Eaton is a town in Union Township, Delaware County, Indiana, along the Mississinewa River. The population was 1,595 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Muncie Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Eaton was laid out and platted in 1854. The town was incorporated September 10, 1873, soon after the railroad had been built through the neighborhood.

The first discovery of natural gas in Indiana occurred in the town of Eaton in 1876. The discovery set off the Indiana Gas Boom, leading to two decades of rapid regional growth.

thumb|Eaton from the air, looking northeast.

Geography

According to the 2010 census, Eaton has a total area of , of which (or 98.4%) is land and (or 1.6%) is water.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 1,595 people, 661 households, and 379 families living in the town. The population density was . There were 779 housing units at an average density of .

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

Of households in the town, 32.1% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 46.1% were married-couple households, 19.5% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 26.0% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 27.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 3.01. of 2010, there were 1,805 people, 696 households, and 508 families living in the town. The population density was . There were 824 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the town was 97.8% White, 0.1% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.8% of the population.

There were 696 households, of which 37.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.6% were married couples living together, 14.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 27.0% were non-families. 23.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.03.

The median age in the town was 36.3 years. 27.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.7% were from 25 to 44; 23.9% were from 45 to 64; and 14.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 51.1% male and 48.9% female.

2000 census

As of the census Eaton Elementary School is a public elementary school located in Eaton. The school is a part of the Delaware Community School Corporation and serves around 275 students in grades kindergarten to 5th grade. There is Delta Middle School, and the comprehensive high school of that district is Delta High School.

Eaton Public Library is a non-profit library funded wholly by memberships and donations. Through the support of volunteer staff, the library is open 7 days a week. The library offers family and individual memberships for the year, 3 months, or even just the day for an individual. Memberships are open to all residents of East-Central Indiana.

References

  • Official website