Jennings County

History

Jennings County was formed in 1817. It was named for the first Governor of Indiana and a nine-term congressman, Jonathan Jennings. Jennings was governor when the county was organized.

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 27,613. The median age was 40.4 years. 23.8% of residents were under the age of 18 and 16.7% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 100.1 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 100.2 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county was 93.7% White, 0.6% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% Asian, <0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.5% from some other race, and 3.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 3.1% of the population.

25.1% of residents lived in urban areas, while 74.9% lived in rural areas.

There were 10,582 households in the county, of which 31.7% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 50.0% were married-couple households, 18.9% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 21.9% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 24.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 11,574 housing units, of which 8.6% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 76.6% were owner-occupied and 23.4% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.4% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.1%.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 28,525 people, 10,680 households, and 7,733 families residing in the county. The population density was 75.7 inhabitants per square mile (29.2/km2). There were 12,069 housing units at an average density of 32.0 per square mile (12.4/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.8% white, 0.8% black or African American, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% American Indian, 1.0% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.0% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 26.2% were German, 16.3% were Irish, 14.7% were American, and 7.2% were English.

Of the 10,680 households, 36.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.7% were married couples living together, 11.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 27.6% were non-families, and 22.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.06. The median age was 38.4 years.