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Rush County is a county in the U.S. state of Indiana. In the 2010 United States Census, the population was 17,392. The county seat (and only city) is Rushville.
History
When the Indiana Territory was granted statehood (20 December 1816), there were no settlers on the lands of the future Rush County. However, this changed quickly, and by 1821 the newly founded settlements were desirous of being organized into a county unit. Accordingly, the state legislature passed an act dated 31 December 1821 which authorized Rush County, effective 1 April, and further authorized the first commissioners (pro tem) to begin organizing the county's governing structure on 3 June 1822. The act also authorized six townships to cover the county; subsequent growth through the years has caused the number of townships to double. It was named for Dr. Benjamin Rush, one of the signers of the 1776 Declaration of Independence. That same summer (1822) the future town (and county seat) of Rushville was platted and laid out.
Geography
In the 1820s the low rolling hills of Rush County were generously covered with trees, usually walnut and sugar maples. By 1879 Rush County was the state's largest producer of maple syrup. However, logging and clearing for agriculture have completely removed the trees, except for stands in drainages, and the available land is completely devoted to agriculture or urban development. The Big Blue River drains the upper part of the county, flowing to the southwest. The Little Blue River flows southwest to drain the central part of the county, and Flatrock River flows south-southwest through the lower central part of the county. The terrain's highest point (1,135 feet/346 m ASL) is an isolated rise at the county's east boundary, 1.4 mile (2.2 km) SSW of Glenwood.
According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of , of which (or 99.92%) is land and (or 0.08%) is water.
Adjacent counties
Henry County - north
Fayette County - east
Franklin County - southeast
Decatur County - south
Shelby County - west
Hancock County - northwest
Cities and towns
Carthage
Glenwood
Rushville (city/county seat)
Census-designated places
Arlington
Manilla
Milroy
Unincorporated towns
Boyd
Charlottesville
Circleville
Fairview
Falmouth
Farmers
Farmington
Gings
Gowdy
Henderson
Henry
Homer
Mauzy
Mays
Moscow
New Salem
Occident
Raleigh
Richland
Sexton
Sulphur Spring
Williamstown
Townships
Anderson
Center
Jackson
Noble
Orange
Posey
Richland
Ripley
Rushville
Union
Walker
Washington
Major highways
20px / 20px Interstate 74/U.S. Route 421**
20px U.S. Route 52
20px Indiana State Road 3
20px Indiana State Road 44
20px Indiana State Road 140
20px Indiana State Road 244
Climate and weather
In recent years, average temperatures in Rushville have ranged from a low of in January to a high of in July, although a record low of was recorded in January 1994 and a record high of was recorded in July 1901. 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.
County Officials: The county has other elected offices, including sheriff, coroner, auditor, treasurer, recorder, surveyor and circuit court clerk. These officers are elected to four-year terms. Members elected to county government positions are required to declare party affiliations and to be residents of the county.
Demographics
2010 Census
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 17,392 people, 6,767 households, and 4,803 families in the county. The population density was . There were 7,508 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 97.4% white, 0.8% black or African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.5% from other races, and 0.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.1% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 23.4% were German, 16.8% were American, 12.0% were Irish, and 11.9% were English.
Of the 6,767 households, 32.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.9% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.0% were non-families, and 24.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 2.99. The median age was 40.6 years.
The median income for a household in the county was $47,697 and the median income for a family was $52,874. Males had a median income of $41,581 versus $30,035 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,215. About 10.3% of families and 12.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.4% of those under age 18 and 9.3% of those age 65 or over.
