Clay County, Indiana

Clay County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2010, the population was 26,890.[1] The county seat is Brazil.[2]

Clay County
U.S. county
Clay County Courthouse, Brazil
Location within the U.S. state of Indiana
Indiana's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 39°24′N 87°07′W
Country United States
State Indiana
FoundedFebruary 12, 1825
Named forHenry Clay
SeatBrazil
Largest cityBrazil
Area
 • Total360.32 sq mi (933.2 km2)
 • Land357.54 sq mi (926.0 km2)
 • Water2.78 sq mi (7.2 km2)  0.77%%
Population
 • Estimate 
(2018)
26,170
 • Density75/sq mi (29.03/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district8th
Indiana county number 11

Clay County is included in the Terre Haute, Indiana, Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

The Indiana Legislature mandated Clay County in 1825, with territory partitioned from Owen, Putnam, Sullivan, and Vigo counties. Its name honors Henry Clay,[3] a famous antebellum American statesman.

The first Courthouse was built in the newly platted town of Bowling Green in 1828. It was a two-story structure of hand-hewn logs.

By the late 1830s Clay County had grown to the extent that the first Courthouse could no longer provide adequate facilities. Therefore, a second Courthouse was constructed near the first Courthouse. This two-story brick structure served until destroyed by fire on November 30, 1851. By

By the 1860s the towns of Harmony, Knightsville, and Brazil were growing rapidly, due in part to their location along the National Road, and also because of the many coal companies in that area. An effort to move the county seat of government to a more central location, which had begun in the 1850s, grew stronger creating controversy among citizens. In the 1860s citizens in the northern section of Clay County became more organized in their efforts. In 1871 brothers Robert and John Stewart donated land along the National Road in Brazil for a new courthouse. $5,300 was also raised by citizens in the area to entice the commissioners to move the seat of government from Bowling Green to Brazil. This amount was reportedly the value of the existing courthouse and grounds, thus defusing opponents' argument that abandoning the present courthouse would be a waste of taxpayers money. The relocation efforts, which began in 1871, were challenged in the Supreme Court. The relocation was finally granted in 1876.

In 1912 John W. Gaddis, a prominent architect in Vincennes, Indiana, entered into a contract with the County Commissioners to design, plan, and oversee the construction of a new courthouse. The construction bid of W.H. Bailey and Charles A. Koemer of Louisville, Kentucky was accepted in 1912 with the cornerstone being laid in the fall of 1912. Gaddis had completed several others: in Fairfield and Robinson, Illinois: Perryville, Missouri and two in Indiana, the Putnam County Courthouse in Greencastle (1905) and the Huntington County Courthouse (1906) in Huntington, which are also in Classical Revival mode.

The Clay County Courthouse, built in 1913–1914, is one of the most historically and architecturally significant buildings in Brazil and Clay County, Indiana. Built in Classical Revival style of architecture, it is the only building in Clay County holding county government offices and records. It is also located alongside the famed National Road (Cumberland Trail). The present building is the fifth Clay County Courthouse.

Geography

According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 360.32 square miles (933.2 km2), of which 357.54 square miles (926.0 km2) (or 99.23%) is land and 2.78 square miles (7.2 km2) (or 0.77%) is water.[4]

Communities

City

Towns

Census-designated place

Unincorporated communities

Townships

Adjacent counties

Education

The county has two high schools: Northview High School (grades 9-12) and Clay City High School (grades 7-12). There are 6 elementary schools: Van Buren Elementary, Jackson Township Elementary, Meridian Street Elementary, Forest Park Elementary, East Side Elementary and Clay City Elementary. The Clay Community School Corporation[5] is located in Brazil.

Transportation

Major highways

Airport

The county contains one public-use airport: Brazil Clay County Airport (0I2), serving Brazil, Indiana.[6]

Climate and weather
Brazil, Indiana
Climate chart (explanation)
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
 
 
2.5
 
 
36
19
 
 
2.3
 
 
42
24
 
 
3.7
 
 
54
33
 
 
4.1
 
 
66
43
 
 
4.8
 
 
76
52
 
 
4.3
 
 
84
61
 
 
4.9
 
 
87
65
 
 
4.5
 
 
85
63
 
 
3.1
 
 
79
56
 
 
3.1
 
 
68
45
 
 
4.3
 
 
53
36
 
 
3.5
 
 
40
25
Average max. and min. temperatures in °F
Precipitation totals in inches
Source: The Weather Channel[7]

In recent years, average temperatures in Brazil have ranged from a low of 19 °F (−7 °C) in January to a high of 87 °F (31 °C) in July, although a record low of −25 °F (−32 °C) was recorded in January 1994 and a record high of 109 °F (43 °C) was recorded in July 1936. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 2.25 inches (57 mm) in February to 4.89 inches (124 mm) in July.[7]

Government
See also: Government of Indiana

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 to four-year terms from county districts. 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.[8][9]

Board of Commissioners: The Board of Commissioners serves as the county's executive body. The commissioners are elected county-wide to staggered four-year terms. The Board executes acts of the County Council, collects revenue, and runs the day-to-day functions of the county government.[8][9]

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 a four-year term. In some cases, court decisions can be appealed to the state-level circuit court.[9]

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 serves a term of four years and oversees a different part of county government. Members elected to county government positions are required to declare a party affiliation and to be residents of the county.[9]

Clay County is part of Indiana's 8th congressional district; Indiana Senate districts 38 and 39;[10] and Indiana House of Representatives districts 42, 44 and 46.[11]

Clay County tends to vote Republican. Since 1888, county voters have chosen the Republican Party nominee in 73% (24 of 33) of the elections through 2016.

Presidential elections results
Presidential elections results[12]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2016 75.3% 8,531 20.3% 2,306 4.4% 498
2012 65.7% 7,096 32.0% 3,460 2.3% 249
2008 55.0% 6,267 43.5% 4,954 1.5% 174
2004 68.3% 7,361 30.9% 3,333 0.8% 89
2000 62.9% 6,393 35.5% 3,605 1.6% 160
1996 49.0% 4,858 36.4% 3,605 14.6% 1,452
1992 46.2% 4,696 32.5% 3,306 21.3% 2,162
1988 60.8% 5,852 38.7% 3,724 0.6% 53
1984 64.9% 6,957 34.6% 3,707 0.6% 61
1980 59.1% 6,980 36.9% 4,363 4.0% 469
1976 50.4% 5,674 48.2% 5,433 1.4% 158
1972 65.3% 7,146 34.2% 3,742 0.5% 49
1968 50.8% 5,743 35.0% 3,956 14.2% 1,599
1964 45.0% 5,412 54.3% 6,528 0.7% 86
1960 57.9% 7,434 41.6% 5,342 0.5% 58
1956 55.9% 7,302 43.8% 5,720 0.3% 39
1952 53.3% 7,118 45.5% 6,078 1.2% 155
1948 47.5% 5,654 50.1% 5,965 2.4% 286
1944 53.3% 6,688 45.6% 5,721 1.2% 144
1940 51.4% 7,768 48.0% 7,255 0.6% 91
1936 43.2% 6,335 56.1% 8,235 0.8% 113
1932 38.7% 5,343 59.0% 8,151 2.3% 324
1928 56.2% 7,103 42.4% 5,358 1.4% 180
1924 48.9% 5,955 43.9% 5,349 7.3% 885
1920 48.2% 6,129 44.1% 5,612 7.7% 975
1916 42.8% 3,102 47.4% 3,435 9.8% 707
1912 20.5% 1,494 45.1% 3,297 34.4% 2,516
1908 43.8% 3,766 48.9% 4,204 7.3% 631
1904 48.0% 4,005 42.7% 3,565 9.3% 772
1900 46.1% 3,873 49.0% 4,114 4.9% 412
1896 45.6% 3,823 53.4% 4,482 1.1% 88
1892 42.8% 3,105 49.0% 3,558 8.2% 593
1888 48.1% 3,711 48.9% 3,773 3.0% 228

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18301,616—
18405,567244.5%
18507,94442.7%
186012,16153.1%
187019,08456.9%
188025,85435.5%
189030,53618.1%
190034,28512.3%
191032,535−5.1%
192029,447−9.5%
193026,479−10.1%
194025,365−4.2%
195023,918−5.7%
196024,2071.2%
197023,933−1.1%
198024,8623.9%
199024,705−0.6%
200026,5567.5%
201026,8901.3%
Est. 201826,170[13]−2.7%
US Decennial Census[14]
1790-1960[15] 1900-1990[16]
1990-2000[17] 2010-2013[1]

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 26,890 people, 10,447 households, and 7,454 families in the county.[18] The population density was 75.2 inhabitants per square mile (29.0/km2). There were 11,703 housing units at an average density of 32.7 per square mile (12.6/km2).[4] The racial makeup of the county was 97.8% white, 0.3% black or African American, 0.2% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.5% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.1% of the population.[18] In terms of ancestry, 29.2% were German, 20.2% were American, 12.8% were Irish, and 11.0% were English.[19]

Of the 10,447 households, 33.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.9% were married couples living together, 10.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 28.6% were non-families, and 24.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 2.99. The median age was 39.9 years.[18]

The median income for a household in the county was $47,697 and the median income for a family was $52,907. Males had a median income of $40,671 versus $31,331 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,569. About 9.0% of families and 12.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.9% of those under age 18 and 6.7% of those age 65 or over.[20]

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See also

References
Specific
  1. "Clay County QuickFacts". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 8, 2011. Retrieved September 17, 2011.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 83.
  4. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 12, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  5. Clay Community Schools website
  6. Public and Private Airports, Clay County, Indiana
  7. "Monthly Averages for Brazil IN". The Weather Channel. Retrieved January 27, 2011.
  8. Indiana Code. "Title 36, Article 2, Section 3". IN.gov. Retrieved September 16, 2008.
  9. Indiana Code. "Title 2, Article 10, Section 2" (PDF). IN.gov. Retrieved September 16, 2008.
  10. "Indiana Senate Districts". State of Indiana. Retrieved January 23, 2011.
  11. "Indiana House Districts". State of Indiana. Retrieved January 23, 2011.
  12. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Retrieved May 14, 2018.
  13. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved July 26, 2019.
  14. "US Decennial Census". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  15. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  16. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  17. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). US Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2014.
  18. "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  19. "Selected Social Characteristics in the United States – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 14, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
  20. "Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". US Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 14, 2020. Retrieved July 10, 2015.
General
  • Clay County Interim Report by Historic Landmarks Foundation of Indiana

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