Converse is a town in Jackson Township, Miami County, and Richland Township, Grant County, in the U.S. state of Indiana. The population was 1,161 at the 2020 census.

History

Converse was originally called "Xenia", and under the latter name was laid out in 1849. J. N. Converse platted an addition in 1867. The Converse Depot and Converse-Jackson Township Public Library are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography

Converse is located in the southeast corner of Miami County and in northwestern Grant County. Indiana State Roads 18 and 19 pass through the center of town together as Marion Street, splitting 2.5 mi to the east in Mier, and 3 mi to the west. SR 19 leads northwest 18 mi to Peru, the Miami county seat, and southeast 7 mi to Swayzee, while SR 18 leads east 12 mi to Marion, the Grant county seat, and west 17 mi to Galveston. Converse Airport is 1 mi west of the town. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Converse has a total area of 0.99 sqmi, of which 0.002 sqmi, or 0.20%, are water. Little Pipe Creek runs along the western border of the town, and Taylor Creek crosses the eastern extension of the town. Both creeks run north to Pipe Creek, a northwest-flowing tributary of the Wabash River.

Demographics

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 1,265 people, 489 households, and 337 families living in the town. The population density was 1405.6 PD/sqmi. There were 553 housing units at an average density of 614.4 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 97.5% White, 0.1% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 1.1% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.2% of the population. There were 489 households, of which 38.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.3% were married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.9% had a male householder with no wife present, and 31.1% were non-families. 27.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.12. The median age in the town was 36.9 years. 29.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 27.3% were from 25 to 44; 23.8% were from 45 to 64; and 12.8% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 48.1% male and 51.9% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,137 people, 470 households, and 329 families living in the town. The population density was 1,276.4 PD/sqmi. There were 548 housing units at an average density of 615.2 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 97.71% White, 0.18% African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.18% Asian, 0.79% from other races, and 0.79% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.99% of the population. There were 470 households, out of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.0% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.8% were non-families. 27.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.91. In the town, the population was spread out, with 26.0% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 29.9% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 97.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.7 males. The median income for a household in the town was $33,333, and the median income for a family was $42,813. Males had a median income of $35,938 versus $25,441 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,317. About 12.6% of families and 15.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.6% of those under age 18 and 6.8% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Oak Hill United School Corporation operates Oak Hill High School at Converse. The town has a lending library, the Converse-Jackson Township Public Library.

Notable persons