Brazil, Indiana

History

In the 1840s, the owners of the farmland that would later become the city of Brazil decided to name their farm after the country of Brazil. The city was founded in 1866. As of 2024, Brazil is part of the Terre Haute Metropolitan Statistical Area. Clay County, formed in 1825, originally had Bowling Green as its county seat. The county seat was relocated to Brazil in 1876 following the city's development.

The Chafariz dos Contos Fountain (from "contos de réis" a former Brazilian currency) was given to the city by the country of Brazil as a symbol of friendship in 1956. It is a replica of the original fountain located in Ouro Preto, State of Minas Gerais, Brazil, built in 1745.

In 2010, Brazil gained national attention for accepting money from Kentucky Fried Chicken for the rights to display the KFC and Fiery Grilled Wings logos on city fire hydrants.

The Brazil Downtown Historic District, Clay County Courthouse, Clay County Hospital, Meridian-Forest Historic District, and U.S. Post Office-Brazil are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography

Brazil is located at (39.525000, -87.127500).

According to the 2010 census, Brazil has a total area of 3.058 sqmi, of which 3.03 sqmi (or 99.08%) is land and 0.028 sqmi (or 0.92%) is water.

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 8,181 people, 3,664 households, and 3,282 families living in the city. The racial makeup of the city was 94.0% White, 0.9% African American, 0.0% Native American, 0.0% Asian, and 3.9% of households with two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.0% of the population.

2010 census

As of the 2010 census, there were 7,912 people, 3,154 households, and 2,018 families living in the city. The population density was 2611.2 PD/sqmi. There were 3,583 housing units at an average density of 1182.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 97.1% White, 0.6% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.6% of the population.

There were 3,154 households, of which 35.1% included children under the age of 18, 41.7% were married couples living together, 16.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.0% were non-families. 30.1% of all households were composed of individuals, and 12.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.04.

The median age in the city was 36.2 years. 26% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.2% were 25 to 44; 23.9% were 45 to 64; and 14.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.0% male and 52.0% female.

2000 census

As of the 2000 census, there were 8,188 people, 3,383 households, and 2,151 families living in the city. The population density was 2,450.6 PD/sqmi. There were 3,740 housing units at an average density of 1,119.3 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the city was 97.80% White, 0.64% African American, 0.37% Native American, 0.17% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.28% from other races, and 0.72% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.61% of the population.

There were 3,383 households, of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.7% were married couples living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.4% were non-families. 32.2% of all households were composed of individuals, and 17.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 3.01.

The age demographics were as follows: 25.8% of people were under the age of 18, 9.5% were from 18 to 24, 26.8% were from 25 to 44, 20.6% were from 45 to 64, and 17.3% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.1 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,902, and the median income for a family was $37,569. Males had a median income of $29,693 versus $20,215 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,123. About 10.7% of families and 13.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.5% of those under age 18 and 12.8% of those age 65 or over.

Government

The government consists of a mayor and a city council. The mayor is elected in a citywide vote. The city council consists of five members. Four are elected from individual districts while one is elected at large. The current chief executive of Brazil is Mayor Brian Wyndham (D).

Education

The city has a free lending library, the Brazil Public Library.

Transportation

Airport

The Brazil Clay County Airport is a public-use airport located in Clay County, 3 nmi south of Brazil's central business district.

Notable people

• Gerald Eades Bentley, scholar of Elizabethan theater
• Gene Cramer, NBL player
• George N. Craig, governor of Indiana, Past National Commander of American Legion
• Johnnie Davis, musician, band leader
• Joe Dean, American basketball player, announcer and college athletic director
• John Dugan, actor
• Ivan Fuqua, winner of gold medal in 4×400m relay at the 1932 Summer Olympics
• David Goggins, US Navy Seal, Motivational Speaker, Ultramarathon runner, New York Times bestselling author
• Charles B. Hall, iconic combat fighter pilot and U.S. Army Air Corps Officer with the Tuskegee Airmen
• Jimmy Hoffa, labor union leader
• Judy Ledgerwood, Abstract painter and educator
• Gayle Porter Hoskins, illustrator
• Stuart Randall, actor who played Sheriff Mort Corey on Laramie
• Orville Redenbacher, popcorn tycoon
• Ralph Francis Stearley, 2-star Air Force general in Gen. Eisenhower's Cabinet
• Henry Lee Summer, 1980s pop singer

Climate

Climate is characterized by relatively high temperatures and evenly distributed precipitation throughout the year. The Köppen Climate Classification subtype for this climate is "CFA" (humid subtropical climate).

References

References

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2. "Feature ID 431462". [[United States Geological Survey]].
3. (February 23, 2006). "FIPS55 Data: Indiana". [[United States Geological Survey]].
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6. (October 2004). "BBC Brasil, Economia e Iraque dividem votos na cidade Brazil".
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9. (June 28, 2016). "Western Indiana's Brazilian Landmark".
10. "Chafariz Dos Contos Fountain".
11. (June 28, 2016). "Western Indiana's Brazilian Landmark". Indiana Landmarks.
12. (January 6, 2010). "KFC markets 'fiery' wings on fire hydrants". USA TODAY.
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17. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
18. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
19. "Elected Officials".
20. "Mayor Brian Wyndham".
21. "Homepage". Brazil Public Library.
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24. (October 17, 1983). "Crawford Eugene Cramer Dies at Brazil Today". Martinsville Reporter-Times.
25. (June 25, 2024). "Gov. George N. Craig".
26. Hischak, Thomas S.. (2008). "The Oxford Companion to the American Musical". Oxford University Press.
27. (June 26, 2024). "Joe Dean".
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35. (June 26, 2024). "Stuart Randall".
36. "Family tree of Orville Clarence Redenbacher".
37. "USAF Biography 'Major General Ralph Francis Stearley'".
38. (June 26, 2024). "Henry Lee Summer".
39. "Brazil, Indiana Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)". Weatherbase.