Pike is a small town located in Pike County, Indiana, United States. According to the Wikipedia page for Pike, the town had a population of 632 at the 2010 census.
Population
As mentioned above, Pike had a population of 632 people as of the 2010 census. This was a decrease from 688 people in 2000. The town has seen its population decline over the decades, with 1,224 people residing there in 1950. However, Pike still serves as the county seat for Pike County.
The racial makeup of Pike is predominantly white, with 95.1% of the population identifying as white alone in 2010. 1.4% identified as African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.2% Asian, and 1.1% as two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents comprised 1.7% of the population.
In terms of age, 22.8% of Pike residents were under 18, 8.5% were ages 18 to 24, 23.1% were 25 to 44, 27.2% were 45 to 64, and 18.4% were 65 or older. The median age was 41.3 years.
The median household income in Pike was $33,750 and the median family income was $43,417, according to the 2010 census. About 13.5% of families and 16.7% of individuals were below the poverty line.
Economy and Major Employers
Historically, Pike’s economy relied heavily on coal mining. However, like many Indiana towns, the decline of the coal industry in the mid-to-late 20th century led to economic challenges. Today, major employers in Pike include Pike County government, the Pike Memorial Hospital, German American Bank, and Pike Market grocery store.
The largest sector of employment in Pike is in the education, healthcare, and social assistance fields, employing 25.5% of the town’s workforce. Manufacturing jobs account for 15.7%, while retail trade accounts for 12.6%. Many residents commute to nearby Evansville for work.
Pike’s location near Indiana’s booming limestone industry provides quarrying and fabrication jobs. The Limestone Capital of the World Museum in nearby Bedford celebrates the area’s limestone heritage. Pike is also close to the French Lick Resort with its two historic hotels, popular casino, and renowned golf courses, providing a tourism boost to the region.
Attractions and Things to Do
As the county seat, Pike is home to the Pike County Courthouse and Government Center, an historic courthouse built in 1883. The courthouse and surrounding buildings provide examples of English and American Victorian architecture.
Outdoor recreational opportunities can be found at the Pike State Forest and Pike State Recreation Area. The state forest offers hiking trails, horseback riding, camping, and hunting over its 6,986 acres. The state recreation area encompasses Monroe Lake where visitors can boat, fish, swim, and camp.
Popular annual events include the Pike County Fair every July and the Pike County Potato Festival in September. The town also hosts a Memorial Day Parade, Christmas Parade, and summer concert series in the downtown area.
The Winfield House Restaurant is a highly-rated local restaurant serving American cuisine in a historic house. And no visit to Pike would be complete without stopping by The Chocolate Moose for delicious ice cream treats and diner-style food.
Sports
Pike Central High School’s sports teams, known as the Pike Central Chargers, compete in the Pocket Athletic Conference. Baseball, basketball, cross country, football, golf, soccer, softball, tennis, track and field, volleyball, and wrestling make up the sanctioned boys and girls sports offered.
The Chargers football team won the Indiana Class 3A state championship in 1987 and were semi-state finalists in 2007. Several standout Charger athletes have gone on to play NCAA Division 1 sports. To keep up with the Chargers, check the Pike Central Athletic Department Facebook page.
Pike is also home to the Pike County Junior Baseball League which offers tee ball, coach pitch, minors, and major league baseball for area youth. Adult softball leagues can be found playing at England-Williams Park.
You can follow news and events in Pike by liking the Pike County, Indiana Facebook page. This page shares updates from local government, news articles, photos, and events happening around the county.