Small Town Breakdown No. 28: Clinton, Indiana
In 2025 we are highlighting 52 small towns across the state of Indiana in 52 weeks. For our 28th small town breakdown of the year we’re going from Tell City in Perry County to Clinton in Vermillion County. Clinton is 1 hour and 30 minutes west of Indianapolis and 20 minutes north of Terre Haute.
What’s it like in Clinton?
Tucked away in western Indiana near the banks of the Wabash River, Clinton is a small town with big charm. Whether you're stopping by for the Little Italy Festival or just passing through on a scenic drive, slow down, explore, and discover what makes this community so special.
The History of Vermillion County and Clinton, Indiana
Vermillion County was created in 1824 from land that was previously part of Parke County, and Newport was selected as the county seat later that year. The county was named for the Vermilion River. With the Wabash River as its eastern border and the Indiana-Illinois border as its western border, Vermillion County in the Hoosier State also borders Vermillion County in Illinois, a rare occurrence for two counties in different states to border each other.
The Wabash River flows north to south just to the east of Clinton and draws many visitors for canoeing, kayaking and boating. The river borders the entire 37-mile length of Vermillion County, in fact.
Clinton was founded in 1829 and named for DeWitt Clinton, who was New York governor at the time. Coal mining attracted many immigrants, with Italians forming a significant contingent.
As of the 2023 census Clinton’s population was 4,790, making it the largest of seven incorporated towns/cities in Vermillion County. Clinton is the 137th-largest city in Indiana.
Things to Do In or Near Clinton, Indiana
The Little Italy Festival was introduced in 1966 and every Labor Day Weekend since has been a celebration of Clinton’s Italian-American heritage. It draws 60,000-80,000 visitors annually as one of the state’s biggest local festivals and embodies traditions passed down through decades. The festival is full of fun and includes grape stomping, wine gardens, bocce ball tournaments, parades, live music, delicious food, and more.
During the festival, be sure to check out the Coal Town and Railroad Museum that showcases the region’s rich coal mining and railroad history. The museum today is the renovated Chicago and Eastern Illinois Railroad Depot and includes hundreds of artifacts, photos and documents that detail the lives of the miners along with memorabilia from the railroad.
While you’re in town, visit Immigrant Square where the statue of a man was created in 1971 to represent those who have immigrated to Clinton. Later on, a coal fountain was added in front of the statue.
Speaking of fountains, there’s the Four Seasons Fountain plus walking trails in Riverfront Park which sits along the Wabash River. The Wabash River Conservation Area is nearby as well and is a peaceful setting to take a stroll and observe wildlife.
If you want to play a little golf, swing by one of Indiana’s premier 9-hole courses – Matthew’s Park Golf Course – with fast greens and tough pin locations, or try out Geneva Hills Golf Course located just to the northwest of town.
Heading that same direction, Thousand Trails Horseshoe Lakes is a short 15-minute drive northwest of Clinton and is a 290-acre, family-oriented RV campground situated among spring-fed lakes and wooded landscapes. On top of its amazing campsites, there are 11 accessible lakes to fish for crappie, catfish, bass, and bluegill. There are also volleyball and badminton courts, plus a playground for the kids.
Places to Eat or Grab a Drink in Clinton, Indiana
Gerrie’s Italian on 9th Street has a 4.6-star rating among over 600 Google reviews, many of which rave about the Italian beef. Want it on a sandwich? You got it. How about as a pizza topping? They’ve got that, too. No matter how you slice it, you have to go with the Italian beef. On top of that, they’ve got bruschetta and cannolis locals can’t get enough of. Hungry yet?
The Co-Op Grill is another popular spot with over 500 Google reviews and 4.5 stars, and it’s open seven days a week. You can expect affordable fare and hearty portions to go with it. Go with the Breaded Tenderloin Manhattan that comes smothered in gravy.
That’s it for small town breakdown No. 28 of 2025. Where should we head next?