White County is a county in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 24,688. The county seat (and only incorporated city) is Monticello.
History
The first white settlers in the future White County arrived in the land west of Tippecanoe River in 1829, and in other parts of the county in 1831. This area was part of Carroll County during that period.
By 1833, so many settlers had entered the area that the state legislature were pressured to have a separate county created. On 1 February 1834 the state approved the creation of this county, directing that it be named for Isaac White. Interim commissioners were named and directed to organize the county during the summer of 1834, and to choose a county seat in September. They did so on 5 September 1834, naming Monticello as the future seat, due to its central location. While the county was being organized, it was attached to Carroll County for administrative and judicial purposes.
The county name honored Isaac White, a colonel from Equality, Illinois who fought and was killed in the Battle of Tippecanoe in 1811.
Alterations were made to the county's boundaries on 24 December 1834, on 4 February 1837, and on 14 February 1839. In addition, the counties of Jasper (1837), Pulaski (1839), Newton (1839), and Benton (1840) removed significant portions of the county's territory. The borders have remained unchanged since 1840.
Geography
The low, rolling hills of White County are entirely devoted to agriculture or to urban development. The Tippecanoe River flows southward through the central part of the county. The highest point on the terrain ( ASL) is a gentle rise about SSE from Wolcott.
According to the 2010 United States Census, the county has a total area of , of which (or 99.30%) is land and (or 0.70%) is water.
Adjacent counties
Pulaski County - north
Cass County - east
Carroll County - southeast
Tippecanoe County - south
Benton County - west
Jasper County - northwest/CST Border
City and towns
Brookston (town) Burnettsville (town) Chalmers (town) Monon (town) Monticello (city/county seat) Reynolds (town) Wolcott (town)
Census-designated places
Buffalo
Idaville
Norway
Unincorporated places
Badger Grove
Bell Center
Cedar Point
East Monticello
Golden Hill
Guernsey
Headlee
Indiana Beach
Lee
Round Grove
Seafield
Sitka
Smithson
Springboro
Townships
Big Creek
Cass
Honey Creek
Jackson
Liberty
Lincoln
Monon
Prairie
Princeton
Round Grove
Union
West Point
Major highways
Interstate 65
U.S. Route 24
U.S. Route 231
U.S. Route 421
Indiana State Road 16
Indiana State Road 18
Indiana State Road 39
Indiana State Road 43
Indiana State Road 119
Railroads
CSX Transportation
Toledo, Peoria and Western Railway
Climate and weather
In recent years, average temperatures in Monticello have ranged from a low of in January to a high of in July, although a record low of was recorded in January 1963 and a record high of was recorded in July 1954. Average monthly precipitation ranged from in February to in July.
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.
Court: The county maintains a small claims court that handles civil cases. The judge on the court is elected to a term of four years and must be a member of the Indiana Bar Association. The judge is assisted by a constable who is also elected to a four-year term. In some cases, court decisions can be appealed to the state level circuit court.