Huntingburgcontext

Historical Background & Critical Points Timeline

1837-1890

Colonel Jacob Geiger was the first permanent settler of this city in 1837. Named from its popularity as a hunting ground, Huntingburg incorporated as a town in 1866.

Huntingburg experiences considerable population growth. From 781 inhabitants in 1880, the population doubled in fives years. By 1890, U.S. Census showed a population on 3, 167.

1900- 1970s

Rapid growth came with the advent of transportation innovations (i.e., interurbans, railroads, and automobile) and industrialization. Business boomed. Huntingburg saw the growth of companies built on local resources such as home furnishings. For example, in 1937 companies such as OFS Brand furnishings establish roots in Huntingburg. By 1950, Huntingburg's population reached 4,056 residents. This trend continued. The city’s population continues in grow to 4,794 residents by 1970.

1980-
1990

Economic recessions in the 1980s led to the out-migration of rural residents away from Huntingburg to metropolitan areas in search of employment opportunities. As a result of out-migration, Huntingburg experienced a small decrease in its population between 1980 and 1990 from 5,376 to 5,242 residents.

2000-
2015

In 2000, the city's population exceeded it previous census estimates (5,598). With continued growth, city stakeholders sought efforts to continue to improve the quality of place. With this in mind city leaders and stakeholders tried to make improvements to the downtown and its surrounding neighborhoods. The city made several strides towards revitalization and building on community assets. Their goal was to assure a promising future for businesses and residents alike.

To this end, city leaders engaged citizens in “Reviving The Pride” listening sessions conducted in 2012, where citizens were engaged to identify the strengths and challenges of the community. The city also completed then updated a Comprehensive Plan (2007 and 2013). In 2014, the city completed a Downtown Revitalization Plan for comprehensively revitalizing the heart of the community – Historic 4th Street.

In 2014, Huntingburg applied for the Indiana Stellar Communities Program. The city is awarded the Indiana Stellar Communities Program Designation, which creates an opportunity for the city to address its challenges and seek out reinvestment opportunities in its downtown and surrounding residential neighborhoods.

Huntingburg: A "Stellar" City Like No Other!

Population

Since 1980, Huntingburg population has grown by 12.3%. This growth is comparable to overall county and state demographic trends, which show population increases as well. For instance, Dubois County experienced significant population growth of 45.6%, while the state’s population increased by 20.6%. Furthermore, 2014 population estimates indicate Huntingburg's population as 6,035.

Historically, Huntingburg has remained a predominantly White community (99.7% in 1980 and 90.9% in 2014). Recent data (2014) estimates illustrate that of the city’s total population, less than 1% were categorized as African-American while 8.8% identified as Other Races.

Poverty

Huntingburg experienced an increase in the percentage of persons living in poverty over the past thirty years. Since 1980, the percentage of persons living below the poverty rate has increased from 10.8% to 19.3%. This change is a 78.7% increase. In comparison Dubois County’s poverty rate also rose by 12.8%, while the state’s poverty rate grew by 59.8%.

Income

Huntingburg’s median household income significantly increased over the past three decades (+23.8%). Most recent data estimates demonstrate Huntingburg’s median household income is $46,190. This estimate is $7,996 less than the median household income of Dubois County ($54,186) and $2,547 more than the median household income of the overall state (Indiana $48,737).

Huntingburg: Socioeconomic Characteristics of Decline

Population
    1980
   2015
% Change

Race/Ethnicity 2014 (%)
White
Black
Other

All Persons Below Poverty (%)
    1980
    2014a
% Change

Median household income
    1980b
    2014
    % Change

Huntingburg
5,376
6,035
+12.3%

90.9%
0.3%
8.8%

10.8
19.3
+78.7%

$37,323
$46,190
+23.8%

Dubois County
29,163
42,461
+45.6%

96.5%
0.3%
3.2%

7.8
8.8
+12.8%

$50, 729
$54,186
+6.8%

Indiana
5,490,224
6,619,680
+20.6%

84.4%
9.1%
6.5%

9.7
15.5
+59.8%

$47,974
$48,737
+1.6%

Source: 1980 Census of Population, PC80-1-C1 "General Social and Economic Characteristics", table 245.U.S. Census Bureau, Census 1980 Summary Files 1 and 3. U.S. Census Bureau, 2010-2014 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. U.S. Census Bureau: State and County QuickFacts, 2015. Data derived from Population Estimates, American Community Survey, Census of Population and Housing, State and County Housing Unit Estimates, County Business Patterns, Nonemployer Statistics, Economic Census, Survey of Business Owners, Building Permits. STATS Indiana, using data from Population Division, U.S. Census Bureau. Minnesota Population Center. National Historical Geographic Information System: Version 2.0. Minneapolis, MN: University of Minnesota 2011.

a. Poverty figures for 2014 were the most recent data estimations from the U.S. Census Bureau, 2010-2014 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates Table S1701 provided for the specific geographic area.

b. The Median Household dollar amounts reported for 1980 are values that have been converted to constant 2014 dollars according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Consumer Price Index Inflation Calculator, available at www.bls.gov/data/inflation_calculator.htm.

Housing and Quality of Place

Huntingburg has dealt with issues related to housing and infrastructure throughout the last 30 years. The city has many older and historic homes. Of the current 2,588 homes, the majority were built before 1970. Of those housing units, approximately 40% were constructed before 1939. Due to the age of its housing stock, Huntingburg must confront issues of maintenance and repair of aging systems, as well as the necessity to adapt structurally obsolete housing units. Also, the age of the homes may require maintenance costs that are not always feasible for homeowners with limited income streams.

Moreover, there was a lack of workforce and senior housing options both in Huntingburg, but in this entire county as well. Workforce housing, as a residential housing type, entails home opportunities for first-time home-owners and renters. The city is limited in available workforce housing or the housing that is priced between $100,000 and 175,000. Senior housing options are also of critical importance. With an increasing senior population, Huntingburg stakeholders want to ensure housing options for its aging population. The city identified this type of housing is crucial to business growth, community sustainability, and quality of place.

Beyond housing, Huntingburg stakeholders also sought to enhance connectivity, improve utility and transportation infrastructure, and promote public safety. To address these issues the city has moved forward with the planning and implementation of the construction of trails and a maintenance and emergency shelter, gateways and street improvements, and updates to a major waterline.

Community Economic Development

Huntingburg has been relatively stable regarding income and population (5, 376) over the last 30 years. Unlike other older cities and towns, the city did not suffer from a prolonged decline in its downtown business district over the past three decades. City stakeholders want to continue this growth and thereby needed to find ways to build on the economic and social benefits. To accomplish this City administration and community partners seek to: 1) attract a trained workforce, 2) expedite economic development, 3) pursue opportunities to ensure Huntingburg is prosperous and vibrant.