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Owensboro, KY

Frequently asked questions

Owensboro, KY

Owensboro is a home rule-class city in and the county seat of Daviess County, Kentucky, United States. It is the fourth-largest city in the state by population. Owensboro is located on U.S. Route 60 and Interstate 165 about 107 miles (172 km) southwest of 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. 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.

Owensboro is located at the crook of a bend in the Ohio River, 37 miles (60 km) southeast of Evansville, Indiana. According to the United States Census Bureau, Owensboro has a total area of 20.4 square miles (52.9 km²), of which 19.1 square miles (49.5 km²) is land and 1.3 square miles (3.4 km²), or 6.47%, is water.

Evidence of 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" from the color of the land beside the Ohio River. In 1817, Yellow Banks was formally established under the name Owensborough, named after Col. Abraham Owen. In 1893, the spelling of the name was shortened to its current Owensboro.

As of the census of 2010, there were 58,083 people and 23,380 households within the city. The population density was 2,999.1 people per square mile (1,158.0 people/km²). There were 26,072 housing units at an average density of 1,394.7 per square mile (538.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 87.5% White, 7.3% African American, 0.9% Asian, 0.1% Native American, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.55% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.2% of the population.

Owensboro focuses on health and wellness. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Owensboro Parks and Recreation Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include Orangetheory Gym, Iron Jungle Family Fitness, and Planet Fitness. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Owensboro, such as Ben Hawes Park and Smothers Park. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Owensboro, KY are Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum, Owensboro Museum of Science and History, and Western Kentucky Botanical Garden.

Population: 60,140 (2023). ZIP codes: 42301-42304. Area code: 270, 364. Area: 20.4 square miles (52.9 km²). Elevation: 394 ft.

FAQs

What is Owensboro, KY known for?

Owensboro is home to several unique attractions, such as the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum, the only international museum dedicated to preserving and showcasing the history, collections, and artifacts of bluegrass music - an exciting, original American art form with its genesis in Kentucky. And RiverPark Center, a bustling Regional Performing Arts and Civic center that hosts more than 1,000 events each year, including professional Broadway tour performances. We are also home to the Owensboro Museum of Fine Art, the Owensboro Museum of Science and History, and the Western Kentucky Botanical Garden, and Smothers Park, where the Lazy Dayz Playground has been named the top playground in the world by Landscape Architect’s Network.

Is Owensboro, KY a nice place to live?

Living in Owensboro offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. Many families and young professionals live in Owensboro and residents tend to lean conservative. The public schools in Owensboro are above average.

What are the demographics of Owensboro, KY?

Owensboro, KY is home to a population of 60k people, of which 97% are citizens. As of 2022, 4.24% of Owensboro, KY residents were born outside of the country (2.55k people). In 2022, there were 11.7 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (49k people) in Owensboro, KY than any other race or ethnicity. There were 4.19k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 2.01k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Sources

Wikipedia

Davies County

Owensboro Parks and Recreation Department 

Orangetheory Gym

Iron Jungle Family Fitness 

Planet Fitness

Ben Hawes Park 

Smothers Park

Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum

Owensboro Museum of Science and History

Western Kentucky Botanical Garden

Kentucky Tourism

Niche

Data USA

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