Knightstown, Indiana

Town of Knightstown, Indiana
Town
Location in the state of Indiana Location in the state of Indiana
Coordinates:
Country	United States
State	Indiana
County	Henry
Township	Wayne
Area
• Total	1.04 sq mi (2.69 km2)
• Land	1.03 sq mi (2.67 km2)
• Water	0.01 sq mi (0.03 km2)
Elevation	932 ft (284 m)
Population (2010)
• Total	2,182
• Estimate (2012)	2,148
• Density	2,118.4/sq mi (817.9/km2)
Time zone	EST (UTC-5)
• Summer (DST)	EST (UTC-5)
ZIP code	46148
Area code(s)	765
FIPS code	18-40266
GNIS feature ID	0437394
Website	http://www.knightstownonline.com

Knightstown is a town in Wayne Township, Henry County, Indiana, along the Big Blue River. The population was 2,182 at the 2010 census. It is approximately thirty-two miles east of Indianapolis. Knightstown is famous for the 1986 movie Hoosiers. The Hoosier Gym was used in the filming of the movie. Knightstown hosts two annual festivals: Jubilee Days held in early-mid June and The Hoosier Fall Festival held in September. Knightstown also hosts an annual car show and a music series on the town square. The Hoosier Gym also hosts Indiana's best high school basketball players in the annual Hoosier Classic.

History

Knightstown was platted in 1827, and named for Jonathan Knight, an engineer on the National Road. A post office has operated in Knightstown since 1833.

Geography

Knightstown is located at (39.796734, -85.528334).

According to the 2010 census, Knightstown has a total area of 1.04 square miles (2.69 km²), of which 1.03 square miles (2.67 km²) (or 99.04%) is land and 0.01 square miles (0.03 km²) (or 0.96%) is water.

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1870	1,528		—
1880	1,670		9.3%
1890	1,867		11.8%
1900	1,942		4.0%
1910	2,008		3.4%
1920	1,918		−4.5%
1930	2,209		15.2%
1940	2,323		5.2%
1950	2,486		7.0%
1960	2,496		0.4%
1970	2,456		−1.6%
1980	2,325		−5.3%
1990	2,048		−11.9%
2000	2,148		4.9%
2010	2,182		1.6%
Est. 2014	2,124		−2.7%
U.S. Decennial Census

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 2,182 people, 899 households, and 590 families residing in the town. The population density was 2,118.4 inhabitants per square mile (817.9/km²). There were 1,001 housing units at an average density of 971.8 per square mile (375.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.0% White, 0.1% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.4% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.6% of the population.

There were 899 households of which 34.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.1% were married couples living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.4% were non-families. 28.8% 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 2.43 and the average family size was 3.00.

The median age in the town was 38.8 years. 25.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.1% were from 25 to 44; 25.3% were from 45 to 64; and 16% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 47.8% male and 52.2% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,148 people, 915 households, and 595 families residing in the town. The population density was 3,026.2 people per square mile (1,168.1/km²). There were 979 housing units at an average density of 1,379.2 per square mile (532.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 99.02% White, 0.42% African American, 0.09% Native American, 0.09% Asian, and 0.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.23% of the population.

File:Knightstown-indiana-from-above.jpg

Knightstown, Indiana from the air, looking southwest.

There were 915 households out of which 31.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.9% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.9% were non-families. 31.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the town the population was spread out with 25.7% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 22.2% from 45 to 64, and 17.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 85.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.1 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $35,639, and the median income for a family was $42,222. Males had a median income of $36,081 versus $22,111 for females. The per capita income for the town was $22,466. About 7.0% of families and 7.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.6% of those under age 18 and 4.1% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Knightstown is served by the Charles A. Beard Memorial School Corporation. Knightstown High School offers AP and ACP (Advanced College Project) credits. High School Cheerleaders won the State Championship in 2000, 2004, 2005, 2012 and 2013. Knightstown also has an elementary school and an intermediate school.

Notable people

• Former Secretary of Agriculture (1969–1971) Clifford M. Hardin and historian Charles A. Beard grew up and attended school in Knightstown.
• Actor Monte Blue grew up and was educated at the Indiana Soldiers' and Sailors' Children's Home located south of Knightstown.
• Character actor Forrest Lewis was born in Knightstown. He is best known for the recurring role of "Officer Kelly" in "The Shaggy Dog", "The Absent Minded Professor" and "Son of Flubber".
• U.S. Marine Private William Zion was born in Knightstown. He received the Medal of Honor during the China Relief Expedition.

Recreation

• The gym that served as the home court for the Hickory Huskers in the movie "Hoosiers" is located in Knightstown. It is now known as the Hoosier Gym. It serves as a community center and has a small museum. The gym and museum are open daily to the public free of charge.
• Knightstown also has a public golf course named Royal Hylands, which in 2006 was named among the top 25 public golf courses in the state by the Indiana Golf Association tournament players.

External links

• Town of Knightstown, Indiana website