Greenfield, Indiana

Infobox Settlement
official_name = City of Greenfield, Indiana
settlement_type = City
nickname =


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mapsize = 250x200px
map_caption = Location in the state of Indiana


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =
subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Indiana
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Hancock
government_type =
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Brad DeReamer (R)
area_note =
established_date =
area_magnitude = 1 E7
area_total_km2 = 20.9
area_land_km2 = 20.8
area_water_km2 = 0.1
population_as_of = 2000
population_note =
population_total = 14600
population_density_km2 = 702.0
timezone = EST
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
area_total_sq_mi = 8.1
area_land_sq_mi = 8.0
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0
elevation_m = 269
elevation_ft = 883
latd = 39 |latm = 47 |lats = 29 |latNS = N
longd = 85 |longm = 46 |longs = 17 |longEW = W
website = www.greenfieldin.org
postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 46140
area_code = 317
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 18-29520GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0449837GR|3
footnotes =

Greenfield is a city in Hancock County, Indiana, United States. The population was 14,600 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Hancock CountyGR|6.

Greenfield was a stop along the Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Chicago and St. Louis Railroad that connected Pittsburgh to Chicago and St. Louis.

History

Hancock County was created on March 1, 1828, and named for John Hancock, the first signer of the Declaration of Independence. The town of Greenfield was chosen as the county seat on April 11, 1828. The Commissioners announced, "The seat of Justice of Hancock County shall be known and designated by the name and title of Greenfield." The population of the county at that time was 400.

Early settlers built along the two creeks which flow south through Center Township, which includes Greenfield. The first businesses were small grist mills for grinding corn and wheat for settlers.

U.S. 40, the National Road, was built through Hancock County around 1835. It was heavily traveled by wagon trains going west and livestock going to Cincinnati. In 1853, the first steam railroad was completed by the Indiana Central Railroad at the south edge of Greenfield. The railroad became part of the Pennsylvania Railroad System and later the Penn-Central. These tracks were removed in the 1980s.

During this time, Greenfield's population continued to grow. Greenfield was incorporated as a city in 1876 with a population of 2,023. The greatest single period of growth began in 1887 when natural gas was discovered in the area. Greenfield was a boom town for 20 years, with the founding of manufacturing plants and other industries.

A statue of James Whitcomb Riley, which stands in front of the Hancock County Courthouse, was erected in 1918. It was purchased with money donated by school children from all over the United States. Each year, during the Riley Festival in October, the city's school children parade to the statue to place flowers around it.

Geography

Greenfield is located at coor dms|39|47|29|N|85|46|17|W|city (39.791338, -85.771343)GR|1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.1 square miles (20.9 km²), of which, 8.0 square miles (20.8 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) of it (0.50%) is water.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 14,600 people, 5,917 households, and 4,017 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,818.0 people per square mile (702.0/km²). There were 6,449 housing units at an average density of 803.0/sq mi (310.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.23% White, 0.05% African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.53% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.33% from other races, and 0.64% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.27% of the population.

There were 5,917 households out of which 32.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.4% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.1% were non-families. 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the city the population was spread out with 25.2% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 30.9% from 25 to 44, 21.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 92.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $42,035, and the median income for a family was $52,408. Males had a median income of $36,188 versus $26,568 for females. The per capita income for the city was $22,509. About 3.0% of families and 4.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.7% of those under age 18 and 6.2% of those age 65 or over.

Education

The high school in Greenfield is Greenfield-Central High School. There are four elementary schools(J.B. Stephens Elementary, Harris Elementary, Weston Elementary and Eden Elementary) and two middle schools(Greenfield Middle School, And Maxwell Middle School).

Industry

Businesses with headquarters and/or significant operations in Greenfield include:
* Novelty, Inc.: markets and distributes novelty items for convenience stores.
* Gas America: operates filling stations and convenience stores throughout the Midwest.
* Keihin Indiana Precision Technology: a subsidiary of Honda Motor that manufactures automotive components including intake manifolds, engine control units, and throttle bodies.
* Indiana Automotive Fasteners: manufactures fasteners for automotive OEMs including Honda, Toyota, and Ford.
* Eli Lilly Research Laboratories: engaged in research, development, and testing of pharmaceutical products.
*Avery Dennison: manufactures a variety of adhesive labels and adhesive backed films.
*Irving Materials Inc: Main Office and base of operations are in Greenfield. Ready Mix Concrete supplier for Central Indiana.

ister / Friendship Cities

Greenfield is currently in a sister city relationship with Kakuda, Miyagi Prefecture, Japan. Each year, a small group of high school students from Greenfield and Kakuda are chosen to travel to each sister city, respectively, and will stay with a host family for ten days, most expenses paid, thanks to local donations. The sister city program began in 1990 and continues today. (uncited)

Famous Residents

* James Whitcomb Riley, born October 7, 1849. His boyhood home is now the Riley Birthplace and Museum.
* Jaycie Phelps member of the US Women's 1996 Olympic Gymnastic Team
* Mark Dismore Indy Racing League and Indianapolis 500 driver.

External links

* [http://www.sistercitiesofgreenfield.org/application.shtml Sister Cities of Greenfield]
* [http://www.greenfieldin.org/index.asp Greenfield Website]

Local Newspapers

* [http://www.greenfieldreporter.com Daily Reporter]
* [http://www.specialeditionmonthly.com Special Edition Monthly]