's Best Place to Raise a Family by Forbes.com [ [http://www.forbes.com/2008/06/27/schools-places-family-forbeslife-cx_zg_0630realestate_slide_21.html?thisSpeed=30000 In Depth: America's Best Places To Raise A Family - Forbes.com ] ] due to its strong economy, affordable living, top ranked schools and close proximity to Indianapolis.

History

The land containing Hamilton County was brought into the possession of the United States by the Treaty of St. Mary's in 1818. William Conner was the first white settler in the county. In the summer of 1822, after realizing there were enough settlers in the area, Conner and other settlers applied to the Indiana Legislature for a charter authorizing them to become a separate and independent county under Indiana law. The application was presented to the Legislature at the 1822-23 session and the act was passed and approved by the Governor on January 8, 1823. The act took effect on the first Monday in April (April 7), 1823. The County Commissioners first met on May 5, 1823 at the house of William Conner. Conner's house would also serve as the County Circuit Court. The county was named after Alexander Hamilton, the first secretary of the treasury. [cite web | title=Hamilton County stats| publisher=Indiana.edu|url=http://www.stats.indiana.edu/profiles/pr18057.html| accessdate=2007-06-30] [cite book|author=De Witt Clinton Goodrich & Charles Richard Tuttle|publisher=R. S. Peale & co.|year=1875|location=Indiana|title=An Illustrated History of the State of Indiana|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=YDIUAAAAYAAJ| pages=560]

Government

The county executive body is filled by the Board of County Commissioners. The Board of County Commissioners consists of three Commissioners representing the three commissioner districts.

District 1 consists of Carmel and Clay Township. District 2 consists of Fishers, Noblesville, Delaware Township, and Noblesville Township. District 3 consists of Adams Township, Fall Creek Township, Jackson Township, Washington Township, Wayne Township, White River Township, Arcadia, Atlanta, Cicero, Sheridan and Westfield.

The current County Commissioners are:

* Christine Altman - District 1
* Steven C. Dillinger - District 2
* Steven A. Holt - District 3

The county's finances are managed by the County Council, which consists of seven members, four elected by district and three elected at-large.

District 1 consists of parts of Clay Township. District 2 consists of Delaware, Fall Creek and Wayne Townships. District 3 consists of Noblesville, Jackson and White River Townships. District 4 consists of parts of Clay Township, Adams and Washington Townships.

The current members of the County Council are:

* Meredith Carter - District 1
* Judy Levine- District 2
* Steve Schwartz¹ - District 3
* John Hiatt - District 4
* Brad Beaver - Council member at large
* Jim Belden - Council member at large
* Rick McKinney - Council member at large

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 403 square miles (1,043 km²), of which 398 square miles (1,031 km²) is land and 5 square miles (12 km²) (1.19%) is water.

Major highways

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Adjacent counties

* Tipton County (North)
* Madison County (East)
* Hancock County (Southeast)
* Marion County (South)
* Boone County (West)
* Clinton County (Northwest)

Cities and towns

*Arcadia
*Atlanta
*Carmel
*Cicero
*Fishers
*Noblesville
*Sheridan
*Westfield

Townships

*Adams
*Clay
*Delaware
*Fall Creek
*Jackson
*Noblesville
*Washington
*Wayne
*White River

Demographics

USCensusPop
1890 = 26123
1900 = 29914
1910 = 27026
1920 = 24222
1930 = 23444
1940 = 24614
1950 = 28491
1960 = 40132
1970 = 54532
1980 = 82027
1990 = 108936
2000 = 182740
estyear = 2007
estimate = 261661

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 182,740 people, 65,933 households, and 50,834 families residing in the county. The population density was 459 people per square mile (177/km²). There were 69,478 housing units at an average density of 175 per square mile (67/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 94.38% White, 1.54% Black or African American, 0.17% Native American, 2.44% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.54% from other races, and 0.90% from two or more races. 1.59% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 26.3% were of German, 13.0% American, 12.5% English and 11.2% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 65,933 households out of which 43.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 67.50% were married couples living together, 7.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.90% were non-families. 18.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.16.

In the county the population was spread out with 30.80% under the age of 18, 5.60% from 18 to 24, 34.90% from 25 to 44, 21.20% from 45 to 64, and 7.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 96.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $71,026, and the median income for a family was $80,239. Males had a median income of $56,638 versus $34,807 for females. The per capita income for the county was $33,109. About 2.00% of families and 2.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.80% of those under age 18 and 3.80% of those age 65 or over.

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
*cite book
last =
first =
authorlink =
coauthors =
title = History of Hamilton County, Indiana, with Illustrations and Biographical Sketches of Some of its Prominent Men and Pioneers, To Which are Appended Maps of its Several Townships.
publisher = Kingman Brothers
date = 1880
location = Chicago
pages =
url = http://atlas.ulib.iupui.edu/hist_map/hamilton/1880/title.html
doi =
id =
*cite news
title = The fastest growing county in the state ... and then some
publisher = The Indianapolis Star
url = http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/99999999/LOCAL0105/60214030&template=theme&theme=upclose_hamilton
accessdate = 2007-03-25
* cite news
title = Hamilton's growth keeps it in Top 30
publisher = The Indianapolis Star
date = March 22, 2007
url = http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007703220437
accessdate = 2007-03-25
* cite web
last =
first =
authorlink =
coauthors =
title = Hamilton County, Indiana Government Website
work =
publisher = Hamilton County government
date =
url = http://www.co.hamilton.in.us
format =
doi =
accessdate = 2007-03-26

External links

* [http://www.co.hamilton.in.us/ Hamilton County Government]
* [http://www.hamiltoncountytowns.org/ Hamilton County Convention and Visitors Bureau]