St. Joseph County, Indiana

St. Joseph County, colloquially called St. Joe County by residents, is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 272,912, making it the fifth-most populous county in Indiana. Formed in 1830, it was named for the St. Joseph River which flows through it to Lake Michigan. The county seat is South Bend. St. Joseph County is part of the South Bend–Mishawaka, IN–MI "Michiana", Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of , of which (or 99.23%) is land and (or 0.77%) is water.

In recent years, average temperatures in South Bend have ranged from a low of in January to a high of in July, although a record low of was recorded in January 1943 and a record high of was recorded in July 1934. Average monthly precipitation ranged from in February to in June.

{| class="wikitable sortable"

! District !! Councilperson !! Party

|A || Joseph Thomas || | Republican

|B || Amy Drake || | Republican

|C || Dan Schaetzle, President || |Republican

|D || Jenn Shabazz || | Democratic

|E || Diana Hess || | Democratic

|F || Randy Figg || |Republican

|G || Mark Catanzarite, President Pro Tempore || | Democratic

|H || Bryan Tanner, Vice President || | Democratic

|I || Andy Rutten || |Republican

Board of Commissioners: The executive body of the county is made of a board of commissioners. The commissioners are elected county-wide, in staggered terms, and each serves a four-year term. One of the commissioners, typically the most senior, serves as president. The commissioners are charged with executing the acts legislated by the council, collecting revenue, and managing the day-to-day functions of the county government.|source2=

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 272,912. The median age was 36.8 years. 23.0% of residents were under the age of 18 and 16.5% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 95.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 92.3 males age 18 and over.

The racial makeup of the county was 71.4% White, 13.2% Black or African American, 0.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.4% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 4.5% from some other race, and 8.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 9.7% of the population.

There were 107,307 households in the county, of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 42.2% were married-couple households, 20.3% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 30.0% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 31.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The population density was . There were 114,849 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 78.7% white, 12.7% black or African American, 1.9% Asian, 0.4% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 3.4% from other races, and 2.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 7.3% of the population.

Of the 103,069 households, 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.1% were married couples living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 35.6% were non-families, and 29.1% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.07. The median age was 36.2 years.

Education

K-12 schools

School districts include:

John Glenn School Corporation
Mishawaka School City
New Prairie United School Corporation
Penn-Harris-Madison School Corporation
South Bend Community School Corporation
Union-North United School Corporation

Public high schools in the county include:

John Adams High School (South Bend district)
James Whitcomb Riley High School (South Bend district)
Washington High School (South Bend district)
Mishawaka High School (Mishawaka district)
Penn High School (Penn-Harris district)

Clay High School (South Bend district) closed in 2024.

;Private schools

Catholic schools on this list are operated by or associated with the Roman Catholic Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend

Christ the King [Grades K-8]
Community Baptist Christian School [Grades K-12]
Corpus Christi [Grades K-8]
Covenant Christian School [Grades K-8]
Granger Christian School [Grades K-12]
Holy Cross Elementary [Grades K-8]
Holy Family Elementary [Grades K-8]
Ironwood Christian School [Grades K-12]
Michiana Christian School [Grades K-12]
Mishawaka Catholic School (St. Bavo Campus, St. Joseph Campus & St. Monica Campus) [Grades K-8]
Mishawaka First Baptist School [Grades K-12]
Marian High School [Grades 9-12]
North Liberty Christian School [Grades K-5]
Our Lady of Hungary [Grades K-8]
Queen of Peace School [Grades K-8]
Resurrection Lutheran Academy [Grades K-8]
Saint Joseph High School [Grades 9-12]
St. Adalbert Elementary [Grades K-8]
St. Anthony de Padua School [Grades K-8]
St. John the Baptist Elementary [Grades K-8]
St. Joseph Grade School [Grades K-8]
St. Jude Elementary [Grades K-8]
St. Mary of the Assumption School [Grades K-8]
St. Matthew Elementary [Grades K-8]
St. Patrick School [Grades K-6]
St. Pius X School [Grades Pre K-8]
South Bend Christian Center [Grades K-12]
South Bend Junior Academy [Grades K-8]
Stanley Clark School [Grades K-8]
Trinity School at Greenlawn [Grades 6-12]

Colleges and universities

Bethel University
Brown Mackie College (closed in 2017)
Holy Cross College
Indiana University South Bend
Ivy Tech North Central
St. Mary's College
University of Notre Dame

St. Joseph County Public Library

History

The St. Joseph County Public Library was founded in 1889. Originally known as the South Bend Public Library, it was founded by the South Bend School Corporation and managed by Evelyn Humphries out of a floor of the Oliver Opera House. Humphries soon secured funding for the building of the Main Library which opened to the public in 1896. It was known as "The Castle" due to its unique architecture.

In 1902, Virginia Tutt became the second library director. She opened the first library branch in Washington High School in 1918, which often served as a community center for Polish and Hungarian immigrants. The Betty Ruth Spiro Memorial Library replaced "The Castle" in 1959 as the new main library building in downtown South Bend. This building served the community until its renovation in 1992 led to a fire and subsequent damage from smoke and fire sprinklers. The renovation continued and the library was able to open 7 days later thanks to help from the community.

In 2016, Main Library began looking at the need for an expanded space in downtown South Bend to meet the needs of the growing community. After working with consultants and architects, it was decided in October 2018 that Main Library will expand to include a community learning center, renovated exterior, and inner courtyard. St. Joseph County is considering cutting the library's funding by almost $500,000 a year. As a result, on September 5, 2019, hundreds of residents protested in the streets, and all library branches closed early. Overflow crowds backed the county council meeting to show their support for the library. The library ended up losing the funding two years later.

Branches

Main Library
Centre Township Branch
Francis Branch
German Township Branch
Lakeville Branch
LaSalle Branch
North Liberty Branch
River Park Branch
Tutt Branch
Western Branch

Library Services

Studio 304

Technology hub where patrons can explore 3-D printing, poster printing, iPads, Adobe Creative Suite, gaming, virtual reality rigs, and recording rooms.

Local and family history

Books, newspapers, yearbooks, magazines, and other items of local significance can be examined. Online archives and genealogical websites are also available to reference in the creation of family trees.

Databases

SJCPL subscribes to over 50 databases that can aid in research, education, grant writing, and business development.

Homebound delivery

Library staff members will bring library materials directly to your home if requested.