Decatur County, Indiana

In 1787, the US defined the Northwest Territory which included the area of present-day Indiana. In 1800, Congress separated Ohio from the Northwest Territory, designating the rest of the land as the Indiana Territory. After the Michigan Territory was separated and the Illinois Territory was formed, Indiana was reduced to its current size and geography. By December 1816 the Indiana Territory was admitted to the Union as a state. Starting in 1794, Native American titles to Indiana lands were extinguished by usurpation, purchase, or war and treaty. The United States acquired land from the Native Americans in the 1809 treaty of Fort Wayne, and by the treaty of St. Mary's in 1818 considerably more territory became property of the government. This included the future Decatur County, which was authorized by the state legislature on December 12, 1821. No settler was allowed in the area until the government survey was completed in 1820. The Decatur County governing structure was formed in 1822. The county was named for Commodore Stephen Decatur Jr., naval officer in the First and Second Barbary Wars, and in the War of 1812. Decatur was killed in a duel in 1820. ==Geography==

The low rolling hills are devoted to agriculture or urban development, with only the areas carved by drainages still wooded. The highest point ( ASL) is a hillock SSE from Kingston. The Flatrock River flows westward through the upper part of the county, continuing into Shelby County. Clifty Creek flows southwestward through the central part of the county, continuing into Bartholomew, and Sand Creek flows south-southwestward through the lower center of the county, continuing into Jennings County. According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of , of which (or 99.80%) is land and (or 0.20%) is water. Adjacent counties • Rush County – north • Franklin County – east • Ripley County – southeast • Jennings County – south • Bartholomew County – west • Shelby County – northwest City and towns • Greensburg (city/county seat) • Millhousen • New Point • St. Paul (part) • Westport Census-designated places • Clarksburg • Lake Santee Unincorporated places • Adams • Alert • Burney • Downeyville • Forest Hill • Gaynorsville • Germantown • Harris City • Horace • Kingston • Knarr Corner • Letts • Letts Corner • Mechanicsburg • Milford • New Pennington • Rossburg • Saint Maurice • Saint Omer • Sandusky • Sardinia • Slabtown • Waynesburg • Williamstown Townships • Adams • Clay • Clinton • Fugit • Jackson • Marion • Salt Creek • Sand Creek • Washington Major highways • Interstate 74 • U.S. Route 421 • Indiana State Road 3 • Indiana State Road 46 Protected areas • Greenburg Reservoir State Fishing Area Lakes • Greenburg Reservoir • Lake McCoy • Lake Santee ==Climate and weather==

{{climate chart In recent years, average temperatures in Greensburg have ranged from a low of in January to a high of in July, although a record low of was recorded in January 1985 and a record high of was recorded in July 1954. Average monthly precipitation ranged from in February to in May. ==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. Board of Commissioners: The executive body of the county; commissioners are elected county-wide to staggered four-year terms. One commissioner serves as president. The commissioners execute acts legislated by the council, collect revenue, and manage the county government. and Indiana House of Representatives district 67. ==Demographics==

2020 census As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 26,472. The median age was 40.6 years. 23.3% of residents were under the age of 18 and 18.3% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 98.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 97.9 males age 18 and over. The racial makeup of the county was 94.3% White, 0.3% Black or African American, 0.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.9% from some other race, and 3.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.3% of the population. There were 10,472 households in the county, of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 50.4% were married-couple households, 18.7% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 22.9% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 27.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The population density was . There were 11,209 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 97.3% white, 0.7% Asian, 0.3% black or African American, 0.2% American Indian, 0.6% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.7% of the population. ==Education==

The two school districts are Decatur County Community Schools and Greensburg Community Schools. ==See also==