Hymera is a town in and the principal center of Jackson Township, Sullivan County, in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of the 2020 census, Hymera had a population of 653.
Geography
According to the 2010 census, Hymera has a total area of , all land. It is part of the Terre Haute Metropolitan Statistical Area. The primary coordinate point for Hymera is located at latitude 39.1859 and longitude -87.2989 in Sullivan County. Sullivan County is in the Eastern time zone (GMT -5). The elevation is 525 feet.
Demographics
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 801 people, 306 households, and 215 families residing in the town. The population density was . There were 364 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the town was 99.0% White, 0.2% Native American, and 0.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.1% of the population.
There were 306 households, of which 36.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.4% were married couples living together, 15.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 29.7% were non-families. 26.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.14.
The median age in the town was 37.5 years. 28% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.8% were from 25 to 44; 27.3% were from 45 to 64; and 12.7% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 49.7% male and 50.3% female.
Schools
Students from Hymera attend Northeast East Elementary (grades K–6), and North Central High School (grades 7–12) located in Farmersburg, Indiana.
Local attractions
The primary local attractions are Shakamak State Park and the Minnehaha Fish and Wildlife Area.
History
During pioneer times, the area was settled by the Methodists for the Bethel Church. A log building once stood within the limits of the present town, where the early settlers assembled for religious worship. On Busseron Creek was a grist mill erected about 1829. On the westside was one of the first coal mines of the county; it was owned by H. K. and Harvey Wilson. The coal was used chiefly by local blacksmiths.
Hymera was platted as a townsite circa 1870 by Nathan Hinkle.
Robert Linn had a general store on the site now occupied by the Odd Fellows block. For some years the store and post office, and two or three shops, comprised the business of the place.
The origin of the name Hymera is credited to John Badders, who was postmaster. He had an adopted daughter, Mary. In April of that year, a petition from nearly all the voters of Pittsburg was laid before the county commissioners asking that the name of the town as recorded on the plat be changed to Hymera. A short time previously, on the opening of the new mine at Alum Cave, the new town laid out there was called New Pittsburg, while the Hymera community in distinction was referred to as Old Pittsburg. The resulting confusion brought about the change in name. About this time a branch line of railroad reached up to the coal mines in the vicinity, which led to tremendous growth. In 1902 Hymera was incorporated into a town. That July, the first election for town officers was held.