Marion County Indiana
Marion County, Indiana
Marion County is a significant county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population of Marion County was reported to be 977,203, making it the most populous county in the state and the 54th-most populous in the United States. The county is a central part of the Indianapolis–Carmel–Greenwood Metropolitan Statistical Area.
History and Formation
Marion County was established on April 1, 1822, from lands acquired through the Treaty of St. Mary's with the Lenape. The county was named in honor of Francis Marion, a brigadier general from South Carolina who served in the American Revolutionary War.
In 1825, the state capital was relocated from Corydon to Indianapolis, which is now the county seat, as well as the state capital and most populous city.
Government and Politics
Marion County is unique in that it is consolidated with the city of Indianapolis through a governmental entity known as Unigov. This arrangement merges the county's administrative operations with the city, creating a unified local government.
The county is divided into two congressional districts. The northern two-thirds belong to Indiana's 7th congressional district, represented by Democrat André Carson. Meanwhile, the southern third is part of Indiana's 6th congressional district, represented by Republican Jefferson Shreve.
Marion County is represented in the Indiana House of Representatives by 15 seats, numbered 86th through 100th districts. Currently, ten of these seats are held by Democrats, and five are held by Republicans.
Townships and Communities
Marion County is composed of nine townships:
- Franklin Township: Located in the southeast, part of Indianapolis.
- Wayne Township: Situated in the west, with a population of 136,828 as of the 2010 Census.
- Center Township: Central township, home to downtown Indianapolis.
- Washington Township: Located in the northern region, entirely within Indianapolis.
- Pike Township: Northwest part of the county.
- Perry Township: South-central part, established in 1822.
Each of these townships contributes to the broader community and governmental structure of the county and city.
Legal Significance
In the legal realm, Marion County was involved in the significant case Crawford v. Marion County Election Board. The 2008 Supreme Court case addressed the constitutionality of an Indiana law requiring voters to provide government-issued photo identification at the polls. The Court upheld the law, affirming its legitimacy.