Calhoun is a home rule-class city in McLean County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 725 at the 2020 census. It is the county seat of McLean County. It is included in the Owensboro, Kentucky Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Present-day Calhoun was first known as "Rhoadsville" after the German-born Pennsylvanian Captain Henry Rhoads (1739–1809), who laid out the town from 1784 to 1785 near the Long Falls of the Green River. His brother Solomon then erected a fort to protect the settlers and the transit around the falls.

Around the time John Hanley acquired Rhoads' lands in a 1787 lawsuit, the site was renamed and was alternately known as "Fort Vienna" and "Vienna Station". The post office established in 1849, however, was called "Calhoon" after Rep. John Calhoon of Kentucky, and the town was chartered by the state assembly in 1852 under this new name. At some later point, presumably out of confusion with the more famous Senator and Vice President John Calhoun of South Carolina, the spelling of the town was changed.

In 1854, it beat out the settlement of Rumsey on the other side of the river to become the seat of the newly formed McLean County.

Calhoun is located in central McLean County at 37°32′19″N 87°15′34″W / 37.53861°N 87.25944°W / 37.53861; -87.25944 (37.538633, -87.259414), on the north bank of the Green River, the longest river entirely in the state. The Army Corps of Engineers' Lock and Dam #2 on the river is at Calhoun. Calhoun is bordered to the south, across the river, by the community of Rumsey.

Kentucky Route 81 passes through Calhoun as its Main Street, leading north 21 miles (34 km) to Owensboro and south 23 miles (37 km) to Central City. Kentucky Route 256 leaves the center of Calhoun as 1st Street and leads northwest 10 miles (16 km) to Beech Grove. Kentucky Route 136 crosses the northern end of Calhoun, leading northwest to Beech Grove as well and southeast 10 miles (16 km) to Livermore.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Calhoun has a total area of 0.67 square miles (1.7 km), of which 0.02 square miles (0.05 km) , or 2.39%, are water.

The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Calhoun has a humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1860	511		—
1880	373		—
1890	637		70.8%
1900	631		−0.9%
1910	742		17.6%
1920	743		0.1%
1930	683		−8.1%
1940	753		10.2%
1950	746		−0.9%
1960	817		9.5%
1970	901		10.3%
1980	1,080		19.9%
1990	854		−20.9%
2000	836		−2.1%
2010	763		−8.7%
2020	725		−5.0%
U.S. Decennial Census

As of the census of 2000, there were 836 people, 357 households, and 210 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,231.1 inhabitants per square mile (475.3/km). There were 395 housing units at an average density of 581.7 per square mile (224.6/km). The racial makeup of the city was 98.80% White, 0.60% African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.24% from other races, and 0.24% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.60% of the population.

There were 357 households, out of which 24.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.1% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.9% were non-families. 38.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 18.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.11 and the average family size was 2.77.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 18.8% under the age of 18, 6.8% from 18 to 24, 23.4% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 28.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 46 years. For every 100 females, there were 73.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 68.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $23,438, and the median income for a family was $32,386. Males had a median income of $31,500 versus $16,719 for females. The per capita income for the city was $22,520. About 11.8% of families and 19.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.1% of those under age 18 and 20.4% of those age 65 or over.

The 2010 census reflected a decline in the city's population to 763. These lived in 317 households, with 184 of those being families. Seventy-four families had children under the age of 18. The average household size was 2.15, and the average family size was 2.85. In 122 households, there was one individual.

Racially, 754 of the 763 were white, four were Native American and five were of more than one race. Two white individuals identified as Hispanic or Latino, with origins in Mexico.

The city's median age was 46.4 years. Males were 44.2, while females were 49.3, reflecting greater longevity. For age 85 and above, there were 19 males and 38 females.

• Glover H. Cary (1885–1936), congressman

• Prichard, Alvin L. (April 1929). "The Beginning of Old Vienna, Now Calhoun in McLean County". Filson Club History Quarterly. 3 (3). Archived from the original on April 25, 2012. Retrieved November 11, 2011.