Grant County, Indiana

History

Grant County was formed in 1831. It was named for Captains Samuel and Moses Grant of Kentucky.

The above-named book does state that Grant County, Indiana is named for Samuel and Moses Grant of Kentucky, killed in battle with the Indians. HOWEVER, the next entry states that Grant County, Kentucky, according to John McGee was named for Col. John Grant, an early settler, but according to J. Worthing McCann, the county was named for Samuel Grant. Samuel and his brother Moses were killed by Indians just north of the Ohio River. Their home was in Kentucky and their home county was named in memory of them - Grant County, Kentucky.

In 1831, Martin Boots and David Branson each donated 30 acres of land to begin a settlement called Marion. This land was on the north side of a fast-flowing and scenic river the Miami Indians called Mississinewa -"laughing Waters." Thus Grant County was formed with Marion as the County Seat. http://grantcounty.com/about-gc/history/

Stephen Johnson became Grant County first full time prosecutor and served for five cosecutive terms 1983 through 2002.

Geography

According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 414.90 square miles (1,074.6 km²), of which 414.07 square miles (1,072.4 km²) (or 99.80%) is land and 0.82 square miles (2.1 km²) (or 0.20%) is water.

Adjacent counties

Interstates

U.S. Highways

Indiana State Roads

Climate and weather

In recent years, average temperatures in Marion have ranged from a low of 16 °F (−9 °C) in January to a high of 85 °F (29 °C) in July, although a record low of −23 °F (−31 °C) was recorded in January 1985 and a record high of 108 °F (42 °C) was recorded in July 1936. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 2.03 inches (52 mm) in February to 4.73 inches (120 mm) in July.

Government

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 from county districts. The council members serve four-year terms. 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.

Board of Commissioners: The executive body of the county is made of a board of commissioners. The commissioners are elected county-wide, in staggered terms, and each serves a four-year term. One of the commissioners, typically the most senior, serves as president. The commissioners are charged with executing the acts legislated by the council, collecting revenue, and managing the day-to-day functions of the county government.

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.

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 party affiliations and to be residents of the county.

Grant County is part of Indiana's 5th congressional district; Indiana Senate districts 17, 19 and 20; and Indiana House of Representatives districts 31, 32 and 82.

Demographics

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 70,061 people, 27,245 households, and 18,000 families residing in the county. The population density was 169.2 inhabitants per square mile (65.3/km²). There were 30,443 housing units at an average density of 73.5 per square mile (28.4/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 88.2% white, 7.0% black or African American, 0.6% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 1.4% from other races, and 2.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.6% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 19.5% were German, 12.4% were American, 10.0% were Irish, and 9.0% were English.

Of the 27,245 households, 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.0% were married couples living together, 13.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.9% were non-families, and 28.8% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.89. The median age was 39.5 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $47,697 and the median income for a family was $49,860. Males had a median income of $40,146 versus $28,588 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,792. About 12.0% of families and 17.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.0% of those under age 18 and 9.4% of those age 65 or over.

Cities

Other unincorporated place