Editing Owensville, Indiana

{{For|other towns with similar name|Owensville (disambiguation){{!}}Owensville}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Owensville, Indiana
| official_name      = Town of Owensville
| settlement_type    = [[Town]]
| nickname           = 
| motto              = <!-- Images -->
| image_skyline      = Owensville, Indiana.jpg
| imagesize          = 290px
| image_caption      = Row of buildings along east side of town square. Owensville Town Hall is on far left.
| image_flag         = 
| image_seal         = Seal of Owensville, Indiana.png
| image_map          = File:Gibson County Indiana Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Owensville Highlighted 1857528.svg
| mapsize            = 250px
| map_caption        = Location of Owensville in Gibson County, Indiana
| image_map1         = 
| mapsize1           = 
| map_caption1       = <!-- Location -->
| subdivision_type   = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name   = United States
| subdivision_type1  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Indiana]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[List of counties in Indiana|County]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Gibson County, Indiana|Gibson]]
| subdivision_type3  = [[List of townships in Indiana|Township]]
| subdivision_name3  = [[Montgomery Township, Gibson County, Indiana|Montgomery]]
| government_footnotes = 
| government_type    = 
| leader_title       = 
| leader_name        = 
| leader_title1      = 
| leader_name1       = 
| established_title  = Founded
| established_date   = 1817
| 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_18.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=March 16, 2022}}</ref>
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_magnitude     = 
| area_land_km2      = 1.47
| area_water_km2     = 0.00
| area_total_km2     = 1.47
| area_total_sq_mi   = 0.57
| area_land_sq_mi    = 0.57
| area_water_sq_mi   = 0.00

<!-- Population -->| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_est     = 
| pop_est_as_of      = 
| population_footnotes = 
| population_total   = 1338
| population_density_km2 = 907.92
| population_density_sq_mi = 2351.49
| timezone           = [[North American Central Time Zone|Central (CST)]]
| utc_offset         = -6
| timezone_DST       = CDT
| utc_offset_DST     = -5
| elevation_footnotes = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft       = 525
| coordinates        = {{coord|38|16|19|N|87|41|30|W|region:US_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code        = 47665
| area_code          = [[Area code 812|812, 930]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 18-57528<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = 2396843<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2396843}}</ref>
| blank2_name        = Major State Roads
| blank2_info        = [[File:Indiana 65.svg|27px|link=Indiana State Road 65]] [[File:Indiana 165.svg|34px|link=Indiana State Road 165]] [[File:Indiana 168.svg|34px|link=Indiana State Road 168]]
| website            = {{URL|https://owensville.org/}}
| footnotes          = 
| pop_est_footnotes  = 
}}
'''Owensville''' is the third largest town and the smallest of the five larger communities in [[Gibson County, Indiana|Gibson County]], [[Indiana]], United States. The population was 1,338 in 2020.

==History==
Owensville was established in 1817<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OlQ0AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA13 | title=History of Gibson County, Indiana | publisher=Cook & McDowell Publications | author=Peattie, Elia Wilkinson | year=1897 | pages=13}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=l1E0AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA343 | title=History of Gibson County, Indiana: Her People, Industries and Institutions | publisher=B.F. Bowen | author=Stormont, Gil R. | year=1914 | pages=343}}</ref> by Phillip Briscoe, when he filed the town plat consisting of 52 parcels and five out-parcels. A fire in 1876 destroyed many of the wood framed businesses on the eastern side of the town square.

It was not until 1881 that Owensville incorporated.<ref>{{cite book
  |title=The First Malone Families to Settle in Gibson County, Indiana Territory: Volume 1
  |author=Steve Malone
  |publisher=self published
  |year=2012
  |page=5
   |url=https://archive.org/stream/TheFirstTwoMaloneFamiliesToSettleInGibsonCountyIndianaTerritory_619/TheFirstMaloneFamiliesToSettleInGibsonCountyIndianaTerritoryVolume2#page/n0/mode/2up
}}</ref>

On March 18, 1925, the [[Tri-State Tornado]] struck just northwest of the town, killing nine people.

On [[Tornado outbreak of February 28 – March 1, 2017|February 28, 2017]], an EF3 wedge tornado, originating in [[Crossville, Illinois]], passed to the south of the town, destroying or heavily damaging several structures along Indiana 65. The highway was closed for several days as power crews replaced several large power poles.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.courierpress.com/story/news/2017/03/01/family-friends-come-together-help-after-tornado-gibson-county/98585748/|title = Family, friends come together to help after tornado in Gibson County}}</ref>

On [[Solar eclipse of April 8, 2024|April 8, 2024]], Owensville, along with most of the rest of southwestern Indiana viewed a total solar eclipse, lasting approximately 3 minutes and 55 seconds.<ref>[https://www.eclipse-chasers.com/php/tseCalculatorBig2.php?TSE=tse2024d 2024 Solar Eclipse]</ref>

==Geography==
Owensville is located at {{coord|38|16|18|N|87|41|26|W|type:city}} (38.271769, -87.690652).<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=April 23, 2011|date=February 12, 2011|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref>

According to the 2010 census, Owensville has a total area of {{convert|0.59|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, all land.<ref name="census-g001">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US1857528
  |title=G001 - Geographic Identifiers - 2010 Census Summary File 1
  |access-date=July 17, 2015
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213061154/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/G001/1600000US1857528
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

===Climate===
The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters.  According to the [[Köppen Climate Classification]] system, Owensville has a [[humid subtropical climate]], abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.weatherbase.com/weather/weather-summary.php3?s=704421&cityname=Owensville,+Indiana,+United+States+of+America&units=|title=Owensville, Indiana Climate Classification (Weatherbase)|website=Weatherbase}}</ref> although areas just north of town have a [[humid continental climate]]. Local meteorologists often tend to use nearby [[Interstate 64 in Indiana|Interstate 64]] for comparison of local weather events.

In relation to climate, in 2004, the [[National Weather Service]] installed a [[NEXRAD]] Doppler Radar station approximately 2 miles west of the town.

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1850= 235
|1860= 491
|1870= 522
|1880= 685
|1890= 759
|1900= 1019
|1910= 1237
|1920= 1239
|1930= 1056
|1940= 1188
|1950= 1110
|1960= 1121
|1970= 1056
|1980= 1261
|1990= 1053
|2000= 1322
|2010= 1284
|2020= 1338
|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>
}}

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web|title=U.S. Census website|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=December 11, 2012}}</ref> of 2010, there were 1,284 people, 510 households, and 337 families living in the town. The [[population density]] was {{convert|2176.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 567 housing units at an average density of {{convert|961.0|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the town was 97.9% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.2% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.7% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.2% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], and 0.9% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] people of any race were 1.2% of the population.

There were 510 households, of which 33.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.8% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.3% had a male householder with no wife present, and 33.9% were non-families. 29.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.97.

The median age in the town was 40.6 years. 24% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.8% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.5% were from 25 to 44; 24.8% were from 45 to 64; and 19.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 47.5% male and 52.5% female.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 1,322 people, 523 households, and 359 families living in the town. The population density was {{convert|2,665.3|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 565 housing units at an average density of {{convert|1,139.1|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the town was 98.18% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.23% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.38% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.23% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.53% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.45% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] people of any race were 1.13% of the population.

There were 523 households, out of which 32.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.0% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.2% were non-families. 28.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 24.4% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 27.7% from 25 to 44, 19.3% from 45 to 64, and 21.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.1 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $34,306, and the median income for a family was $40,263. Males had a median income of $35,294 versus $23,897 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the town was $15,916. About 5.2% of families and 8.9% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 8.7% of those under age 18 and 8.1% of those age 65 or over.

==Education==
[[File:Owensville Carnegie Library.jpg|250px|The Owensville Carnegie Library|thumb]]

* [[South Gibson School Corporation]]
* K-8: [[Owensville Community School]]
* 9-12: [[Gibson Southern High School]]

===Former schools===
* [[Owensville High School (Indiana)|Owensville High School]] (merged into [[Gibson Southern High School]] in 1974)

===Public library===
The town has a lending library, the Owensville Carnegie Public Library.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.in.gov/library/files/countyindex13.pdf | title=Indiana public library directory | publisher=Indiana State Library | access-date=March 7, 2018 | archive-date=February 18, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170218220414/http://in.gov/library/files/countyindex13.pdf | url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Economy==
[[File:Owensville, IN Water Tower.jpg|thumb|upright|Owensville's uniquely black coated water tower in 2015. Recently been painted gold with the town's Kickapoo logo.]]
Unlike Princeton and Fort Branch, Owensville's economy practically consists of a scant few family-owned business with only three exceptions: [[Goodlettsville, Tennessee]]-based [[Dollar General]], [[Mount Carmel, Illinois]]-based Community Natural Gas, and [[Mount Vernon, Indiana]]-based Schultheis Insurance. The largest family-owned business in Owensville is Holder's Furniture. However, like Fort Branch, Owensville is largely surrounded by unincorporated subdivisions, primarily north of the town. The two largest employers of Owensville's residents are the [[Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana]] plant located halfway between Princeton and Fort Branch, as well as [[Gibson Generating Station]] located 5.5 miles north-northwest of Owensville, as well two coal mines that opened up in 2008 and 2014, located 6 miles and 1 mile north of town respectively.

Like the other communities in Gibson County, Owensville's prime economy is based on [[agriculture]]. The farms immediately around the town primarily produce [[corn]], [[soybeans]], [[strawberries]], and [[wheat]]. Like many other communities along the [[Wabash River|Lower Wabash Valley]], the surrounding [[Montgomery Township, Gibson County, Indiana|Montgomery Township]] is particularly known for its [[watermelon]]s, [[pumpkin]]s, [[Squash (plant)|squash]], [[cantaloupe]]s, and [[zucchini]], all heavily produced in the sandy bottom grounds located from the north to the southwest of the town. In addition, [[Commercial sorghum|milo]] tends to be produced in place of corn in areas prone to flooding from the [[Wabash River|Wabash]], [[Patoka River|Patoka]], or [[Black River (Indiana)|Black]] Rivers or any of the other smaller creeks or streams that flow into them.

[[Owensville High School]], which merged with Fort Branch and Haubstadt high schools to form Gibson Southern, had the first high school gymnasium in Indiana with a glass backboard. One of those backboards is now in the Indiana High School Basketball Hall of Fame in [[New Castle, Indiana]].

==Highways - local names==
* [[File:indiana 65.svg|30px]] [[Indiana State Road 65]] - First, Brummitt, and Mill Streets from north to south
* [[File:indiana 165.svg|35px]] [[Indiana State Road 165]] - Brummitt Street west of Mill Street
* [[File:indiana 168.svg|35px]] [[Indiana State Road 168]] - Walnut Street east of Mill Street

==Notable people==
* [[Max Armstrong]], farm news radio and television broadcaster reporting on American and worldwide agriculture
* [[Valeska Suratt]], silent film star, Broadway actress, Vaudevillian, early fashion icon

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [https://owensville.org/ Town of Owensville, Indiana website]

{{Gibson County, Indiana}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Owensville, Indiana| ]]
[[Category:Towns in Gibson County, Indiana]]
[[Category:Towns in Indiana]]
[[Category:Communities of Southwestern Indiana]]
[[Category:Evansville metropolitan area]]
[[Category:Populated places established in the 1790s]]