Rushville, Indiana facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Rushville, Indiana
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The John K. Gowdy House in Rushville
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| Motto(s):
Leading the Way in Rural Indiana
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Location of Rushville in Rush County, Indiana.
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| Country | United States |
| State | Indiana |
| County | Rush |
| Township | Rushville |
| Area | |
| • Total | 3.31 sq mi (8.56 km2) |
| • Land | 3.31 sq mi (8.56 km2) |
| • Water | 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2) 0% |
| Elevation | 981 ft (299 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 6,208 |
| • Density | 1,877.80/sq mi (725.04/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
46173
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| Area code(s) | 765 |
| FIPS code | 18-66438 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2396452 |
| Website | http://www.cityofrushville.in.gov/ |
Rushville is a city located in Rushville Township, Rush County, Indiana, in the United States. It is the main city and county seat of Rush County. In 2020, about 6,185 people lived there. The city and county are named after Dr. Benjamin Rush, who was an important person who signed the Declaration of Independence.
Contents
Discovering Rushville's Past
Rushville has a rich history that began in the early 1800s.
How Rushville Started
Rush County was officially created on April 1, 1822. Soon after, on July 29, people started buying land lots to build homes and businesses. This is how the town of Rushville began to form.
Early Days and Important People
Even before the town lots were sold, a school had already opened in 1821. Dr. W.B. Laughlin started this school. He was also a member of the government when the county was formed. Many people see him as the main founder of Rushville.
In 1822, Charles Veeder became the first postmaster, helping people send and receive mail. A jail was built in 1823, and a courthouse was also built that same year. The first newspaper, called the Dog Fennel Gazette, was published in 1823.
Growth and Development
A big change came to Rushville in 1850 when the railroad was built. This made it easier for goods and people to travel. After the railroad arrived, the city grew quickly. Many new businesses appeared, including a bank, factories, mills, and places to store grain.
A Presidential Campaign Connection
Rushville played a special role in American politics in 1940. Wendell Willkie used Rushville as his main office for his presidential campaign. He was running against Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Wendell Willkie is buried in the city's East Hill Cemetery.
Historic Places to See
Several buildings and areas in Rushville are very old and important. They are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are protected because of their historical value. Some of these places include:
- The Durbin Hotel
- The John K. Gowdy House
- Melodeon Hall
- The Rush County Courthouse
- The Rushville Commercial Historic District
- The St. Paul Methodist Episcopal Church
- The Booker T. Washington School
- The Wendell Lewis Willkie House
Exploring Rushville's Location
Rushville is located in a lovely area of Indiana.
Where is Rushville?
The city is situated along the Flatrock River. This river adds to the natural beauty of the area.
How Big is the City?
According to information from 2010, Rushville covers a total area of about 3.09 square miles (about 8 square kilometers). All of this area is land.
Understanding Rushville's Population
The number of people living in Rushville has changed over the years.
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1850 | 742 | — | |
| 1860 | 972 | 31.0% | |
| 1870 | 1,696 | 74.5% | |
| 1880 | 2,515 | 48.3% | |
| 1890 | 3,475 | 38.2% | |
| 1900 | 4,541 | 30.7% | |
| 1910 | 4,925 | 8.5% | |
| 1920 | 5,498 | 11.6% | |
| 1930 | 5,709 | 3.8% | |
| 1940 | 5,960 | 4.4% | |
| 1950 | 6,761 | 13.4% | |
| 1960 | 7,264 | 7.4% | |
| 1970 | 6,686 | −8.0% | |
| 1980 | 6,113 | −8.6% | |
| 1990 | 5,533 | −9.5% | |
| 2000 | 5,995 | 8.3% | |
| 2010 | 6,341 | 5.8% | |
| 2020 | 6,208 | −2.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Who Lives in Rushville?
In 2020, there were 6,185 people living in Rushville. There were 2,527 households, which are groups of people living together. About 1,552 of these were families.
Most people in Rushville are White. There are also smaller groups of Black, Asian, and Native American people. About 2.4% of the population is Hispanic or Latino.
Age and Income in Rushville
The people in Rushville are of different ages. About 25.2% of the population is under 18 years old. About 17.5% are 65 years old or older. The average age in the city is 37 years.
The average yearly income for a household in Rushville was about $30,233. For families, the average income was around $36,646.
Learning in Rushville
Education is important in Rushville.
The Public Library
The town has its own public library, called the Rushville Public Library. This library offers books and other resources for everyone in the community to learn and read.
Famous People from Rushville
Many interesting people have come from Rushville.
- Samuel Bigger, a former Governor of Indiana
- Carmelita Geraghty, a silent film actress
- Gerald Geraghty, a screenwriter who wrote movie scripts
- Maurice Geraghty, another screenwriter
- Thomas J. Geraghty, also a screenwriter
- Janet Gray Hayes, who was the 60th mayor of San Jose, California
- Joe Hogsett, a politician and lawyer
- Leonidas Sexton, a politician from the 1800s
- Knowles Shaw, an author and composer
- Tony Stewart, a famous NASCAR and NHRA driver and team owner
- Frazier Thomas, a television personality
- Philip Willkie, a politician and businessman
- Wendell Willkie, a presidential candidate, lawyer, and businessman
- Edward H. Wolfe, a general in the Union Army
See also
In Spanish: Rushville (Indiana) para niños
