Owen County

Owen County is an administrative county in Indiana consisting of rolling, forested terrain interspersed with farmland and crossed by the White River. The county contains several small towns and villages, with Spencer functioning as the central seat of government and public services.

The county was established on December 21, 1818, and named after Colonel Abraham Owen, a military officer who died at the Battle of Tippecanoe in 1811. This designation honored his role in the early settlement period of Indiana.

Spencer, the county seat, functions as the social and administrative hub where government buildings and public spaces reflect how residents gather for civic life and community events.

The county is accessible via US Route 231 and Indiana State Roads 42 and 67, which provide connections to neighboring areas. Most amenities and services are concentrated in Spencer, making it a convenient base for exploring the region.

In 1920, the US Census Bureau calculated that the geographic center of the nation's population fell within Owen County's boundaries. This rare statistical occurrence briefly positioned the region as the nation's demographic center.

Location: Indiana

Inception: December 21, 1818

Capital city: Spencer

Shares border with: Putnam County, Morgan County, Monroe County, Greene County, Clay County

Website: https://owencounty.in.gov

GPS coordinates: 39.31000,-86.84000

Latest update: December 7, 2025 20:42