Map of White County, Indiana

White County is a county in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of the 2010 United States Census, the population was 24,643. The county seat (and only incorporated city) is Monticello.

White County overview:
Name:	White County
FIPS code:	18-181
State:	Indiana
Founded:	1 February 1834 (authorized)
Named for:	Isaac White
Seat:	Monticello
Largest city:	Monticello
Total Area:	508.68 sq mi (1,317.5 km²)
Land Area:	505.12 sq mi (1,308.3 km²)
Population Density:	47.8/sq mi (18.5/km²)

White County location map. Where is White County?

White County location on the U.S. Map. Where is White County. — Location of White County in the the United States.

White County location on the Indiana map. Where is White County. — Location of White County in Indiana.

History

The first white settlers in the future White County arrived in the land west of Tippecanoe River in 1829, and in other parts of the county in 1831. This area was part of Carroll County during that period.

By 1833, so many settlers had entered the area that the state legislature were pressured to have a separate county created. On 1 February 1834 the state approved the creation of this county, directing that it be named for Isaac White. Interim commissioners were named and directed to organize the county during the summer of 1834, and to choose a county seat in September. They did so on 5 September 1834, naming Monticello as the future seat, due to its central location. While the county was being organized, it was attached to Carroll County for administrative and judicial purposes.

The county name honored Isaac White of Equality, Illinois, who was killed at the Battle of Tippecanoe in 1811. White was a Colonel in the Illinois militia, who volunteered to serve as a Private in the Indiana militia in the march against Prophetstown. He was placed under the command of Kentucky Maj. Joseph Hamilton Daveiss. The two exchanged swords in a demonstration of mutual respect at Fort Vincennes. In the Battle of Tippecanoe they died together and were buried in a common grave at Battle Ground.

Alterations were made to the county’s boundaries on 24 December 1834, on 4 February 1837, and on 14 February 1839. In addition, the counties of Jasper (1837), Pulaski (1839), Newton (1839), and Benton (1840) removed significant portions of the county’s territory. The borders have remained unchanged since 1840.

White County Road Map

White CountyStreet Map. — Street map of White County, Indiana. Source: OpenStreetMap (OSM)

Geography

The low, rolling hills of White County are entirely devoted to agriculture or to urban development. The Tippecanoe River flows southward through the central part of the county. The highest point on the terrain (770 feet/230 meters ASL) is a gentle rise about 2.8 miles (4.5 km) SSE from Wolcott.

According to the 2010 United States Census, the county has a total area of 508.68 square miles (1,317.5 km), of which 505.12 square miles (1,308.3 km) (or 99.30%) is land and 3.56 square miles (9.2 km) (or 0.70%) is water.