On February 7, 1835, the state legislature approved an omnibus bill[3] that authorized the creation of thirteen counties,[4] including Whitley.

It was named for Col. William Whitley, who was killed in the Battle of the Thames in the War of 1812.

[5] The first non-Native American settlers arrived in the area during that year, as a result of the end of the Black Hawk War and the completion of the Erie Canal.

However, due to the Second Great Awakening, many of them had converted to Methodism and some had become Baptists before coming to Indiana.

[5] Prior to white settlement, Whitley County's low rolling hills were densely forested, and dotted with lakes across its northern portion.

1,000 ft; 300 m ASL) is a small rise NE of Cedar Lake.

The commissioners execute the acts legislated by the council, collect revenue, and manage the county government.

The judge on the court is elected to a term of four years and must be a member of the Indiana bar.

[11] Whitely County is part of Indiana's 3rd congressional district, and as of 2020, is represented by Republican James Edward Banks in the United States Congress.

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 33,292 people, 13,001 households, and 9,228 families in the county.