South Bend, Indiana courthouse

South Bend is a city in St. Joseph County, Indiana, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total of 107,789; its metropolitan area had a population of 316,663. It is the fourth largest city in Indiana. The city is the county seat of St. Joseph County. It is the economic and cultural hub of the region commonly known as Michiana. The St. Joseph River flows from the east end of the city turning north near the city center, giving South Bend its name because it is at the south bend of the river. Since South Bend sits on the North-South continental divide, the river flows north into Lake Michigan.