Huntington, Indiana

As of the census[7] of 2010, there were 17,391 people, 6,566 households, and 4,197 families living in the city. The population density was 1,996.7 inhabitants per square mile (770.9/km²). There were 7,487 housing units at an average density of 859.6 per square mile (331.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.4% White, 0.6% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.4% of the population.

There were 6,566 households, of which 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.2% were married couples living together, 13.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.1% were non-families. Of all households 30.4% were made up of individuals, and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.06.

The median age in the city was 33.4 years. 24.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 13.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25.5% were from 25 to 44; 22.5% were from 45 to 64; and 13.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.7% male and 52.3% female.

As of the census[2] of 2000, there were 17,450 people, 6,717 households, and 4,419 families living in the city. The population density was 2,091.0 inhabitants per square mile (807.3/km²). There were 7,262 housing units at an average density of 870.2 per square mile (336.0/km²). The main religion is Roman Catholic, with around 42% of the city attending masses. The racial makeup of the city was 97.83% White, 0.21% African American, 0.45% Native American, 0.45% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.30% from other races, and 0.73% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.12% of the population.

There were 6,717 households, out of which 33.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.9% were married couples living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.2% were non-families. Of all households 29.0% were made up of individuals, and 12.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 26.2% under the age of 18, 12.9% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 18.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $45,600, and the median income for a family was $56,454. Males had a median income of $35,830 versus $26,921 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,242. About 5.2% of families and 7.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.2% of those under age 18 and 6.4% of those age 65 or over.

Huntington was named by Capt. Elias Murray, a member of the legislature. The name Huntington is derived from Samuel Huntington, a judge, politician, and patriot in the American Revolution. Samuel Huntington is also known for being the 3rd Governor of Connecticut and the 7th President of the Continental Congress. Being a delegate to the Second Continental Congress, Huntington took part in voting for and signing the Declaration of Independence and the Articles of Confederation.

The county of Huntington was formally organized on December 2, 1834. The city of Huntington was first established by a group of pioneers, most notably Capt. Elias Murray. By 1849, Huntington contained 150 houses and a population of 700.[9]

The Lake Cities, stopped at Huntington, IN on December 21, 1969

A small number of books have been published about the history of Huntington County, the first being History of Huntington County, Indiana originally published by Brant & Fuller. Two other books about Huntington include History of Huntington County, IN by Frank Sumner Bash in 1914 (describing its historical progress, its people, and its principal interests) and Huntington County, IN: Histories and Families by Turner Publishing Company in 1993 as a result of the Huntington County Historical Society officers and board of directors meeting in summer 1992 to discuss the family history of Huntington, the glue that has held together the city and county of Huntington in the heartland of the Midwest for more than 175 years.

Buildings that once sat along the Wabash and Erie Canal. Foreground was once a boat basin.

The Wabash and Erie Canal was constructed through Huntington County in 1834 and added major economic benefit to the area. In addition to the Wabash River cutting through Huntington (see Forks of the Wabash), this newly opened trade route accelerated the population and economic growth in Huntington.

• WJCI FM 102.9
• WBZQ AM 1300 La Jefa Radio (Spanish)
• WVSH FM 91.9 The Edge, high school station (Huntington North High School)
• WQHU FM 105.5 FUSE FM, Huntington University

• E. J. Tackett, professional bowler[10]
• Gary Dilley, swimmer, Olympic silver medalist
• Dusty Fahrnow, Indy Car driver
• Josh Hart, NHRA race car driver
• Lauren Johnson, professional runner [11]
• Harry Mehre, player for Notre Dame Fighting Irish football (1919–21) and coach of Georgia Bulldogs football (1928–37) and Ole Miss Rebels football (1938-45).
• Addison Wiley, American middle distance runner

• U. S. Lesh, 24th Indiana Attorney General
• Lambdin P. Milligan, Civil War-era insurrectionist
• J. Danforth Quayle, former vice president of the United States, U.S. senator, U.S. representative
• J. Edward Roush, U.S. representative, father of "911 Emergency System"
• James R. Slack, state senator and Civil War general
• Andy Zay, member of the Indiana Senate

• Elizebeth (Smith) Friedman (1892–1980), author and pioneer in cryptology during WWI to WWII era, called "America's first female cryptanalyst"
• Todd Nightenhelser, Entrepreneur
• Jennifer Lancaster, author
• Mick Mars, guitarist of Mötley Crüe
• John F. Noll, Archbishop, founder of Our Sunday Visitor, a Roman Catholic newspaper and publishing company. Former pastor of St. Mary's Catholic Church
• Carrie M. Shoaff (1849–1939), artist, author, potter, playwright, correspondent
• Richard Leroy Walters, homeless philanthropist
• Dan Butler, Actor
• Joseph M. Woods, Musician, teacher. Central Catholic High School, 1946-1972. Director of Fort Wayne Summer Symphony, 1957-1992
• Johnny Sins, Astronaut, Firefighter, Plumber, and more!