Editing Owensboro, Kentucky

{{redirect|Owensboro}}
{{hatnote|Not to be confused with the similarly-named cities of [[Owenton, Kentucky]] or [[Owingsville, Kentucky]]}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name      = Owensboro, Kentucky
| settlement_type    = [[List of cities in Kentucky|City]]
| nickname           = [[Barbecue|BBQ]] Capital of the World
| motto              = "Progress 1817"
| image_skyline      = Owensboro2ndStAnn.JPG
| imagesize          = 250px
| image_caption      = Corner of West 3rd and St. Ann Streets in Owensboro
| image_flag         = Flag of Owensboro, Kentucky.png
| image_seal         = Seal of Owensboro, Kentucky.png
| image_map          = File:Daviess County Kentucky Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Owensboro Highlighted 2158620.svg
| mapsize            = 250px
| map_caption        = Location of Owensboro in Daviess County, Kentucky.
| image_map1         = 
| mapsize1           = 
| map_caption1       = 
| pushpin_map        = Kentucky#USA
| pushpin_relief = yes
| pushpin_label      = Owensboro
| pushpin_label_position = 
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = [[United States]]
| subdivision_type1  = State
| subdivision_name1  = [[Kentucky]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Kentucky|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Daviess County, Kentucky|Daviess]]
| government_type    = 
| leader_title       = Mayor
| leader_name        = Tom Watson
| leader_title1      = Mayor Pro Tem
| leader_name1       = Mark Castlen
| leader_title2      = City Manager
| leader_name2       = <nowiki>Nate Pagan</nowiki>
| established_title  = Settled (as [[Yellow Banks, Kentucky|Yellow Banks]])
| established_date   = 1797
| established_title2 = Established (as Owensborough)
| established_date2  = 1817<ref name=sos/>
| established_title3 = Incorporated
| established_date3  = 1850<ref name=sos>Commonwealth of Kentucky. Office of the Secretary of State. Land Office. "Owensboro, Kentucky". Accessed September 18, 2013.</ref>
| area_magnitude     = 
| area_total_km2     = 57.24
| area_total_sq_mi   = 22.10
| area_land_km2      = 53.49
| area_land_sq_mi    = 20.65
| area_water_km2     = 3.76
| area_water_sq_mi   = 1.45
| area_water_percent = 6.47
| elevation_m        = 120
| elevation_ft       = 394
| coordinates        = {{coord|37|45|28|N|87|7|6|W|region:US-KY|display=inline,title}}
| pop_est_as_of      = 2022
| pop_est_footnotes  = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/tables/2020-2022/cities/totals/SUB-IP-EST2022-POP-21.xlsx|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places in Kentucky: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022|publisher= United States Census Bureau|access-date= May 26, 2023}}</ref>
| population_est     = 60037
| population_metro   = 116506
| population_density_km2 = 1125.16
<!--Most recent pop estimate-->| population_density_sq_mi = 2914.15
| population_footnotes = 
| timezone           = [[Central Time Zone|CST]]
| utc_offset         = −6
| timezone_DST       = CDT
| utc_offset_DST     = −5
| postal_code_type   = ZIP codes
| postal_code        = 42301-42304
| area_code          = [[Area codes 270 and 364|270 & 364]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 21-58620
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 0500082
| blank2_name        = Highways
| blank2_info        = [[File:US 60.svg|22px|link=U.S. Route 60 in Kentucky]] [[File:US 231.svg|26px|link=U.S. Route 231 in Kentucky]] [[File:US 431.svg|26px|link=U.S. Route 431 in Kentucky]]
[[File:I-165.svg|25px|link=Interstate 165 (Kentucky)]]
| footnotes          = 
| website            = {{URL|www.owensboro.org}}
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_total   = 60183
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_21.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=March 18, 2022}}</ref>
}}

'''Owensboro''' is a [[Home rule in the United States|home rule-class city]] in [[Daviess County, Kentucky]], United States, of which it is also the [[county seat]].<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.klc.org/UserFiles/files/ClassificationReformFACT(3).pdf |title=Summary and Reference Guide to House Bill 331 City Classification Reform |publisher=Kentucky League of Cities |access-date=December 30, 2014}}</ref><ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx|access-date=June 7, 2011|title=Find a County|publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> It is the [[List of cities in Kentucky|fourth-most populous city]] in the state. Owensboro is located on [[U.S. Route 60 in Kentucky|U.S. Route 60]] and [[Interstate 165 (Kentucky)|Interstate 165]] about {{convert|107|mi}} southwest of [[Louisville, Kentucky|Louisville]], and is the principal city of the [[Owensboro metropolitan area]]. The 2020 census had its population at 60,183. The metropolitan population was estimated at 116,506.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/PEP/2014/GCTPEPANNR.US23PR| title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2014 – United States &ndash; Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Area (GCT-PEPANNRES)| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder| access-date=October 27, 2015| archive-url=https://archive.today/20200212201125/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/PEP/2014/GCTPEPANNR.US23PR| archive-date=February 12, 2020| url-status=dead}}</ref> The metropolitan area is the sixth largest in the state as of 2018, and the seventh largest population center in the state when including micropolitan areas.

==History==
Evidence of [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Native American]] settlement in the area dates back 12,000 years. Following a series of failed uprisings with British support, however, the last [[Shawnee]] were forced to vacate the area before the end of the 18th century.

The first European descendant to settle in Owensboro was frontiersman [[William Smeathers]] or Smothers in 1797, for whom the riverfront park is named. The settlement was originally known as "[[Yellow Banks, Kentucky|Yellow Banks]]" from the color of the land beside the [[Ohio River]]. In 1817, Yellow Banks was formally established under the name '''Owensborough''', named after [[Colonel (United States)|Col.]] [[Abraham Owen]]. In 1893, the spelling of the name was shortened to its current Owensboro.<ref name="history">{{cite web|url=https://visitowensboro.com/explore-owensboro/history/|title=Owensboro-Daviess County History}}</ref>

Several [[distiller]]s, mainly of [[bourbon whiskey]], have been in and around the city of Owensboro. The major distillery still in operation is the [[Glenmore Distillery Company]], now owned by the [[Sazerac Company]]. The other distillery, Green River Distilling Company, started in 1885 and is also Owensboro based. It is still in operation today.

On August 14, 1936, downtown Owensboro was the site of the last public [[hanging]] in the United States. A 26 year old African American man, [[Rainey Bethea]], was convicted and sentenced for the rape and murder of 70-year-old Lischa Edwards in a very short time (only 37 days lapsed between the crime and the execution). A carnival atmosphere was in place with vendors selling hotdogs, attended by a large crowd including children and many reporters.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nhregister.com/news/article/After-75-years-last-public-hanging-haunts-11578786.php#photo-13457437|title=After 75 years, last public hanging haunts Kentucky city (photos)|newspaper=New Haven Register|date=August 11, 2011}}</ref> The execution was presided over by a female sheriff, [[Florence Shoemaker Thompson]], who gained national media attention for her role in the process, although she declined to spring the trap.{{clarify|date=November 2018}} Before Bethea was dead, the crowd had already begun to tear at his clothes and even his body for souvenirs. The Kentucky General Assembly quickly abolished public executions after the embarrassment this caused.<ref>{{cite web|title=Lynchings & Hangings|url=https://www.legendsofamerica.com/ah-lynching/8/|access-date=November 21, 2018}}</ref>

===Manufacturing===
[[File:Owensboro Morton Memorial.JPG|thumb|Dudley Morton Memorial at the American Legion Hall]]

As of 1903, Owensboro was home to several [[stemmeries]].<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OlsTAAAAYAAJ&q=stemmery | title=Biennial Report of the Labor Inspector of the State of Kentucky|author1=Andrew B. Ludwig|author2=WM. Young| year=1903|publisher=Geo. G. Fetter}}</ref>
Pinkerton Tobacco produced Red Man (now [[America's Best Chew]]) chewing tobacco in Owensboro. [[Swedish Match]] continues to make America's Best Chew in a plant outside city limits.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.swedishmatch.com/en/Global/Adresses/Address-container1/Owensboro/|title=Swedish Match – Swedish Match Owensboro Factory|website=www.swedishmatch.com|date=September 19, 2011 }}</ref>

The [[Owensboro Wagon Company]], established in 1884, was one of the largest and most influential wagon companies in the nation. With eight styles or sizes of wagons, the company set the standard of quality at the turn of the 20th century.

Frederick A. Ames came to Owensboro from [[Washington, Pennsylvania]], in 1887. He started the Carriage Woodstock Company to repair horse-drawn carriages. In 1910, he began to manufacture a line of automobiles under the [[Ames (automobile)|Ames]] brand name. Ames hired industrialist [[Vincent Bendix]] in 1912, and the company became the Ames Motor Car Company. Despite its product being called the "best $1500" car by a [[Texas]] car dealer, the company ceased production of its own model in 1915. The company then began manufacturing replacement bodies for the more widely sold [[Ford Model T]]. In 1922, the company remade itself and started to manufacture furniture under the name Ames Corporation. The company finally sold out to Whitehall Furniture in 1970.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.coachbuilt.com/bui/a/ames/ames.htm|title=F.A. Ames Company, 1911–1941; Ames Body Corporation, 1915–1922; Owensboro, Kentucky|website=www.coachbuilt.com}}</ref>

The start of the [[Kentucky Electrical Lamp Company]], a [[light bulb]] manufacturing company was in 1899; it eventually was acquired by Kentucky Radio Company (Ken-Rad) in 1918 and later acquired by [[General Electric]] in 1945 and in 1987 acquired by MPD, Inc.,<ref>Leonard Rex, "The seizure of the Ken-Rad Plant-1944". ''Daviess County Historical Quarterly'', April 1984, pp 27–31</ref> created the light bulbs that illuminated the first [[night game]] in the history of [[Major League Baseball]] on May 24, 1935, between the [[Cincinnati Reds|Reds]] and [[Philadelphia Phillies|Phillies]] at [[Cincinnati]]'s [[Crosley Field]].<ref>Suzi Bartholomy, "Thackers mark anniversary of landmark baseball game", ''[[Messenger-Inquirer]]'', Owensboro, Ky. Wednesday, May 26, 2010</ref> The Owensboro plant was a major part of General Electric's [[vacuum tube]] manufacturing operations, producing both receiving types and military/industrial ceramic types. In 1961, engineers at the General Electric plant in Owensboro introduced a family of vacuum tubes called the [[Compactron]].

In June 1932, John G. Barnard founded the Modern Welding Company in a small building located near the Ohio River at First and Frederica Streets where the [https://www.bluegrasshall.org/ Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum] sits today. Today, Modern Welding Company has nine steel tank and vessel fabrication subsidiaries located throughout the United States, and five [[welding]] supply stores located in Kentucky and [[Indiana]]. The company is the country's largest supplier of underground and above ground steel storage tanks for flammable and combustible liquids. The company celebrated its 75th anniversary in 2007.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.modweldco.com/about/ |title=Modern Welding Company &#124; About Us |publisher=Modweldco.com |date=December 7, 2008 |access-date=May 15, 2012}}</ref>

[[Texas Gas Transmission]] Corporation was created in 1948 with the merger of Memphis Natural Gas Company and Kentucky Natural Gas Corporation and made its headquarters in Owensboro. Since that time, Texas Gas changed ownership four times. The company was bought by CSX Corp. in 1983, by Transco Energy Corp. in 1989, by Williams in 1995, and by Loews Corporation in 2003.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.txgt.com/AboutUs.aspx?id=54 |title=Texas Gas – History |publisher=Txgt.com |date=November 15, 2005 |access-date=May 15, 2012}}</ref>

==Geography==
[[File:Owensboro KY Military Memorial.JPG|thumb|Military memorial on the riverfront]]
Owensboro is located at the crook of a bend in the [[Ohio River]], {{convert|37|mi}} southeast of [[Evansville, Indiana]].

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], Owensboro has a total area of {{convert|52.9|km2|order=flip}}, of which {{convert|49.5|km2|order=flip}} is land and {{convert|3.4|km2|order=flip}}, or 6.47%, is water.<ref name="Census 2010">{{cite web| url=http://factfinder2.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/1600000US2158620| title=Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Owensboro city, Kentucky| publisher=U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder| access-date=October 27, 2015}}{{dead link|bot=medic|date=April 2020}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref>

===Climate===
Owensboro has a [[humid subtropical climate]] which is characterized by hot, humid summers and moderately cold winters. Day-to-day temperature differences can be high during the winter. Summers, in comparison, are much more stable. Severe weather, including the threat of [[tornado]]es, is not uncommon throughout much of the year, with several notable events occurring throughout the city's history. One such event occurred on [[Tornadoes of 1952#December 9|December 9, 1952]], when F3 tornado tore directly through the city, injuring three people.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kentucky Event Report: F3 Tornado |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10035926 |website=National Centers for Environmental Information |publisher=National Weather Service |access-date=May 23, 2022}}{{cite web |title=Kentucky Event Report: F3 Tornado |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10035927 |website=National Centers for Environmental Information |publisher=National Weather Service |access-date=May 23, 2022}}{{cite web |title=Indiana Event Report: F3 Tornado |url=https://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=10004037 |website=National Centers for Environmental Information |publisher=National Weather Service |access-date=May 23, 2022}}</ref>

{{Weather box
|location = Owensboro, Kentucky (1981–2010 normals, extremes 1896–present)
|single line = Y
|Jan record high F = 76
|Feb record high F = 80
|Mar record high F = 89
|Apr record high F = 92
|May record high F = 96
|Jun record high F = 107
|Jul record high F = 107
|Aug record high F = 105
|Sep record high F = 104
|Oct record high F = 95
|Nov record high F = 87
|Dec record high F = 76
|year record high F = 107
|Jan high F = 45.7
|Feb high F = 50.5
|Mar high F = 60.0
|Apr high F = 71.9
|May high F = 80.1
|Jun high F = 88.5
|Jul high F = 92.0
|Aug high F = 91.5
|Sep high F = 85.6
|Oct high F = 74.6
|Nov high F = 60.9
|Dec high F = 49.2
|year high F = 70.9
|Jan mean F = 36.0
|Feb mean F = 40.1
|Mar mean F = 48.6
|Apr mean F = 59.3
|May mean F = 68.2
|Jun mean F = 76.7
|Jul mean F = 80.3
|Aug mean F = 79.0
|Sep mean F = 72.1
|Oct mean F = 60.7
|Nov mean F = 49.5
|Dec mean F = 38.9
|year mean F = 59.1
|Jan low F = 26.2
|Feb low F = 29.7
|Mar low F = 37.2
|Apr low F = 46.8
|May low F = 56.3
|Jun low F = 64.8
|Jul low F = 68.6
|Aug low F = 66.5
|Sep low F = 58.5
|Oct low F = 46.7
|Nov low F = 38.2
|Dec low F = 28.6
|year low F = 47.3
|Jan record low F = -23
|Feb record low F = −21
|Mar record low F = -7
|Apr record low F = 22
|May record low F = 31
|Jun record low F = 38
|Jul record low F = 44
|Aug record low F = 42
|Sep record low F = 27
|Oct record low F = 17
|Nov record low F = -7
|Dec record low F = −16
|year record low F = -23
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 3.41
|Feb precipitation inch = 4.11
|Mar precipitation inch = 4.64
|Apr precipitation inch = 4.51
|May precipitation inch = 5.84
|Jun precipitation inch = 3.01
|Jul precipitation inch = 3.76
|Aug precipitation inch = 3.31
|Sep precipitation inch = 3.46
|Oct precipitation inch = 3.46
|Nov precipitation inch = 4.06
|Dec precipitation inch = 4.21
|year precipitation inch = 47.78
|Jan snow inch = 2.4
|Feb snow inch = 4.0
|Mar snow inch = 0.6
|Apr snow inch = 0.2
|May snow inch = 0.0
|Jun snow inch = 0.0
|Jul snow inch = 0.0
|Aug snow inch = 0.0
|Sep snow inch = 0.0
|Oct snow inch = 0.2
|Nov snow inch = 0.0
|Dec snow inch = 1.4
|year snow inch = 8.8
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 8.4
|Feb precipitation days = 9.5
|Mar precipitation days = 10.7
|Apr precipitation days = 9.8
|May precipitation days = 11.0
|Jun precipitation days = 8.6
|Jul precipitation days = 7.9
|Aug precipitation days = 6.9
|Sep precipitation days = 7.6
|Oct precipitation days = 7.9
|Nov precipitation days = 9.4
|Dec precipitation days = 9.9
|year precipitation days = 107.6
|unit snow days = 0.1 in
|Jan snow days = 1.1
|Feb snow days = 1.1
|Mar snow days = 0.4
|Apr snow days = 0.1
|May snow days = 0.0
|Jun snow days = 0.0
|Jul snow days = 0.0
|Aug snow days = 0.0
|Sep snow days = 0.0
|Oct snow days = 0.1
|Nov snow days = 0.0
|Dec snow days = 0.7
|year snow days = 3.5
| source 1 = [[NOAA]]<ref name=NCEI>
{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00156091&format=pdf
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
| title = Station: Owensboro, KY
| work = U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1981-2010)
| access-date = June 4, 2021}}</ref><ref name=extremes>
{{cite web 
| url = http://xmacis.rcc-acis.org/
| publisher = Applied Climate Information System 
| title = Monthly Highest Max Temperature and Monthly Lowest Min Temperature for Owensboro 1 W, KY
| access-date = June 4, 2021}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==

{{US Census population
| 1830 = 229
| 1850 = 1215
| 1860 = 2308
| 1870 = 3437
| 1880 = 6231
| 1890 = 9837
| 1900 = 13189
| 1910 = 16011
| 1920 = 17424
| 1930 = 22765
| 1940 = 30245
| 1950 = 33651
| 1960 = 42471
| 1970 = 50329
| 1980 = 54450
| 1990 = 53549
| 2000 = 54067
| 2010 = 57265
| 2020 = 60183
| estyear = 2022
| estimate = 60037
| estref = <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/tables/2020-2022/cities/totals/SUB-IP-EST2022-POP-21.xlsx|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places in Kentucky: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2022|publisher= United States Census Bureau|access-date= May 26, 2023}}</ref>
| footnote = U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref>
}}

As of the census of 2010, there were 58,083 people and 23,380 households within the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|2,999.1|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people}}. There were 26,072 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,394.7|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 87.5% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 7.3% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.9% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.1% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.01% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.55% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 2.5% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 3.2% of the population.

There were 23,380 households, out of which 23.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.7% were married couples living together, 13.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.8% were non-families. 33.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.7% under the age of 18, 9.8% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 22.4% from 45 to 64, and 16.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $37,289, and the median income for a family was $41,333. Males had a median income of $33,429 versus $21,457 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $21,183. About 12.2% of families and 18.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.9% of those under age 18 and 12.4% of those age 65 or over.

===Metropolitan area===
According to the 2007 census, the [[Owensboro, KY Metropolitan Statistical Area|Owensboro Metropolitan Area]] includes Daviess, [[Hancock County, Kentucky|Hancock]], and [[McLean County, Kentucky|McLean]] counties.

==Economy==

===Top employers===
 
According to Owensboro's 2023 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://owensboro.org/assets/files/acfr/ACFR2023.pdf|title=City of Owensboro ACFR|date=}}</ref> the top employers in the city were:

{| class="wikitable"
|-
! #
! Employer
! # of Employees
|-
| 1
| [[Owensboro Health]]
|4,862
|-
|2
| [[U.S. Bancorp|U.S. Bank Home Mortgage]]
|1,475
|-
|3
| [[Owensboro Public Schools]]
|869
|-
|4
| Toyotetsu Mid-America
|850
|-
|5
| Specialty Foods Group
|642
|-
|6
| Total Packaging LLC
|480
|-
|7
| [[UniFirst]] 
|434
|-
|7
| City of Owensboro
|434
|-
|9
| [[Glenmore Distillery Company|Sazerac Distilleries]]
|424
|-
|10
| [[Mizkan|Mizkan America Inc.]]
|391
|}

==Arts and culture==
Owensboro was named an [[All-America City]] in 2013.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://allamericacityaward.com/owensboro-kentucky|title=allamericacityaward.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130625062023/http://www.allamericacityaward.com/owensboro-kentucky/|archive-date=June 25, 2013}}</ref> Owensboro placed fourth on Area Development's Top 20 Southern Cities, with a 9th-place ranking for its "recession busting factors" among the Top 25 Small Cities.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://Owensboro.org/about/Owensboro|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100128231756/http://www.owensboro.org/about/owensboro|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 28, 2010|title=Owensboro.org}}</ref>

===Religion===
Owensboro and Daviess County are served by many churches.  According to statistics from U.S. Religion Census data<ref>{{Cite web |title=Congregational Membership Reports {{!}} US Religion |url=https://thearda.com/us-religion/census/congregational-membership |access-date=October 22, 2024 |website=thearda.com}}</ref> from 2020, collected by The Association of Religion Data Archives, approximately 63.9% of the county population is affiliated with a religious organization.  Evangelical Protestants make up the largest contingent at 35.1%, with Southern Baptists being the largest single denomination in the county in terms of both number of congregations and adherents.  Catholics are the second largest single denomination in number of adherents, representing 22.1%.

The following is a breakdown of measurably significant 2020 statistics:
{| class="wikitable"
|Evangelical Protestant
|35.1
|-
|Catholic
|22.1
|-
|Mainline Protestant
|5.3
|-
|Latter Day Saints
|0.5
|-
|Jehovah’s Witnesses
|0.3
|-
|Black Protestant
|0.3
|-
|Islam
|0.2
|-
|Other Christians
|0.1
|}
Owensboro and Daviess County are home to several historic churches.  Bethlehem Methodist Church on the east side of the county was organized in 1806, making it the oldest in the county.  Nearby Yelvington Baptist Church dates back to 1813, making it the second oldest church in the county.  Bethabara Baptist in Philpot dates back to 1825, while Pleasant Grove Baptist in Sorgho traces its origins back to 1835.  First Baptist Church in Owensboro also dates back to 1835, as does Fourth Street Baptist Church.

St. Lawrence Parish in eastern Daviess County dates to 1822, making it the oldest Catholic parish in the county.  St. Stephen Parish dates to 1839, and is the oldest parish in Owensboro. In 1937, [[Pope Pius XI]] established the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Owensboro]], which spans approximately the western third of the state. It includes 32 counties and covers approximately 12,500 square miles (32,000&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>).

The [https://www.dmba.org Daviess-McLean Baptist Association], dating back to 1844, is the regional hub for 50+ Southern Baptist churches in Daviess, McLean, and northern Ohio County.

Owensboro is also home to [[Temple Adath Israel (Owensboro, Kentucky)|Temple Adath Israel]]. Organized in 1858 and built in 1877, it is among the oldest Jewish synagogues in the United States.

Owensboro is also the location of the [[Covenant Baptist Theological Seminary]].

===Music===
Owensboro is home to the [https://www.bluegrasshall.org/ Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum] (Previously known as the International Bluegrass Music Museum<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum Oral History Project |url=https://kentuckyoralhistory.org/ark:/16417/xt70rx93b876 |access-date=February 25, 2024 |website=kentuckyoralhistory.org |language=en-US}}</ref>). The museum is dedicated to the history and preservation of [[Bluegrass music]], as well as hosting the [[International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame|Bluegrass Hall of Fame]] to celebrate the best of Bluegrass musicians. The venue also hosts many music events throughout the year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home - Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum |url=https://www.bluegrasshall.org/ |access-date=February 25, 2024 |language=en-US}}</ref>

The [https://www.bluegrasshall.org/ Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum] won the Governor's Award for Community Arts in 2013<ref>{{Cite web |title=KY: Kentucky Arts Council - Governor's Awards in the Arts: Past Recipients |url=http://artscouncil.ky.gov/KAC/Showcasing/gov-awards-past-recipients.htm |access-date=February 25, 2024 |website=artscouncil.ky.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Citation |title=2013 Governor's Awards in the Arts recipient International Bluegrass Music Museum |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUo2yY0nS2Q |access-date=February 25, 2024 |language=en}}</ref>

===Events===
[[File:BBQfestival2008.jpg|thumb|alt=Owensboro Bar-B-Q Festival|Owensboro BBQ Festival, 2008]]

*Owensboro is the "Barbecue Capital of the world"; it holds its [[International Bar-B-Q Festival]] and competition every second weekend in May.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cissell |first=Brian |last2=Onyett |first2=Travis |date=May 12, 2023 |title=BBQ and Barrels Festival kicks off in Owensboro |url=https://www.14news.com/2023/05/12/bbq-barrels-festival-kicks-off-owensboro/ |access-date=August 12, 2023 |website=www.14news.com |language=en}}</ref>
*Owensboro hosts "ROMP", "River of Music Party", a [[bluegrass music]] festival.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rompfest.com|title=Home|website=ROMP Fest 2018 - June 27–30, 2018}}</ref> ROMP has grown to 25,000 visitors a year.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ROMP: Bluegrass Roots & Branches Festival |url=https://visitowensboro.com/listing/romp-bluegrass-roots-branches-festival/ |access-date=February 25, 2024 |website=Visit Owensboro, KY |language=en-US}}</ref>
*Lanham Brothers Jamboree is an event held every second Saturday from April through September at the Diamond Lake Resort Theater in Owensboro.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://lanhambrothersjamboree.com|title=Lanham Brothers Jamboree – Fun, Family, Entertainment}}</ref>
*During the summer, the city offers "Friday After 5", a free 16-week series of outdoor concerts on the downtown riverfront, which resumed after a pandemic break.<ref>{{cite web| title=Friday After 5 | publisher=Downtown Owensboro, Inc. | url=http://www.fridayafter5.com | access-date=July 3, 2007}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Birgy |first=Barb|date=March 6, 2023 |title=Friday After 5 Announces Epic 2023 Lineup |url=https://wbkr.com/where-the-weekend-begins-in-western-kentucky-friday-after-5-announces-2023-lineup/ |access-date=August 12, 2023 |website=WBKR |language=en}}</ref>
*The "Owensboro PumpkinFest" is held each September at the Sportscenter/Moreland Park complex. The festival includes food vendors, crafts people, carnival rides, children and adult activities and games, and contests using pumpkins.<ref>{{cite web| title=Owensboro PumpkinFest | url=http://www.owensboropumpkinfest.org | access-date=July 3, 2007}}</ref> The event was started by the [[Glenmary Home Missioners|Glenmary Sisters]] to raise awareness and funds.<ref>{{cite web| title=Glenmary Sisters | publisher=Glenmary Home Mission Sisters of America | url=http://www.glenmarysisters.org| access-date=July 3, 2007}}</ref>
*Owensboro Multicultural Festival is held each year to celebrate diversity.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kelly |first=Josh |date=August 14, 2022 |title=Multicultural Festival returns Saturday with theme of 'We're better together' |url=https://www.owensborotimes.com/entertainment/events/2022/08/multicultural-festival-returns-saturday-with-theme-of-were-better-together/ |access-date=June 16, 2023 |website=The Owensboro Times |language=en-US}}</ref>

===Points of interest===
* [[Ben Hawes Golf Course and Park]]
* [[Daviess County Public Library]]
* [[Owensboro Bridge]]
* [[International Bluegrass Music Museum]]
* Largest [[sassafras]] tree<ref>{{cite web|title=Owensboro's Sassafras Tree|url=https://visitowensboro.com/listing/owensboros-sassafras-tree/|website=visitowensboro.com|publisher=Owensboro-Daviess County Convention & Visitors Bureau|access-date=July 22, 2017}}</ref> (located on Frederica Street next door to the Daviess County Public Library)
* Owensboro Museum of Science and History
* RiverPark Center
* Smothers Park
* [[Temple Adath Israel (Owensboro, Kentucky)|Temple Adath Israel]], one of the [[List of the oldest synagogues in the United States|oldest synagogue building]]s still standing in the United States<ref>Mark W. Gordon, [http://muse.jhu.edu/journals/american_jewish_history/v084/84.1gordon.html "Rediscovering Jewish Infrastructure: Update on United States Nineteenth Century Synagogues"], ''American Jewish History'' 84.1 (1996) 11–27. [http://www.ajhs.org/rediscovering-jewish-infrastructure 2019 article update.]</ref>
* [[Western Kentucky Botanical Garden]]
* [[William H. Natcher Bridge]]

==Sports==
The Owensboro Oilers baseball team compete in the collegiate wood-bat Ohio Valley League. The Oilers were the KIT League's 2008 playoff champions and the 2006 KIT League season champions. The team is named for the baseball minor league farm team "[[Owensboro Oilers]]" which existed in the 1940s.{{citation needed|date=May 2021}}
Many of the city high schools produced talented college and professional athletes.

==Government==
{{see also|List of mayors of Owensboro, Kentucky}}
[[File:Daviess County, Kentucky courthouse.jpg|thumb|[[Daviess County, Kentucky|Daviess County]] Courthouse constructed in 1964]]
Owensboro has operated under a City Manager form of government since 1954. Citizens elect a mayor and four city commissioners who form the Board of Commissioners. The Board of Commissioners is the legislative body of the city government and represents the interests of the citizens. The Board of Commissioners hires a [[city manager]] who administers the day-to-day operations of the city.

The mayor is elected for a term of four years. Each city commissioner is elected for a term of two years. The term of the city manager is indefinite and based on performance.

==Education==
The [[Owensboro Public Schools]], [[Daviess County Public Schools]], and the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Owensboro|Diocese of Owensboro]]'s Catholic School System oversee K-12 education in and around Owensboro.

Owensboro is home to two private, four-year colleges, [[Brescia University]] (Catholic) and [[Kentucky Wesleyan College]], and one public [[Community colleges in the United States|community college]], [[Owensboro Community and Technical College]]. A campus of [[Daymar College]] is also located in Owensboro, and [[Western Kentucky University]] has a [http://www.wku.edu/owensboro/ regional campus] there.

In 2006, plans were announced for a research center operated by the [[University of Louisville]] to be located at the Mitchell Memorial Cancer Center, a part of the Owensboro Medical Health System, to study how to make the first ever [[Human papillomavirus|human papilloma virus]] [[vaccine]], called [[Gardasil]], from tobacco plants. U of L researcher Dr Albert Bennet Jenson and Dr Shin-je Ghim discovered the [[vaccine]] in 2006. If successful, the [[vaccine]] would be made in Owensboro.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.courier-journal.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060531/NEWS01/605310428|title=Two at UofL help invent vaccine – Courier Journal}}</ref>

Owensboro has a lending library, the Daviess County Public Library.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://kdla.ky.gov/librarians/pages/librarydirectory.aspx | title=Kentucky Public Library Directory | publisher=Kentucky Department for Libraries and Archives | access-date=June 5, 2019| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190111202017/https://kdla.ky.gov/librarians/pages/librarydirectory.aspx | archive-date=January 11, 2019 }}</ref>

==Media==
===Print and online===
The daily newspaper is the ''[[Messenger-Inquirer]]'', owned by Paxton Media Group of [[Paducah, Kentucky]].<ref>{{cite web| title=Messenger-Inquirer Website| publisher=Messenger-Inquirer | url=http://www.messenger-inquirer.com|access-date=July 3, 2007}}</ref>

''The Owensboro Times'' is a local online news site.<ref>{{cite web | title = About The Owensboro Times | publisher = The Owensboro Times | url = https://www.owensborotimes.com/about-us/ | accessdate = May 30, 2021}}</ref>

===Radio===
Radio stations include [[WBIO]], [[WXCM]], [[WLME]], [[WOMI]], [[WVJS (AM)|WVJS]] and [[WBKR]] broadcasting from Owensboro. One, [[WSTO (FM)|WSTO-FM]], is actually licensed to Owensboro, although its studios are now located in Evansville.

===Television===
Although no television stations are based in the city, it is part of the Evansville television market, which is the 100th-largest in the United States, according to [[Nielsen Media Research]].<ref>{{cite web | title=Nielsen Media Research Local Universe Estimates | publisher=Audience Research & Development | url=http://www.ar-d.com/pdf/DMAListing_2005-2006.pdf | access-date=December 28, 2006 | url-status=dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070104062114/http://www.ar-d.com/pdf/DMAListing_2005-2006.pdf | archive-date=January 4, 2007 }}</ref> However, in early 2007, [[NBC]] affiliate [[WFIE-TV]] opened a bureau in Owensboro which covers news on the Kentucky side of the market. Many of the local television stations often promote themselves as serving [[Evansville, Indiana]], Owensboro, Kentucky, and [[Henderson, Kentucky]].

==Infrastructure==
[[File:Owensboro Kentucky Bridge over Ohio.JPG|thumb|right|Owensboro Bridge and the Indiana riverbank as seen from Smothers Park in downtown Owensboro]]

===Transportation===
[[Interstate 165 (Kentucky)|I-165]], [[U.S. Route 60 in Kentucky|US 60]], and [[U.S. Route 431 in Kentucky|US 431]] serve Owensboro, with US 431 terminating at the former US 60 Bypass (now signed US 60). [[U.S. Route 231 in Kentucky|US 231]] and [[U.S. Route 60 in Kentucky|US 60]] form a partial beltway around Owensboro. [[KY 81]], [[Kentucky Route 56|KY 56]], [[Kentucky Route 331|KY 331]], [[Kentucky Route 298|KY 298]], [[Kentucky Route 54|KY 54]], and [[Kentucky Route 144|KY 144]] also serve the city.

[[Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport]] serves, along with [[Evansville Regional Airport]], as one of the region's primary commercial airports.

The [[Owensboro Transit System]] (OTS) offers bus transit to residents, and the Green River Intra-County Transit System (GRITS) offers specialized bus services to residents with disabilities who are not able to ride fixed-route public transportation buses.
{{clear}}

==Notable people==
{{colbegin}}

===Politicians===
* [[W. Ralph Basham]], former director of the [[United States Secret Service]]
* [[Wendell H. Ford]], former Kentucky governor and U.S. senator
* [[Steve Henry (politician)|Steve Henry]], former lieutenant governor of Kentucky
* [[Albert S. Marks]], former governor of Tennessee
* [[Suzanne Miles]], member of the [[Kentucky House of Representatives]] from the 7th District
* [[Wilbur Kingsbury Miller]], federal judge
* [[William Rosenbaum]], member of the [[Arizona House of Representatives]]
* [[John M. Spalding]], World War II hero, politician

===Sports===
* [[Chris Brown (defensive back)]], former NFL player
* [[Bruce Brubaker (baseball)|Bruce Brubaker]], former [[Major League Baseball]] player
* [[Vince Buck]], former NFL player
* [[Rex Chapman]], former [[National Basketball Association|NBA]] player
* [[Wayne Chapman (basketball)|Wayne Chapman]], former NBA and [[American Basketball Association|ABA]] player
* [[David Green (NASCAR)|David Green]], [[Jeff Green (NASCAR)|Jeff Green]] and [[Mark Green (NASCAR)|Mark Green]], [[NASCAR]] drivers
* [[Cliff Hagan]], former NBA player
* [[Nicky Hayden]], motorcycle racer, 2006 MotoGP champion
* [[Roger Lee Hayden]], motorcycle racer
* [[Tommy Hayden]], motorcycle racer
* [[Kenny Higgs]], former NBA player
* [[Mark Higgs]], former NFL player
* [[Jeff Jones (basketball coach)|Jeff Jones]], collegiate basketball coach
* [[Tommy Kron]], professional basketball player
* [[Thanh Le]], mixed martial arts
* [[Jeremy Mayfield]], former NASCAR driver
* [[Justin Miller (American football)|Justin Miller]], NFL player
* [[Eugene Oberst]], Olympic bronze medalist in the javelin throw
* [[Bo Smith]], [[Canadian Football League]] cornerback
* [[Larry Vanover]], [[Major League Baseball|MLB]] umpire
* [[Nick Varner]], [[billiards|pool]] champion
* [[Darrell Waltrip]], three-time NASCAR champion and Hall of Fame inductee; FOX sports commentator
* [[Michael Waltrip]], retired NASCAR driver/team owner and FOX sports commentator
* [[Dave Watkins (baseball)|Dave Watkins]], [[Major League Baseball]] player
* [[Bobby Watson (basketball player)|Bobby Watson]], former NBA player
* [[B. J. Whitmer]], professional wrestler
* [[Brad Wilkerson]], MLB player
* [[Ken Willis]], former NFL player

===Entertainers===
* [[Monica Beverly Hillz]], drag queen 
* [[Johnny Depp]], actor, director, musician
* Jon Brennan, country music artist, reality TV star MTV "The Real World"
* [[Tom Ewell]], actor
* [[Florence Henderson]], actress, singer, most notable of ''[[The Brady Bunch]]'' fame
* [[Kevin Olusola]], musician, beatboxer for [[Pentatonix]]
* [[Tom Powers]], actor
* [[Christine Johnson Smith]], opera singer and [[Tony Award]]-nominated Broadway actress
* [[Mark Stuart (musician)|Mark Stuart]], vocalist for [[Audio Adrenaline]]
* [[William Booth Wecker]], showman of the 1930s and 1940s

===Authors and journalists===
* [[Terry Bisson]], author
* [[Kody Keplinger]], author
* [[Stephen F. Cohen]], Russian studies scholar
* [[Craig Crawford]], political commentator
* [[Jesse Edward Grinstead]] author of Western fiction
* [[Marcus Rediker]], historian and activist
* [[Moneta Sleet, Jr.]], [[Pulitzer Prize]]-winning photographer

===Others===
* [[Beulah Annan]], suspected murderer
* [[Thomas Cruse]], U.S. Army brigadier general who was a recipient of the Medal of Honor
* [[Hazen A. Dean]], noted Boy Scouts of America member and Scoutmaster
* [[Hadley Duvall]], reproductive freedom advocate<ref>{{Cite web |last=Tweddell |first=Vince |date=August 17, 2024 |title=Born in Henderson, Duvall will speak Monday at Democratic National Convention |url=https://the-hendersonian.com/born-in-henderson-duvall-will-speak-monday-at-democratic-national-convention/ |access-date=September 21, 2024 |website=The Hendersonian |language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Lawrence W. Hager]], publisher and owner of the ''[[Messenger-Inquirer]]''
* [[Dudley W. Morton]], U.S. naval commander
* [[David Sharpe (artist)|David Sharpe]], American painter
{{colend}}

==Sister cities==
Owensboro has two [[Town twinning|sister cities]], as designated by [[Sister Cities International]]:<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sister-cities.org/icrc/directory/usa/KY |title=Online directory: Kentucky, USA |publisher=Sister Cities International |access-date=June 11, 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061002205137/http://www.sister-cities.org/icrc/directory/USA/KY |archive-date=October 2, 2006 }}</ref>

*{{flagdeco|Czech Republic}} [[Olomouc]], [[Moravia]], Czech Republic
*{{flagdeco|Japan}} [[Nisshin, Aichi]], Japan

==See also==
{{Portal|United States|American Civil War|Kentucky}}
*[[List of cities and towns along the Ohio River]]
*[[Union Station (Owensboro, Kentucky)]]

==References==
{{Reflist|2}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{NIE Poster|Owensboro}}
* [https://www.owensboro.org/ City of Owensboro official website]
* [https://www.owensborocityguide.com Owensboro City Guide]
* [https://loc.getarchive.net/media/advertisement-for-an-auction-for-land-around-owensboro-kentucky 1821 Advertisement for an auction for land around Owensboro, Kentucky], from the [[Library of Congress]]

{{Owensboro, Kentucky}}
{{Daviess County, Kentucky}}
{{Kentucky}}
{{Kentucky county seats}}
{{KYLargestCities}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Owensboro, Kentucky| ]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1797]]
[[Category:Cities in Daviess County, Kentucky]]
[[Category:Cities in Kentucky]]
[[Category:County seats in Kentucky]]
[[Category:Owensboro metropolitan area]]
[[Category:Kentucky populated places on the Ohio River]]