Huntington

History

Name

Huntington was named by Captain Elias Murray, a member of the legislature. The name Huntington is derived from Samuel Huntington, a judge, politician, and patriot in the American Revolution. Samuel Huntington is also known for being the third governor of Connecticut and the seventh president of the Continental Congress. Being a delegate to the Second Continental Congress, Huntington took part in voting for and signing the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation.

Early settlement

The county of Huntington was formally organized on December 2, 1834. The city of Huntington was first established by a group of pioneers, most notably Captain Elias Murray. By 1849, Huntington contained 150 houses and a population of 700.

Historical literature

A small number of books have been published about the history of Huntington County, the first being History of Huntington County, Indiana originally published by Brant & Fuller. Two other books about Huntington include History of Huntington County, IN by Frank Sumner Bash in 1914 (describing its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests) and Huntington County, IN: Histories and Families by Turner Publishing Company in 1993 as a result of the Huntington County Historical Society officers and board of directors meeting in summer 1992 to discuss the family history of Huntington, the glue that has held together the city and county of Huntington in the heartland of the Midwest for more than 175 years.

Wabash and Erie Canal

The Wabash and Erie Canal was constructed through Huntington County in 1834 and added a major economic benefit to the area. In addition to the Wabash River cutting through Huntington (see Forks of the Wabash), this newly opened trade route accelerated the population and economic growth in Huntington.

Geography

Huntington is located on the Wabash River. According to the 2010 census, Huntington has a total area of 8.844 square miles (22.91 km2), of which 8.71 square miles (22.56 km2) (or 98.48%) is land and 0.134 square miles (0.35 km2) (or 1.52%) is water.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Huntington had a population of 17,022. The median age was 37.4 years. 22.4% of residents were under the age of 18 and 17.0% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 91.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 88.7 males age 18 and over.

98.2% of residents lived in urban areas, while 1.8% lived in rural areas.

There were 6,890 households in Huntington, of which 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 39.6% were married-couple households, 20.1% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 31.3% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 34.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 7,768 housing units, of which 11.3% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 2.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 11.1%.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 17,391 people, 6,566 households, and 4,197 families living in the city. The population density was 1,996.7 inhabitants per square mile (770.9/km2). There were 7,487 housing units at an average density of 859.6 per square mile (331.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.4% White, 0.6% African American, 0.4% 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 2.4% of the population.

There were 6,566 households, of which 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.2% were married couples living together, 13.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.1% were non-families. Of all households 30.4% were made up of individuals, and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.06.

The median age in the city was 33.4 years. 24.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 13.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.5% were from 25 to 44; 22.5% were from 45 to 64; and 13.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.7% male and 52.3% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 17,450 people, 6,717 households, and 4,419 families living in the city. The population density was 2,091.0 inhabitants per square mile (807.3/km2). There were 7,262 housing units at an average density of 870.2 per square mile (336.0/km2). The main religion is Roman Catholic, with around 42% of the city attending masses. The racial makeup of the city was 97.83% White, 0.21% African American, 0.45% Native American, 0.45% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.30% from other races, and 0.73% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.12% of the population.

There were 6,717 households, out of which 33.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.9% were married couples living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.2% were non-families. Of all households 29.0% were made up of individuals, and 12.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.2% under the age of 18, 12.9% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 18.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $45,600, and the median income for a family was $56,454. Males had a median income of $35,830 versus $26,921 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,242. About 5.2% of families and 7.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.2% of those under age 18 and 6.4% of those age 65 or over.

Schools

The Huntington County Community School Corporation serves the city of Huntington and all of Huntington County. The corporation's lone high school, Huntington North High School, is located in Huntington. The two corporation middle schools, Crestview Middle School, Riverview Middle School, and three of the five elementary schools lie just outside the city limits. The elementary schools include Flint Springs, Horace Mann, Lincoln, Roanoke, and Salamonie. Private schools include Huntington Catholic School operated by the Roman Catholic Church.

The town has a lending library, the Huntington City-Township Public Library.

Economy

Catholic publisher Our Sunday Visitor is based in Huntington.

Communications

Local radio stations

WJCI FM 102.9

WBZQ AM 1300 La Jefa Radio (Spanish)

WVSH FM 91.9 The Edge, high school station (Huntington North High School)

WQHU FM 105.5 FUSE FM, Huntington University

Transportation

Huntington Municipal Airport, a small airport for general aviation, lies southeast of the city. The Huntington Municipal Airport is a private airport. It is also used for some special events like Touch a Truck. It is small with one runway and 2 hangars, with a small main building. The city has no public transport buses.

Note: The planes are usually small and most flights are test runs or small trips.

Several highways serve the city:

US 24

US 224

SR 5

SR 9

Notable people

Sports

Gary Dilley, swimmer, Olympic silver medalist

Dusty Fahrnow, Indy Car driver

Josh Hart, NHRA race car driver

Lauren Johnson, professional runner

Harry Mehre, football player

E. J. Tackett, professional bowler on the PBA Tour

Addison Wiley, American middle-distance runner

Gene Hartley, Indy car driver, raced in multiple Indianapolis 500 races.

Politics

U. S. Lesh, 24th Indiana Attorney General

Lambdin P. Milligan, Civil War-era insurrectionist

Dan Quayle, former vice president of the United States, U.S. senator, U.S. representative

J. Edward Roush, U.S. representative, father of "911 Emergency System"

James R. Slack, state senator and Civil War general

Andy Zay, member of the Indiana Senate, Known for making the fried tenderloin sandwich the official sandwich of the state of Indiana.

Other

Dan Butler, actor

Elizebeth (Smith) Friedman (1892–1980), author and pioneer in cryptology

Jennifer Lancaster, author

Mick Mars, guitarist of Mötley Crüe

John F. Noll, archbishop and newspaper founder

Brian Peck, sex offender, former actor, dialogue coach, director and producer

Carrie M. Shoaff (1849–1939), artist, author, potter, playwright, correspondent

Richard Leroy Walters, homeless philanthropist

Noah Reed, sportscaster for NBC Sports and Fox Sports

Alex Underwood, actress, stunt performer, professional wrestler for WOW Women of Wrestling

Steve Overmyer, National news anchor for CBS New York

Points of interest

Church of the United Brethren in Christ National Headquarters

David Alonzo and Elizabeth Purviance House

Drover Town Historic District

Forks of the Wabash

Hawley Heights Historic District

Hotel LaFontaine

Huntington County Historical Museum

Huntington Courthouse Square Historic District

Huntington University Arboretum and Botanical Garden

Huntington University

J. Edward Roush Lake

Merillat Centre for the Arts

Moore/Carlew Building

North Jefferson Street Historic District

Old Plat Historic District

Our Sunday Visitor

Quayle Vice Presidential Learning Center

Samuel Purviance House

St. Peter's First Community Church

Sheets Wildlife Museum and Learning Center

Sunken Gardens

Taylor-Zent House