Formed November 23, 1810 (5th county)
Jefferson County (33,147), Madison (12,364)
The domed clock tower for a dark red brick courthouse seems appropriate. It was built in 1854 on Main Street between Jefferson and Walnut streets. The structure was renovated in 1960. United States Highway 421 turns at the courthouse. David Dubach is the architect of this Greek Revival building. An administration building is attached. Jefferson County was created on November 23, 1810 as the 5th county and named for President Thomas Jefferson. He is also the namesake for the county seat of Clark County. Madison has always been the county seat. The county was taken from parts of Clark, Dearborn, and Knox counties. The county seat is named for President James Madison. He is also the namesake for Madison County.
Jefferson County government consists of a sheriff, an auditor, a clerk, a coroner, a treasurer, and an assessor (executive). It has 7 Council Members (legislative.) Two Circuit Court Judges, a Superior Court Judge, and a prosecutor serve Jefferson County (judicial.) The county is in southeast Indiana on the Ohio River border with Kentucky. Louisville, Kentucky is southwest and Cincinnati, Ohio is northeast of the county. The county center is 7.7 miles Northwest of Madison nearer Wirt. The county is surrounded clockwise by Ripley and Switzerland counties and Kentucky and Clark, Scott, and Jennings counties.
The area of the county is 361 square miles. It is 69 out of 92 in the state. It ranks 50 out of 92 in population in the state. It has a density of 91.8 persons per square mile making it 45 out of 92 in the state. Jefferson County has 49.9% of its population in its incorporated areas. United States Highway 421 goes north to south through the county from Ripley County to Kentucky. The county is shaped like a fish hook. Madison is technically near the county’s geographical center although it is physically located on the Ohio River. Madison is the county seat and the largest city. It is 37.3% of the county population. This county is in the Madison Micropolitan Statistical Area.
Brooksburg
Dupont
Hanover
Madison
