New Amsterdam, Indiana Explained

New Amsterdam, 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:Washington
Area Footnotes:[1]
Unit Pref:Imperial
Area Land Km2:0.20
Area Water Km2:0.07
Area Total Km2:0.26
Area Total Sq Mi:0.10
Area Land Sq Mi:0.08
Area Water Sq Mi:0.03
Population As Of:2020
Population Total:12
Population Density Km2:61.33
Population Density Sq Mi:157.89
Timezone:Eastern (EST)
Utc Offset:-5
Timezone Dst:EDT
Utc Offset Dst:-4
Elevation Ft:449
Coordinates:38.1019°N -86.2747°W
Postal Code Type:ZIP codes
Postal Code:47142
Area Code:812
Blank Name:FIPS code
Blank Info:18-52398[2]
Blank1 Name:GNIS feature ID
Blank1 Info:0440016

New Amsterdam is a town located in Washington Township, Harrison County, Indiana, United States,[3] along the Ohio River. As of the 2020 census, the city population was 12.[4] As of the 2020 Census, New Amsterdam was the smallest city, town, or Census Designated Place in the state of Indiana. River Forest was the smallest in 2010 when it had 22, but had risen to 26. New Amsterdam now officially became the smallest town in Indiana with the population being 12, down from 27 in 2010.

History

The first settlers in what became New Amsterdam were James Riley and Jacob Youstler. Starting in 1815, they lived in New Amsterdam for several years before relocating further north.[5] The town was formally platted on September 19, 1815, by Jacob Funk and Samuel McAdams.[6]

The town relied on the Ohio River for its growth, as it was the main transportation route for migrating settlers as well as traders up and down river. Steamboats were active on the river during the 19th century and contributed to the growth of waterfront towns. In the 1860 census, New Amsterdam was the largest town in Harrison County.

Floods played a large part in the decline of the town. The Great Ohio River flood of 1937 destroyed 75% of the structures in the town. The only original building remaining in the town is the old country store. A marker on the second story of the building shows the height of the water in the 1937 Flood.

Today, the town has a general store, a Baptist church, a Methodist church, a town hall and a cemetery.

Geography

New Amsterdam is located at 38.1017°N -86.2747°W (38.101894, -86.274821).[7] According to the 2010 census, New Amsterdam has a total area of 0.1sqmi, of which 0.08sqmi (or 80%) is land and 0.02sqmi (or 20%) is water.[8]

Demographics

2020 census

As of the census[9] of 2020, there were 12 people and 6 occupied housing units in the town. The population density was 150PD/sqmi. There were 8 housing units at an average density of 100/sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 91.7% White and 8% Black. The town lost significant population between the 2010 census (27 people) and the 2020 census (12 people), passing River Forest as the smallest municipality in the state.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 27 people, 11 households, and 8 families residing in the town. The population density was 337.5/mi2. There were 20 housing units at an average density of 250/mi2. The racial makeup of the town was 85.2% White, 11.1% from other races, and 3.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.1% of the population.

There were 11 households, of which 36.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.5% were married couples living together, 18.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 27.3% were non-families. 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.75.

The median age in the town was 42.3 years. 29.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 0% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.9% were from 25 to 44; 25.9% were from 45 to 64; and 18.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 55.6% male and 44.4% female.

Area events

The New Amsterdam Festival, also known as Remembrance Day, was held the third Saturday of April. The final year for the festival was 2014.

See also

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. United States Census Bureau. January 31, 2008.
  3. Web site: G. W. Hawes' Indiana State Gazetteer and Business Directory for 1858 and 1859. George W.. Hawes. August 31, 1859. Geo. W. Hawes, Pub. and Proprietor.
  4. Web site: Star. Indianapolis. New Amsterdam town, Indiana Demographics and Housing 2020 Decennial Census. February 22, 2022. Indianapolis Star. en.
  5. Web site: Washington Township . February 11, 2008 . https://web.archive.org/web/20070821035451/http://historic.shcsc.k12.in.us/TOWNSHIP/washingt/washingt.htm . August 21, 2007 . dead .
  6. Book: Indiana's Birthplace: A History of Harrison County, Indiana . Tribune Company, Printers . Roose, William H. . 1911 . 69.
  7. Web site: US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990. United States Census Bureau. April 23, 2011. February 12, 2011.
  8. Web site: G001 - Geographic Identifiers - 2010 Census Summary File 1 . July 17, 2015 . . https://archive.today/20200213085845/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US1852398 . February 13, 2020 . dead .
  9. Web site: U.S. Census website. United States Census Bureau. December 11, 2012.