Nappanee, Indiana

Encyclopedia : N : NA : NAP : Nappanee, Indiana

Nappanee from above.

Nappanee is a city in Elkhart County, Indiana, United States. The population was 6,710 at the 2000 census.

Contents

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 Economy
4 Trivia
5 References
6 External links

Geography

Nappanee is located at [41°26′39″N, 85°59′58″W] (41.444201, -85.999390)^{[Geographic references#1GR1]}.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 9.6 km² (3.7 mi²), all land.

Nappanee downtown.

Demographics

As of the census^{[Geographic references#2GR2]} of 2000, there were 6,710 people, 2,521 households, and 1,792 families residing in the city. The population density was 702.1/km² (1,818.9/mi²). There were 2,647 housing units at an average density of 277.0/km² (717.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.48% White, 0.28% African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 2.52% from other races, and 1.15% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.98% of the population.

There were 2,521 households out of which 39.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.1% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.9% were non-families. 23.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.15.

Carved tree stump post office sign.

Amish Acres, a popular tourist attraction in Nappanee.

In the city the population was spread out with 29.7% under the age of 18, 10.6% from 18 to 24, 30.9% from 25 to 44, 17.9% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females there were 99.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $45,988, and the median income for a family was $53,329. Males had a median income of $36,200 versus $21,733 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,229. About 4.5% of families and 4.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 5.9% of those under age 18 and 8.4% of those age 65 or over.

Little Paws Playground in Stauffer Park.

Economy

Nappanee is a regional center for both the RV manufacturing industry and the Amish craft and tourism industry. Many Amish and Mennonite families live in the area, often farming as well as working in the RV industry or woodworking trade.

Trivia

Vance George, conductor of the San Francisco Symphony Chorus from 1982 through the 2005-2006 season,is from Nappanee. Under his leadership the group has recorded extensively and received four Grammy Awards, for its recordings of Orff's "Carmina Burana," Brahms' "German Requim," a collection of three Stravinsky scores, and Mahler's Third Symphony. George directed the chorus on two albums, "Christmas by the Bay" and "Voices 1900/2000," on the Delos label. Under his leadership, the group also appreared on sountracts for the films "Amadeus," "The Unbearable Lightness of Being," and "Godfather II."
United States Postal Service Commemorative Amish Quilt Stamps First Day of Issue and Dedication Ceremony were held in the Round Barn Theatre at Amish Acres, August 7, 2001. Cancellation commissioned by USPS designed by Jeff Stillson.
Plain and Fancy, the 1955 Broadway musical about Amish life and love, has been playing at Amish Acres since 1986. Now housed in the Round Barn Theatre, the annual production totals 3,200 performances before 300,000 patrons. The theatre's stage is named for and dedicated to Joseph Stein, co-author, who later penned the book for Fiddler on the Roof.
Captain Todd Beer, United States Air Force, an Air Force One pilot, is from Nappanee. He graduated from the Air Force Academy where he was recruited to play basketball. He has flown Air Force One for President William J. Clinton and President George W. Bush.

References

They Called It Nappanee: A History 1874-1974 by James L Weygand. (Nappanee, Ind., 1974)

External links

[Maps and aerial photos] Coordinates: [41.444201° -85.99939°]
* Street map from [Google Maps] or [Yahoo! Maps]
* Topographic map from [TopoZone]
* Aerial image or topographic map from [TerraServer-USA]
* Satellite image from [Google Maps] or [Windows Live Local]
[Amish Acres]

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