Fortville, Indiana

Coordinates: 39°56′5″N 85°50′50″W / 39.93472°N 85.84722°W / 39.93472; -85.84722
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Fortville, Indiana
View of Main St at Pearl St
View of Main St at Pearl St
Location of Fortville in Hancock County, Indiana.
Location of Fortville in Hancock County, Indiana.
Coordinates: 39°56′5″N 85°50′50″W / 39.93472°N 85.84722°W / 39.93472; -85.84722
CountryUnited States
StateIndiana
CountyHancock
TownshipVernon
Area
 • Total3.46 sq mi (8.96 km2)
 • Land3.45 sq mi (8.94 km2)
 • Water0.01 sq mi (0.02 km2)
Elevation
856 ft (261 m)
Population
 • Total4,784
 • Density1,386.67/sq mi (535.39/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
46040
Area code317
FIPS code18-24286[3]
GNIS feature ID0434692[4]
Websitefortvilleindiana.org
Fortville downtown
Fortville Indiana
Water tower in Fortville Indiana

Fortville is a small town in the Vernon Township area. Its district is Hancock County, Indiana, United States. The population was 4,784 at the 2020 census.[2]

Geography[change | change source]

Fortville is in the northwest corner of Hancock County, Indiana aligned to the neighboring Hamilton County, which forms the northwest boundary and Madison County, which borders to the north. It's estimated 25 miles northeast of Indianapolis and is a part of the Indianapolis Metropolitan Area.

The 2010 census says, Fortville has a total area of 2.91 sq mi, of which 2.9 sq mi is land and .01 sq mi is water.

Even with rare droughts throughout central Indiana, Fortville has a stable and trustworthy supply of water because it is situated over a natural aquifer.

History[change | change source]

In 1849, Fortville was originally called Walpole. It was named for Cephas Fort, the original owner of the town's grounds. Fortville was incorporated as a town and renamed in in 1865.

The most historic piece is the Browne-Rafert House on Merrill Street was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2015.

Demographics[change | change source]

Historical population
Census Pop.
1870387
188063463.8%
18906858.0%
19001,00646.9%
19101,17416.7%
19201,2133.3%
19301,2896.3%
19401,46313.5%
19501,78622.1%
19602,20923.7%
19702,46011.4%
19802,78713.3%
19902,690−3.5%
20003,44428.0%
20103,92914.1%
20204,78421.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]

2020 census[change | change source]

As of the census of 2020, there were 4,784 people, 1,970 households, and 1,302 families living in the town. The population was 1,506.8 inhabitants per square mile (581.8/km2). There were 2,057 housing units at an average housing density of 647.9 per square mile (250.2/km2). The race percentages of the town was 89.2% White, 1.8% Black, 0.3% Native American, 0.9% Asian, 1.7% from other races, and 6.0% from two or more races.

There were 1,970 households, 34.6% had children under 18 living with them, 45.0% were married couples living together, 28.2% had a female house keeper with no husband present, 18.7% had a male house keeper with no wife present, and 33.9% were non-families. 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years or older. The average household size was 2.43 people.

The median age in the town was 35.3 years. 25.7% of residents were under 18, 8.2% were between 18 and 24, 28.7% were from 25 to 44, 23.9% were from 45 to 64; and 13.6% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the town was 48.5% male and 51.5% female.[2][6]

Parks[change | change source]

Landmark Park is located at Staat St and Veteran's Court, just East of Main Street.

The entrance to Memorial Park is located just west of Church and McCarty streets.

Education[change | change source]

The town house schools for the Mt. Vernon Comm Schools Coorp. The district houses three elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. The schools usually receive an A+ score from the State of Indiana.

The town has a library, the Fortville-Vernon Township Public Library.

Economy[change | change source]

Fortvilles historic downtown is home to local retailers, restaurants, and service providers. The downtown is also an attraction for arts and culture.

References[change | change source]

  1. "2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 16, 2022.
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 "Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2020 Demographic Profile Data (DP-1): Fortville town, Indiana". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 15, 2024.
  3. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  4. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  5. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  6. "P16: HOUSEHOLD TYPE". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved February 16, 2024.

Other websites[change | change source]