Princeton, Indiana

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Coordinates: 38°21′13″N, 87°34′14″W
City of Princeton
Princeton's best-known landmark, the 1884 Gibson County Courthouse
Location in the state of Indiana
County	Gibson
Mayor	Robert Hurst
Area
- City	12.6 km² (4.8 sq mi)
- Land	12.6 km² (4.8 sq mi)
- Water	0 km² (0 sq mi) 0%
Elevation	121 m (430 ft)
Population
- City (2000)	8,175
- Density	648.8/km² (1703.1/sq mi)
Time zone	CST (UTC-6)
- Summer (DST)	CDT (UTC-5)
ZIP code	47670
Area code(s)	812

Princeton is a city in Gibson County, in the U.S. state of Indiana. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 8,175 and is part of the greater Evansville, Indiana metropolitan area. The city is the county seat of Gibson County^GR6.

1 Geography
2 Demographics
3 Economy
4 Government and politics
5 Recreation
6 Schools
7 Famous natives and residents
8 See also
9 External links

[edit] Geography

Princeton is located at 38°21′13″N, 87°34′14″W (38.353617, -87.570541)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.6 km² (4.8 mi²), all land.

[edit] Demographics

Princeton's Post Office, erected 1913

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 8,175 people, 3,451 households, and 2,146 families residing in the city. The population density was 648.8/km² (1,703.1/mi²). There were 3,806 housing units at an average density of 302.0/km² (792.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 91.36% White, 5.36% African American, 0.17% Native American, 1.26% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.39% from other races, and 1.44% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.13% of the population.

There were 3,451 households out of which 28.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.1% were married couples living together, 13.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.8% were non-families. 33.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the city the population was spread out with 24.1% under the age of 18, 8.8% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 19.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 87.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $26,689, and the median income for a family was $37,308. Males had a median income of $28,076 versus $19,825 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,049. About 15.0% of families and 15.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.2% of those under age 18 and 11.2% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] Economy

Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana is Princeton's largest employer

Princeton is a largely blue-collar community; most non-industrial companies simply provide services directly to residents of Princeton and its surrounding towns. Major employers include Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana, where the Toyota Tundra, Sequoia, and Sienna are manufactured; and Hansen Corporation. Siemens AG at one point had research and manufacturing facilities in Princeton, but the factory was closed in the early 1990s and the research facility was closed soon after.

Toyota's announcement in late 1995 that it would be building a $1 billion manufacturing facility in Princeton created an economic boom, as many of Toyota's suppliers also built plants in or near Princeton to minimize shipping and logistical expenses. Additionally, many service businesses located in town to satisfy the needs of the employees, many of whom would be relocating to the Princeton area from elsewhere. However, the arrival of Toyota was not without controversy. Many objected to the ten-year tax abatement offered as part of the incentive package to induce Toyota to locate in the area, and others were worried by the fact that it would likely not be unionized (as of 2006, it is not).

More recently, many chain stores more typically associated with significantly larger towns, such as Applebee's and Menard's, have chosen to locate in Princeton. Additionally, in mid-2006 plans to expand the current Wal-Mart store into a Super Wal-Mart were announced. Many analysts believe that much of this is due to the Interstate 69 extension project--at the time many of these businesses moved to town, the leading proposal for the project was to upgrade U.S. 41 (it was later decided to build Interstate 69 over a new-terrain route, which would travel through nearby Oakland City).

[edit] Government and politics

Princeton Municipal Building

Princeton is governed by a mayor and a five-member city council, all of whom are elected for four-year terms. The current mayor is Robert J. Hurst; he was selected as mayor by a Democratic caucus after Shirley Robb, his predecessor, died in office. City functions are divided among the Police Department, Sanitation Department, Parks and Recreation Department, Street Department, Sewer Department, Water Department, Water Treatment Plant, and the Princeton Fire Territory (formed from a controversial merger between the Princeton Fire Department and the Patoka Township Fire Department in early 2006).

Like most Midwestern small towns, Princeton's citizens are generally socially conservative. However, its largely blue-collar population--including factory workers, skilled tradesmen, and coal miners--and significant union membership means that there is no general bias towards either the Republican or Democratic Party; however, Princeton's Democrats tend to be considerably more socially conservative than those in other parts of the country.

[edit] Recreation

Lafayette Park

Princeton has three main city parks, administered by the Department of Parks and Recreation. Lafayette Park, on the city's north side, is the largest. It features a fishing pond, shelter houses, a playground, an open general-purpose recreation area, and a stage for public performances. The city swimming pool is adjacent to Lafayette Park, as is Kiddie Land, a playground for very young children. Gil Hodges field, where the Princeton Community High School baseball team plays its home grounds, is also located on the park property.

Gibson County Fairgrounds

The other two city parks are South Side Park, located on the south side of town and featuring softball diamonds used by recreational softball leagues; and Dorothy "Deda" Young Park, near the center of town, with a playground and skateboard park.

In addition to the public parks, Princeton is home to many privately-owned recreational facilities. The Gibson County Fairgrounds, located on the north side near Lafayette Park, is the site of Indiana's oldest county fair. East of town, YMCA Camp Carson hosts over 1,000 youth each summer in summer camp programs ranging from two days to two weeks. The Gibson County Fish and Wildlife Conservation Club owns several acres just outside of town with a fishing lake, camping, and a banquet hall for members.