Seymour, Indiana facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Seymour, Indiana
City
Location of Seymour in Jackson County, Indiana
Coordinates: 38°57′26″N 85°53′20″W
Country	United States
State	Indiana
County	Jackson
Townships	Jackson, Redding, Rockford
Area
• Total	12.14 sq mi (31.43 km2)
• Land	12.13 sq mi (31.42 km2)
• Water	0.01 sq mi (0.01 km2)  0.09%
Elevation	602.91 ft (183.77 m)
Population  (2010)
• Total	17,503
• Estimate  (2019)	19,959
• Density	1,645.15/sq mi (635.18/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5:00 (EST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4:00 (EDT)
ZIP code	47274
Area code(s)	812 & 930
FIPS code	18-68832
GNIS feature ID	0443233
Website	http://www.seymourcity.com/

Seymour is a city in Jackson County, Indiana, United States. Its population was 17,503 at the 2010 census.

The city is noted for its location at the intersection of two major north/south and east/west railroads, which cross each other in the downtown area. The north/south line (the Jeffersonville, Madison and Indianapolis Railroad) was built in the 1840s and connected Indianapolis to the Ohio River at Jeffersonville. In 1852, Capt. Meedy Shields persuaded John Seymour into building the east/west railroad (the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad) through his land, and in return named the city in Seymour's honor.

The companies Aisin USA and Rose Acre Farms are headquartered in Seymour, and Cummins operates a plant in the area. The city is also home to the second largest high school gymnasium in the United States.

Geography

Seymour is located at 38°57′23″N 85°53′24″W (38.956350, -85.890068).

According to the 2010 census, Seymour has a total area of 11.425 square miles (29.59 km²), of which 11.42 square miles (29.58 km²) (or 99.96%) is land and 0.005 square miles (0.01 km²) (or 0.04%) is water.

Climate

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Seymour has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Demographics

First Presbyterian Church

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 17,503 people, 6,907 households, and 4,514 families living in the city. The population density was 1,532.7 inhabitants per square mile (591.8/km²). There were 7,719 housing units at an average density of 675.9 per square mile (261.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 90.3% White, 1.3% African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.2% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 5.1% from other races, and 1.8% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 11.5% of the population.

There were 6,907 households, of which 34.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.3% were married couples living together, 13.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.6% were non-families. 28.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.01.

The median age in the city was 35.5 years. 25.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 28.6% were from 25 to 44; 24% were from 45 to 64; and 13.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.7% male and 51.3% female.

History

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1860	966		—
1870	2,372		145.5%
1880	4,250		79.2%
1890	5,337		25.6%
1900	6,445		20.8%
1910	6,305		−2.2%
1920	7,348		16.5%
1930	7,508		2.2%
1940	8,620		14.8%
1950	9,629		11.7%
1960	11,629		20.8%
1970	13,352		14.8%
1980	15,050		12.7%
1990	15,576		3.5%
2000	18,101		16.2%
2010	17,503		−3.3%
2015 (est.)	19,478		11.3%
Source: US Census Bureau

Farmer's Club

Seymour was laid out and platted in 1852.

Seymour was the site of the World's first train robbery, in which the train was moving. It was committed by the local Reno Gang, on October 6, 1866 just east of town. The gang was put into prison for the robbery, and later lynched at Hangman's Crossing outside town.

The Freeman Field Mutiny occurred in 1945, in which African-American members of the 477th Bombardment Group attempted to integrate an all-white officers' club at Freeman Army Air Corps Base. The mutiny later led to the integration of the United States military.

Farmers Club, First Presbyterian Church (Seymour, Indiana), T. Harlan and Helen Montgomery House, Seymour Commercial Historic District, Southern Indiana Railroad Freighthouse, and George H. Vehslage House are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Annual events

• Victory over Japan Day VJ Day Parade ( Celebrates a victory of Japan in World War II, although with the cities large Japanese population, it's hotly debated as to whether the parade is appropriate or not.)
• Oktoberfest The German Heritage around Seymour is the main theme of Seymour's Oktoberfest. First weekend in October, with children's rides, flea markets for three days and a parade on Saturday.
• Pepsi Plunge: Annual age group swim meet that typically takes place in July of each year at the city pool in Shield's Park. This competitive event typically gathers near 1,000 competitive swimmers. The home-club for this swim meet is Seymour Swimming, also coached by Dave Boggs. This swim meet is USA Swimming sanctioned.

Nearby points of interest

• Freeman Municipal Airport is a public use airport, and it is located at 2.6 miles (4.2 km) south-southwest of the downtown. During the World War II, it was the Freeman Army Airfield.
• Brown County, Indiana is located at 25 miles (40 km) northwest of the downtown.
• Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge is located at 3 miles (5 km) east of the downtown.

Education

Seymour Community Schools operates Seymour High School.

Seymour has a public library, a branch of the Jackson County Public Library.

Notable people

• Pat Calhoun, swimmer who competed in the 2000 Summer Olympic Games
• Paul Eggers, lawyer and two-time Republican nominee for governor of Texas in both 1968 and 1970
• Brian Fish, men's basketball head coach, Montana State
• George Green, songwriting partner and longtime collaborator of John Mellencamp
• Baron Hill, former Indiana 9th District U.S. Representative
• John Mellencamp, also known as John Cougar Mellencamp, musician, singer-songwriter, painter, and actor
• Teri Moren, women's basketball head coach, Indiana University
• Robert Shields, diarist whose personal diary earned him a place in the Guinness Book of World Records
• Katie Stam, 2008 Miss Indiana and Miss America 2009
• John Dittmer, award-winning civil-rights historian, author, and Professor Emeritus of DePauw University
• Rob Wiethoff, actor, John Marston in Red Dead Redemption and Red Dead Redemption 2
• The Elms, rock and roll band between 2000 and 2010