Bartholomew County

Bartholomew County is an administrative division in southeastern Indiana covering level land around the East Fork of White River. The county includes several townships, with Columbus serving as the main population center and Hope as another significant community.

Bartholomew County was established in 1821 and named after Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Bartholomew, who was wounded during the Battle of Tippecanoe. The county's creation reflected the expanding settlement of the region during the early 19th century.

The Bartholomew Consolidated School Corporation and Flat Rock-Hawcreek School Corporation provide education services to residents across the county's districts.

Interstate 65 and U.S. Highway 31 pass through the county, making travel and trade connections easy for residents and visitors. Both highways provide convenient access to neighboring areas and regional destinations.

In 1900, the U.S. Census Bureau identified this county as the geographic center of the nation's population. This statistical point represented where the balance of American inhabitants fell at that moment in time.

Location: Indiana

Inception: February 12, 1821

Capital city: Columbus

Shares border with: Johnson County, Shelby County, Decatur County, Jennings County, Jackson County, Brown County

Website: https://bartholomew.in.gov

GPS coordinates: 39.21000,-85.90000

Latest update: December 7, 2025 10:06