Perry County

Perry County is an administrative county in southern Indiana characterized by dense forests and rolling terrain. The county stretches along the Ohio River border and contains several small communities, with Tell City being the largest population center.

The county was established in 1814 and named after Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, a naval commander from the War of 1812. Early growth was tied to steamboat travel on the Ohio River, which brought commerce and settlement to the region.

Tell City, the largest settlement in the county, displays 19th-century buildings along its main street where people gather at local shops and cafes. The town keeps its ties to riverboat history and traditional crafts, which remain active in workshops throughout the community.

This region is best explored by allowing time for longer drives, as communities are spread across sparsely populated roads. Visitors should plan their route in advance and use local maps or GPS to navigate to smaller settlements.

More than 60,000 acres of the Hoosier National Forest span the county area, creating one of Indiana's most forested regions. This extensive woodland coverage means large portions of the county remain sparsely developed and retain a rural character.

Location: Indiana

Inception: September 7, 1814

Capital city: Tell City

Shares border with: Crawford County, Spencer County, Dubois County, Meade County, Breckinridge County, Hancock County

Website: http://perrycounty.in.gov

GPS coordinates: 38.08000,-86.64000

Latest update: December 7, 2025 19:25