About Terre Haute
Area Information
Population - 58,335
​
Population Density - 1,680.9/sq mi
​
Population Change - -0.09%
Number of Households - 22,977
​
Median Home Price - $96,879
​
Average Household Income - $54,466
​
​
Average work commute - 16.9 minutes
Demographics
Median Age - 32.5
Marriage Rate - 32.7%
​
Average Family Size - 2.96
Rate of Home Ownership - 53.7%
Gender - Male 51.05%, Female 48.95%
​
Individuals Below Poverty Line - 25.9%
​
Occupancies:
Healthcare - 17.5%
Education - 14.3%
Retail - 13.5%
Manufacturing - 12.7%
Accommodation - 12.3%
History
The city of Terre Haute, named the county seat of Vigo county in 1818, was established as a city in 1853. The city got this name from French explorers during the mid 18th century when they found a plateau-like area that was connected to the Wabash river. “Terre Haute” is a French phrase that means “highland”. After Terre Haute was founded, it adopted the motto "A Level Above".
Terre Haute has been given the nickname, “The Crossroads of America”, due to the northern and southern intersection of two major highways, Highway 40 and 41. The town has also been given this name because of the extensive railroad work, and it is home to the National Road, which was the first interstate highway in the United States.
​
Terre Haute is also the birthplace of the original design of the Coca-Cola bottle, and the famous Clabber Girl baking powder!