Greensburg, Indiana

Greensburg, Indiana
City
Nickname(s): Tree City

Location in the state of Indiana
Coordinates: 39°20′25″N 85°29′1″W / 39.34028°N 85.48361°W / 39.34028; -85.48361Coordinates: 39°20′25″N 85°29′1″W / 39.34028°N 85.48361°W / 39.34028; -85.48361
Country United States
State Indiana
County Decatur
Government
 • Mayor Dan Manus
Area[1]
 • Total 9.32 sq mi (24.14 km2)
 • Land 9.27 sq mi (24.01 km2)
 • Water 0.05 sq mi (0.13 km2)
Elevation 958 ft (292 m)
Population (2010)[2]
 • Total 11,492
 • Estimate (2012[3]) 11,638
 • Density 1,239.7/sq mi (478.7/km2)
Time zone EST (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code 47240
Area code(s) 812
FIPS code 18-29718[4]
GNIS feature ID 0449663[5]
Website http://www.cityofgreensburg.com

Greensburg is a city in Decatur County, Indiana, United States. The population was counted at 11,492 at the 2010 census. The city is the county seat of Decatur County.[6]

History

Greensburg was laid out in 1822.[7] The founder's wife being a native of Greensburg, Pennsylvania caused the name to be selected.[8]

The first post office at Greensburg opened in 1823, but the name of the post office was spelled Greensburgh until 1894.[9]

At the beginning of the twentieth century, race relations in Greensburg worsened, leading to the expulsion of African Americans from the city after race riots against them in 1906[10] and 1907.[11] According to James W. Loewen, Greensburg then was for decades a sundown town, a town that was purposely all-white.[12]

The Bromwell Wire Works, Decatur County Courthouse, Greensburg Carnegie Public Library, Greensburg Downtown Historic District, Bright B. Harris House, Jerman School, and Knights of Pythias Building and Theatre are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.[13]

Tree on the Courthouse Tower

Tree on the Courthouse Tower in Greensburg, Indiana

The Decatur County Courthouse in Greensburg is known for a tree which grows from the top of the Courthouse Tower, giving Greensburg its nickname, "Tree City".

There have been one or more trees growing continually since the first tree was noticed in the early 1870s. Later, other small trees appeared on the clock tower.

County officials were initially concerned that the trees would cause damage to the roof, and a steeplejack was hired in the 1880s to remove some of them. Two trees were left, with one ultimately growing to a height of nearly 15 feet (4.6 m). By the time it died, another tree had appeared.

Today, there are two trees on the tower. During a recent tree trimming a piece of the tree was examined by several Purdue University foresters and they positively identified the tree as a mulberry tree.[14]

Geography

According to the 2010 census, Greensburg has a total area of 9.315 square miles (24.13 km2), of which 9.27 square miles (24.01 km2) (or 99.52%) is land and 0.045 square miles (0.12 km2) (or 0.48%) is water.[1]

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
18501,202—
18601,2836.7%
18803,198—
18903,59612.4%
19005,03440.0%
19105,4207.7%
19205,345−1.4%
19305,7026.7%
19406,0656.4%
19506,6199.1%
19607,49213.2%
19708,62015.1%
19809,2547.4%
19909,2860.3%
200010,26010.5%
201011,49212.0%
Est. 201511,819[15]2.8%
Source: US Census Bureau

2010 census

As of the census[2] of 2010, there were 11,492 people, 4,661 households, and 2,927 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,239.7 inhabitants per square mile (478.7/km2). There were 5,185 housing units at an average density of 559.3 per square mile (215.9/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 96.1% White, 0.4% African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.3% Asian, 0.9% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.4% of the population.

There were 4,661 households of which 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.2% were married couples living together, 13.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 37.2% were non-families. 31.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.98.

The median age in the city was 37 years. 25% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.4% were from 25 to 44; 24.5% were from 45 to 64; and 15.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.9% male and 52.1% female.

2000 census

As of the census[4] of 2000, there were 10,260 people, 4,178 households, and 2,778 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,140.4 people per square mile (827.0/km²). There were 4,420 housing units at an average density of 922.1 per square mile (356.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.57% White, 0.08% African American, 0.16% Native American, 1.39% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.10% from other races, and 0.69% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.62% of the population.

Greensburg from the air, looking north.

There were 4,178 households, out of which 31.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.7% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.5% were non-families. 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39, and the average family size was 2.92.

In the city, the population was spread out with 24.6% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 28.9% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $38,029, and the median income for a family was $45,439. Males had a median income of $31,662 versus $24,605 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,829. About 8.0% of families and 11.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.2% of those under age 18 and 12.1% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Honda Motor Company operates an automobile manufacturing plant (Honda Manufacturing of Indiana, LLC) along Interstate 74 in Greensburg.[16] The company purchased 1,700 acres (6.9 km2) at the northwest edge of Greensburg in 2006. It took about 16 months to develop the site and construct the massive auto assembly facility. Mass production of the Honda Civic (eighth generation) sedan commenced at this plant on October 9, 2008. As of 2016, Honda Manufacturing of Indiana employs over 2,300 associates and produces the tenth-generation Honda Civic.[17] The Acura ILX was also assembled at Honda Manufacturing of Indiana until 2015, when production of that model was transferred to Honda's plant in Marysville, Ohio.[18]

A number of other Greensburg businesses produce goods ranging from auto parts to faucets. Kroger's KB Speciality Foods plant is based in Greensburg and manufactures various baked goods, deli salads and other store brand products.

In 2010, Delta Faucet consolidated machining activities, resulting in a workforce reduction at its Greensburg plant.[19]

Valeo also holds a plant in Greensburg for their engine cooling division. Products produced in the Greensburg plant include radiators, charged air coolers, heat exchangers, etc.

Government

Greensburg is an incorporated city governed by a mayor and a five-member city council. Four of the five City Council members are elected from separate districts within the city, while the fifth member is an at-large member who is elected by the entire community. The mayor, the city council, and the city's clerk-treasurer serve four year terms. Municipal elections are held in November of the year immediately preceding a presidential election.

Education

Greensburg has one school corporation, the Greensburg Community School Corporation. The school district has three buildings. Greensburg Elementary School, a state-of-the-art kindergarten-through-5th-grade facility that opened in 2004, has 1000 students. Greensburg Community Junior High School, which opened in 1957 as the high school building, underwent major renovations in 2008. It is home to approximately 470 students in grades 6-8. Current enrollment at Greensburg Community High School is 630 students in grades 9-12. The current high school building opened in 1971 and underwent major renovations in the early 2000s. Greensburg Community High School is one of six members of the Eastern Indiana Athletic Conference.

Greensburg is also home to one parochial school, St. Mary's School, which is a Pre-K-through-6th-grade facility. St. Mary's acquired land at the south edge of the city in 2010 that will be the location of their new Catholic Church and parochial school.

In 2004, the Greensburg Community Learning Center opened in the former Rosenmund Elementary School, which was one of three primary schools that were closed when Greensburg Elementary School opened that year. Nearly 250 students attend a variety of post-secondary school classes at the Learning Center, e.g., Purdue University's College of Technology. Ivy Tech Community College of Indiana also offers courses there.

In 2005, the former Washington Elementary School was converted into a minimum-security jail.

In 2006, the former Billings Elementary School became City Hall.

In 2013, Greensburg Community High School Boys Varsity Basketball Team became the IHSAA 3A Boys Basketball Champs beating Fort Wayne Concordia Lutheran High School in overtime with the score of 73-70.

In 2014, Greensburg Community High School Boys Varsity Basketball Team became the repeat IHSAA 3A Boys Basketball Champs beating Bowman Academy with the score of 89-76.

Healthcare

Decatur County Memorial Hospital has served the community since 1922. The facility offers a full range of both inpatient and outpatient services including 24/7 Emergency services. Hyperbaric Oxygen Chambers are available in the Center for Wound Healing at DCMH and the Hospital was one of the first in the state to acquire a 128-slice CT scanner. The Hospital Foundation of Decatur County has served to provide financial support for the facility and its programs. Major capital campaigns in 1995 and 2003 helped fund significant growth in the facility. A vertical expansion will add two floors to the 2003 addition including a new medical/surgical unit with all private rooms.

In addition to the main campus the Hospital owns the Medical Arts Plaza at 955 N. Michigan Ave., Greensburg. The 40,000 sq ft (3,700 m2) facility houses the Occupational Health program - "Workwell" and contains a lab, x-ray and the Tree City Medical Partners Physician's Practice as well as space for other physicians.

Transportation

Greensburg is located adjacent to Interstate 74 halfway between Indianapolis and Cincinnati. U.S. Highway 421 links Greensburg with Indianapolis to the north and Lexington, Kentucky, to the south. State Road 3 connects Greensburg with Muncie and Fort Wayne to the north and the Indiana suburbs of Louisville, Kentucky, to the south. State Road 46 links the community with Columbus, Bloomington, and Terre Haute to the west and Batesville to the east. Recently a construction project, which has made going east on Interstate 74 from the ramp west of town possible, has been completed.

Greensburg is a likely train stop on the proposed high-speed rail line between Indianapolis and Cincinnati. This line is part of the Midwest Regional Rail Initiative, which is the master plan for a high-speed rail network throughout the midwestern United States.

The Greensburg-Decatur County Airport consists of a single runway measuring 3,343 ft (1,019 m). by 40 ft (12 m). There are tentative plans to either expand the current runway or build a new airport elsewhere in Decatur County.

Indianapolis International Airport is located 59 miles (95 km) from Greensburg, and Cincinnati Northern Kentucky International Airport is located 66 miles (106 km) away.

Media

Greensburg has one newspaper, the Greensburg Daily News, which is published Mondays through Saturdays. The paper is owned by Community Newspaper Holdings, Inc.

Greensburg is also home to 1330 AM 104.3 FM WTRE, a locally owned and operated 500-watt AM/FM radio station that plays country music, local news, and local sports from area high schools.

Notable people

Climate

Climate is characterized by relatively high temperatures and evenly distributed precipitation throughout the year. Temperatures are high and can lead to warm, oppressive nights. Summers are usually somewhat wetter than winters, with much of the rainfall coming from convectional thunderstorm activity. The Köppen Climate Classification subtype for this climate is "Cfa" (Humid Subtropical Climate).[20]

Climate data for Greensburg, Indiana
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Average high °F (°C) 37
(3)		 40
(4)		 51
(11)		 63
(17)		 73
(23)		 82
(28)		 86
(30)		 85
(29)		 79
(26)		 67
(19)		 52
(11)		 40
(4)		 62.9
(17.1)
Average low °F (°C) 20
(−7)		 22
(−6)		 32
(0)		 42
(6)		 52
(11)		 60
(16)		 64
(18)		 62
(17)		 55
(13)		 44
(7)		 34
(1)		 24
(−4)		 42.6
(6)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 3.1
(79)		 2.5
(64)		 3.9
(99)		 3.9
(99)		 4.4
(112)		 4.2
(107)		 4.0
(102)		 3.4
(86)		 3.1
(79)		 2.9
(74)		 3.2
(81)		 3.1
(79)		 41.8
(1,062)
Average precipitation days 10 8 10 12 12 10 9 8 8 8 9 10 114
Source: Weatherbase[21]

References

  1. 1 2 "G001 - Geographic Identifiers - 2010 Census Summary File 1". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2015-07-28.
  2. 1 2 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2012-12-11.
  3. ↑ "Population Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-06-25.
  4. 1 2 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  5. ↑ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  6. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  7. ↑ Harding, Lewis Albert (1915). History of Decatur County, Indiana: Its People, Industries and Institutions. B.F. Bowen. p. 156.
  8. ↑ Baker, Ronald L. (October 1995). From Needmore to Prosperity: Hoosier Place Names in Folklore and History. Indiana University Press. p. 151. ISBN 978-0-253-32866-3. ...his wife with naming it for Greensburg, Pennsylvania...
  9. ↑ "Decatur County". Jim Forte Postal History. Retrieved 31 August 2014.
  10. ↑ Peter M. Bergman and Mort N. Bergman, The Chronological History of the Negro in America (NY: Mentor, 1969): 347.
  11. ↑ Fort Wayne Daily News. Fort Wayne, IN: 1 May 1907: 3.
  12. ↑ James Loewen. Sundown Towns: A Hidden Dimension of American Racism, New York: New Press, 2005.
  13. ↑ National Park Service (2010-07-09). "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service.
  14. ↑ "Greensburg's Famous Tower Tree". in.gov. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
  15. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  16. ↑ Administrator. "The facts and figures of what we do.". honda.com. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
  17. ↑ "Honda Manufacturing of Indiana Begins Production of All-New 10th-Generation 2016 Honda Civic Sedan". American Honda. Retrieved 12 December 2015.
  18. ↑ "Honda Worldwide - January 27, 2015 "New 2016 Acura ILX Begins Production as Brand Marks 20th Anniversary Of Manufacturing in America"". honda.com. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
  19. ↑ "Delta Faucet cutting 40 more jobs at Greensburg plant". ibj.com. Retrieved 3 June 2015.
  20. ↑ Climate Summaryfor Greensburg, Indiana
  21. ↑ "Weatherbase.com". Weatherbase. 2013. Retrieved on June 21, 2013.
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