GIS in Prevention, County Profiles, Series 4 (2007) 3. Geographic and Historical Notes 1 Indiana Prevention Resource Center GIS in Prevention County Profiles Series, No. 4 Shelby County, Indiana Barbara Seitz de Martinez, PhD, MLS, CPP, Project Director The Indiana Prevention Resource Center at Indiana University is funded, in part, by a contract with the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, Division of Mental Health and Addiction, financially supported through HHS/Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Administration, Center for Substance Abuse Prevention, Substance Abuse Prevention and Treatment Block Grant. The IPRC is operated by the Department of Applied Health Science and The School of Health, Physical Education and Recreation.

GIS in Prevention, County Profiles, Series 4 (2007) 3. Geographic and Historical Notes GIS in Prevention County Profile Series, No. 4 Shelby County, Indiana Barbara Seitz de Martinez, PhD, MLS, CPP Project Director Project Staff : Indiana Prevention Resource Center Opinions expressed herein are those of the authors, and not necessarily those of the Trustees of Indiana University or the Division of Mental Health and Addiction. Indiana University accepts full Responsibility for the content of this publication. ©2005 The Trustees of Indiana University. Permission is extended to reproduce this County Profile for non-profit educational purposes. All other rights reserved. Ritika Bhawal, MPH Ryan Chopra, MPH Kyoungsun Heo, MPA Tuba M. Pervin Altay, MPH

GIS in Prevention, County Profiles, Series 4 (2007) 3. Geographic and Historical Notes Shelby County Map The maps and tables in this publication were prepared using PCensus for MapInfo and MapInfo Professional.

GIS in Prevention, County Profiles, Series 4 (2007) 3. Geographic and Historical Notes Shelby County is located in Central Indiana and is bordered by the following counties: Hancock to the north, Rush to the east and northeast, Decatur to the southeast, Bartholomew to the south and southwest, Johnson to the west, and Marion to the northwest. State Highways 421 and 52 and Interstate 74 cross the county. Elevation is 700 to 900 feet. The landscape is mainly flat except for slightly sloping areas along waterways, steep slopes in the southwest, and very steep slopes near the Big Blue River. The landscape features beech, maple and birch trees. The county pertains to the Indiana and Ohio Till Plain land resource area. Shelby county is in the Eastern Time Zone and observes DST. Average daily temperatures are 17٥/36٥ in January and 63٥/86٥ in July. Annual precipitation is 40 and snowfall about inches. The first freeze is usually between October 15-20, and the last freeze is between April The growing season lasts about days. Agricultural activity is mainly corn for grain, soybean, and hogs/pigs. Additional main crops are hay and winter wheat. Livestock include cattle/calves, milk cows, hogs/pigs, and sheep/lambs. About four- fifths of the land is in farms and about four-fifths of that is in cash crops. Important natural resources include construction sand and gravel, crushed stone, petroleum and forestland. Water resources include the lake/reservoir Burnside Pit; the Big Blue, Little Blue and Flatrock rivers; and several streams (the Brandywine, Sugar and Lewis creeks). Communities include the city of Shelbyville, the county seat, and the towns of Morristown and St. Paul (which extends into Decatur County). 3. Geographic and Historical Notes Sources: Map from PCensus for MapInfo; Notes from Indiana Facts: Flying the Colors by John Clements, 1995.

GIS in Prevention, County Profiles, Series 4 (2007) 3. Geographic and Historical Notes Shelby County The maps and tables in this publication were prepared using PCensus 7.06 for MapInfo and MapInfo Professional 7.0.

GIS in Prevention, County Profiles, Series 4 (2007) 3. Geographic and Historical Notes Shelby County Tobacco Production & Revenue: Source: the Strategic Development Group’s “Alternative Agricultural Strategy” (Bloomington, March 15, 2001) report, which is part of Governor Joseph E. Kernan’s “Recipient Final Reports for Office of the Commissioner of Agriculture Grant Programs” ( According to the most recent data available, Shelby County ranks 26 th in the State for the percent of all farms that produce tobacco (0.5%). As of 1997, a total of 12 acres in Shelby County were devoted to tobacco production on 3 farms. For those 3 farms, tobacco income per farm ($15,360) expressed as a percentage of the Average Household Income for the county ($40,915) was 37.5% in Latest figures (from 1997 USDA Census): Rank for acres in tobacco production: 23 rd Acres in tobacco production: 12 Number of farms producing tobacco: 3 As a Percent of all farms: 0.5% Rank in IN for percent of all farms: 26 th Tobacco income per farm producing: $15,360 Percent of County’s Ave. Household Income: 37.5% [See appendices for more information.] 3. Location and Historical Notes

GIS in Prevention, County Profiles, Series 4 (2007) 3. Geographic and Historical Notes Don’t Know Your Block Group Number? You can find it easily at the American Factfinder Web SiteAmerican Factfinder Web Site ( 3. Shelby County Block Group Maps

GIS in Prevention, County Profiles, Series 4 (2007) 3. Geographic and Historical Notes Shelby County Block Groups