DeKalb County, Indiana facts for kids

Quick facts for kids DeKalb County
U.S. county
The DeKalb County courthouse in Auburn, Indiana.
Location within the U.S. state of Indiana
Indiana's location within the U.S.
Country	United States
State	Indiana
Founded	February 7, 1835 (authorized) 1837 (organized)
Named for	Johann, Baron de Kalb
Seat	Auburn
Largest city	Auburn
Area
• Total	363.85 sq mi (942.4 km2)
• Land	362.82 sq mi (939.7 km2)
• Water	1.03 sq mi (2.7 km2)  0.28%%
Population  (2020)
• Total	43,265
• Estimate  (2023)	44,198
• Density	118.9089/sq mi (45.9110/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district	3rd
Website	DeKalb County Government
Indiana county number 17

DeKalb County is a county in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 43,265. The county seat is Auburn.

History

On February 7, 1835, the Indiana State Legislature passed an omnibus bill that authorized the creation of thirteen counties in northeast Indiana on previously unorganized land (including the recent Wabash New Purchase). The organization of the county's government commenced in 1837. It was named for General Johann de Kalb, a Continental Army officer from Bavaria, who was killed at the Battle of Camden in South Carolina. The first settlers in the future DeKalb County were from New England, settling what was then known as the Northwest Territory. These people were "Yankee" migrants, descended from the English Puritans who settled New England in the colonial era. In the 1870s immigrants from Ireland and Germany began arriving in DeKalb County, in large numbers.

Geography

DeKalb County lies on the east side of Indiana; its east border abuts the western border of Ohio. Its low, rolling terrain is entirely devoted to agriculture or urban development. Its highest point (1,060 feet/320 meters ASL) is a small rise in the NW portion of the county, 2 miles (3.2 km) west of Fairfield Center. The Saint Joseph River flows southwestward through the SE portion of the county, while the western part of the county is drained by Cedar Creek.

According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 363.85 square miles (942.4 km²), of which 362.82 square miles (939.7 km²) (or 99.72%) is land and 1.03 square miles (2.7 km²) (or 0.28%) is water.

Adjacent counties

Cities and towns

Unincorporated communities

Townships

Major highways

Climate and weather

In recent years, average temperatures in Auburn have ranged from a low of 17 °F (−8 °C) in January to a high of 84 °F (29 °C) in July, although a record low of −24 °F (−31 °C) was recorded in January 1984 and a record high of 106 °F (41 °C) was recorded in June 1988. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.42 inches (36 mm) in February to 4.17 inches (106 mm) in June.

Demographics

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 42,223 people, 15,951 households, and 11,328 families in the county. The population density was 116.4 inhabitants per square mile (44.9/km²). There were 17,558 housing units at an average density of 48.4 per square mile (18.7/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.9% white, 0.5% Asian, 0.4% black or African American, 0.2% American Indian, 0.8% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.4% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 36.3% were German, 10.9% were American, 10.8% were Irish, and 9.1% were English.

Of the 15,951 households, 35.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.8% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.0% were non-families, and 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.08. The median age was 38.1 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $47,697 and the median income for a family was $55,280. Males had a median income of $44,880 versus $30,663 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,779. About 6.7% of families and 9.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.3% of those under age 18 and 6.2% of those age 65 or over.

2020 census

Education

School districts

Private schools

• Lakewood Park Christian School
• St. Joseph's Catholic School (Garrett)
• Trinity Lutheran Church Preschool
• Zion Lutheran Pre-School (Garrett)

See also

In Spanish: Condado de DeKalb (Indiana) para niños