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Washington County, Indiana facts for kids

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Washington County
Washington County courthouse in Salem
Washington County courthouse in Salem
Official seal of Washington County
Seal
Map of Indiana highlighting Washington County
Location within the U.S. state of Indiana
Map of the United States highlighting Indiana
Indiana's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Indiana
Founded 1814
Named for George Washington
Seat Salem
Largest city Salem
Area
 • Total 516.60 sq mi (1,338.0 km2)
 • Land 513.72 sq mi (1,330.5 km2)
 • Water 2.87 sq mi (7.4 km2)  0.56%%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 28,182
 • Density 54.5528/sq mi (21.0630/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 9th
Indiana county number 88

Washington County is a county in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 28,182. The county seat (and the county's only incorporated city) is Salem.

Washington County is part of the Louisville metropolitan area.

History

Early settlers

As early as 1802, a man named Frederick Royce lived among the Ox Indians at a place known as the Lick, two miles east of Salem and is probably the first white man to inhabit this county. He was a hunter-trader and salt manufacturer. In 1803, Thomas Hopper was the first to settle in this county near Hardinsburg.

Washington County was formed in 1814. It was named for U.S. President George Washington.

Geography

According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 516.60 square miles (1,338.0 km2), of which 513.72 square miles (1,330.5 km2) (or 99.44%) is land and 2.87 square miles (7.4 km2) (or 0.56%) is water.

Adjacent counties

Cities and towns

Census-designated place

Unincorporated towns

Townships

  • Brown
  • Franklin
  • Gibson
  • Howard
  • Jackson
  • Jefferson
  • Madison
  • Monroe
  • Pierce
  • Polk
  • Posey
  • Vernon
  • Washington

Major highways

  • Indiana 56.svg Indiana State Road 56
  • Indiana 60.svg Indiana State Road 60
  • Indiana 135.svg Indiana State Road 135
  • Indiana 160.svg Indiana State Road 160

Climate and weather

Weather chart for Salem, Indiana
J F M A M J J A S O N D
 
 
3.3
 
39
21
 
 
3.2
 
46
25
 
 
4.3
 
56
33
 
 
4.6
 
67
42
 
 
4.9
 
76
51
 
 
3.9
 
84
60
 
 
4.4
 
87
64
 
 
4
 
86
62
 
 
3.1
 
79
55
 
 
2.9
 
68
44
 
 
3.9
 
55
36
 
 
3.7
 
44
26
temperatures in °F
precipitation totals in inches
source: The Weather Channel

In recent years, average temperatures in Salem have ranged from a low of 21 °F (−6 °C) in January to a high of 87 °F (31 °C) in July, although a record low of −32 °F (−36 °C) was recorded in February 1951 and a record high of 105 °F (41 °C) was recorded in July 1954. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 2.87 inches (73 mm) in October to 4.86 inches (123 mm) in May.

Five people were reported killed in Washington County during the Early March 2012 tornado outbreak. The fifth, a 15-month-old from the same family, had been found in a field, and died later in hospital.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1820 9,039
1830 13,064 44.5%
1840 15,269 16.9%
1850 17,040 11.6%
1860 17,909 5.1%
1870 18,495 3.3%
1880 18,955 2.5%
1890 18,619 −1.8%
1900 19,409 4.2%
1910 17,445 −10.1%
1920 16,645 −4.6%
1930 16,285 −2.2%
1940 17,008 4.4%
1950 16,520 −2.9%
1960 17,819 7.9%
1970 19,278 8.2%
1980 21,932 13.8%
1990 23,717 8.1%
2000 27,223 14.8%
2010 28,262 3.8%
2020 28,182 −0.3%
2023 (est.) 28,205 −0.2%
US Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2010

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 28,262 people, 10,850 households, and 7,799 families in the county. The population density was 55.0 inhabitants per square mile (21.2/km2). There were 12,220 housing units at an average density of 23.8 per square mile (9.2/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.1% white, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.2% black or African American, 0.3% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.1% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 25.2% were German, 14.3% were American, 13.7% were Irish, and 9.6% were English.

Of the 10,850 households, 34.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.8% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 28.1% were non-families, and 23.7% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.02. The median age was 39.2 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $47,697 and the median income for a family was $45,500. Males had a median income of $38,100 versus $28,092 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,278. About 12.2% of families and 16.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.7% of those under age 18 and 14.9% of those age 65 or over.

Education

The county is served by 3 school districts:

  • Salem Community Schools
  • East Washington School Corporation
  • South Central Area Special Ed
  • West Washington School Corporation.

East Washington School Corporation (Superintendent:Steve Darnell) includes:

  • East Washington Elementary School
  • East Washington Middle School
  • Eastern High School

Salem Community Schools (Superintendent:Dr. D. Lynn Reed) includes:)

  • Salem High School
  • Salem Middle School
  • Bradie Shrum Elementary School

West Washington School Corporation (Superintendent:Gerald Jackson) includes:)

  • West Washington Elementary School
  • West Washington Junior/Senior High School

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Washington (Indiana) para niños

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