Nestled along the banks of the Ohio River in Western Kentucky, Henderson is a hidden gem of the Midwest. Because of its proximity to major cities like Nashville, Indianapolis, Cincinnati, and St. Louis, Henderson is an ideal location for those who prefer small-town charm but easy access to the big city lights.
Henderson offers affordable housing, top-notch schools, fantastic shopping and dining, and access to world-class medical facilities while maintaining a courteous, know-your-neighbor atmosphere. Henderson is a popular place to live, work, and visit, and is growing at a rapid pace.
Henderson began as "Red Banks," a small village where Audubon Mill Park is currently located along the Ohio River. European families lived alongside the local Cherokee. In the late 1700s, the Commonwealth granted American land developer and politician, Richard Henderson, along with the Transylvania Company, 200,000 acres to develop but Henderson died before the town was built. Henderson was formally incorporated in January of 1840.
Henderson is part of the Evansville Metropolitan Area and part of what locals refer to as the "Tri-State area." From the late 1800s until WWI, tobacco was a major export of Henderson County. An estimated 40 million pounds were shipped annually in the 1920s making Henderson an affluential area. But high tariffs imposed by the main importer Britain and the Great Depression caused a steep decline in tobacco sales. Currently, Henderson has a robust job market that includes industry, farming, coal mining, healthcare, and government jobs.
Residents and visitors enjoy hiking, camping, fishing, golfing, and visiting the nature center at John James Audubon State Park named after the Henderson naturalist and painter. And every summer, Blues lovers flock to the banks of the Ohio to enjoy the free music festival that honors one of Henderson's most notable residents, blues legend W. C. Handy.