After theAmerican Revolutionary War established US sovereignty over the territory of the upper midwest, the new federal government defined theNorthwest Territory in 1787, 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. President Thomas Jefferson chose William Henry Harrison as the governor of the territory, and Vincennes was established as the capital. 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.
TheNative people who inhabited these areas prior to arrival of European settlers were generally resistant to the loss of their lands. As settlers pushed into the area, treaties signed by some leaders with United States representatives ceded large areas of their territory to the US. 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 the1809 treaty of Fort Wayne, and by thetreaty of St. Mary's in 1818, which included the future Shelby County.
The Indiana State Legislature passed a bill on December 31, 1821, that authorized the creation of four counties,[3] including Shelby. On July 1, 1822, the county was organized, beginning with selecting a site for the county seat.[4]
The low, rolling hills of Shelby County are lightly carved by drainages, but are otherwise completely devoted to agriculture or urban development. The western edge of the county is drained bySugar Creek, flowing south-southwestward intoJohnson County. The central and SW parts of the county are drained byBig Blue River, flowing south-southwestward into Johnson County. The lower part of the county is drained byFlatrock River and its tributary,Conns Creek, flowing southwestward intoBartholomew County.[5] The terrain slopes to the southwest, with its highest elevations (930 feet/280 meters ASL) along the eastern part of its northern border withHancock County.[6] According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 412.76 square miles (1,069.0 km2), of which 411.15 square miles (1,064.9 km2) (or 99.61%) is land and 1.61 square miles (4.2 km2) (or 0.39%) is water.[7]
In recent years, average temperatures in Shelbyville have ranged from a low of 18 °F (−8 °C) in January to a high of 86 °F (30 °C) in July, although a record low of −25 °F (−32 °C) was recorded in January 1994 and a record high of 105 °F (41 °C) was recorded in July 1954. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 2.38 inches (60 mm) in January to 4.47 inches (114 mm) in May.[8]
As of the2010 United States census, there were 44,436 people, 17,302 households, and 12,221 families in the county.[9] The population density was 108.1 inhabitants per square mile (41.7/km2). There were 19,080 housing units at an average density of 46.4 per square mile (17.9/km2).[7] The racial makeup of the county was 95.4% white, 1.0% black or African American, 0.5% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 1.6% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.7% of the population.[9] In terms of ancestry, 28.5% wereGerman, 13.1% wereAmerican, 12.2% wereIrish, and 9.0% wereEnglish.[10]
Of the 17,302 households, 33.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.4% were married couples living together, 10.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.4% were non-families, and 24.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 2.98. The median age was 39.9 years.[9]
The median income for a household in the county was $47,697 and the median income for a family was $60,824. Males had a median income of $46,325 versus $32,416 for females. The per capita income for the county was $26,398. About 7.4% of families and 10.0% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 13.7% of those under age 18 and 10.5% of those age 65 or over.[11]
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.[12][13]
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 the acts legislated by the council, collect revenue, and manage the county government.[12][13]
Court: Three State Trial Courts sit in the Courthouse located at 407 S. Harrison Street, Shelbyville, Indiana 46176. Shelby Circuit Court was established by the Indiana Constitution. Shelby Superior Courts 1 and 2 were created by Acts of the Legislature. Shelby Superior Court 2 handles thesmall claims. Cases are allocated between the Courts byLocal Court Rules. The judges of the Shelby Circuit and Superior Courts are elected to six (6) year terms and must be admitted to practice law in the State of Indiana. Appeals from Shelby County Trial Courts are made to the Indiana Court of Appeals.
County Officials: The county has other elected offices, includingsheriff,coroner,auditor,treasurer,recorder,surveyor, and circuitcourt clerk. These officials are elected to four-year terms. Members elected to county government positions are required to declareparty affiliations and to be residents of the county.[13]
As of the2020 census, the county had a population of 45,055. The median age was 41.5 years. 22.6% of residents were under the age of 18 and 17.9% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 99.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 96.8 males age 18 and over.[21][22]
47.4% of residents lived in urban areas, while 52.6% lived in rural areas.[23]
There were 17,943 households in the county, of which 30.3% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 50.7% were married-couple households, 17.9% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 23.0% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 26.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[21]
There were 19,423 housing units, of which 7.6% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 71.0% were owner-occupied and 29.0% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.4% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.2%.[21]