South Bend is a city in and the county seat of St. Joseph River near its southernmost bend, from which it derives its name. At the census , the city had a total of , residents and is the fourth-largest city in Indiana. Located just south of the border with Michigan , South Bend anchors the Michiana region and is 72 miles km east of downtown Chicago.
The metropolitan area had a population of , in , while its combined statistical area had , The area was settled in the early 19th century by fur traders [ 9 ] and was established as a city in The St. Joseph River shaped South Bend's economy through the midth century. River access assisted heavy industrial development such as that of the Studebaker Corporation , the Oliver Chilled Plow Company , and other large corporations.
The population of South Bend declined after , when it peaked at , This was chiefly due to migration to suburban areas as well as the demise of Studebaker and other heavy industry. Today, the largest industries in South Bend are health care, education, small business, and tourism. The city's economy and culture are influenced by the nearby University of Notre Dame. Joseph Valley was long occupied by Native Americans. One of the earliest known groups to occupy what would later become northern Indiana was the Miami tribe.
Later, the Potawatomi moved into the region, utilizing the rich food and natural resources found along the river. The Potawatomi occupied this region of Indiana until most of them were forcibly removed in the s. The South Bend area was popular because its portage was the shortest overland route from the St.
Joseph River to the Kankakee River. Joseph River and the Kankakee River in December The first permanent white settlers of South Bend were fur traders who established trading posts in the area.
