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 Switzerland 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.

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

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

GIS in Prevention, County Profiles, Series 4 (2007) 3. Geographic and Historical Notes Switzerland County is located in Southeast Indiana, bordered by the State of Ohio to the east and by the following Indiana counties: Ohio County to the north, Ripley to the northwest, and Jefferson to the west. State Highways 250, 56, and 156 cross the county. Elevation is 450 to 850 feet. Many types of landscape are found: slight slopes (north-central), moderate and steep slopes (central), very steep (south and east), and level (far eastern boundary). The landscape features beech, maple, birch, hickory and oak trees. Almost all of the county pertains to the Kentucky Bluegrass land resource area with the exception of the far northwest tip, which pertains to the Southern Illinois and Indiana Thin Loess and Till Plain land resource area. Switzerland county is in the Eastern Time Zone and observes DST. Average daily temperatures are 22٥/40٥ in January and 64٥/84٥ in July. Annual precipitation is about 42 and snowfall about 13 inches. The first freeze occurs October 15-20, except in the southeast corner (October 20-25). The last freeze is usually April The growing season lasts about days. Agricultural activity is mainly in tobacco and livestock. Additional crops include corn for grain, soybeans and hay. Livestock includes cattle/calves, milk cows, and hogs/pigs. About half of the land is in farms and about a third of that land is in cash crops. Important natural resources include construction sand and gravel, and forestland. Water resources include lakes/reservoirs (Lake Geneva; Camp Livingston; Bryants, Grants, Turtle, and Wade & Goose Creek Embayments), the Ohio River, and two streams (Indian Creek and Plum Creek). Communities include the towns of Patriot and Vevay, the county seat. 3. Geographic and Historical Notes Sources: Map from PCensus for MapInfo; Notes from Indiana Facts: Flying the Colors by John Clements, 1995.

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

GIS in Prevention, County Profiles, Series 4 (2007) 3. Geographic and Historical Notes Switzerland 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” ( According to the most recent data available, Switzerland County ranks 1 st in the State for the percent of all farms that produce tobacco (67.7%). As of 1997, a total of 1,806 acres in Switzerland County were devoted to tobacco production on 366 farms. For those 366 farms, tobacco income per farm ($18,895) expressed as a percentage of the Average Household Income for the county ($31,355) was 60.3% in Latest figures (from 1997 USDA Census): Rank for acres in tobacco production: 2 nd Acres in tobacco production: 1,806 Number of farms producing tobacco: 366 As a Percent of all farms: 67.7% Rank in IN for percent of all farms: 1 st Tobacco income per farm producing: $18,895 Percent of County’s Ave. Household Income: 60.3% [See appendices for more information.] 3. Location and Historical Notes

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 ( 3. Switzerland County Block Group Maps

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