Counties in Indiana with the fastest-rising temperatures in the last 100 years
Written by:
January 3, 2023
tradville // Shutterstock
Counties in Indiana with the fastest-rising temperatures in the last 100 years
Hitting 116 degrees F in normally temperate Portland, Oregon. 105 degrees in Reno in September, just as summer is meant to be waning. And in California's Death Valley National Park, temperatures hit almost 130 degrees in the aptly named Furnace Creek, marking a world record for the hottest September day in history.
2021 and 2022 saw some of the hottest temperatures ever recorded, as across the country extreme heat waves wreaked havoc on communities accustomed to more moderate weather. For many regions, the consequences were grave: in the 2021 Western heatwave, hundreds lost their lives, largely due to a lack of air conditioning, and wildfires ravaged the area.
Map of the past year's temperatures compared to the 100-year average
While not every county in the nation has experienced such extreme heat, climate change has dramatically changed the heat landscape in nearly every state. Coastal regions and the Southern U.S. are particularly vulnerable to rising temperatures, and are also frequently targets of extreme weather events like hurricanes and tornadoes.
Just as all states are not impacted equally by rising temperatures, regions within states have also seen widely different temperature changes over the last decades. Factors such as proximity to urban areas, bodies of water, and mountains can dramatically change the climate of a region. Stacker cited data from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's National Center for Environmental Information to identify the counties in Indiana with the greatest departure from average temperatures during the period December 2021 to November 2022 compared to the 1901-2000 average. Average temperature over the past year served as a tiebreaker. Additional data on recent average high and low temperatures for each county is also included.
#50. Clinton County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 51.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #27 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.1 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62.2 F (1.4 F above century average)
- #27 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.1 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62.2 F (1.4 F above century average)
#49. Tippecanoe County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 51.9 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #28 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.2 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62.7 F (1.4 F above century average)
- #28 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.2 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62.7 F (1.4 F above century average)
#48. Hamilton County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 52.4 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #24 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.8 F (1.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63 F (1.7 F above century average)
- #24 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.8 F (1.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63 F (1.7 F above century average)
#47. Brown County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 53.8 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #22 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 64.6 F (1.7 F above century average)
- #22 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 64.6 F (1.7 F above century average)
#46. Decatur County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 53.9 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43.4 F (1.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 64.5 F (1.7 F above century average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43.4 F (1.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 64.5 F (1.7 F above century average)
#45. Greene County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 54.1 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #23 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43.1 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 65.2 F (1.6 F above century average)
- #23 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43.1 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 65.2 F (1.6 F above century average)
#44. Gibson County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 56.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.6 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #20 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 46.2 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 67.2 F (1.5 F above century average)
- #20 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 46.2 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 67.2 F (1.5 F above century average)
#43. Fulton County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 50.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 40 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61.3 F (1.7 F above century average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 40 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61.3 F (1.7 F above century average)
#42. Rush County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 53.1 degrees Fahrenheit (1.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 42.6 F (1.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63.6 F (1.9 F above century average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 42.6 F (1.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63.6 F (1.9 F above century average)
#41. Marion County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 53.3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63.5 F (1.7 F above century average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63.5 F (1.7 F above century average)
#40. Jackson County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 55 degrees Fahrenheit (1.7 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43.8 F (1.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 66.3 F (2.2 F above century average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43.8 F (1.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 66.3 F (2.2 F above century average)
#39. Steuben County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 49.5 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #22 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 39.4 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59.5 F (1.7 F above century average)
- #22 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 39.4 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59.5 F (1.7 F above century average)
#38. DeKalb County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 50.3 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 40.2 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.5 F (1.8 F above century average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 40.2 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.5 F (1.8 F above century average)
#37. Allen County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 51.1 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 40.8 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61.4 F (2 F above century average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 40.8 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61.4 F (2 F above century average)
#36. Wells County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 51.6 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.1 F (1.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62.2 F (2.2 F above century average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.1 F (1.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62.2 F (2.2 F above century average)
#35. Montgomery County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 52.1 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.3 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63 F (1.7 F above century average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.3 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63 F (1.7 F above century average)
#34. Henry County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 52.2 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.6 F (1.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62.8 F (2.2 F above century average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.6 F (1.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62.8 F (2.2 F above century average)
#33. Hendricks County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 52.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #20 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 42.3 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63.1 F (1.6 F above century average)
- #20 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 42.3 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63.1 F (1.6 F above century average)
#32. Hancock County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 53.1 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 42.8 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63.5 F (1.8 F above century average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 42.8 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63.5 F (1.8 F above century average)
#31. Johnson County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 53.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43.2 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 64.2 F (1.9 F above century average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43.2 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 64.2 F (1.9 F above century average)
#30. Clay County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 54 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 65 F (2 F above century average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 65 F (2 F above century average)
#29. Ripley County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 54.2 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #15 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43.6 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 64.8 F (1.8 F above century average)
- #15 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43.6 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 64.8 F (1.8 F above century average)
#28. Bartholomew County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 54.7 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #19 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43.8 F (1.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 65.5 F (2.2 F above century average)
- #19 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43.8 F (1.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 65.5 F (2.2 F above century average)
#27. Sullivan County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 54.8 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #19 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 44.1 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 65.6 F (1.9 F above century average)
- #19 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 44.1 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 65.6 F (1.9 F above century average)
#26. Jennings County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 55 degrees Fahrenheit (1.8 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 44.2 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 65.9 F (1.9 F above century average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 44.2 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 65.9 F (1.9 F above century average)
#25. LaGrange County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 50 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 40 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59.9 F (1.7 F above century average)
- #21 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 40 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 59.9 F (1.7 F above century average)
#24. Noble County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 50.2 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #20 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 40 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.4 F (1.9 F above century average)
- #20 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 40 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.4 F (1.9 F above century average)
#23. Randolph County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 51.8 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.2 F (1.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62.5 F (2.4 F above century average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.2 F (1.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62.5 F (2.4 F above century average)
#22. Grant County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 52.4 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #15 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.6 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63.1 F (2.5 F above century average)
- #15 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.6 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63.1 F (2.5 F above century average)
#21. Shelby County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 54.1 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43.6 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 64.5 F (2 F above century average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43.6 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 64.5 F (2 F above century average)
#20. Washington County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 55.2 degrees Fahrenheit (1.9 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43.6 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 66.7 F (2.3 F above century average)
- #13 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43.6 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 66.7 F (2.3 F above century average)
#19. St. Joseph County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 50.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #20 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 40 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.5 F (2.1 F above century average)
- #20 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 40 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.5 F (2.1 F above century average)
#18. Kosciusko County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 50.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 40.1 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61.4 F (2.3 F above century average)
- #18 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 40.1 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61.4 F (2.3 F above century average)
#17. Jay County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 51.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.2 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62.7 F (2.6 F above century average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.2 F (1.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62.7 F (2.6 F above century average)
#16. Boone County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 52.1 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #14 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.7 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62.6 F (1.8 F above century average)
- #14 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.7 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62.6 F (1.8 F above century average)
#15. Blackford County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 52.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #15 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.6 F (1.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63.1 F (2.7 F above century average)
- #15 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.6 F (1.3 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63.1 F (2.7 F above century average)
#14. Vigo County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 54.5 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #16 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43.5 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 65.4 F (2.2 F above century average)
- #16 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 43.5 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 65.4 F (2.2 F above century average)
#13. Dearborn County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 54.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #12 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 44.2 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 65.3 F (2.1 F above century average)
- #12 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 44.2 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 65.3 F (2.1 F above century average)
#12. Harrison County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 56.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 45 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 68.2 F (2.4 F above century average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 45 F (1.6 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 68.2 F (2.4 F above century average)
#11. Elkhart County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 50.3 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #19 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 40.1 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.4 F (2 F above century average)
- #19 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 40.1 F (2.2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 60.4 F (2 F above century average)
#10. Marshall County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 50.4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #20 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 39.9 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61 F (2.1 F above century average)
- #20 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 39.9 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 61 F (2.1 F above century average)
#9. Adams County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 51.7 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.3 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62.1 F (2.4 F above century average)
- #17 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 41.3 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 62.1 F (2.4 F above century average)
#8. Madison County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 52.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #16 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 42.2 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63.6 F (2.3 F above century average)
- #16 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 42.2 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63.6 F (2.3 F above century average)
#7. Jefferson County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 55.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #12 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 44.9 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 66.4 F (2 F above century average)
- #12 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 44.9 F (2.1 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 66.4 F (2 F above century average)
#6. Scott County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 55.8 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #12 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 44.4 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 67.3 F (2.6 F above century average)
- #12 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 44.4 F (1.7 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 67.3 F (2.6 F above century average)
#5. Clark County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 56.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2.2 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 45.1 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 68 F (2.6 F above century average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 45.1 F (1.8 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 68 F (2.6 F above century average)
#4. Ohio County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 55.6 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 45.2 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 66 F (2.2 F above century average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 45.2 F (2.4 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 66 F (2.2 F above century average)
#3. Switzerland County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 55.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2.3 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 45.5 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 66.2 F (2.1 F above century average)
- #11 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 45.5 F (2.5 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 66.2 F (2.1 F above century average)
#2. Delaware County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 53 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 42.3 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63.7 F (2.9 F above century average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 42.3 F (1.9 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 63.7 F (2.9 F above century average)
#1. Floyd County
- Average temperature, Dec. 2021-Nov. 2022: 56.9 degrees Fahrenheit (2.4 F above 1901-2000 average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 45.5 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 68.2 F (2.7 F above century average)
- #9 warmest year since 1895
- Recent average low: 45.5 F (2 F above century average)
- Recent average high: 68.2 F (2.7 F above century average)
