Churubusco is a town located near the headwaters of the Eel River in the extreme northeast corner of Whitley County, Indiana, about 11 miles northwest of its nearest neighboring large city, Fort Wayne, of which it is considered a bedroom community. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 1,666.

The town got its unusual name from the site of an 1847 battle in the Mexican-American War. The town as an annual festival called Turtle Days rooted in the lore of the Beast of Busco, a giant snapping turtle that haunted nearby Fulk's Lake in Allen County.

Geography

Churubusco is located at 41°13'53" North, 85°19'10" West (41.231373, -85.319541)1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.3 km² (0.9 mi²). 2.3 km² (0.9 mi²) of it is land and none of it is covered by water.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there are 1,666 people, 650 households, and 438 families residing in the town. The population density is 722.7/km² (1,876.8/mi²). There are 692 housing units at an average density of 300.2/km² (779.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 97.60% White, 0.06% African American, 0.60% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.12% from other races, and 1.32% from two or more races. 1.38% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 650 households out of which 36.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.9% are married couples living together, 13.1% have a female householder with no husband present, and 32.5% are non-families. 28.6% of all households are made up of individuals and 13.8% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.54 and the average family size is 3.15.

In the town the population is spread out with 29.0% under the age of 18, 9.7% from 18 to 24, 30.4% from 25 to 44, 18.6% from 45 to 64, and 12.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 33 years. For every 100 females there are 88.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 83.1 males.

The median income for a household in the town is $39,583, and the median income for a family is $49,279. Males have a median income of $34,844 versus $22,161 for females. The per capita income for the town is $17,814. 4.9% of the population and 3.2% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 4.0% are under the age of 18 and 7.4% are 65 or older.