Rockport, Indiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rockport, Indiana
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Spencer County Courthouse
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Location of Rockport in Spencer County, Indiana.
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| Country | United States |
| State | Indiana |
| County | Spencer |
| Township | Ohio |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.69 sq mi (4.37 km2) |
| • Land | 1.66 sq mi (4.29 km2) |
| • Water | 0.03 sq mi (0.08 km2) 1.88% |
| Elevation | 387 ft (118 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,984 |
| • Density | 1,196.62/sq mi (462.07/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (CST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| ZIP code |
47635
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| Area code(s) | 812 |
| FIPS code | 18-65484 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2396408 |
| U.S. Highways |  |
| Major State Roads |  |
| Website | Rockport, Indiana |
Rockport is a city in Ohio Township, Indiana. It is also the county seat of Spencer County. The city is located right along the Ohio River. In 2020, about 1,984 people lived there. Rockport is special because it is the southernmost city in the state of Indiana.
Contents
A Look at Rockport's History
Rockport began selling its first land lots in 1818. The city got its name from the large rock formations, or "rock outcroppings," that can be seen along the Ohio River.
The Rockport post office has been open since 1823. This shows how long people have lived and worked in the area.
Important Places in Rockport
Three places in Rockport are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are important historical sites.
- The Spencer County Courthouse
- The Mathias Sharp House
- The Lincoln Pioneer Village
Industry in Rockport
A large company called Cleveland-Cliffs Rockport Works is located near Rockport. It is on the Ohio River. This factory makes special steel using a process called galvanizing. It has the widest galvanizing line in the United States. This company is one of the biggest employers in Spencer County.
There is also a power plant called the Rockport Generating Station in the area. It is a coal power plant. This plant is planned to close by 2028.
Where is Rockport Located?
Rockport is located right on the Ohio River. Across the river from Rockport is Owensboro, Kentucky.
The city covers about 1.69 square miles (4.37 square kilometers) in total. Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.
Rockport is connected to Owensboro, Kentucky, by the William H. Natcher Bridge. You can use U.S. Route 231 to cross this bridge.
Who Lives in Rockport?
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1850 | 412 | — | |
| 1860 | 834 | 102.4% | |
| 1870 | 1,720 | 106.2% | |
| 1880 | 2,382 | 38.5% | |
| 1890 | 2,314 | −2.9% | |
| 1900 | 2,882 | 24.5% | |
| 1910 | 2,736 | −5.1% | |
| 1920 | 2,581 | −5.7% | |
| 1930 | 2,396 | −7.2% | |
| 1940 | 2,421 | 1.0% | |
| 1950 | 2,493 | 3.0% | |
| 1960 | 2,474 | −0.8% | |
| 1970 | 2,565 | 3.7% | |
| 1980 | 2,590 | 1.0% | |
| 1990 | 2,315 | −10.6% | |
| 2000 | 2,160 | −6.7% | |
| 2010 | 2,270 | 5.1% | |
| 2020 | 1,984 | −12.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
In 2010, there were 2,270 people living in Rockport. There were 908 households, which are groups of people living together. About 564 of these were families.
Most people in Rockport are White (95.9%). There are also African American (1.8%), Native American (0.2%), and Asian (0.3%) residents. About 2.6% of the population is Hispanic or Latino.
The average age of people in Rockport was about 39.1 years old.
- About 25.5% of residents were under 18 years old.
- About 17.3% were 65 years or older.
- The city has slightly more females (51.5%) than males (48.5%).
Learning and Schools in Rockport
Rockport is part of the South Spencer County School Corporation.
- Rockport Elementary School is located right in Rockport.
- Before 1965, Rockport had its own high school. Its colors were blue and gold, and its mascot was the Zebras.
- In 1965, the high school joined with others to form South Spencer High School.
There is also a private Catholic school called St. Bernard Catholic School. It is part of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Evansville.
Rockport has a public library. It is a branch of the Spencer County Public Library.
Fun Things to See and Do
The Lincoln Pioneer Village is a popular attraction in Rockport. It is located in Rockport City Park. This village is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The village was designed by an Indiana artist named George Honig. It was built in the 1930s. The project received help from government programs during the "New Deal" era.
The Lincoln Pioneer Village has buildings that look just like the cabins and businesses from Abraham Lincoln's time. Lincoln spent many of his early years in Spencer County. Visiting the village lets you see what life was like in Indiana when Lincoln was growing up.
The village was so well-known that parts of a 1955 movie called The Kentuckian were filmed there.
Notable People from Rockport
Many interesting people have connections to Rockport:
- Parrish Casebier: A professional basketball player who grew up and went to school in Rockport.
- Florence Henderson: A famous actress who was raised and attended school in Rockport.
- Thomas G. Pitcher: A Union general during the Civil War who was born in Rockport.
- Kate Milner Rabb: An Indiana journalist and author who lived and went to high school in Rockport.
- James C. Veatch: An Indiana state politician and Union general during the Civil War. He lived in Rockport when he passed away.
See also
In Spanish: Rockport (Indiana) para niños
