Shoals is a town in Center and Halbert townships and the county seat of Martin County, in the U.S. state of Indiana. The population was 677 at the 2020 census.
History
Shoals was originally called "Memphis", and under the latter name was platted in 1844. The post office at Shoals has been in operation since 1869.
A lynching took place at the county courthouse and jail. The Archer boys were accused of torturing and killing a local farmer and were hanged from trees in front of the jail in 1886.
Shoals is known for making mother of pearl buttons during the early 20th century. They were made out of mussels from the White River.
Demographics
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 756 people, 376 households, and 189 families living in the town. The population density was . There were 418 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the town was 97.4% White, 0.3% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.3% of the population.
There were 376 households, of which 23.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.7% were married couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 49.7% were non-families. 46.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 22.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.01 and the average family size was 2.81.
The median age in the town was 47.1 years. 20.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.8% were from 25 to 44; 27.3% were from 45 to 64; and 24.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 49.1% male and 50.9% female.
2000 census
As of the census Public education is administered by Shoals Public Schools.
Notable people
- Frank Gilkison, justice of the Indiana Supreme Court