Bowling Green, KY

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

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2021 Population

178,398

0.874% 1-year growth

US Senator

Mitch McConnell

Republican Party

US Senator

Rand Paul

Republican Party

2021 Median Age

35.2

0.285% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

17%

2.51% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$54,850

6.32% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$170,100

5.33% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

86,171

0.866% 1-year growth

About

In 2021, Bowling Green, KY had a population of 178k people with a median age of 35.2 and a median household income of $54,850. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Bowling Green, KY grew from 176,852 to 178,398, a 0.874% increase and its median household income grew from $51,591 to $54,850, a 6.32% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Bowling Green, KY are White (Non-Hispanic) (81.5%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (6.52%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (3.52%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (3.12%), and White (Hispanic) (2.53%).

None of the households in Bowling Green, KY reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

95.4% of the residents in Bowling Green, KY are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Bowling Green, KY are Western Kentucky University (4,546 degrees awarded in 2021), Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College (2,602 degrees), and PJ's College of Cosmetology-Bowling Green (190 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Bowling Green, KY was $170,100, and the homeownership rate was 62.3%.

Most people in Bowling Green, KY drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 22.3 minutes. The average car ownership in Bowling Green, KY was 2 cars per household.

Bowling Green, KY borders Central City, KY, Glasgow, KY, and Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN.

United States Kentucky

Population & Diversity

Bowling Green, KY is home to a population of 178k people, from which 95.4% are citizens. As of 2021, 7.05% of Bowling Green, KY residents were born outside of the country (12.6k people).

In 2021, there were 12.5 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (145k people) in Bowling Green, KY than any other race or ethnicity. There were 11.6k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 6.27k Asian (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

95.4%

2021 Citizenship

95.4%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 95.4% of Bowling Green, KY residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Bowling Green, KY was 95.4%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Bowling Green, KY compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Bowling Green, KY

White (Non-Hispanic)
145k ± 341
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
11.6k ± 514
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
6.27k ± 317

4.74%

Hispanic Population

8.46k people

4.74% of the people in Bowling Green, KY are hispanic (8.46k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Bowling Green, KY as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the MSA level, so we are showing data for Kentucky.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
29,505 ± 4,203 people
Cuba
14,201 ± 2,921 people
India
12,469 ± 2,738 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Kentucky was Mexico, the natal country of 29,505 Kentucky residents, followed by Cuba with 14,201 and India with 12,469.

Foreign-Born Population

7.05%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

12.6k people

7.09%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

12.5k people

As of 2021, 7.05% of Bowling Green, KY residents (12.6k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Bowling Green, KY was 7.09%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Bowling Green, KY compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
3,308 ± 375
Gulf War (2001-)
1,958 ± 413
Gulf War (1990s)
1,534 ± 311

Bowling Green, KY has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.69 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Bowling Green, KY employs 86.2k people. The largest industries in Bowling Green, KY are Manufacturing (14,337 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (11,636 people), and Retail Trade (10,567 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($80,934), Management of Companies & Enterprises ($68,365), and Public Administration ($50,300).

Males in Kentucky have an average income that is 1.33 times higher than the average income of females, which is $48,114. The income inequality in Kentucky (measured using the Gini index) is 0.453, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

86.2k

2021 Value

± 2,452

0.866%

1 Year growth

± 3.98%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Bowling Green, KY grew at a rate of 0.866%, from 85.4k employees to 86.2k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Bowling Green, KY, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (9,709 people), Sales & Related Occupations (8,520 people), and Management Occupations (8,013 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Bowling Green, KY.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Kentucky (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

86.2k

2021 Value

± 2,452

0.866%

1 Year growth

± 3.98%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Bowling Green, KY grew at a rate of 0.866%, from 85.4k employees to 86.2k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Bowling Green, KY, are Manufacturing (14,337 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (11,636 people), and Retail Trade (10,567 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Bowling Green, KY, though some of these residents may live in Bowling Green, KY and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$38,990

Median earning men ± $1,107

$26,757

Median earning women ± $790

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Public Administration ($56,845), Information ($49,899), and Manufacturing ($49,884).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Manufacturing ($40,053), Public Administration ($37,935), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($37,167).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Kentucky. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Kentucky.

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

1,706
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
951
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing
766
Retail Trade

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$2.29M
Manufacturing
$1.17M
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$433k
Professional, Scientific & Management, and Administrative & Waste Management Services

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Kentucky to other states, or from other states to Kentucky.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Kentucky product (by dollars) was Motorized vehicles with $57.5B, followed by Electronics ($36.5B) and Machinery ($28.4B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Kentucky products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Kentucky.

$330B

2020 Value in Kentucky

$644B

Projected 2050 Value in Kentucky

95% growth

In 2020, total outbound Kentucky trade was $330B. This is expected to increase 95% to $644B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Kentucky trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Kentucky to other states, or from other states to Kentucky.

Most Common Trade Partners

Tennessee
$27.7B
California
$19B
Ohio
$17.7B

In 2020, the top outbound Kentucky domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Tennessee with $27.7B, followed by California with $19B and Ohio and $17.7B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Kentucky shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Kentucky went to Donald J. Trump with 62.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (36.2%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.23%).

Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul are the senators currently representing the state of Kentucky. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Kentucky is currently represented by 6 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Bowling Green, KY. Showing the available data for Kentucky.

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (62.1%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (36.2%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.23%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Kentucky went to Donald J. Trump with 62.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (36.2%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.23%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Kentucky for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Kentucky

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Kentucky.

Mitch McConnell

Senator from Kentucky

Assumed office on January 3, 1985

Rand Paul

Senator from Kentucky

Assumed office on January 3, 2011

Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul are the senators currently representing Kentucky.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Kentucky over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Kentucky

Kentucky is currently represented by 6 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Kentucky have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Bowling Green, KY awarded 7,437 degrees. The student population of Bowling Green, KY in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 8,011 male students and 13,519 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Bowling Green, KY are White (6,016 and 82.3%), followed by Black or African American (551 and 7.54%), Hispanic or Latino (324 and 4.43%), and Two or More Races (209 and 2.86%).

The largest universities in Bowling Green, KY by number of degrees awarded are Western Kentucky University (4,546 and 61.1%), Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College (2,602 and 35%), and PJ's College of Cosmetology-Bowling Green (190 and 2.55%).

The most popular majors in Bowling Green, KY are General Business Administration & Management (610 and 8.2%), Liberal Arts & Sciences (357 and 4.8%), and Registered Nursing (330 and 4.44%).

The median tuition cost in Bowling Green, KY for a public four year colleges is $10,992 for in-state students and $27,000 for out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Bowling Green, KY, the percentage of applicants admitted was 98.5%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 39.6%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 21,530 (37.2% men and 62.8% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2021 there were 21,530 students enrolled in Bowling Green, KY, 37.2% men and 62.8% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 16,692 records, of which 63.4% were women and 36.6% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Studies
142 degree-majors awarded
Registered Nursing
185 degree-majors awarded
General Business Administration & Management
159 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Bowling Green, KY was General Studies with 142 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Bowling Green, KY according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Western Kentucky University
4,546 degrees awarded
Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College
2,602 degrees awarded
PJ's College of Cosmetology-Bowling Green
190 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Western Kentucky University with 4,546 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 3,405 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Bowling Green, KY, which is 0.844 times less than the 4,032 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 6,016 degrees mean that there were 10.9 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 551 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private for-profit, 2-year ($22,348) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($192) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($1,026) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Kentucky.

Measure

In 2021, 0.789% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.712% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Kentucky.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (1.17M), Some college (777k), and Secondary Education (561k).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Bowling Green, KY was $170,100 in 2021, which is 0.695 times smaller than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $161,500 to $170,100, a 5.33% increase. The homeownership rate in Bowling Green, KY is 62.3%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Bowling Green, KY have an average commute time of 22.3 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Bowling Green, KY is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Bowling Green, KY is $54,850. In 2021, the county with the highest Median Household Income in Bowling Green, KY was Oldham County, KY with a value of $109,815, followed by Spencer County, KY and Boone County, KY, with respective values of $92,973 and $87,034.

Housing

Property

$170,100

Median Property Value 2021

±$3,887

$42,284

Median Property Taxes

±$1,452

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Bowling Green, KY the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Bowling Green, KY compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

62.3%

Homeownership

2021

67.5%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 62.3% of the housing units in Bowling Green, KY were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 62.7%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Bowling Green, KY compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

In 2021, the county with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Bowling Green, KY was Oldham County, KY with a value of $109,815, followed by Spencer County, KY and Boone County, KY, with respective values of $92,973 and $87,034.

The following map shows all of the counties in Bowling Green, KY colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$54,850

Median Household Income

± $1,710

67.9k

Number of Households

± 2,097

In 2021, the median household income of the 67.9k households in Bowling Green, KY grew to $54,850 from the previous year's value of $51,591.

The following chart displays the households in Bowling Green, KY distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Bowling Green, KY is from Kentucky.

0.453

2021 Wage GINI in Kentucky

0.454

2020 Wage GINI in Kentucky

In 2021, the income inequality in Kentucky was 0.453 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.236% decline from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Kentucky was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Kentucky in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Kentucky across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (80.1%)
Carpooled (11.1%)
Worked At Home (4.38%)

In 2021, 80.1% of workers in Bowling Green, KY drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (11.1%) and those who worked at home (4.38%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

22.3 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Bowling Green, KY have a shorter commute time (22.3 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 2.69% of the workforce in Bowling Green, KY have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Bowling Green, KY compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Bowling Green, KY distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Bowling Green, KY have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

17% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Bowling Green, KY (29k out of 170k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Males 18 - 24 and then Females 25 - 34.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Bowling Green, KY is White, followed by Black and Hispanic.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Health

93.5% of the population of Bowling Green, KY has health coverage, with 46.5% on employee plans, 22.5% on Medicaid, 11.1% on Medicare, 11.8% on non-group plans, and 1.57% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Kentucky see 1536 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.454% decrease from the previous year (1543 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1519 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 388 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Kentucky.

1,536 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Kentucky

Primary care physicians in Kentucky see an average of 1,536 patients per year. This represents a 0.454% decrease from the previous year (1,543 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Kentucky in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 25.2% under 18 years, 24.8% between 18 and 34 years, 36.1% between 35 and 64 years, and 14% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.7% were men and 51.3% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

6.5%

Uninsured

46.5%

Employer Coverage

22.5%

Medicaid

11.1%

Medicare

11.8%

Non-Group

1.57%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Bowling Green, KY grew by 10.6% from 5.88% to 6.5%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Bowling Green, KY changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.