St. Joseph County, commonly called St. Joe County by residents, is a county located in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of the 2020 census, the population was 272,912,^[1] making it the fifth-most populous county in Indiana. Formed in 1830, it was named for the St. Joseph River which flows through it to Lake Michigan. The county seat is South Bend.^[2] St. Joseph County is part of the South Bend–Mishawaka, IN–MI "Michiana", Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Quick Facts Saint Joseph County, Country ...

Saint Joseph County
County
Old St. Joseph County courthouse in South Bend, Indiana
Flag Seal
Location within the U.S. state of Indiana
Indiana's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 41°37′00″N 86°17′23″W
Country	United States
State	Indiana
Founded	1830
Named for	St. Joseph River
Seat	South Bend
Largest city	South Bend
Area
• Total	461.38 sq mi (1,195.0 km2)
• Land	457.85 sq mi (1,185.8 km2)
• Water	3.54 sq mi (9.2 km2)  0.77%
Population  (2020)
• Total	272,912
• Density	590/sq mi (230/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district	2nd
Website	www.sjcindiana.com
Indiana county number 71 Fifth-most populous county in Indiana as of 2010

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According to the 2010 census, the county has a total area of 461.38 square miles (1,195.0 km²), of which 457.85 square miles (1,185.8 km²) (or 99.23%) is land and 3.54 square miles (9.2 km²) (or 0.77%) is water.^[3]

In recent years, average temperatures in South Bend have ranged from a low of 16 °F (−9 °C) in January to a high of 83 °F (28 °C) in July, although a record low of −22 °F (−30 °C) was recorded in January 1943 and a record high of 109 °F (43 °C) was recorded in July 1934. Average monthly precipitation ranged from 1.98 inches (50 mm) in February to 4.19 inches (106 mm) in June.^[4]

The county government is a constitutional body, and is granted specific powers by the Constitution of Indiana, and by the Indiana Code.

County Council: The county council is the legislative branch of the county government and controls all the spending and revenue collection in the county. Representatives are elected from county districts. The council members serve four-year terms. They are responsible for setting salaries, the annual budget, and special spending. The council also has limited authority to impose local taxes, in the form of an income and property tax that is subject to state level approval, excise taxes, and service taxes.^[5][6]

Board of Commissioners: The executive body of the county is made of a board of commissioners. The commissioners are elected county-wide, in staggered terms, and each serves a four-year term. One of the commissioners, typically the most senior, serves as president. The commissioners are charged with executing the acts legislated by the council, collecting revenue, and managing the day-to-day functions of the county government.^[5][6]

Court: The county maintains several courts: the Circuit Court that hears primarily civil matters and some criminal cases. The judge on the court is elected to a term of six years and must be a licensed attorney in good standing. The judge is assisted by three magistrates appointed by the judge. The Superior Court hears both civil and criminal cases, including small claims and traffic/misdemeanor cases. There are eight judges appointed to the Superior Court by the Governor of Indiana. They are assisted by four magistrates who handle the small claims and traffic/misdemeanor dockets. The Probate Court hears juvenile cases, child abuse or neglect cases, along with probate matters. The judge on the court is elected to a term of six years and must be a licensed attorney in good standing. The judge is assisted by three magistrates and one commissioner (similar to a magistrate) who are appointed by the judge. Decisions from these courts can be appealed to the Indiana Court of Appeals.^[6]

County Officials: The county has several other elected offices, including sheriff, coroner, auditor, treasurer, recorder, surveyor, and circuit court clerk. Each of these elected officers serves a term of four years and oversees a different part of county government. Members elected to county government positions are required to declare party affiliations and to be residents of the county.^[6]

St. Joseph County is part of Indiana's 2nd congressional district and is represented by Republican Rudy Yakym in the United States Congress. Indiana's US Senators are Republicans Mike Braun and Todd Young.

St. Joseph County leans Democratic in presidential elections like most counties with college cities.

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 266,931 people, 103,069 households, and 66,365 families residing in the county.^[16] The population density was 583.0 inhabitants per square mile (225.1/km²). There were 114,849 housing units at an average density of 250.8 per square mile (96.8/km²).^[3] The racial makeup of the county was 78.7% white, 12.7% black or African American, 1.9% Asian, 0.4% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 3.4% from other races, and 2.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 7.3% of the population.^[16] In terms of ancestry, 25.3% were German, 15.5% were Irish, 12.0% were Polish, 8.5% were English, and 4.5% were American.^[17]

Of the 103,069 households, 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.1% were married couples living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 35.6% were non-families, and 29.1% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 3.07. The median age was 36.2 years.^[16]

The median income for a household in the county was $47,697 and the median income for a family was $57,510. Males had a median income of $45,269 versus $31,667 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,082. About 10.7% of families and 14.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.7% of those under age 18 and 7.8% of those age 65 or over.^[18]

• Thadeus Jay Miller, artist

• List of public art in St. Joseph County, Indiana
• National Register of Historic Places listings in St. Joseph County, Indiana