Southern Indiana, located just across the Ohio River from Louisville, is a haven for those who work in the big city but want to live in a small-town environment.

Each of the four counties that make up the Indiana portion of metropolitan Louisville has its own distinct qualities, and each offers newcomers some compelling reasons to settle down within its boundaries.

The four Southern Indiana counties — Clark, Floyd, Harrison and Scott — are linked by a system of interstate highways and state roads that make access to and from Louisville relatively quick and easy. East-west I-64 and north-south I-65 are the two main arteries that traverse the region. They connect Southern Indiana to Louisville and, in the opposite directions, to Evansville, Owensboro and St. Louis to the west, and Indianapolis and Chicago to the north. A section of I-265 that connects I-64 and I-65 skirts the northern edges of New Albany and Clarksville.


Clark County, with a population of about 97,000, contains two of the largest cities in Southern Indiana: Jeffersonville, the county seat, and Clarksville. Floyd County, which borders Clark County to the west, has about 71,000 residents and contains Southern Indiana’s largest city, county seat New Albany.

Farther west, Harrison County has a population of about 35,000. County seat Corydon, which was once the Indiana state capital, is the county’s largest town. Two other notable townships are Palmyra and Lanesville.

Located just north of Clark County is Scott County, with about 23,000 residents. Its largest city is Scottsburg, the county seat; the next-largest township is Austin.

The region has long been a center of wood-processing businesses, including sawmills and producers of veneer, cabinetry and fine furniture. However, it’s also well known among Greater Louisville residents for its commercial U-pick fruit-and-vegetable operations, all made possible by the area’s moderate climate and rich soil. Southern Indiana has seen significant growth in recent years in automotive parts manufacturers, while other manufacturing and service industries in the urban areas give the area a diverse economic base.

The most dramatic addition to the Southern Indiana economy in recent years has been the 1998 opening in Harrison County of Caesars Glory of Rome, the world’s largest floating casino. Caesars has become the county’s largest employer and is also a major tourist attraction and source of tax revenue. Other large employers in Harrison County include food-processor Tyson Foods, home-furnishings producer Keller Manufacturing, truck-frame manufacturer Tower Automotive, sheet-metal stamper Oxford Automotive and Harrison County Hospital. Lucas Oil Co., which makes fuel additives and automotive lubricants, is building a plant that is scheduled to open in the fall of 2003.

Scott County is home to several manufacturers, including Holm Industries, which makes refrigerator gaskets and stripping; canned-food producer Morgan Foods; Freudenberg-NOK, which makes molded rubber automotive parts; American Steel Cord; and automotive-parts manufacturer Tri-Hawk Automotive Inc.

With nearly 5,000 employees, the U.S. Census Bureau in Jeffersonville is Clark County’s largest employer. The largest private employer is Clark County Memorial Hospital, followed by barge manufacturer Jeffboat and Gohmann Asphalt & Construction.

Floyd County’s largest workplaces are Floyd Memorial Hospital and Health Services, plastic-molding manufacturer Beach Mold and Tool, Discount Labels, Pillsbury and Fire King International.

The Southern Indiana Chamber of Commerce, serving Floyd and Clark counties, offers an employment Web site for public use. The Workforce Information Network, at www.siccwin.com, is an interactive site for employers and job-seekers.

Southern Indiana’s school systems include public and private elementary and secondary schools as well as several colleges.

Harrison County has three school corporations and two parochial schools. Scott County has two school districts, one in Scottsburg and one in Austin. Floyd County and New Albany have a single, consolidated school district; the county also has six private schools. Clark County has three public school systems and four private schools.

Five colleges are located in Southern Indiana: Indiana University Southeast, Purdue University School of Technology and Oakland City University in New Albany, Ivy Tech State College in Sellersburg and Webster University in Jeffersonville. Hanover College, near Madison, is just outside the metropolitan area.

The area is served by a number of libraries, including the New Albany-Floyd County Public Library in New Albany, the Jeffersonville Township Public Library, the Corydon Public Library, six branches of the Charlestown-Clark County Public Libraries and public libraries in Scottsburg and Austin.

The Southern Indiana area is rich in recreation and tourism offerings. Harrison County has the Hoosier National Forest, Harrison-Crawford State Forest (15 minutes from Corydon), Wyandotte Woods, the major caves systems and downtown Corydon’s antique shops.

The 15 local parks in Clark County offer a variety of recreational outlets such as golf, tennis and swimming. The Howard Steamboat Museum is a popular draw for visitors, and Derby Dinner Playhouse and Clarksville Little Theater play host to Broadway musicals and other theatrical performances. Thousands partake in Jeffersonville’s annual Steamboat Days Festival, held in early September. Area shoppers also flock to the two malls and the numerous retail stores that line Hwy. 131 in Clarksville.

Floyd County offers 13 local parks and several visitor attractions, including the Scribner House, Culbertson Mansion and Carnegie Center for Art and History (formerly the Floyd County Museum). New Albany hosts thousands during its annual Harvest Homecoming festival, held in October.

Scott County boasts the historic Courthouse Square in Scottsburg, Hardy Lake (a 741-acre state reservoir), Muscatatuck National Wildlife Refuge, several golf courses and easily accessible accommodations and shopping.

State parks and recreation areas bound in Southern Indiana, including the Falls of the Ohio State Park and Interpretive Center in Clarksville, Charlestown State Park, Spring Mill in Mitchell to the north, Clifty Falls in Madison, Clark State Forest in Henryville, Deam Lake in Borden and the Harrison County Forest west of Corydon.