Owensboro for All Ages

By: Jaqueline Jordan // Photo by: AP Imagery

long the rolling banks of the Ohio River, you’ll find a vibrant city that’s big enough to keep you entertained year-round, but small enough that you still know your neighbors. Owensboro — a city that’s recently seen a revitalization in both its landscape and its spirit — is a playground for all ages.

Whether you find yourself spending the day at one of Owensboro’s scenic parks, taking in a performance by the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra or marveling at the annual airshow, you can be sure there’s much more to Owensboro than bluegrass, bourbon and barbecue. The hidden gems of the city are boutique shopping experiences, beautiful golf courses, music and art festivals and even Broadway shows that keep Owensboro residents entertained.

A focus on downtown revitalization

has created an economic boom near the

riverfront, creating a trendy spot to do business and to live, as condos and shops continue to go up. Owensboro’s summer concert series, the 25-year-running Friday After 5, makes eight blocks of downtown come alive for 16 weeks of the year with live music, family fun, food trucks, and more.

PLANTING ROOTS

One of Owensboro’s fastest growing demographics is the young professional. Whether returning home from college or settling in Owensboro for the first time because of growing career opportunities,

CITY STATS

COMPARED TO OTHER AREA CITIES

The Greater Owensboro region is within 600 miles of two-thirds of America’s population and 67 miles from the median center of the U.S. population. (from the EDC website)

Owensboro, KY

Population 59,042 Up 10.3% Married Population 47.9% Unemployment Rate 5.1% Average Commute Time 14.96 min. Median Age 38.6 Household Size 2.35 Median Home Price $102,300

Louisville, KY

Population 615,366 Up 9.0% Married Population 44.7% Unemployment Rate 4.8% Average Commute Time 22.34 min. Median Age 37.2 Household Size 2.42 Median Home Price $139,159

Evansville, IN

Population 119,943 Down -5.0% Married Population 41.2% Unemployment Rate 4.7% Average Commute Time 31.72 min. Median Age 35.8 Household Size 2.25 Median Home Price $104,300

young professionals have become the fresh face of the city. The Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce’s Chamber Young Professionals organization encourages a sense of community between the age group. CYP, as it’s called, introduces individuals from different backgrounds to one another for things like social gatherings, softball teams, philanthropy work and business networking. There’s an energy to Owensboro that can be attributed to the young movers and shakers in the community.

In 2016, Owensboro earned a Playful City USA designation from the non-profit KaBOOM!, which honors cities and towns for making their location more playable and bringing balance into the daily lives of children. Owensboro exemplifies a playable town. Often called “Sportstown, USA,” it’s home to a range of youth leagues from baseball and basketball to hockey. As the sun sets on any given afternoon, you’ll find families enjoying the playgrounds in the park systems or biking along the Greenbelt — a 15mile paved path in the community connecting parks, schools and neighborhoods. Excellent school systems provide balance to the play, and prepare young minds for tomorrow. Beyond K-12 education, Owensboro is home to Brescia University, Kentucky Wesleyan College, WKU in Owensboro and Owensboro Community and Technical College – providing higher education options close to home.

ENJOYING THE EMPTY NEST

Enjoying your retirement in Owensboro could mean taking in local theater at the RiverPark Center, camping at Diamond Lake or golfing on the sprawling 18-hole course at Ben Hawes Park. Local restaurants will keep your taste buds occupied, and Owensboro is the perfect driving distance for some great one-tank road trips when you feel adventurous.

No matter what your age, Owensboro has something for everyone! O

Nashville, TN

Population 654,610 Up 34.0% Married Population 42.1% Unemployment Rate 3.8% Average Commute Time 23.4 min. Median Age 33.9 Household Size 2.4 Median Home Price $205,800

COST OF LIVING

O’boro L’ville E’ville Nashville National Avg Overall 85 88 84 100 100 Grocery 95 92.3 91.4 94.6 100 Health 100 90 94 86 100 Housing 55 75 56 111 100 Utilities 99 89 102 88 100 Transportation 99 98 97 94 100 Miscellaneous 100 94 99 98 100