Elections
Perry County, Indiana, has approximately 13,000 residents, with around 9,700 registered voters as of 2024. Voters participate in federal, state, and local elections, including school board and referenda. In the 2022 general election, 62% voted Republican, 36% Democrat, and 2% third-party. The county has 11 polling locations, overseen by the Perry County Clerk’s Office. Key issues include economic development and infrastructure. The major parties are Republican and Democrat, with Republicans holding most local offices. Voter turnout in recent elections averaged 52%. Registration deadline is 29 days prior to Election Day.
Demographics
As of the 2020 Census, Perry County, IN, had a population of 19,170. The median age is 43.5 years, with 49.6% male and 50.4% female residents. Racially, the population is predominantly White (94.5%), with small percentages of Black or African American (0.7%), Asian (0.4%), and other races; 2.1% identify as Hispanic or Latino. The county has a relatively older population compared to national averages.
Education, Employment and Housing
Perry County, IN, serves students through Tell City Jr-Sr High School and Perry Central Jr-Sr High School, with a total of 4 public schools. About 88% of adults have a high school diploma, while 13% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. School safety ratings are generally above state average, with programs like dual-credit courses and technical education offered. The average high school graduation rate is around 91%. Educational performance scores hover near the Indiana state average. Adult education is also accessible through local literacy and skill-building programs.
As of 2022, Perry County, IN had an employment rate of approximately 57.5%. Manufacturing dominated local industry, employing about 32% of workers, followed by health care and social assistance (13%), and retail trade (10%). The most common occupations included production (21%), office/administrative support (11%), and transportation/material moving (10%). About 82% of residents commuted by car, with a mean travel time of 22 minutes. Nearly 31% worked outside the county, primarily commuting to neighboring Spencer and Dubois counties.
Perry County, IN, has a homeownership rate of about 75%, with median home values around $140,000 as of 2023, reflecting modest annual growth. Median rent is approximately $740/month. Housing here primarily consists of single-family homes, with a smaller mix of apartments and mobile homes, especially in Tell City and Cannelton neighborhoods. The area retains a rural-suburban blend. Annual property tax rates average roughly 0.7% of home value, making it relatively affordable compared to state and national figures.
County Crime & Safety
Perry County, IN, maintains a relatively low crime rate compared to state and national averages. According to recent FBI data, the county's overall crime rate is about 1,200 incidents per 100,000 residents annually, with property crimes more common than violent crimes. In 2022, there were 15 reported violent crimes and 115 property crimes. Local law enforcement encourages prompt crime reporting, contributing to a community-oriented safety approach. Perry County's safety index remains higher than many neighboring areas, reflecting effective police presence and community engagement initiatives.
Popular names
- Kay Wetzel
- Douglas Fuchs
- Holly Evans
- James Cronin
- Larry Cronin
- Mary Woods
- Patricia James
- Robert Harding
- Robert Thomas
- Thomas Kellems
- Thomas Smith
- Walter Hagedorn
- Amber Sturgeon
- Andrew Ammon
- Brandi Hess
- Brian Spencer
- Carl Sommer
- Christopher Cail
- Cody Hinton
- Cynthia Dauby
- Dale Hubert
- Daniel Goffinet
- Danna Vogt
- David Dartt
- David Fischer
- David Hinton
- David Seifert
- David Weedman
- Dawn Poole
- Donald James
- Emily Davis
- Gary Dauby
- Gary Risse
- Genesis Hargett
- Heather Badger
- James Hall
- James Rhodes
- Jamie Hubert
- Jennifer Simpson
- Julie Persinger
- Kermit Harlen
- Kristen Whitaker
- Kyle Powers
- Linda Peter
- Lisa Bolin
- Lisa Kellems
- Lisa Powers
- Marshall Jones
- Mary Aldridge
- Mary Smith
- Mary Wood
- Melanie Daverin
- Michael Dauby
- Michael Miller
- Michael Reed
- Nicholas Goffinet
- Patricia Smith
- Randal Brown
- Ray Brown
- Rebecca Davis
Other Counties in Indiana
- Adams
- Allen
- Bartholomew
- Benton
- Blackford
- Boone
- Brown
- Carroll
- Cass
- Clark
- Clay
- Clinton
- Crawford
- Daviess
- De Kalb
- Dearborn
- Decatur
- Delaware
- Dubois
- Elkhart
- Fayette
- Floyd
- Fountain
- Franklin
- Fulton
- Gibson
- Grant
- Greene
- Hamilton
- Hancock
- Harrison
- Hendricks
- Henry
- Howard
- Huntington
- Jackson
- Jasper
- Jay
- Jefferson
- Jennings
- Johnson
- Knox
- Kosciusko
- La Porte
- Lagrange
- Lake
- Lawrence
- Madison
- Marion
- Marshall
- Martin