A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | CH | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9
Whitley County | |
|---|---|
 Whitley County courthouse in Columbia City | |
 Location within the U.S. state of Indiana | |
 Indiana's location within the U.S. | |
| Coordinates: 41°08′N 85°30′W / 41.14°N 85.5°W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Indiana |
| Founded | February 7, 1835 (authorized) 1838 (organized) |
| Named for | William Whitley |
| Seat | Columbia City |
| Largest city | Columbia City |
| Area | |
| • Total | 337.91 sq mi (875.2 km2) |
| • Land | 335.57 sq mi (869.1 km2) |
| • Water | 2.34 sq mi (6.1 km2) 0.69% |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 34,191 |
| • Density | 101.6/sq mi (39.2/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 3rd |
| Website | whitleygov |
| Indiana county number 92 Last alphabetical county in Indiana. | |
Whitley County is a rural county in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 36,825.[1] Whitley County is the 49th largest county in Indiana. The county seat (and only incorporated city) is Columbia City.[2] The county has the highest county number (92) on Indiana license plates, as it is alphabetically the last in the state's list of counties. It is part of the Fort Wayne Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Fort Wayne–Huntington–Auburn Combined Statistical Area.
History
Indiana was granted statehood near the end of 1816. On February 7, 1835, the state legislature approved an omnibus bill[3] that authorized the creation of thirteen counties,[4] including Whitley. It was named for Col. William Whitley, who was killed in the Battle of the Thames in the War of 1812.[5]
The first non-Native American settlers arrived in the area during that year, as a result of the end of the Black Hawk War and completion of the Erie Canal. They were from New England - "Yankee" settlers, descendents of the English Puritans who settled New England in the colonial era. They were primarily members of the Congregational Church though due to the Second Great Awakening many of them had converted to Methodism and some had become Baptists before coming to Indiana. Whitley County government was organized in 1838.
In the late 1870s immigrants began arriving from Germany and Ireland.[5]
Geography
Prior to white settlement, Whitley County's low rolling hills were densely forested, and dotted with lakes across its northern portion. At present, the available land is mostly deforested, and is entirely devoted to agriculture or to urban development.[6] Its highest point (approx. 1,000 ft; 300 m ASL) is a small rise NE of Cedar Lake.[7] The Eel River flows southwestward through the lower part of the county, and the Blue River flows southwestward through the upper part.[6]
According to the 2010 United States Census, the county has a total area of 337.91 square miles (875.2 km2), of which 335.57 square miles (869.1 km2) (or 99.31%) is land and 2.34 square miles (6.1 km2) (or 0.69%) is water.[8]
Adjacent counties
- Noble County - north
- Allen County - east
- Huntington County - south
- Wabash County - southwest
- Kosciusko County - west
City and towns
- Columbia City (city/county seat)
- Churubusco
- Larwill
- South Whitley
Census-designated place
Unincorporated places
Townships
Lakes
- Blue Lake
- Brown Lake
- Cedar Lake
- Crooked Lake (part)
- Dollar Lake
- Goose Lake
- Indian Lake
- Little Cedar Lake
- Loon Lake (part)
- Mud Lake
- New Lake
- Old Lake
- Rine Lake
- Robinson Lake (part)
- Round Lake
- Scott Lake
- Shriner Lake
- Tadpole Lake
- Troy Cedar Lake
- Winters Lake[6]
Protected areas
- Deniston Resource Area
- Goose Lake Wetland Conservation Area
- Pisgah Marsh Nongame Area (part)[6]
Major highways
Climate and weather
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In recent years, average temperatures in Columbia City have ranged from a low of 14 °F (−10 °C) in January to a high of 83 °F (28 °C) in July, although a record low of −24 °F (−31 °C) was recorded in January 1994 and a record high of 103 °F (39 °C) was recorded in June 1988. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.80 inches (46 mm) in February to 4.44 inches (113 mm) in June.[9]
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 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 to four-year staggered terms in county-wide elections. One commissioner serves as president. The commissioners execute the 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. 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 officers elected to four-year terms, including sheriff, coroner, auditor, treasurer, recorder, surveyor, and circuit court clerk. Members elected to county government positions are required to declare party affiliations and to be residents of the county.[11]
Whitely County is part of Indiana's 3rd congressional district and as of 2020 is represented by Republican James Edward Banks in the United States Congress.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2020 | 12,862 | 73.13% | 4,234 | 24.07% | 492 | 2.80% |
| 2016 | 11,358 | 72.07% | 3,379 | 21.44% | 1,022 | 6.49% |
| 2012 | 10,258 | 68.24% | 4,420 | 29.40% | 354 | 2.35% |
| 2008 | 9,124 | 59.99% | 5,862 | 38.55% | 222 | 1.46% |
| 2004 | 9,512 | 70.56% | 3,880 | 28.78% | 89 | 0.66% |
| 2000 | 8,080 | 64.99% | 4,107 | 33.04% | 245 | 1.97% |
| 1996 | 5,965 | 51.31% | 4,176 | 35.92% | 1,484 | 12.77% |
| 1992 | 5,217 | 43.27% | 3,569 | 29.60% | 3,270 | 27.12% |
| 1988 | 7,679 | 67.44% | 3,642 | 31.99% | 65 | 0.57% |
| 1984 | 7,763 | 67.21% | 3,690 | 31.95% | 98 | 0.85% |
| 1980 | 7,146 | 55.74% | 4,497 | 35.08% | 1,178 | 9.19% |
| 1976 | 6,761 | 54.34% | 5,445 | 43.77% | 235 | 1.89% |
| 1972 | 7,489 | 65.67% | 3,838 | 33.65% | 77 | 0.68% |
| 1968 | 5,684 | 53.27% | 3,848 | 36.06% | 1,139 | 10.67% |
| 1964 | 4,896 | 45.56% | 5,798 | 53.95% | 53 | 0.49% |
| 1960 | 6,621 | 60.50% | 4,266 | 38.98% | 56 | 0.51% |
| 1956 | 6,422 | 63.23% | 3,688 | 36.31% | 47 | 0.46% |
| 1952 | 5,893 | 60.28% | 3,755 | 38.41% | 128 | 1.31% |