Vermillion County, Indiana

Infobox U.S. County
county = Vermillion County
state = Indiana




map size = 195
founded = 1 February 1824
seat = Newport | leader =
area_total_sq_mi =260
area_land_sq_mi =257
area_water_sq_mi =3
area percentage = 1.17%
census yr = 2000
pop = 16788
density_km2 = 25 | density_sq_mi = 65
web = www.vermillionco.org
|

Vermillion County is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of 2000, the population is 16,788. The county seat is NewportGR|6. It is included in the Terre Haute, Indiana Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Vermillion County was formed February 1, 1824. It was named for the southbound Vermilion River, which flows nearby. The extra "l" in its name distinguishes it from the adjacent Vermilion County, Illinois. This is one of few cases in the United States in which a county borders its namesake in another state.

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.cite web|author=Indiana Code|url=http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title36/ar2/ch3.html |title=Title 36, Article 2, Section 3|accessdate=2008-09-16|publisher=IN.gov] cite web|author= Indiana Code |url= http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title3/ar10/ch2.pdf |title= Title 2, Article 10, Section 2 |accessdate=2008-09-16|publisher=IN.gov]

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, the collection of 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 terms of four years. 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 serve terms of four years and oversee different parts of the county government. Members elected to any county government position are required to declare a party affiliation and be a resident of the county.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 260 square miles (673 km²), of which 257 square miles (665 km²) is land and 3 square miles (8 km²) (1.17%) is water.

Adjacent counties

*Warren County (north)
*Fountain County (northeast)
*Parke County (east)
*Vigo County (south)
*Edgar County, Illinois (southwest)
*Vermilion County, Illinois (northwest)

Cities and towns

*Cayuga
*Clinton
*Dana
*Fairview Park
*Newport
*Perrysville
*Universal

Unincorporated towns

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 16,788 people, 6,762 households, and 4,713 families residing in the county. The population density was 65 people per square mile (25/km²). There were 7,405 housing units at an average density of 29 per square mile (11/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.39% White, 0.26% Black or African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.12% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.16% from other races, and 0.80% from two or more races. 0.64% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 22.7% were of American, 16.5% German, 13.2% English, 11.0% Italian and 9.5% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 6,762 households out of which 30.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.30% were married couples living together, 9.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.30% were non-families. 26.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the county the population was spread out with 23.80% under the age of 18, 8.10% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 24.90% from 45 to 64, and 15.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 95.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,837, and the median income for a family was $41,809. Males had a median income of $32,279 versus $22,647 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,579. About 6.30% of families and 9.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.40% of those under age 18 and 12.60% of those age 65 or over.

Education

The administration of public schools in Vermillion County is divided between the North Vermillion Community School Corporation and the South Vermillion Community School Corporation.

High Schools and Middle Schools
*North Vermillion Junior-Senior High School [http://www.nvc.k12.in.us/NVHS/NVHS%20homepage/hs_main.htm]
*South Vermillion High School [http://www.svcs.k12.in.us/svhs/]
*South Vermillion Middle School [http://www.svcs.k12.in.us/svms/]

Elementary Schools
*Central Elementary School [http://www.svcs.k12.in.us/central/]
*Ernie Pyle Elementary School [http://www.svcs.k12.in.us/ep/]
*North Vermillion Elementary School [http://www.nvc.k12.in.us/NVES/NVE%20homepage/Homepagewithsidebar.htm]
*Van Duyn Elementary School [http://www.svcs.k12.in.us/vanduyn/]

External links

* [http://www.vermillionco.org/ Access Vermillion County]
* [http://www.vcihs.org/ Vermillion County Indiana Historical Society]

References

*cite book
first = Richard L. (editor)
last = Forstall
year = 1996
title = Population of states and counties of the United States: 1790 to 1990 : from the twenty-one decennial censuses
publisher = United States Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census, Population Division
id = ISBN 0-934213-48-8