The first white settlers[3] in the future White County arrived in the land west of Tippecanoe River in 1829, and in other parts of the county in 1831. This area was part of Carroll County during that period.
By 1833, so many settlers had entered the area that the state legislature were pressured to have a separate county created. On 1 February 1834 the state approved the creation of this county, directing that it be named for Isaac White. Interim commissioners were named and directed to organize the county during the summer of 1834, and to choose a county seat in September. They did so on 5 September 1834, naming Monticello as the future seat, due to its central location. While the county was being organized, it was attached to Carroll County for administrative and judicial purposes.
Alterations were made to the county's boundaries on 24 December 1834, on 4 February 1837, and on 14 February 1839. In addition, the counties of Jasper (1837), Pulaski (1839), Newton (1839), and Benton (1840) removed significant portions of the county's territory. The borders have remained unchanged since 1840.[5]
Geography
The low, rolling hills of White County are entirely devoted to agriculture or to urban development.[6] The Tippecanoe River flows southward through the central part of the county. The highest point on the terrain (770 feet/230 meters ASL) is a gentle rise about 2.8 miles (4.5 km) SSE from Wolcott.[7]
According to the 2010 United States Census, the county has a total area of 508.68 square miles (1,317.5 km2), of which 505.12 square miles (1,308.3 km2) (or 99.30%) is land and 3.56 square miles (9.2 km2) (or 0.70%) is water.[8]
In recent years, average temperatures in Monticello have ranged from a low of 17 °F (−8 °C) in January to a high of 86 °F (30 °C) in July, although a record low of −25 °F (−32 °C) was recorded in January 1963 and a record high of 107 °F (42 °C) was recorded in July 1954. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.94 inches (49 mm) in February to 4.16 inches (106 mm) in July.[9]
County Council: The legislative branch of the county government; controls spending and revenue collection in the county. Representatives are elected to four-year terms from county districts. They set salaries, the annual budget, and special spending. The council 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.[10][11]
Board of Commissioners: The executive body of the county; commissioners are elected county-wide, to staggered four-year terms. One commissioner serves as president. The commissioners execute acts legislated by the council, collect revenue, and manage the county government.[10][11]
Court: The county maintains a small claims court that handles 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.[11]
County Officials: The county has other elected offices, including sheriff, coroner, auditor, treasurer, recorder, surveyor, and circuit court clerk. These officers are elected to four-year terms. Members elected to county government positions are required to declare party affiliations and to be residents of the county.[11]
United States presidential election results for White County, Indiana[12]
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 24,643 people, 9,741 households, and 6,849 families in the county.[18] The population density was 48.8 inhabitants per square mile (18.8/km2). There were 12,970 housing units at an average density of 25.7 per square mile (9.9/km2).[8] The racial makeup of the county was 93.9% white, 0.4% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.3% black or African American, 3.7% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 7.1% of the population.[18] In terms of ancestry, 27.0% were German, 13.3% were Irish, 9.7% were English, and 8.4% were American.[19]
Of the 9,741 households, 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.1% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.7% were non-families, and 24.8% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.96. The median age was 41.9 years.[18]
The median income for a household in the county was $47,697 and the median income for a family was $52,626. Males had a median income of $39,715 versus $28,880 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,323. About 7.7% of families and 9.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.0% of those under age 18 and 4.5% of those age 65 or over.[20]
Education
Public schools in White County are administered by the Frontier School Corporation, North White School Corporation, Tri-County School Corporation and Twin Lakes School Corporation.
^"Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
^"It is generally claimed that Joseph H. Thompson was the first white man to make settlement within the present boundaries of the county. He located in what is now Big Creek Township in the spring of 1829." (Pioneers Ante-dating County Organization, Hamelle, 1915.)
United States
Indiana
