Evansville, Indiana

Updated 2026-06-16

Evansville, Indiana is a city located in Vanderburgh County in the southwestern corner of the U.S. state of Indiana. As of the 2020 United States Census, the city had a population of 117,429, making it the third‑largest city in Indiana after Indianapolis and Fort Wayne. Evansville serves as the county seat of Vanderburgh County and is the principal city of the Evansville‑Metropolitan Area, which encompasses parts of Indiana, Illinois, and Kentucky.

History

Founding: The area that became Evansville was first surveyed in 1812 and was officially platted in 1815. The settlement was named after Colonel Robert A. Evans, a local landowner who donated land for the town’s development.
Early development: Situated on the Ohio River, Evansville quickly became a regional hub for riverine trade and manufacturing during the 19th century. The city was incorporated in 1846.
20th‑century growth: Industrial expansion, particularly in textiles, furniture, and automotive parts, propelled population growth. Post‑World War II suburbanization and the construction of Interstate highways further integrated Evansville into regional transportation networks.

Geography

Location: Coordinates 37°58′N 87°34′W. The city lies on the southern bank of the Ohio River, opposite Illinois.
Area: According to the United States Census Bureau, Evansville covers a total area of approximately 66.2 square miles (171.5 km²), of which 64.8 square miles (167.9 km²) is land and 1.4 square miles (3.6 km²) is water.
Topography: The terrain is relatively flat, with gentle rolling hills to the north and the river floodplain to the south.

Climate

Evansville experiences a humid subtropical climate (Köppen classification Cfa), characterized by hot, humid summers and mild to cool winters. Average high temperatures range from 40 °F (4 °C) in January to 89 °F (32 °C) in July. Annual precipitation averages roughly 45 inches (1,140 mm), with snowfall averaging 12 inches (30 cm) per winter season.

Demographics (2020 Census)

Population: 117,429 residents.
Racial composition: 71.2 % White, 21.4 % African American, 1.6 % Asian, 0.6 % Native American, 2.1 % from other races, and 3.1 % from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 5.4 % of the population.
Households: 49,183 households; average household size 2.36 persons.
Income: Median household income was $44,300; per capita income was $26,540. Approximately 18.9 % of residents were living below the federal poverty line.

Economy

Evansville’s economy is diversified across manufacturing, healthcare, education, logistics, and retail sectors. Key industries and employers include:

Manufacturing: Companies such as Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana (nearby), Alcoa, and Honeywell have significant operational footprints.
Healthcare: Deaconess Health System and Evansville Regional Healthcare System together constitute the city’s largest employment sector.
Education: The University of Evansville and the Ivy Tech Community College campus are major employers and economic drivers.
Logistics and Transportation: The city’s river port, Evansville Regional Airport (EVV), and intersecting Interstates 64 and 69 support freight and passenger movement.

The unemployment rate as of the latest Bureau of Labor Statistics report (2023) was approximately 3.7 %, marginally below the national average.

Education

Primary and secondary: The Evansville‑Vanderburgh School Corporation operates the public K‑12 system, encompassing 18 elementary schools, 5 middle schools, and 4 high schools, including Evansville Central High School.
Higher education: The University of Evansville, a private liberal‑arts university, enrolls roughly 4,200 undergraduate and graduate students. Ivy Tech Community College maintains a substantial campus offering associate degrees and vocational certifications.
Public libraries: The Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library system comprises a central library and several branch locations.

Transportation

Road network: Interstate 64 traverses the city east‑west, while Interstate 69, completed to the Evansville area in 2022, provides a north‑south corridor. U.S. Routes 41, 50, 150, and 460 also serve the region.
Airport: Evansville Regional Airport offers commercial airline service (American Eagle) with connections to Chicago O’Hare International Airport and other hubs.
Rail: Freight rail service is provided by CSX Transportation and Norfolk Southern Railway; passenger rail service is currently absent.
River port: The Evansville Port Authority operates a deep‑water terminal on the Ohio River, handling bulk commodities, intermodal containers, and agricultural products.

Culture and Recreation

Museums and institutions: The Evansville Museum of Arts, History and Science; the Angel Mounds State Historic Site (a Mississippian culture archaeological site); and the USS LST-310 Museum (a World War II landing ship).
Performing arts: The Reitz Union Theatre and the Ford Center host concerts, theater productions, and sporting events.
Festivals: Riverfest, an annual spring celebration featuring fireworks and live entertainment, draws regional attendance.
Sports: The University of Evansville’s athletic teams, the Purple Aces, compete in NCAA Division I. The city also supports minor‑league baseball (Evansville Otters) and hosts the Evansville Golf Club, a municipal course.

Government

Evansville operates under a mayor–council form of government. As of 2024, the mayor is Reuben A. “Rube” F. Jenkins (Democratic Party). The city council consists of twelve members representing four wards, with three councilors per ward. Municipal services include police, fire protection, public works, and planning departments.

Notable People

Michael A. O’Leary – former CEO of Southwest Airlines, born in Evans Evansville.
Lloyd “Red” Gosdin – country music singer‑songwriter.
Mockingbird – professional baseball pitcher for the Chicago Cubs, raised in Evansville.
Jennifer McMahon – author of several bestselling novels, Evansville native.

References

United States Census Bureau, 2020 Decennial Census.
Evansville‑Vanderburgh School Corporation reports.
City of Evansville official website (cityofevansville.com).
Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics (2023).
University of Evansville Institutional Data.

This entry reflects information available from publicly released government and institutional sources up to 2024.