Columbia City is a city in Columbia Township, Whitley County, in the U.S. state of Indiana. The population was 8,750 at the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of Whitley County.
<p>History
The Whitley County Courthouse was designed (1888â€"1891) by Brentwood S. Tolan, of Fort Wayne, Indiana. The building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1979. The Thomas R. Marshall House was added to the register in 1983 and the Columbia City Historic District was added in 1987.
Geography
Columbia City is located at 41°9′31″N 85°29′16″W (41.158569, -85.487784).
According to the 2010 census, Columbia City has a total area of 5.601 square miles (14.51Â km2), of which 5.58 square miles (14.45Â km2) (or 99.63%) is land and 0.021 square miles (0.05Â km2) (or 0.37%) is water.
Demographics
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 8,750 people, 3,658 households, and 2,235 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,568.1 inhabitants per square mile (605.4/km2). There were 3,944 housing units at an average density of 706.8 per square mile (272.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.7% White, 0.5% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.2% of the population.
There were 3,658 households of which 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 42.4% were married couples living together, 13.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.9% were non-families. 33.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.93.
The median age in the city was 36.1 years. 24.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.7% were from 25 to 44; 23.9% were from 45 to 64; and 15.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.6% male and 52.4% female.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 7,077 people, 3,018 households, and 1,874 residing in the city. The population density was 1,359.5 people per square mile (524.5/km²). There were 3,191 housing units at an average density of 613.0 per square mile (236.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 98.11% White, 0.32% African American, 0.44% Native American, 0.08% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.34% from other races, and 0.68% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.20% of the population.
There were 3,018 households out of which 30.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.8% were married couples living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.9% were non-families. 33.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.89.
In the city, the population was spread out with 24.4% under the age of 18, 9.9% from 18 to 24, 29.1% from 25 to 44, 18.8% from 45 to 64, and 17.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 89.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 85.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $36,112, and the median income for a family was $47,357. Males had a median income of $34,803 versus $21,740 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,296. About 4.5% of families and 6.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.8% of those under age 18 and 9.8% of those age 65 or over.
Government
The city government consists of a mayor and a five-member city council. The mayor is elected in a citywide vote, along with the city councilperson-at-large. The remaining four council members are elected from individual city districts: northeast, southeast, southwest and northwest. There is also a city clerk-treasurer who is elected in a citywide vote.
The Columbia City post office has been in operation since 1854.
Education
- Columbia City High School
- Eagle Tech Academy
- Indian Springs Middle School
- Mary Raber Elementary School
- Little Turtle Elementary School
- Northern Heights Elementary School
- Coesse Elementary School
- Mary Raber Preschool
- Faith Christian Academy
Notable people
- Jim Banks, (1980-), US Congressman for Indiana's 3rd District
- Len Barnum (1912â€"1998), former NFL player with the New York Giants and Philadelphia Eagles, first quarterback ever taken in an NFL draft when the Pittsburgh Pirates chose him in 1936
- Lloyd C. Douglas (1877â€"1951), author of The Robe and The Magnificent Obsession, born in Columbia City
- Ralph F. Gates (1891â€"1957), Governor of Indiana (1945â€"1949), born in Columbia City and lived there throughout his life
- Roy Kilby, member of Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame
- Jill Long Thompson, politician, former U.S. Congresswoman (1989-1995)
- Thomas R. Marshall (1854â€"1925), Governor of Indiana (1909â€"1913), Vice President of the United States (1913â€"1921); a plaque in front of the courthouse honors him, and at one time a middle school bore his name
- General Keller E. Rockey, commanding general of the 5th Marine Division in the Battle of Iwo Jima, awarded the Navy Distinguished Service Medal for inspired combat leadership in this battle. Gen. Rockey served in France in World War I. He was awarded the Navy Cross as a junior officer in the 5th Marines at Chateau-Thierry. A second Navy Cross came later for heroic service in Nicaragua.
- Hannah Schaefer (1996-) a Christian musician
References
External links
- City of Columbia City, Indiana website
- Columbia City Chamber of Commerce
- Whitley County Official Website
- Â "Columbia City". New International Encyclopedia. 1905.Â