Elkhart (IPA: ˈɛl.kɑɹt) is a city, part of the South Bend metropolitan statistical area, in Elkhart County, Indiana, United States. The population, according to the 2000 census, was 51,874. It is located in the region known as Michiana and has three mini-suburbs. They are Dunlap, Simonton Lake and Jimtown. Signs leading into the city claim it to be "The City with a Heart."
Geography
Elkhart is located at (41.683149, -85.968798).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 57.7 km² (22.3 mi²). 55.3 km² (21.4 mi²) of it is land and 2.3 km² (0.9 mi²) of it (4.00%) is water.
The city sits on the St. Joseph and Elkhart Rivers. The Elkhart River drains into the St. Joseph at Island Park just north of Downtown. There are also numerous small lakes around the city.
Climate
Average annual snowfall is 81.2 inches thanks mostly to the lake-effect snow from Lake Michigan.
Demographics
As of the 2000 census, there were 51,874 people, 20,072 households, and 12,506 families residing in the city. The population density was 937.7/km² (2,428.0/mi²). There were 21,688 housing units at an average density of 392.0/km² (1,015.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 71.5% White, 14.7% African American, 0.4% Native American, 1.2% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 9.2% from other races, and 2.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 14.8% of the population.
Of the 20,072 households, 62.3% were occupied by families, 33.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.9% were married couples living together, 15.3% had a female householder with no husband present and 37.7% were non-families. 30.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.16.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.4% under the age of 18, 11.1% from 18 to 24, 31.7% from 25 to 44, 18.0% from 45 to 64, and 10.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 96.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $34,863, and the median income for a family was $40,514. Males had a median income of $30,674 versus $22,760 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,890. About 11.1% of families and 13.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.6% of those under age 18 and 9.0% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
Due to its close proximity to the South Bend metropolitan area, the commercial sectors of the city are small.
Industry
Elkhart is known for its manufacturing of musical instruments, pharmaceuticals, electronic components, recreational vehicles, and manufactured housing. Numerous manufacturers of musical instruments and accessories, of which most of the surviving companies have been absorbed into the Conn-Selmer conglomerate have...
