Jasper

Formed February 7, 1835 (72^nd county)

Jasper County (32,912), Rensselaer (5,731)

The classic multi-angled stone courthouse was constructed in 1895.  It is on a square at Cullens, Harrison, Washington, and Van Rensselaer streets.  Washington Street is United States Highway 231.  The structure was designed by Grindle and Weatherhogg in Gothic Revival style.  The building features a working clock tower.  The grounds have a gazebo and a liberty bell replica.  Jasper County was established on February 7, 1835 from Native American Territory as the 72^nd county.  Parish Grove (1839), Spiller’s Cabin (1839), and Rensselaer (1839) have all served as the county seat.  It is named for Revolutionary War hero William Jasper.  He is also the namesake of the county seat of Dubois County.  The county seat is named for founder James van Rensselaer. 

Jasper County government consists of a sheriff, 3 Commissioners, and 7 Council Members.  A Circuit Court Judge and a Superior Court Judge serve Jasper County.  The county is in northwest Indiana.  Gary, Indiana is north and Indianapolis, Indiana is southeast of the county.  The Kankakee River forms the northern border and the Iroquois River flows through the middle of the county.  The county center is 5.2 miles North of Rensselaer.  The county is surrounded clockwise by Porter, La Porte, Starke, Pulaski, White, Benton, Newton, and Lake counties. 

The area of the county is 560 square miles.  It is 3 out of 92 in the state.   It ranks 52 out of 92 in population in the state.  It has a density of 58.8 persons per square mile making it 67 out of 92 in the state.  Jasper County has 37.0% of its population in its incorporated areas.  Interstate Highway 65 goes northwest to southeast through the county from Newton County to White County.  United States Highway 24 crosses the southern part of the county east to west from White County to Newton County.  United States Highway 231 travels north to south from Porter County and joins United States Highway 24 into White County.  The county is shaped like a small letter q with the wandering northern border.  Rensselaer is located in the southern third of the county.  Rensselaer is the county seat and the largest city.  It is 17.4% of the county population.  The county seat is pronounced REN-SELEER.  This county is in the Chicago-Naperville-Joliet Metropolitan Statistical Area.

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