The
U.S. state of
Indiana has 92
counties. Each county serves as the local level of government within its borders. Although Indiana was organized into the United States since the
Northwest Ordinance in 1787, its land was not always available for settlement. Eventually, land was purchased from Native Americans by treaties and
Indian removals. The oldest counties are generally in the south near the
Ohio River, whereas newer ones were in the north in territory acquired later. The oldest and newest counties in Indiana are
Knox County, created in 1790, and
Newton County, created in 1859.