Parke County, Indiana
Parke County | |
|---|---|
Parke County courthouse in Rockville, Indiana | |
Location within the U.S. state of Indiana | |
Indiana's location within the U.S. | |
| Coordinates: 39°47′N 87°13′W / 39.78°N 87.21°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Indiana |
| Founded | 1821 |
| Named after | Benjamin Parke |
| Seat | Rockville |
| Largest town | Rockville |
| Area | |
• Total | 449.98 sq mi (1,165.4 km2) |
| • Land | 444.66 sq mi (1,151.7 km2) |
| • Water | 5.32 sq mi (13.8 km2) 1.18% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 16,156 |
• Estimate (2024) | 16,508 |
| • Density | 37/sq mi (14/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 8th |
| Website | parkecounty |
| Indiana county number 61 | |
Parke County lies in the western part of the U.S. state of Indiana along the Wabash River. The county was formed in 1821 out of a portion of Vigo County. According to the 2020 census, the population was 16,156. The county seat is Rockville. It has a population density of about 39 inhabitants per square mile (15/km2). The county contains six incorporated towns and many unincorporated communities. It is divided into 13 townships which provide local services.
Two U.S. Routes and five state highways pass through or into the county, along with one major railroad line.
Parke County has 31 covered bridges and is widely referred to as the 'Covered Bridge Capital of the World'. It is the site for the Parke County Covered Bridge Festival which has been held in October each year.
Parke County is included in the Terre Haute, Indiana, Metropolitan Statistical Area.