Elizabeth, Indiana Explained

Elizabeth, Indiana
Settlement Type:Town
Mapsize:250x200px
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:Indiana
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:Harrison
Subdivision Type3:Township
Subdivision Name3:Posey
Population As Of:2020
Population Total:199
Population Density Sq Mi:762.45
Population Density Km2:293.91
Timezone:EST
Utc Offset:-5
Timezone Dst:EDT
Utc Offset Dst:-4
Unit Pref:Imperial
Area Footnotes:[1]
Area Total Km2:0.68
Area Land Km2:0.68
Area Water Km2:0.00
Area Total Sq Mi:0.26
Area Land Sq Mi:0.26
Area Water Sq Mi:0.00
Elevation Ft:781
Coordinates:38.1242°N -85.9736°W
Postal Code Type:ZIP code
Postal Code:47117
Area Code:812
Blank Name:FIPS code
Blank Info:18-20674[2]
Blank1 Name:GNIS feature ID
Blank1 Info:2396924

Elizabeth is a town in Posey Township, Harrison County, Indiana, United States. The population was 162 at the 2010 census.

History

The original plat of the town of Elizabeth was recorded on April 17, 1812.[3] It was witnessed by Sheriff John Tipton. The land for the town was donated by Capt. Jacob Zenor and wife Suzannah Muchendorffer Zenor. The town is named after Jacob's daughter-in-law Elizabeth Lemmon Zenor wife of George Zenor.

Rose Hill Cemetery, the second largest cemetery in the county, is located on the west side of the town. The land for the cemetery was donated by Jacob Zenor and wife, with the only rule being that burial be made available regardless of the religious denomination of the deceased.

The town fire department was first organized by the town on December 29, 1959. The first fire engine was purchased in Corydon. It was a 1941 International Fire Truck, purchased for $200.

The first school in Elizabeth was a single room log cabin around 1833. Around 1890 seminary education first became available at Clay Hill College in downtown Elizabeth. The college was later moved and the high school eventually took over that building around 1908. The first graduation was held on April 13, 1912. The high school burned down in 1935. In 1936 Posey Township completed construction of a new brick school building. The building is still in use today, owned and operated by a local civic non-profit organization. The town's school children now attend South Central High School, which serves the entire south-eastern portion of Harrison County.

Geography

Elizabeth is located at 38.1242°N -85.9736°W (38.124158, -85.973711).[4] According to the 2010 census, Elizabeth has a total area of 0.17sqmi, all land.[5]

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Elizabeth has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.[6]

Government

The Town of Elizabeth is governed by a three-member Town Council. Members elected in the 2015 Election were Alan Worral, Chris Fetz, and Mike Sampson. The current Clerk-Treasurer is Hugh Burns. He was elected in 2011 and reelected in 2015 and 2019.[7]

Demographics

2010 census

As of the census[8] of 2010, there were 162 people, 62 households, and 44 families living in the town. The population density was 952.9PD/sqmi. There were 73 housing units at an average density of 429.4/sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 96.3% White, 1.2% African American, 0.6% Native American, 1.2% from other races, and 0.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.2% of the population.

There were 62 households, of which 37.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.2% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 8.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 29.0% were non-families. 24.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.16.

The median age in the town was 33.9 years. 27.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.8% were from 25 to 44; 18.5% were from 45 to 64; and 19.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 49.4% male and 50.6% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 137 people, 53 households, and 36 families living in the town. The population density was 997.1sp=usNaNsp=us. There were 59 housing units at an average density of 429.4sp=usNaNsp=us. The racial makeup of the town was 98.54% White, 0.73% from other races, and 0.73% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.73% of the population.

There were 53 households, of which 32.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.6% were married couples living together, 11.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.2% were non-families. 26.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.16.

The age distribution of the town was 27.0% under 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 17.5% 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 80.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 75.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $31,563, and the median income for a family was $38,250. Males had a median income of $23,523 versus $19,063 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,208. There were 8.6% of families and 10.2% of the population living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and 31.1% of those over 64.

Education

Elizabeth has a public library, a branch of the Harrison County Public Library.[9]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files. United States Census Bureau. March 16, 2022.
  2. Web site: U.S. Census website . . January 31, 2008 .
  3. Book: Indiana's Birthplace: A History of Harrison County, Indiana . Tribune Company, Printers . Roose, William H. . 1911 . 68.
  4. Web site: US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990. United States Census Bureau. April 23, 2011. February 12, 2011.
  5. Web site: G001 - Geographic Identifiers - 2010 Census Summary File 1 . July 16, 2015 . . https://archive.today/20200213045844/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US1820674 . February 13, 2020 . dead .
  6. Web site: Climate Summary for Elizabeth, Indiana . Weatherbase.com . November 2, 2020.
  7. http://www.corydondemocrat.com/Articles-News-i-2015-07-28-228935.114125-Final-deadline-Monday-to-run-for-town-office.html{{dead link|date=November 2020}}
  8. Web site: U.S. Census website. United States Census Bureau. December 11, 2012.
  9. Web site: Contact information . Harrison County Public Library . March 7, 2018 . February 27, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180227050201/http://www.hcpl.lib.in.us/contactus.htm . dead .