Brownstown is a town within Brownstown Township and the county seat of Jackson County, Indiana, United States. As of the 2020 census, Brownstown had a population of 3,025. It was named for Jacob Brown, a general of the War of 1812.

History

thumb|left|Jackson County Courthouse

The town of Brownstown was platted on April 8, 1816, notably prior to the statehood of Indiana itself. Brownstown became the county seat of Jackson County in November 1816, replacing Fort Vallonia, which had only been the county seat since June of that year. The land for the Jackson County Court House, which rests in the heart of Brownstown on the square, was donated by Col. John Ketcham (1782–1865) for this specific function.

The Jackson County Courthouse was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2011.

Geography

According to the 2010 census, Brownstown has a total area of , of which (or 99.38%) is land and (or 0.63%) is water.

Brownstown lies on the East Fork of the White River, bordered by the Jackson-Washington State Forest and near the Hoosier National Forest.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Brownstown had a population of 3,025. The median age was 39.1 years. 25.2% of residents were under the age of 18 and 20.6% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 83.4 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 77.6 males age 18 and over.

0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.

There were 1,212 households in Brownstown, of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 41.9% were married-couple households, 15.8% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 34.8% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 32.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. of 2010, there were 2,947 people, 1,175 households, and 792 families living in the town. The population density was . There were 1,282 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the town was 98.3% White, 0.1% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.3% from other races, and 0.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.0% of the population.

There were 1,175 households, of which 34.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.3% were married couples living together, 15.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 32.6% were non-families. 29.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.97.

The median age in the town was 38.7 years. 25.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.2% were from 25 to 44; 23.5% were from 45 to 64; and 18.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 48.2% male and 51.8% female.

2000 census

As of the census The town also has a private Lutheran elementary and middle school.

References

  • Brownstown Chamber of Commerce
  • Official website