View source for Rush County, Indiana

{{short description|County in Indiana, United States}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
| county           = Rush County
| state              = Indiana
| seal               =
| founded            = 1822
| seat wl            = Rushville
| largest city       = Rushville
| area_total_sq_mi   = 408.46
| area_land_sq_mi    = 408.12
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.34
| area percentage    = 0.08%
| census yr          = 2020
| pop                = 16752
| pop_est_as_of      = 2025
| population_est     = 16767 {{gain}}
| density_sq_mi      = auto
| time zone          = Eastern
| web                = http://rushcounty.in.gov/
| named for          = [[Benjamin Rush]]
| district           = 6th
| footnotes          = Indiana county number 70
| ex image           = Rush County Courthouse, Rushville, IN (48483580986).jpg
| ex image cap       = The Rush County Courthouse in Rushville
}}
[[Image:Rushville-indiana-from-above2.jpg|thumb|right|Aerial view of [[Rushville, Indiana|Rushville]]]]

'''Rush County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Indiana]]. In the [[2020 United States census]], the population was 16,752.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.census.gov/profile/Rush_County,_Indiana?g=050XX00US18139|title=Rush County, Indiana|access-date=June 7, 2023|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]}}</ref> The [[county seat]] (and only city) is [[Rushville, Indiana|Rushville]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref>

==History==
When the Indiana Territory was granted statehood (December 20, 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 December 31, 1821, which authorized Rush County, effective April 1, and further authorized the first commissioners (pro tem) to begin organizing the county's governing structure on June 3, 1822. The act also authorized six townships to cover the county; subsequent growth through the years has caused the number of townships to double.<ref>{{cite book|publisher=Brant & Fuller|year=1888|location=Chicago IL|title=History of Rush County, Indiana|url=https://archive.org/details/historyofrushcou00chic/page/n7/mode/2up|pages=284–5}}</ref> It was named for Dr. [[Benjamin Rush]], one of the signers of the 1776 [[United States Declaration of Independence|Declaration of Independence]].<ref>{{cite book|author=De Witt Clinton Goodrich & Charles Richard Tuttle|publisher=R. S. Peale & Co.|year=1875|location=Indiana|title=An Illustrated History of the State of Indiana|url=https://archive.org/details/anillustratedhi02tuttgoog|page=572}}</ref> That same summer (1822) the future town (and county seat) of [[Rushville, Indiana|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.<ref>{{cite book|publisher=Brant & Fuller|year=1888|location=Chicago IL|title=History of Rush County, Indiana|url=https://archive.org/details/historyofrushcou00chic/page/n7/mode/2up|pages=271–3}}</ref> 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.<ref>[https://www.google.com/maps/place/Rush+County,+IN/@39.6198639,-85.6059699,11z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m5!3m4!1s0x886ae671e24db0a3:0xff23250ef51df2c3!8m2!3d39.6481768!4d-85.520024 ''Rush County, Indiana'' (Google Maps, accessed 6 August 2020)]</ref> The [[Big Blue River (Indiana)|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.<ref>{{Cite AmCyc|wstitle=Rush (county)|display=Rush. I. A S. E. county of Indiana}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|title=AAA World Atlas|page=227|year=1992|publisher=Hammond Inc}}</ref> The terrain's highest point (1,135 feet/346 m ASL) is an isolated rise at the county's east boundary, {{convert|1.4|mi|km}} SSW of [[Glenwood, Indiana|Glenwood]].<ref>[https://www.peakbagger.com/peak.aspx?pid=23006 ''Rush County High Point, Indiana'' (PeakBagger.com, accessed 6 August 2020)]</ref>
According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of {{convert|408.46|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|408.12|sqmi}} (or 99.92%) is land and {{convert|0.34|sqmi}} (or 0.08%) is water.<ref name=DC/>

===Adjacent counties===
{{div col|colwidth=25em}}
* [[Henry County, Indiana|Henry County]] - north
* [[Fayette County, Indiana|Fayette County]] - east
* [[Franklin County, Indiana|Franklin County]] - southeast
* [[Decatur County, Indiana|Decatur County]] - south
* [[Shelby County, Indiana|Shelby County]] - west
* [[Hancock County, Indiana|Hancock County]] - northwest
{{div col end}}

===Cities and towns===
* [[Carthage, Indiana|Carthage]]
* [[Glenwood, Indiana|Glenwood]]
* [[Rushville, Indiana|Rushville]] (city/county seat)

===Census-designated places===
* [[Arlington, Rush County, Indiana|Arlington]]
* [[Manilla, Indiana|Manilla]]
* [[Milroy, Indiana|Milroy]]

===Unincorporated towns===
{{div col|colwidth=15em}}
* [[Charlottesville, Indiana|Charlottesville]]
* [[Circleville, Indiana|Circleville]]
* [[Fairview, Rush County, Indiana|Fairview]]
* [[Falmouth, Indiana|Falmouth]]
* [[Gings, Indiana|Gings]]
* [[Gowdy, Indiana|Gowdy]]
* [[Henderson, Indiana|Henderson]]
* [[Homer, Indiana|Homer]]
* [[Mauzy, Indiana|Mauzy]]
* [[Mays, Indiana|Mays]]
* [[Moscow, Indiana|Moscow]]
* [[New Salem, Rush County, Indiana|New Salem]]
* [[Occident, Indiana|Occident]]
* [[Raleigh, Indiana|Raleigh]]
* [[Richland, Rush County, Indiana|Richland]]
* [[Sexton, Indiana|Sexton]]
* [[Williamstown, Indiana|Williamstown]]
{{div col end}}

===Townships===
{{div col|colwidth=15em}}
* [[Anderson Township, Rush County, Indiana|Anderson]]
* [[Center Township, Rush County, Indiana|Center]]
* [[Jackson Township, Rush County, Indiana|Jackson]]
* [[Noble Township, Rush County, Indiana|Noble]]
* [[Orange Township, Rush County, Indiana|Orange]]
* [[Posey Township, Rush County, Indiana|Posey]]
* [[Richland Township, Rush County, Indiana|Richland]]
* [[Ripley Township, Rush County, Indiana|Ripley]]
* [[Rushville Township, Rush County, Indiana|Rushville]]
* [[Union Township, Rush County, Indiana|Union]]
* [[Walker Township, Rush County, Indiana|Walker]]
* [[Washington Township, Rush County, Indiana|Washington]]
{{div col end}}

===Major highways===
{{div col|colwidth=25em}}
* [[Image:I-74.svg|20px]] / [[Image:US 421.svg|20px]] [[Interstate 74 in Indiana|Interstate 74]]/[[U.S. Route 421 in Indiana|U.S. Route 421]]**
* [[Image:US 52.svg|20px]] [[U.S. Route 52]]
* [[Image:indiana 3.svg|20px]] [[Indiana State Road 3]]
* [[Image:indiana 44.svg|20px]] [[Indiana State Road 44]]
* [[Image:indiana 140.svg|20px]] [[Indiana State Road 140]]
* [[Image:indiana 244.svg|20px]] [[Indiana State Road 244]]
{{div col end}}

==Climate and weather==
{{climate chart
|[[Rushville, Indiana]]
|17|34|2.62
|21|39|2.55
|30|50|3.20
|39|62|4.22
|50|73|5.06
|60|81|4.34
|63|84|4.37
|61|83|3.59
|53|77|2.88
|42|65|2.85
|33|51|3.59
|24|39|3.09
|float=right
|units=imperial
|clear=both
|source=The Weather Channel<ref name=WX>{{cite web|url=http://www.weather.com/weather/wxclimatology/monthly/graph/USIN0579|title=Monthly Averages for Rushville IN|access-date=January 27, 2011|publisher=The Weather Channel}}</ref>}}
In recent years, average temperatures in Rushville have ranged from a low of {{convert|17|°F}} in January to a high of {{convert|84|°F}} in July, although a record low of {{convert|-28|°F}} was recorded in January 1994 and a record high of {{convert|108|°F}} was recorded in July 1901. Average monthly precipitation ranged from {{convert|2.55|in}} in February to {{convert|5.06|in}} in May.<ref name=WX/>

==Government==
{{see also|Government of Indiana}}
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.<ref name=inc3623>{{cite web|author=Indiana Code|author-link=Indiana Code|url=http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title36/ar2/ch3.html|title=Title 36, Article 2, Section 3|access-date=September 16, 2008|publisher=IN.gov}}</ref><ref name=inc2102>{{cite web|author=Indiana Code|url=http://www.in.gov/legislative/ic/code/title3/ar10/ch2.pdf|title=Title 2, Article 10, Section 2|access-date=September 16, 2008|publisher=IN.gov}}</ref>

'''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.<ref name=inc3623/><ref name=inc2102/>

'''County Officials:''' The county has other elected offices, including [[sheriff]], [[coroner]], [[auditor]], [[treasurer]], [[Recorder of deeds|recorder]], [[Surveying|surveyor]] and circuit [[court clerk]]. These officers are elected to four-year terms. Members elected to county government positions are required to declare [[political party|party]] affiliations and to be residents of the county.<ref name=inc2102/>
{{PresHead|place=Rush County, Indiana|source=<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Atlas of US Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=May 20, 2018}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|1888|Republican|2,713|2,292|167|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1892|Republican|2,566|2,210|230|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1896|Republican|2,891|2,602|80|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1900|Republican|2,913|2,503|163|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|3,082|2,363|250|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|3,102|2,544|211|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|1,931|2,312|1,343|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1916|Republican|2,950|2,569|241|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|6,113|4,513|177|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|5,958|3,415|148|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|6,640|2,996|75|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1932|Republican|5,094|5,056|140|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|5,457|5,999|44|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1940|Republican|6,486|4,282|39|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|5,853|3,891|77|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|5,362|3,814|145|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|6,918|3,348|87|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|6,202|3,346|39|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|6,215|3,516|51|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1964|Republican|4,507|4,450|68|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|5,004|2,636|781|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|5,965|1,764|23|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|4,723|3,052|55|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|4,829|2,388|294|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|5,429|2,307|35|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|5,112|2,451|20|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|3,873|2,168|1,967|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|3,827|2,578|1,023|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|4,749|2,370|165|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|5,363|2,000|58|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|4,271|3,229|129|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|4,633|2,221|172|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|5,292|1,525|449|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|6,035|1,754|152|Indiana}}
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|5,812|1,675|169|Indiana}}
{{PresFoot}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1830= 9707
|1840= 16456
|1850= 16445
|1860= 16193
|1870= 17626
|1880= 19238
|1890= 19034
|1900= 20148
|1910= 19349
|1920= 19241
|1930= 19412
|1940= 18927
|1950= 19799
|1960= 20393
|1970= 20352
|1980= 19604
|1990= 18129
|2000= 18261
|2010= 17392
|2020= 16752
|estyear=2025
|estimate=16767
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2025">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html|title=County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2025|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=April 18, 2026}}</ref> {{increase}}
|align-fn=center
|footnote=US Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=US Decennial Census|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=July 10, 2014}}</ref><br/>1790-1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=July 10, 2014}}</ref> 1900-1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/in190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=July 10, 2014}}</ref><br/>1990-2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=US Census Bureau|access-date=July 10, 2014}}</ref> 2010<ref name=QF>{{cite web|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/18/18139.html|title=Rush County QuickFacts|access-date=September 25, 2011|publisher=US Census Bureau|archive-date=July 14, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110714065308/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/18/18139.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| align = right
}}

===2020 census===

As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the county had a population of 16,752. The median age was 41.9 years. 23.0% of residents were under the age of 18 and 18.6% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 97.3 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 95.7 males age 18 and over.<ref name="Census2020DP">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dp?get=NAME,DP1_0021P,DP1_0024P,DP1_0025C,DP1_0049C,DP1_0045C,DP1_0069C,DP1_0073C,DP1_0125P,DP1_0126P,DP1_0129P,DP1_0133P,DP1_0137P,DP1_0138P,DP1_0139P,DP1_0141P,DP1_0142P,DP1_0143P,DP1_0145P,DP1_0146P,DP1_0147C,DP1_0148C,DP1_0149C,DP1_0156C,DP1_0157C,DP1_0158C,DP1_0159P,DP1_0160P&for=county%3A139&in=state%3A18|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=December 30, 2025|df=mdy}}</ref><ref name="Census2020PL">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME,P1_001N,P1_003N,P1_004N,P1_005N,P1_006N,P1_007N,P1_008N,P1_009N,P2_001N,P2_002N,H1_001N,H1_002N&for=county%3A139&in=state%3A18|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=December 30, 2025|df=mdy}}</ref>

The racial makeup of the county was 95.2% [[White Americans|White]], 0.6% [[African Americans|Black or African American]], 0.1% [[Native Americans in the United States|American Indian and Alaska Native]], 0.3% [[Asian Americans|Asian]], <0.1% [[Native Hawaiians|Native Hawaiian]] and [[Pacific Islander|Pacific Islander]], 0.7% from some other race, and 3.1% from [[Multiracial Americans|two or more races]]. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] residents of any race comprised 1.5% of the population.<ref name="Census2020PL"/>

38.6% of residents lived in urban areas, while 61.4% lived in rural areas.<ref name="Census2020DHC">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dhc?get=NAME,P2_002N,P2_003N&for=county%3A139&in=state%3A18|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2023|access-date=December 30, 2025|df=mdy}}</ref>

There were 6,712 households in the county, of which 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 51.3% were married-couple households, 17.6% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 23.3% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 26.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

There were 7,352 housing units, of which 8.7% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 72.7% were owner-occupied and 27.3% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.0%.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

===2010 census===
As of the [[2010 United States census]], there were 17,392 people, 6,767 households, and 4,803 families in the county.<ref name=DP>{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US18139|title=Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data|access-date=July 10, 2015|publisher=US Census Bureau|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213021050/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US18139|archive-date=February 13, 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref> The population density was {{convert|42.6|PD/sqmi}}. There were 7,508 housing units at an average density of {{convert|18.4|/sqmi}}.<ref name=DC>{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY10/0500000US18139|access-date=July 10, 2015|title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County|publisher=US Census Bureau|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212203827/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY10/0500000US18139|archive-date=February 12, 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref> 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.<ref name=DP/> In terms of ancestry, 23.4% were [[Germans|German]], 16.8% were [[Americans|American]], 12.0% were [[Irish people|Irish]], and 11.9% were [[English people|English]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0400000US18%7c0500000US18139|title=Selected Social Characteristics in the US – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates|access-date=July 10, 2015|publisher=US Census Bureau|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200214004018/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0400000US18%7C0500000US18139|archive-date=February 14, 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref>

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.<ref name=DP/>

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.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0400000US18%7c0500000US18139|title=Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates|access-date=July 10, 2015|publisher=US Census Bureau|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200214002812/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0400000US18%7C0500000US18139|archive-date=February 14, 2020|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Rush County, Indiana]]
* [[Edward E. Moore]], Indiana state senator and Los Angeles City Council member

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20130608184611/http://www.rushcounty.in.gov/Public/Home/index.cfm County website]
* [https://archive.org/details/historyofrushcou00chic ''History of Rush County, Indiana'']

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Rush County, Indiana
|North     = [[Henry County, Indiana|Henry County]]
|East      = [[Fayette County, Indiana|Fayette County]]
|Southeast = [[Franklin County, Indiana|Franklin County]]
|South     = [[Decatur County, Indiana|Decatur County]]
|West      = [[Shelby County, Indiana|Shelby County]]
|Northwest = [[Hancock County, Indiana|Hancock County]]
}}

{{Rush County, Indiana}}
{{Indiana}}
{{Authority control}}
{{Coord|39.62|-85.47|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-IN_source:UScensus1990}}

[[Category:Rush County, Indiana| ]]
[[Category:Indiana counties]]
[[Category:1822 establishments in Indiana]]
[[Category:Populated places in the United States established in 1822]]