Discover the Absolute Hottest Place in Indiana

Key Points:

• The hottest town in Indiana is Evansville which can be found in the Southern part of the state.
• Evansville has an average temperature of about 88 degrees during the hottest months of the year.
• Evansville is also known as “Crescent Valley” or “River City.”

With a population of over 6.8 million people, Indiana — and specifically Indianapolis — is known as “The Crossroads of America” due to its accessibility to major interstate highways. Additionally, the Midwestern state is the 38th largest and 17th most populous of all 50 U.S. states. With summer months approaching, you might be wondering about the hottest place in Indiana.

Rich with history, Indiana is part of the humid subtropical climate zone. Though known for its mild winters and warm summers, the state can still get extremely hot during certain months. In fact, it can sometimes reach up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit. Read on to learn more about the hottest city in the state and its history, ecology, and wildlife.

The Hottest Place in Indiana

The hottest city in Indiana is Evansville, which is located in the southern part of the state near Kentucky. Evansville’s highest average temperature is 88 degrees Fahrenheit during its hottest month of July. For reference, the state average during this time is 83 degrees Fahrenheit. Evansville is also known as “Crescent Valley” and “River City,” as it’s nestled along the Ohio River’s oxbow.

Though deemed a “flyover state” among other Midwestern states, Indiana’s summers are quite enjoyable. The climate is known to be warm, humid, and — for the most part — mild. The state offers countless summer attractions like an array of zoos, gardens, state parks, dunes, beaches, and more. 

The Hottest Temperature Ever Recorded in Indiana

The record-highest temperature in Indiana remains 116 degrees Fahrenheit. Shockingly, this temperature made its mark in 1936 in Collegeville, Indiana — a northeast region of the state.

Average Indiana state temperatures range between 21 degrees Fahrenheit to 83 degrees Fahrenheit throughout the year. Temperatures rarely drop below 4 degrees Fahrenheit or rise above 91 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s no surprise that temperatures have failed and continue to fail to break the record of 116 degrees Fahrenheit for almost a century now.

The History of Evansville, Indiana

On December 11, 1816, President James Madison signed the congressional resolution to admit Indiana as the 19th state of the union. Following the War of 1812, the city of Evansville was established in 1817 and named after Robert Morgan Evans, one of the settlement’s founding members. Settled along the Ohio River, the city was later incorporated in 1819. Evansville then became a commercial and industrial hub for its area.

Another nickname for Indiana is “The Hoosier State,” with Indiana natives and inhabitants labeled “Hoosiers.” Though it’s not clear how this name started, many believe it dates back to a letter from the early 1820s. The letter stated: “There is a Yankee trick for you — done up by a Hoosier.” From there, the name gained traction among natives. In fact, even Gov. Joseph Wright referred to Indiana flatboat men (those who traveled the Ohio River along Evansville) as “hoosa men” or Hoosiers.

Evansville, part of Vanderburgh County, received a city charter in 1847. Within ten years, the city had its first railroad connection and first daily mail route. However, amidst its economic prosperity nearly a century later, almost half of Evansville went underwater during the Ohio River’s great flood in 1937. The devastating flood killed an estimated 350 people and left nearly 1 million homeless in impacted areas.

Today, Evansville is home popular attraction Angel Mounds State Historic Site, which was once a wildlife preserve and village site of prehistoric Native Americans. The city also features earthen mounds, museums, nature trails, planetariums, and the Mesker Park Zoo and Botanic Garden, which houses jaguars and tropical plants.

Ecology and Wildlife in Evansville

Evansville, Indiana’s current population is estimated to be around 117,672. The city is 47.85 square miles, ranking as the third largest city in the state.

Indiana’s state bird is the cardinal, the state tree is the tulip tree, and the state flower is the peony. Throughout Indiana, you can find a wide range of wildlife, including black bears, badgers, raccoons, coyotes, rats, bats, groundhogs, beavers, cottontail rabbits, fox squirrels, gray squirrels, bison, white-tail deer, and more.

Since Evansville is nestled along the Ohio River, you’ll find plenty of wood ducks, geese, muskrats, beavers, herons, and deer. Specifically, visitors should look out for snakes, including Indiana’s venomous snakes like the copperhead, cottonmouth snakes, timber, and eastern Massasauga rattlesnakes. In the Ohio River, there are also many endemic darters, dace, great river fish (like paddlefish and blue lake sturgeon), and over 120 mussel species.

Things to Do in Evansville

Evansville is a great place to visit any time of the year, but especially during the warmer months. The city offers countless parks and trails through nature, making it perfect for families and tourists alike. Some popular attractions in the city include the Children’s Museum of Evansville, Howell Wetlands, Evansville Museum, Mesker Park Zoo, Burdette Park, Evansville Wartime Museum, Evansville African American Museum, Garvin Park, Bosse Field, Angel Mounds State Historic Site, and more.

Where is Evansville Located on a Map?

Evansville is a city located along the Ohio River in Indiana. Angel Mounds State Historic Site was actually home to prehistoric Native Americans and at least 12 other earthen mounds. Among its many historical landmarks, it is an interesting place to visit if you can handle the heat.

Here is Evansville on a map: