Decatur County, Indiana

Decatur County Education, Geography, and History

Decatur County is a county located in the state of Indiana. As of 2010, the population was 25,740. Decatur County was created on December 31, 1821. The county seat is Greensburg. This county is named for Commodore Stephen Decatur, hero of the War of 1812. 

Etymology - Origin of Decatur County Name

The county is named for Commodore Stephen Decatur, 1804 hero of Tripoli often remembered for his toast "... Our Country, may she always be right; but our country, right or wrong!" He also fought heroically in the War of 1812. Decatur was mortally wounded in a duel with Commodore James Barron on March 22, 1820.

Demographics:

County QuickFacts: CensusBureau Quick Facts

Decatur County History

Decatur County was organized December 31, 1821, and became effective on March 4, 1822. It was named for Commodore Stephen Decatur, Jr., naval officer in the First and Second Barbary Wars, and in the War of 1812. Decatur was mortally wounded in a duel in 1820.

Greensburg is the County Seat. Tradition says that the wife of Colonel Thomas Hendricks named this town in honor of her old hometown in Pennsylvania.

Decatur County is divided into 9 Civil Townships as follows: Adams, Clay, Clinton, Fugit, Jackson, Marion, Salt Creek, Sand Creek and Washington.

Geography: Land and Water

As reported by the Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 373 square miles (967 km²), of which 373 square miles (965 km²) is land and 1 square mile (2 km²) (0.22%) is water.

Decatur county is located in southeast Indiana.

Neighboring Counties

Bordering counties are as follows:

• North: Rush County
• Northeast: Franklin County
• Southeast: Ripley County
• Southwest: Jennings County; Bartholomew County
• Northwest: Shelby County

Education

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