Switzerland

Formed October 1, 1814 (11^th county)

Switzerland County (9,753), Vevay (1,742)

A domed red brick courthouse was erected in 1862.  It sits at Liberty and Main streets.  Indiana State Highway 56 is Main Street in this part of town.  The courthouse was designed by David Dubach in Greek Classical style.  A clock is in the dome and columns are on the structure.  The building has been enlarged and renovated in 1992.  The grounds feature veteran memorials and a gazebo.  The county was established on October 1, 1814 from parts of Dearborn and Jefferson counties as the 11^th county with Vevay as the only county seat.  It is named for the country of Switzerland.  The county seat is named for Vevay, Switzerland. 

Switzerland County government consists of a sheriff, an auditor, a clerk, a coroner, a treasurer, and an assessor (executive).  It has 7 Council Members (legislative.)  A Circuit Court Judge, a Superior Court Judge, and a prosecutor serve Switzerland County (judicial.) The county is in southeast Indiana on the Ohio River border with Kentucky.  The county center is 8.4 miles North of Vevay nearer Mount Sterling.  The county is surrounded clockwise by Ohio County and Kentucky and Jefferson and Ripley counties. 

The area of the county is 221 square miles.  It is 86 out of 92 in the state.  It ranks 88 out of 92 in population in the state.  It has a density of 44.1 persons per square mile making it 81 out of 92 in the state.  Switzerland County has 19.9% of its population in its incorporated areas.  There are no Interstates or United States Highways in the county.  The county resembles a human nose pointing east.  Vevay is located in the southwest quarter on the Ohio River.  Vevay is the county seat and the largest city.  It is 17.9% of the county population.  The county seat is pronounced VAE-VAE.