Owensboro, KY Homes For Rent

Homes for Rent in Owensboro, KY: What You Need to Know

Owensboro is the seat of Daviess County in the western part of Kentucky. The family of Hollywood superstar Johnny Depp traces its roots in the city and played a special role in its economic development.  

The Local History

The city, originally called Yellow Banks, was established in 1817. The name was changed to Owensborough, in honor of Col. Abraham Owen who was killed in the Battle of Tippecanoe in 1811. In 1893, the spelling was simplified to Owensboro. The area relied on coal mining and agriculture in the beginning. After World War II, civil engineering projects spurred Owensboro’s development into a modern city. An engineering consulting firm called Johnson, Depp & Quisenberry helped bring the projects, including a redesign at the Daviess County Airport. The Depp in the firm belongs to the same family as the actor Johnny Depp who was born in Owensboro.

Things to Do in Owensboro

Catch a performance at the RiverPark Center, a 1,479-seat auditorium, which hosts over 150 events a year, including Broadway tours. The center boasts of a spectacular riverfront plaza, a courtyard, along with meeting and reception rooms. Music fans love the Bluegrass Music Museum, which celebrates the roots of bluegrass music and artists. Exhibits educate the public about the creativity that molded bluegrass, gospel, jazz, and blues.

The Cost of Living in Owensboro

A small city like Owensboro (population: 60,131) offers many benefits, but especially affordability. Owensboro’s cost of living rate, food, and housing costs are 7.4%, 6.7%, and 30.1% lower than the national average respectively. The median gross rent in Owensboro is $723. In Kentucky, you’ll be paying a flat income tax of 5% and a sales tax of 6%. Take note that it’s one of the few states in the U.S. that collects an inheritance tax.

Know Your Neighborhoods

You won’t find a more hospitable city than Owensboro. Residents love the friendly community, free entertainment, and other events downtown. If you’re a suburbanite at the core, Whitesville and Maceo are good choices for their superb schools and rural charm.

Schools and Higher Education

There are two four-year, private educational institutions in Owensboro – Brescia University (1,015 students) and Kentucky Wesleyan College (830 students). In all, there are 46 colleges within 100 miles of the city. The Owensboro Public Schools and Daviess County Public Schools oversee primary and secondary education in the city, with 33 schools serving 16,103 students. The public schools boast of an average math proficiency score of 49% versus the Kentucky average of 47%, and a reading proficiency score of 56%, which is the statewide average.