Rumsey is an unincorporated McLean County community on the south bank of the Green River, across from Calhoun. KY 81 and KY 138 pass through it. It began in the 1830s when a lock and dam was built at this point on the river, and it was incorporated in 1839. The name honors either Congressman Edward Rumsey or his uncle James Rumsey, the steamboat inventor; the historian Otto Rothert says citizens wanted to honor Edward, who declined, so the name stayed and was credited to James.

Quick answer: Owensboro Dumpster Pros schedules dumpsters to Rumsey, KY, on the south bank of the Green River in McLean County, across from Calhoun. A partial flood remodel fits a 15-yard at $300–$450, and a full cleanout fits a 20-yard at $400–$550.

Rumsey at a glance

• Roads: KY 81 and KY 138.
• Location: south bank of the Green River, opposite Calhoun.
• ZIP code: 42371.
• History: founded around the 1830s lock and dam; it lost the county seat to Calhoun in 1854.

Lock-and-dam community

The town grew up because boats had to stop at the lock. That left a cluster of older frame houses close to the river, some with flood histories. Expect to remove damaged drywall and flooring in such houses, and read our storm page on wet debris. A 15-yard fits a partial remodel and a 20-yard fits a full cleanout.

Narrow and gravel drives

Tell us the length and surface of your driveway. See the size guide.

A sample Rumsey job

A family replaces flood-damaged flooring. Carpet, pad and lower drywall fill a 15-yard at $300 to $450.

A National Register archaeological site

The Green River Shell Middens Archeological District, a National Historic Landmark, includes site 15McL16 at Rumsey, listed in 1986. People have lived along the Green River for thousands of years, and the shell mounds are what remain of some of those camps. If you dig near the river and find shells in dense layers, bone or stone tools, stop and call the Kentucky Heritage Council before moving anything.

The river and the county

McLean County was formed in 1854 from parts of Daviess, Ohio and Muhlenberg counties. The Green River, the longest river entirely within Kentucky, is navigable through the county, with bridges at Calhoun, Livermore, east of Island and west of Beech Grove. Lock and Dam #2 near Calhoun keeps boats moving, and Rumsey’s own start in the 1830s came from an earlier lock and dam at this spot.

Schools

Students in Rumsey attend McLean County schools, with elementary schools in Calhoun, Livermore and Sacramento. The county had 9,152 residents in 2020, spread over a rural area, so a single large project here usually means one properly sized container rather than several small trips.

Prices

For a river-edge house in Rumsey, a partial remodel fits the 15-yard at $300 to $450 and a full cleanout the 20-yard at $400 to $550. The 10-yard ($250 to $350) works for a single room; see the cost guide.

Rumsey questions

Is Rumsey in Calhoun?

No. Rumsey is an unincorporated community on the south bank of the Green River, opposite Calhoun, with ZIP code 42371. Give us the exact Rumsey street address, because the two places are separate stops and the truck must reach the right bank of the river.

Can the container sit at the road edge?

Only with permission. A container on a public road edge needs a right-of-way permit, and blocking a sidewalk is never allowed. A private driveway or lot in Rumsey needs no permit. See the permit page for where to apply before you book.

Nearby

Livermore and Calhoun. See the service area page.

More Rumsey Questions

What size dumpster do I need for flood-damaged flooring in Rumsey?

Carpet, pad and lower drywall from a flood-damaged Rumsey house typically fit a 15-yard dumpster at $300–$450. Wet debris is heavier than dry, so for a full cleanout choose a 20-yard ($400–$550) and ask us for the weight limit before delivery.

What should I do if I find shell layers while digging near the river in Rumsey?

Stop and call the Kentucky Heritage Council before moving anything. Rumsey is part of the Green River Shell Middens Archeological District, a National Historic Landmark, and dense shell layers, bone or stone tools may be what remains of old camps. Do not load them into a dumpster.

How do I give a delivery address in Rumsey, KY?

Rumsey is an unincorporated community on the south bank of the Green River with ZIP code 42371, reached by KY 81 and KY 138. Give us the exact street address, the length and surface of your driveway, and where you want the container set so the driver can plan the delivery.

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