2007 38,974 est 2000 32,580 1990 30,159 1980 29,233 1970 28,799 1960 28,567 1950 27,777 1940 23,926 1930 19,666 1920 18,061 1910 13,661 1900 11,227 1890 11,156 1880 8,282 1870 7,939 1860 7,855 1850 6,403 1840 6,280 1830 6,192
As of the census of 2000, there were 32,500 people, 12,847 households, and 9,095 families residing in the county. The population density was 66 people per square mile (26/km²). There were 14,125 housing units at an average density of 29 per square mile (11/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.46% White, 1.91% Black or African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.52% Asian, 0.22% from other races, and 0.69% from two or more races. 0.70% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 35.4% were of German, 21.9% American, 11.9% English and 10.2% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 12,847 households out of which 32.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.10% were married couples living together, 9.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.20% were non-families. 25.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.98.
In the county the population was spread out with 24.80% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 28.20% from 25 to 44, 23.10% from 45 to 64, and 15.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 95.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $37,515, and the median income for a family was $44,839. Males had a median income of $35,511 versus $21,284 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,169. About 6.60% of families and 8.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.40% of those under age 18 and 7.20% of those age 65 or over.
While the housing markets around the area have been down as much 18% in 2007, Gibson County's home sales were up almost 11% in 2007. Areas that showed the most increases were in the southern part of the county, particularly around Haubstadt and Fort Branch. Owensville and Princeton also have recently seen increases in home sales and/or restorations, but on a somewhat smaller scale, despite the weak housing market.
County roads
Gibson County has over 1,700 miles (2,700 km) of county roads, one of the largest amount of county-maintained roads outside of an urban county. Like most Indiana counties, Gibson County uses the Indiana county road system to identify its roads. U.S. Route 41 (a north-south road) and State Road 64 (an east-west road) are near the meridian and division lines for the county, respectively.
Major highways
In addition to its county roads, Gibson County is intersected by these highways:
*Construction is currently underway - See below article.
Interstate 69 - A highway underway
Interstate 69's Very controversial, probably very heated groundbreaking occurred on July 16 at the Centre in Evansville. As of July 15, a section of Indiana State Road 68 has been temporarily closed to through traffic in order to install an interchange. This will be the first in a series of Gibson County Highways temporarily closed in order to construct interchanges as the highway moves toward Pike County on its way to Indianapolis. Other temporary closures will include Indiana State Road 168 ,and Indiana State Road 64. Environmentalists have sworn to do everything possible to stop its construction. Especially active is a group called Roadblock Earth First which has been responsible for a number of incidents in Oakland City and at a Haubstadt asphalt yard given the contract for the first segment.
Railroads Three railroad lines pass through the county: a north-south line operated by CSX Transportation, and an east-west line operated by Norfolk Southern Railway. They intersect in Princeton. Another north-south line operated by Indiana Southern Railroad interects with the east-west line operated by Norfolk Southern Railway at Oakland City