Northern Indiana is a geographic and cultural region that generally comprises the northern third of the U.S. state of Indiana and borders the states of Illinois to the west, Michigan to the north, and Ohio to the east. Spanning the state's northernmost 26 counties, its main population centers include Northwest Indiana (anchored by the cities of Hammond and Gary and part of the larger Chicago metropolitan area ), Michiana (anchored by the cities of South Bend , Mishawaka , and Elkhart ), and the Fort Wayne metropolitan area (anchored by the city of Fort Wayne ).
58-472: Northern Indiana's physical geography was significantly shaped during Wisconsin glaciation , resulting in a till plain ranging from flat to gently rolling terrain, especially in the Wabash Valley . The region experiences a humid continental climate , supporting temperate deciduous forest , tallgrass prairie , and wetland ecosystems. In addition to Lake Michigan , more than 300 kettle lakes are located in
116-678: A few years earlier. In 2008 the Benton County Wind Farm began operating with 87 1.5 MW wind turbines . Duke Energy purchases electricity from the wind farm and sells it to customers through its GoGreen program. In 2009 the Fowler Ridge Wind Farm opened nearby, giving Benton County one of the largest concentrations of wind turbines in the United States east of the Mississippi River . Benton County lies along
174-738: A high of 84 °F (29 °C) in July, although a record low of −24 °F (−31 °C) was recorded in January ;1999 and a record high of 99 °F (37 °C) was recorded in July ;1995. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.59 inches (40 mm) in February to 4.50 inches (114 mm) in June. The county government is a constitutional body granted specific powers by the Constitution of Indiana and
232-421: A high school diploma or equivalent and 16.1% a bachelor's degree or higher. Of those employed, 20.4% work in education, health care and social services; 19.9% work in manufacturing, 10.1% work in retail, and 8.6% work in agriculture, forestry, fishing, hunting or mining. Finally, 35.4% of science, technology, engineering and math jobs are held by females. In Benton County, there were 3,783 housing units and 74% of
290-409: A lower portion of the moraine. Multiple outlets could form through low spots too until one would become dominant after erosion lowered both the outlet and lake surface. Ice melt and rainfall carried large quantities of clay , sand , and gravel from the ice mass. Clays could be moved long distances by moving water, while sand and gravel could not. Thus, sand and gravel landforms developed along
348-468: A whole. The striations made by the ice field in moving over the bedrock show that it moved principally to the west through the passes of the coast range. Whenever the ice sheet melted from the north at a moraine , water would begin to pond in the divide between a moraine and the ice front. The ice would act as a dam as water could not drain through the ice sheet, which in the Wisconsin period covered most of
406-515: Is assisted in these duties by a three-member township board. The trustees and board members are elected to four-year terms. Benton County is in Indiana's 4th Congressional District , represented by Jim Baird in the United States Congress . It is part of Indiana Senate district 6 and Indiana House of Representatives district 13. It had previously been part of House District 15. As of
464-674: Is centered on the South Bend–Elkhart–Mishawaka Combined Statistical Area and generally corresponds with Area code 574 . Counties typically considered part of the Michiana sub-region include: Northeast Indiana comprises the northeastern portion of Northern Indiana, centered on the Fort Wayne–Huntington–Auburn Combined Statistical Area and generally corresponding with Area code 260 . Counties typically considered part of
522-574: Is located in the northwest part of the U.S. state of Indiana , along the border with Illinois . As of 2020, the county's population was 8,719. It contains six incorporated towns as well as several small unincorporated settlements; it is divided into 11 townships which provide local services. The county seat is Fowler . Benton County is part of the Lafayette, Indiana , Metropolitan Statistical Area . The lands of present NW Indiana were explored by French explorer Robert de LaSalle . At that time
580-892: Is mostly found in the Calumet region of Northern Indiana. The Northern cities vowel shift is recognizable in Northwest Indiana and the Michiana area. However, the rest of Northern Indiana tends to exhibit North Midland dialect, with little recognizable influences. Because of the city's transitional location between the Inland North, North Midland, and Central Midland dialects, Fort Wayne has been difficult for linguists to define, with some labeling speech here "virtually accent neutral," attributed to historical settlement patterns. Northern Indiana bases much of its economy around manufacturing, distribution and transportation, and medical devices. Outside
638-710: Is primarily supplied by the Northern Indiana Public Service Company (NIPSCO), a subsidiary of Merrillville -based NiSource . Electric utilities serving the region include NIPSCO, Indiana Michigan Power (a subsidiary of American Electric Power ), and Duke Energy Indiana (a subsidiary of Duke Energy ). Four of Indiana's five hydroelectric power plants are located in Northern Indiana. Two are owned by Indiana Michigan Power (the Elkhart and Twin Branch dams on
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#1732848818887696-448: Is the nation's second-largest steel-producing area. U.S. Steel 's Gary Works (in Gary ) was once the largest steel mill in the world and employed 30,000. Gary Works remains North America's largest integrated steel mill. Northwest Indiana is also a vital trade and shipping center for the state. The Port of Indiana–Burns Harbor handles more ocean-going cargo than any other Great Lakes port in
754-460: The 2020 United States Census , there were 8,719 people and 3,432 households in the county. The population density was 21.8 inhabitants per square mile (8.4/km ). There were 3,939 housing units. The racial makeup of the county was 92.1% White, 1.1% Black or African American, 0.2% Asian, 0.3% American Indian or Native Alaskan, 0.1% Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, and 1.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 5.4% of
812-560: The Bering Strait is believed to have allowed human occupation of this area which provided potential access for some of the first humans to move between North America and Siberia in Asia (see Settlement of the Americas ). Other human migration routes also opened during interglacial periods in both Europe and Asia. North American flora and fauna species were distributed quite differently during
870-509: The Indiana Code . The county council is the legislative branch of the county government, controlling spending and revenue collection. Representatives, elected to staggered four-year terms from county districts, determine 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. In 2010,
928-716: The Lafayette–West Lafayette metropolitan area , typically considered part of Central Indiana. Cass and Miami counties have economic ties to the Kokomo metropolitan area , also typically considered part of Central Indiana. Portions of these counties fall within Area code 765 . Most of Northern Indiana (20 counties) observes Eastern Time . Six counties in the Northwest Indiana sub-region ( Jasper , Lake , LaPorte , Newton , Porter , and Starke counties) observe Central Time . The major cities of Northern Indiana are Fort Wayne (in
986-871: The Late Wisconsin in North America. This glaciation radically altered the geography north of the Ohio River , creating the Great Lakes . At the height of the Wisconsin Episode glaciation, the ice sheet covered most of Canada , the Upper Midwest , and New England , as well as parts of Idaho , Montana , and Washington . On Kelleys Island in Lake Erie , northern New Jersey and in New York City 's Central Park ,
1044-675: The St. Joseph River ) and two are owned by NIPSCO (the Norway and Oakdale dams on the Tippecanoe River ). The company also operates two coal-fired power stations in the region: Michigan City Generating Station and R. M. Schahfer in Wheatfield . Northern Indiana's share of renewable energy generation, particularly solar and wind sources, has increased since the late 2000s. Wind farms are common in rural Benton and White counties, including Fowler Ridge ,
1102-524: The Wabash River ( Eel , Little , and Tippecanoe rivers). Besides Lake Michigan , other notable lakes and reservoirs include Lake Freeman , Lake George , Lake James , Lake Manitou , Lake Maxinkuckee , Lake Shafer , Lake Tippecanoe , Lake Wawasee , Webster Lake , and Wolf Lake . Michiana, a portmanteau of " Michigan " and " Indiana ", is a loosely defined sub-region that spans southwestern Michigan and Northern Indiana's north-central counties. It
1160-568: The Waterman Hills researchers found that Juniperus osteosperma and Pinus monophylla were early to mid-Holocene dominant trees, while Monardella arizonica has been a continuously present understory plant. Celtis reticulata is an example of a plant present in the early Holocene following Wisconsin glacial retreat, a species no longer present at the Waterman Mountains site. Benton County, Indiana Benton County
1218-671: The grooves left in rock by these glaciers can be easily observed. In southwestern Saskatchewan and southeastern Alberta a suture zone between the Laurentide and Cordilleran ice sheets formed the Cypress Hills , North America's northernmost point that remained south of the continental ice sheets. During much of the glaciation, sea level was low enough to permit land animals, including humans , to occupy Beringia (the Bering Land Bridge ) and move between North America and Siberia . As
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#17328488188871276-603: The 2010 census, the county has a total area of 406.51 square miles (1,052.9 km ), of which 406.42 square miles (1,052.6 km ) (or 99.98%) is land and 0.09 square miles (0.23 km ) (or 0.02%) is water. The county's four public schools are administered by the Benton Community School Corporation . In recent years, average temperatures in Fowler have ranged from a low of 13 °F (−11 °C) in January to
1334-718: The Canadian Territory of Keewatin . The ice moved south some 1,500 miles (2,400 km) into Kansas and Missouri. To the west, it reached 1,000 miles (1,600 km) to the foothills of the Rocky Mountains . The Cordilleran Ice Sheet has left remnants throughout the Northern Rocky Mountains . Unlike the other two ice sheets, this one is mountain based covering British Columbia and reaching into northern Washington State and Montana . The Cordilleran Ice Sheet has more of an Alpine style of many glaciers merged into
1392-593: The Great Plains . Roughly 10.7% of both Huntington and Wells County live in poverty, as compared to only 15.5% in Pulaski County. At the same time, Northern Indiana, as is the case for much of the Midwest, is predominately made up of people of European heritage. According to the 2010 Census, almost 98% of Whitley County is white, as compared to Lake County (Gary), which is only 64.4% white and 25.9% African American. Lastly,
1450-519: The Northeast Indiana sub-region include: Northwest Indiana, colloqially known as "The Region", comprises the northwestern portion of Northern Indiana, centered on the southeastern extent of the Chicago metropolitan area and generally corresponding with Area code 219 . Counties typically considered part of the Northwest Indiana sub-region include: Benton and White counties have economic ties to
1508-828: The Tippecanoe. A treaty dated October 26, 1832, with the Pottawattamie ceded control of the northwestern part of Indiana; on October 27 the Pottawattamie of Indiana and Michigan also relinquished all claim to any remaining land in those states. Before 1832, this area was not open to settlement; previous settlers had taken the southern parts of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. Northwestern Indiana was also less desirable for farming, being described as alternate swamps, sterile sand ridges and flat, wet prairies, although it did proliferate in game . A state legislative act dated February 7, 1835, created two counties in this area, Newton and Jasper . The county governments were not created at that time and
1566-453: The U.S. The north central area of Northern Indiana, centered on Warsaw , is home to several companies specializing in the development and production of orthopedic medical devices. Nearly one-third of the $ 38 billion global orthopedic industry is concentrated in north central Indiana. Elkhart and surrounding municipalities in the Michiana region are home to the largest concentration of recreational vehicle and mobile home manufacturers in
1624-554: The U.S., including Forest River , Gulfstream Coach , Heartland Recreational Vehicles , Jayco , and Monaco Coach , among several others. Some 83 percent of American RVs are produced in Elkhart County . The automotive industry is another significant driver of the region's economy. General Motors ' Fort Wayne Assembly near Roanoke produces the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra. South Bend-based AM General manufactures
1682-476: The Wisconsin era, due to altered temperatures, surface water distribution, and in some cases coverage of earth surface by glaciers. A number of scientific studies have been conducted to determine species distribution, particularly during the Late Wisconsin and early to mid-Holocene. An example of findings is from the investigation of flora species using pollen core samples in present-day northern Arizona. Here in
1740-542: The area was inhabited by the Miami Confederation of Indians . Through White settlement, encroachment, and confrontation, the various indigenous groups were forced to cede their claim to the area. In October 1818, the Pottawattamies , Weas , and Delawares ceded their lands west of the Tippecanoe River to the government. In a treaty dated October 23, 1826, the Pottawattamie and Miamis ceded all their lands east of
1798-420: The area's geographic, economic, cultural, and political landscape. Home to about 2.3 million people, the region is defined by both its industrial cities and agricultural towns. Manufacturing remains a vital part of the region's economy, particularly in the production of recreational vehicles, medical devices, and steel . Protected areas include Indiana Dunes National Park and Indiana's most visited state park of
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1856-873: The average family size per household is relatively constant around 3.00 persons per household. In 2010, the average family size per household was 3.66 in LaGrange County, 3.23 in Elkhart County, 3.19 in Lake County, 3.16 in Noble County, 3.15 in Marshall County, and 3.12 in Allen County. Northern Indiana is known for having the third-highest Amish population in the U.S., especially in Allen, Adams, Elkhart, and LaGrange counties. The Inland North dialect of American English
1914-760: The civilian Hummer H1 and military Humvee at its Mishawaka assembly plant. Gambling is an important sector of the region's economy. Northern Indiana is home to three riverboat casinos ( Ameristar in East Chicago, Blue Chip in Michigan City, and Horseshoe in Hammond), one land-based casino ( Hard Rock in Gary), and one tribal casino ( Four Winds in South Bend), owned by the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians . Natural gas
1972-466: The council, collecting revenue and managing day-to-day functions of the county government. The county maintains a small claims court that can handle some civil cases. The court judge 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 elected to a four-year term. In some cases, court decisions can be appealed to
2030-406: The counties were attached to White County for administrative purposes. The Jasper County organization was effected beginning March 15, 1838. On February 18, 1840, the county of Benton was formed from Jasper's area. It was named for Thomas H. Benton (D) , U.S. Senator from Missouri . The original county seat selected in 1843 was Oxford , but after a long struggle between contending factions it
2088-412: The county budgeted approximately $ 5 million for the district's schools and $ 2.8 million for other county operations and services, for a total annual budget of approximately $ 7.8 million. The Board of Commissioners is the county's executive body. They are elected countywide, in staggered four-year terms. One commissioner serves as board president. The commissioners execute acts legislated by
2146-403: The county was $ 49,488 and the median income for a family was $ 57,131 and $ 32,055 for nonfamily households. The per capita income for the county was $ 25,187. Additionally, 13.5% of the population were below the poverty line , including 19.4% of those under age 18 and 5.8% of those age 65 or over. Of the total 2020 population, 6.5% of were veterans. Regarding educational attainment, 42.8% earned
2204-499: The glacial deposits were eroded and weathered. This first Wisconsin period erased all the Illinoian glacial topography that its glaciers extended over. The Late Wisconsin ice sheet extended more towards the west than the earlier movements. This may have been due to changes in the accumulation center of the ice sheet, topographic changes introduced by the Early phase or by pressure changes in
2262-427: The glacier when it melts back is called the ground moraine or till plain . Till is highly permeable and creates a large ground reserve for water. This formation is highly desirable for human economic development as a source of water. Prehistoric human migration was likely greatly influenced by this last glacial period, as during much of the Wisconsin era, the formation of a land bridge known as Beringia across
2320-577: The glaciers retreated, glacial lakes were breached in great glacial lake outburst floods such as the Kankakee Torrent , which reshaped the landscape south of modern Chicago as far as the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers. Two related movements have been termed Wisconsin: Early Wisconsin and Late Wisconsin. The Early Wisconsin was the bigger of the two and extended farther west and south. It retreated an unknown distance before halting. During this period of quiet,
2378-475: The ice mass in the north. The Labrador Ice Sheet centered east of Hudson Bay. Expanding towards the southwest, it reached into the eastern edge of Manitoba and across the Great Lakes to the Ohio River , upwards of 1,600 miles (2,600 km) from its source. Its eastern lobes covered New England and reached south to Cape Cod and Long Island, New York . The Keewatin Ice Sheet began west of Hudson Bay in
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2436-566: The largest wind farm in the American Midwest . Upon its completion, the Mammoth Solar project will be the largest in the U.S., covering 13,000 acres across rural Starke and Pulaski counties. BP 's Whiting Refinery in Whiting is the largest inland oil refinery in the U.S., processing 435,000 barrels (69,200 m) of crude oil daily. Two regional transmission organizations serving
2494-476: The metropolitan areas, the region's agricultural sector is abundant provided its location within the fertile Corn Belt . Northern Indiana is also situated in the heart of the Rust Belt , an area of the U.S. that has suffered deindustrialization and some economic stagnation since the late 20th century. The Calumet region of Northwest Indiana is home to much heavy industry , notably steel mills . The Calumet region
2552-428: The nation's electrical grid provide coverage to portions of Northern Indiana: Midcontinent Independent System Operator and PJM Interconnection . Notable companies headquartered in Northern Indiana include: About 25 accredited institutions of higher education are located throughout Northern Indiana, including more than a dozen private, liberal arts colleges and Christian seminaries, and multiple regional campuses of
2610-413: The northeast), South Bend (in the north-central region), and Hammond and Gary (in the extreme northwest along Lake Michigan ). Northern Indiana has experienced steady population growth over the past century (except at the 1990 U.S. census ). Between 1980 and 1990, Lake County (which includes the city of Gary ) saw a population decline of 47,371 residents, and it was this drop in population that hid
2668-446: The population rise which continued to occur in the majority of the region's other counties. The 2015 Census Estimate has shown that the rural counties (i.e., Wabash and Wells) are seeing a gradual population decline when compared to the gradual increase (or steady) population trend in the more urban counties (i.e., St. Joseph). The trend of rural counties losing population has been observed in various counties in other regions, most notably
2726-405: The population. In terms of ancestry, 25.6% were German , 12.9% were Irish , 5.4% were English , and 5.2% were French (not Basque). Of the 3,432 households, 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them. The average household size was 2.49. The median age was 40.5 years old. Of the total population, 18.5% have a visual or non-visual disability. The median income for a household in
2784-423: The proglacial river valleys. Numerous small, isolated water bodies formed between the moraine and the ice front. As the ice sheet would continue to melt and recede northward, these ponds combined into proglacial lakes . In areas without an available outlet, the water levels would either continue to rise until reaching one or more low spots along the rim of a moraine, or the ice sheet would retreat, opening access to
2842-637: The public Indiana , Purdue , and Ivy Tech Community College systems. The "‡" symbol indicates universities with main campuses outside Northern Indiana. Two of Indiana's six state-designated scenic byways —the Historic Michigan Road Byway and the Lincoln Highway Scenic Byway —traverse portions of Northern Indiana. Interstate Highways US Highways State Roads Most of Northern Indiana's 26 public aviation facilities are categorized as general aviation airports; however,
2900-468: The region is also home to two primary airports and one relief airport . In addition, two United States Air Force installations are based in the region. Primary Relief General aviation Military 41°10′N 86°0′W / 41.167°N 86.000°W / 41.167; -86.000 Wisconsin glaciation The Wisconsin glaciation , also called the Wisconsin glacial episode ,
2958-607: The region, including the state's largest natural lake ( Wawasee ) and deepest natural lake ( Tippecanoe ). Following the Valparaiso Moraine , the Laurentian Divide meanders through the region, separating the watersheds of the Great Lakes Basin to the north from those of the Mississippi River drainage basin to the south. Northern Indiana is situated within the larger Rust Belt and Corn Belt regions, influencing
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#17328488188873016-649: The same name . Northern Indiana is home to about 25 public and private higher education institutions, including more than a dozen religiously affiliated colleges and universities. The region is split between the Eastern and Central time zones . Major waterways include the Grand Calumet River , the Kankakee River , the Maumee River ( St. Marys and St. Joseph rivers), the St. Joseph River ( Elkhart River ), and
3074-409: The sides and front of the ice sheet; elongated accumulations of this material are known as kames . Mounds along the frontal edge of the ice are called moraines . Wherever a subglacial tunnel began infilling, long winding formations known as eskers would form. The sweeping plain of sand and gravel beyond the ice margin and a terminal moraine is called an outwash plain . The materials left under
3132-523: The state level circuit court . The county has several other elected offices, including sheriff , coroner , auditor , treasurer , recorder , surveyor and circuit court clerk . They are elected to four-year terms. Members elected to county government positions are required to declare party affiliations and be residents of the county. Each township has a trustee who administers rural fire protection and ambulance service, provides poor relief and manages cemetery care, among other duties. The trustee
3190-442: The state's western border with Illinois . It consists of low rolling hills, with all available terrain devoted to agriculture or development. Data gathered from space shuttle measurements list the county's lowest elevation as 138 meters (453 feet) and its highest elevation as 240 meters (790 feet). However, a knoll 4 miles (6.4 km) NNW of Boswell is shown on official topographic maps as 915 feet (279 meters) ASL. According to
3248-420: Was moved to Fowler in 1874. The current Benton County courthouse, located in Fowler, was designed by Gurdon P. Randall of Chicago and built in 1874 by Levi L. Leach at a cost of $ 62,257. The new courthouse was an impressive building from an architectural standpoint, but also provided much-needed improvements in security, including large fire-proof vaults. Randall had designed the Marshall County courthouse
3306-421: Was synchronous with global glaciation during the last glacial period, including the North American alpine glacier advance, known as the Pinedale glaciation . The Wisconsin glaciation extended from about 75,000 to 11,000 years ago, between the Sangamonian Stage and the current interglacial, the Holocene . The maximum ice extent occurred about 25,000–21,000 years ago during the last glacial maximum , also known as
3364-461: Was the most recent glacial period of the North American ice sheet complex, peaking more than 20,000 years ago. This advance included the Cordilleran Ice Sheet , which nucleated in the northern North American Cordillera ; the Innuitian ice sheet , which extended across the Canadian Arctic Archipelago ; the Greenland ice sheet ; and the massive Laurentide Ice Sheet , which covered the high latitudes of central and eastern North America. This advance
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