1. 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 Union 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.

2. GIS in Prevention, County Profiles, Series 4 (2007) 3. Geographic and Historical Notes GIS in Prevention County Profile Series, No. 4 Union 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

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

4. GIS in Prevention, County Profiles, Series 4 (2007) 3. Geographic and Historical Notes Union County is located in East Central Indiana bordered by Ohio and the following Indiana counties: Wayne to the north and northwest, Fayette to the west and Franklin to the south and southwest. U.S. Highway 27 and State Highways 44 and 101 cross the county. Elevation is 850 to 1,150 feet. The terrain is characterized by moderate to steep slopes across most of the county, except for a strip of almost flat land from the north- central border to the southeast near the Big Cedar Creek. The landscape features cottonwood, elm, ash, hickory and oak trees. The county pertains to the Indiana and Ohio Till Plain land resource area. Union county is in the Eastern Time Zone and observes DST. Average daily temperatures are 16٥/37٥ in January and 61٥/85٥ in July. Annual precipitation is about 40 and snowfall about 16 inches. The first freeze occurs October 5-10; and the last freeze occurs first typically between April 25 and 30 in the southeastern corner, and a little later (May 1-5) in the rest of the county. The growing season lasts about 153-168 days. Agricultural activity is mainly in corn for grain, soybeans and hogs/pigs. Additional crops include hay and winter wheat. Livestock are mainly cattle/calves and hogs/pigs. About three-quarters of the land is in farms and about three-quarters of that land is in cash crops. Important natural resources include forestland. Water resources include lakes/reservoirs (Brookville Reservoir and Whitewater Lake), East Fork Whitewater River, and the Hanna and Silver Creeks. Communities include the town of Liberty, which is the county seat. 3. Geographic and Historical Notes Sources: Map from PCensus for MapInfo; Geographic Notes from Indiana Facts: Flying the Colors by John Clements, 1995.

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

6. GIS in Prevention, County Profiles, Series 4 (2007) 3. Geographic and Historical Notes Union 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” (http://www.in.gov/oca/grants/valueadd/VAFinalReports.html):http://www.in.gov/oca/grants/valueadd/VAFinalReports.html According to the most recent data available, Union County ranks 21st in the State for the percent of all farms that produce tobacco (1.1%). As of 1997, a total of 8 acres in Shelby County were devoted to tobacco production on 3 farms. For those 3 farms, tobacco income per farm ($7,796) expressed as a percentage of the Average Household Income for the county ($35,644) was 21.9% in 1997. Latest figures (from 1997 USDA Census): Rank for acres in tobacco production: 24 th Acres in tobacco production: 8 Number of farms producing tobacco: 3 As a Percent of all farms: 1.1% Rank in IN for percent of all farms: 21 st Tobacco income per farm producing: $7,796 Percent of County’s Ave. Household Income: 21.9% [See appendices for more information.] 3. Location and Historical Notes

7. 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 (www.census.gov)www.census.gov 3. Union County Block Group Maps

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