Ellettsville was platted in 1837. In 1818, Edward Ellett, Sr, and his wife Eleanor settled in what is now known as Ellettsville with their four minor sons: David, Richard, Johnston and Barton. The first winter, they lived in a three-sided log cabin they built. Also settling that year were their two eldest sons, William and Samuel, with their wives and families. Within a few years daughters Sarah, Phoebe and Nancy settled in the area with their husbands. In 1826, their third eldest son, Edward, Jr., also arrived in the town that was named Ellettsville in 1837. Samuel Ellett built the first courthouse in 1820. It was completed ahead of schedule and at the cost of $400. By 1822, the first school opened and with Samuel Ellett's children attending. When Indiana celebrated its sesquicentennial in 1987, a historical marker was placed to mark the grave of the town's founder, Edward Ellett, Sr.. Two of Edward Ellett's sons, Samuel and Edward Jr., fought in The War of 1812. In turn, two of the founder's grandsons, James W. Ellett and John H. Ellett, volunteered and fought with the 27th Indiana Volunteer Infantry Regiment. Both men fought at Gettysburg. James Ellett died in service of his county in 1864 in Alabama while his brother, John Ellett, was wounded at Chancellorsville but survived the War of Rebellion. James W. Ellett was interred in 1864 at the Ellett Family Cemetery located just off Red Hill Road to the northeast of town. The family tradition of loyal service to the U.S.A. was later followed by the founder's great great grandson, Dale Ellett, who volunteered and died in World War II in 1945 fighting against Nazi Germany. The post office at Ellettsville has been in operation since 1837. The community was incorporated as a town in 1866. Ellettsville Downtown Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2006.
Geography
Ellettsville is located at . According to the 2010 census, Ellettsville has a total area of, all land.
Demographics
2010 census
At the 2010 census, there were 6,378 people, 2,593 households and 1,704 families living in the town. The population density was. There were 2,753 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup was 95.5% White, 1.0% African American, 0.2% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.7% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.6% of the population. There were 2,593 households of which 35.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.2% were married couples living together, 13.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.3% were non-families. 28.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 2.98. The median agewas 34.5 years. 26.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 30.7% were from 25 to 44; 23% were from 45 to 64; and 12.1% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 46.7% male and 53.3% female.
At the 2000 census, there were 5,078 people, 1,944 households and 1,345 families living in the town. The population density was. There were 2,085 housing units at an average density of. The racial make-up was 95.83% White, 1.22% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.73% Asian, 0.81% from other races, and 1.24% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.18% of the population. There were 1,944 households of which 40.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.2% were married couples living together, 13.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.8% were non-families. 25.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 people, and the average family size was 3.09 people. 30.1% of the population were under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 32.7% from 25 to 44, 19.4% from 45 to 64, and 9.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.0 males. The median household income was $37,276 and the median family income was $42,950. Males had a median income of $32,153 and females $26,313. The per capita income was $16,120. About 6.7% of families and 9.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.8% of those under age 18 and 12.6% of those age 65 or over.
