Wells County, Indiana

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Wells County, Indiana
Map
Map of Indiana highlighting Wells County
Location in the state of Indiana
Map of the U.S. highlighting Indiana
Indiana's location in the U.S.
Statistics
Founded 1837
Seat Bluffton
Area
 - Total
 - Land
 - Water

370 sq mi (959 km²)
370 sq mi (958 km²)
0 sq mi (1 km²), 0.12%
Population
 -  Density

27,600
75/sq mi (29/km²)
Website: www.wellscounty.org
Named for: William A. Wells

Wells County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2000, the population was 27,600. The county seat is Bluffton[1].

Contents

[edit] Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 370 square miles (959 km²), of which 370 square miles (958 km²) is land and 0 square miles (1 km²) (0.12%) is water.

[edit] Adjacent counties

[edit] Cities and towns

[edit] Unincorporated towns

[edit] Townships

[edit] Major highways

[edit] History

Wells County was formed in 1837. It was named for Capt. William A. Wells, who was captured by Native Americans as a young boy and adopted by the Miami chief Little Turtle. He eventually became a scout for Gen. "Mad Anthony" Wayne. Capt. Wells was killed by Potawatomi allied with the British at the Fort Dearborn Massacre at the outbreak of the War of 1812. The Potawatomi ate Capt. Wells' heart to gain part of his courage.

[edit] Demographics

Wells County
Population by year

2000 27,600
1990 25,948
1980 25,401
1970 23,821
1960 21,220
1950 19,564
1940 19,099
1930 18,411
1920 20,509
1910 22,418
1900 23,449
1890 21,514
1880 18,442
1870 13,585
1860 10,844
1850 6,152
1840 1,822

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 27,600 people, 10,402 households, and 7,624 families residing in the county. The population density was 75 people per square mile (29/km²). There were 10,970 housing units at an average density of 30 per square mile (11/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.32% White, 0.16% Black or African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.43% from other races, and 0.65% from two or more races. 1.44% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 38.7% were of German, 16.0% American, 9.0% English, 7.5% Irish and 5.1% Swiss ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 10,402 households out of which 35.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.90% were married couples living together, 8.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.70% were non-families. 23.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.09.

In the county the population was spread out with 27.30% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 28.10% from 25 to 44, 22.20% from 45 to 64, and 14.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 97.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $43,934, and the median income for a family was $51,517. Males had a median income of $35,830 versus $22,442 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,158. About 4.20% of families and 5.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.00% of those under age 18 and 6.90% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] External links

[edit] References

  • Forstall, Richard L. (editor) (1996). Population of states and counties of the United States: 1790 to 1990 : from the twenty-one decennial censuses. United States Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, Population Division. ISBN 0-934213-48-8. 

Coordinates: 40°44′N 85°13′W / 40.73, -85.22