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
Starke County | |
|---|---|
 Starke County courthouse in Knox | |
 Flag | |
 Location within the U.S. state of Indiana | |
 Indiana's location within the U.S. | |
| Coordinates: 41°16′N 86°39′W / 41.267°N 86.650°W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Indiana |
| Founded | February 7, 1835 (authorized) 1850 (organized) |
| Named for | General John Stark |
| Seat | Knox |
| Largest city | Knox |
| Area | |
| • Total | 312.21 sq mi (808.6 km2) |
| • Land | 309.13 sq mi (800.6 km2) |
| • Water | 3.07 sq mi (8.0 km2) 0.98% |
| Population (2020) | |
| • Total | 23,371 |
| • Estimate (2023) | 23,206  |
| • Density | 75/sq mi (29/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 2nd |
| Website | www |
| Indiana county number 75 | |
Starke County is a county in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of the 2020 United States Census, its population was 23,371.[1] The county seat is Knox.[2]
History
The Indiana State Legislature passed an omnibus county bill[3] on February 7, 1835, that authorized the creation of 13 counties in northeast Indiana, including Starke.[4] The county government organization commenced in 1850.[5] It was named for Gen. John Stark,[6] who commanded New Hampshire troops at the Battle of Bunker Hill in 1775 in the American Revolutionary War, and who defeated the British at the Battle of Bennington in 1777.[7]
Before white settlement, all of the land that forms modern-day Starke County and adjacent LaPorte County to the north was inhabited by the Potawatami Indian nation. These groups were forcibly removed to Kansas by the United States government in 1838, and many died on what has been called the Potawatomi Trail of Death.[8][9]
When Starke County was created, it included the present LaPorte County townships of Cass, Dewey, Hanna, and Prairie. Residents in this area had to travel some distance east to Lemon's Bridge to cross the Kankakee River to travel south to the center of the county, the future site of the county seat at Knox. Therefore, because they were effectively isolated from the rest of Starke County, residents north of the river petitioned to be annexed to LaPorte county and this was done on January 28, 1842.[10]
Name
Despite being named for General John Stark and originally being known and appearing on maps as Stark County[11] when initially created and organized, an e was added to the county's name fairly early in its history. No solid evidence has been found to clearly explain this alteration. Three possible explanations have been advanced - an early scribe had "fancy lettering", including a k with a long tail or flourish that appeared to others as ke, with the new spelling sticking;[12] General Stark himself may have used a similar flourish at the end of his signature;[13] which became a point of confusion to Indiana officials (unlikely, since Stark County, Ohio (1808) and Illinois (1839) both preceded Starke County, Indiana, not to mention numerous other smaller midwestern toponyms spelled "Stark"); or an Indianapolis official's clerical error around 1860.[14]
Geography
Starke County consists of low, rolling hills covered with vegetation or brush.[15] Its boundaries include three prominences that rise to 780 ft (240 m) above sea level - two adjacent swells 0.6 miles (0.97 km) northeast of Bass Lake, and a small ridge 3.0 miles (4.8 km) east-southeast of Bass Lake.[16]
According to the 2010 census, Starke County has a total area of 312.21 square miles (808.6 km2), of which 3.07 square miles (8.0 km2) (or 0.98%) are covered by water.[17] The northwestern boundary of Starke County is defined by the Kankakee River; the Yellow River, a tributary of the Kankakee, flows through the central part of the county, past Knox.[18]
Major highways
Adjacent counties
- LaPorte County - north
- St. Joseph County - northeast
- Marshall County - east
- Fulton County - southeast
- Pulaski County - south
- Jasper County - west
- Porter County - northwest
Municipalities
The municipalities in Starke County, and their populations as of the 2010 Census, are:
Cities and towns
- Hamlet – 800
- Knox – 3,704
- North Judson – 1,772
Census-designated places
- Bass Lake – 1,249
- Koontz Lake – 1,554
- San Pierre – 156
Unincorporated communities
Townships
The nine townships of Starke County, with their populations as of the 2010 Census, are:
- California – 2,011
- Center – 6,229
- Davis – 1,043
- Jackson – 549
- North Bend – 1,394
- Oregon – 3,367
- Railroad – 1,226
- Washington – 3,003
- Wayne – 4,541
Education
Public schools in Starke County are administered by four different districts:
- Culver Community Schools[19]
- Knox Community School Corporation[20]
- North Judson-San Pierre Schools[21]
- Oregon-Davis School Corporation[22]
Hospitals
Climate and weather
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In recent years, average temperatures in Knox have ranged from a low of 14 °F (−10 °C) in January to a high of 84 °F (29 °C) in July, although a record low of −29 °F (−34 °C) was recorded in January 1985 and a record high of 102 °F (39 °C) was recorded in June 1988. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.68 inches (43 mm) in February to 4.09 inches (104 mm) in June.[23]
Government
The county government is a constitutional body, granted specific powers by the Constitution of Indiana and the Indiana Code.
County Council: The county council is the legislative branch of the county government and controls spending and revenue collection in the county. Representatives are elected from county districts to four-year terms. They are responsible for setting 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.[24][25]
Board of Commissioners: The executive body of the county, the commissioners are elected county-wide to staggered four-year terms. One commissioner serves as president. The commissioners execute the acts legislated by the council, collect revenue, and manage the functions of the county government.[24][25]
Court: The judge on the court is elected to a term of six years. The judge is assisted by a magistrate who is appointed by the judge. The court handles criminal and civil cases, and has a small-claims division. In some cases, court decisions can be appealed to the state-level circuit court.[25]
County officials: The county has other elected offices, including sheriff, coroner, auditor, treasurer, recorder, surveyor, and circuit court clerk, elected to four-year terms. Members elected to county government positions are required to declare party affiliations and to be residents of the county.[25]
Starke County is part of Indiana's 2nd congressional district in the United States House of Representatives and is currently represented by Rudy Yakym.[26]
In presidential elections, Starke County was a bellwether county for a time, voting for the winner in every election from 1964 to 2008.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2020 | 7,466 | 72.42% | 2,650 | 25.71% | 193 | 1.87% |
| 2016 | 6,367 | 68.34% | 2,489 | 26.72% | 460 | 4.94% |
| 2012 | 4,738 | 54.03% | 3,809 | 43.44% | 222 | 2.53% |
| 2008 | 4,473 | 47.19% | 4,778 | 50.41% | 228 | 2.41% |
| 2004 | 4,846 | 54.22% | 3,987 | 44.61% | 104 | 1.16% |
| 2000 | 4,349 | 49.98% | 4,136 | 47.53% | 216 | 2.48% |
| 1996 | 3,108 | 38.13% | 3,854 | 47.29% | 1,188 | 14.58% |
| 1992 | 3,100 | 35.40% | 3,695 | 42.19% | 1,963 | 22.41% |
| 1988 | 4,458 | 51.80% | 4,104 | 47.69% | 44 | 0.51% |
| 1984 | 5,104 | 57.42% | 3,674 | 41.33% | 111 | 1.25% |
| 1980 | 5,035 | 55.27% | 3,615 | 39.68% | 460 | 5.05% |
| 1976 | 4,354 | 47.12% | 4,753 | 51.43% | 134 | 1.45% |
| 1972 | 5,520 | 64.43% | 2,994 | 34.95% | 53 | 0.62% |
| 1968 | 4,011 | 47.95% | 3,208 | 38.35% | 1,146 | 13.70% |
| 1964 | 3,466 | 41.65% | 4,838 | 58.14% | 17 | 0.20% |
| 1960 | 4,592 | 53.28% | 3,995 | 46.35% | 32 | 0.37% |
| 1956 | 5,063 | 59.94% | 3,349 | 39.65% | 35 | 0.41% |
| 1952 | 4,871 | 59.43% | 3,274 | 39.95% | 51 | 0.62% |