Medaryville is a town in White Post Township, Pulaski County, in the U.S. state of Indiana. The town was once also commonly known Medarysville; one history incorrectly asserts that such was the original name.
thumb|right|Ad seen during oil rush
thumb|right|Medaryville's first buildings still stand
had an oil rush at the turn of the 20th century. Many wells were put in just west of town, and a refinery was built at the little town of Asphaltum. The oil pockets were of limited production, however, and the oil of poor quality. The enterprise was quickly abandoned. Attempts to rekindle the boom occurred in the 1950s and again in the 1980s, without gaining traction.
Also at the turn of the century B. J. Gifford's ambitious agricultural enterprise, known locally as the Gifford Marsh, and his railroad, The Chicago and Wabash Valley, lay west of town. From the 1930s to about 1980 William Gehring grew vegetables on much of the old Gifford land. The proximity of the potato fields led to Medaryville's longstanding nickname "Tatertown." In the past, town held a festival known as the Potato Fest, in honor of this facet of its history.
Geography
The Jasper-Pulaski Fish and Wildlife Area is northwest of town. This nature preserve is a stopover point for migrating Sandhill cranes, and attracts many visitors each fall. Each October the Medaryville/White Post Twp Fire Department sponsors a bike ride, known as the Crane Cruise, that runs through the heart of the migration territory.
According to the 2010 census, Medaryville has a total area of , all land.
Demographics
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 614 people, 228 households, and 163 families residing in the town. The population density was . There were 274 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the town was 94.8% White, 0.2% Native American, 3.4% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 6.4% of the population.
There were 228 households, of which 34.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.9% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 8.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 28.5% were non-families. 24.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.69 and the average family size was 3.10.
The median age in the town was 35.2 years. 25.9% of residents were under the age of 18; 10.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.7% were from 25 to 44; 24.9% were from 45 to 64; and 14.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 48.9% male and 51.1% female.
2000 census
As of the census
