Ferdinand, Indiana Facts for Kids

Ferdinand was started in 1840 by a priest named Father Joseph Kundek. He was part of the Benedictine Order, which is a group of monks and nuns. The town was named after Emperor Ferdinand I of Austria.

Most of the first settlers in Ferdinand came from central Europe and spoke German. For a while, Ferdinand was even known as the "wooden shoe village."

By the late 1800s, Ferdinand had many businesses. These included a machine shop, a brick factory, a brewery, and several places to eat and drink. There was also a dairy farm.

The town's post office opened in 1850, helping people send and receive mail. In 1867, the Monastery Immaculate Conception was founded in Ferdinand. This is a special place for Benedictine nuns.

Ferdinand officially became a town in 1905. A local newspaper, the Ferdinand News, started in 1906. Just before World War II, a group called the Civilian Conservation Corps helped create the Ferdinand State Forest.

Two important places in Ferdinand are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These are the Monastery Immaculate Conception and the Dr. Alois Wollenmann House. This means they are special historical sites.

Photo from a survey of small towns in Indiana.

Where is Ferdinand Located?

Ferdinand is located in Indiana at 38°13′31″N 86°51′40″W / 38.22528°N 86.86111°W / 38.22528; -86.86111.

In 2010, the town covered about 2.31 square miles (about 6 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 2.27 square miles (5.88 square kilometers), is land. A small part, about 0.04 square miles (0.10 square kilometers), is water.

How Many People Live in Ferdinand?

Historical population
Census	Pop.	%±
1880	500	—
1890	627	25.4%
1910	827	—
1920	884	6.9%
1930	846	−4.3%
1940	990	17.0%
1950	1,252	26.5%
1960	1,427	14.0%
1970	1,432	0.4%
1980	2,192	53.1%
1990	2,318	5.7%
2000	2,277	−1.8%
2010	2,157	−5.3%
2020	2,157	0.0%
U.S. Decennial Census

Ferdinand's Population in 2010

According to the 2010 census, 2,157 people lived in Ferdinand. There were 823 households and 566 families.

Most people in Ferdinand were White (98.2%). A small number were African American (0.1%), Asian (0.2%), or from other races (0.4%). About 1% of people were from two or more races. About 1.6% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.

About 30.9% of households had children under 18 living with them. Most households (55.9%) were married couples. About 27.5% of all households were single people living alone.

The average age in Ferdinand was 45.1 years old. About 21% of residents were under 18. About 25.2% of residents were 65 years or older. More females lived in Ferdinand (55.5%) than males (44.5%).

Fun Places to Visit in Ferdinand

Here are some interesting places you can visit in Ferdinand:

Monastery Immaculate Conception: This is a beautiful monastery where the Sisters of St. Benedict live and work.
Ferdinand State Forest: A large forest where you can enjoy nature.

A closer look at the Monastery of Immaculate Conception.

Schools in Ferdinand

Ferdinand has several schools for students:

Forest Park Jr./Sr. High School
Ferdinand Elementary School
Cedar Crest Intermediate School

The town also has a public library. It is a part of the Jasper-Dubois County Public Library system.

Churches in Ferdinand

St. Ferdinand Catholic Church

Ferdinand, Indiana facts for kids

Contents

History of Ferdinand