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CITY · 2020 ACS

Bowling Green

Kentucky · 72,294 residents · 41.502 sq mi
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The short version

Bowling Green has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $42,044. Population has grown 47% since 2000. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $168,000. At a median age of 29.5, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. The poverty rate of 25.9% is well above the national figure.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Younger
median age 29.5
US median: 38.8
Average education
32% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
72,294
+47%since 2000
from 49,296 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,742 / sq mi
+47%since 2000
from 1,188 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
29.5
+3%since 2000
from 28.6 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
37K48K58K68K79K1990201020202024Bowling Green
202475K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$42,044
−4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $29,047 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$24,379
+38%since 2000
from $17,621 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
25.9%
+7.1 ptssince 2009
from 18.8% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
25.9%
+4.1 ptssince 2000
from 21.8% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade16.3%
US avg: 10%
Information14.6%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance4.9%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical4.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade4.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services4%
US avg: 6.6%
Transportation & warehousing3.3%
US avg: 2.5%
Public administration2.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.2%
US avg: 2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.8%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.3%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0.2%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$168,000
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $97,000 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$815
+12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $485 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
36.1%
−10.9 ptssince 2000
from 47.0% in 2000
63.9% rent
Afford Score
4.0
+20%since 2000
from 3.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Bowling Green on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic79.1%(39,010)
Black12.7%(6,249)
Hispanic / Latino4.1%(2,011)
Asian1.9%(959)
Other0%
Diversity Score40.9%(20,140)
2020
White, non-Hispanic62.7%(45,355)
Black13.7%(9,876)
Hispanic / Latino9.7%(7,029)
Asian7.9%(5,738)
Other4.9%(3,507)
Diversity Score70%(50,614)
Diversity Score
70
+71%since 2000
from 41 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
31.6%
+4.7 ptssince 2000
from 26.9% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
85.8%
+7.9 ptssince 2000
from 77.9% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
13.3%
+1.8 ptssince 2000
from 11.6% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.8 min
+70%since 2000
from 11.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
77.2%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 78.4% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
9.2%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 9.7% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.9%
−5.8 ptssince 2011
from 11.7% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
67.4%
+3.2 ptssince 2011
from 64.2% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
30.8%
−33.0 ptssince 2009
from 63.8% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.5%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 48.4% in 2009
Female
51.5%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 51.6% in 2009
Foreign born
13.3%
+3.7 ptssince 2009
from 9.6% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
6.6%
−75.9 ptssince 2013
from 82.5% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
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Compare Bowling Green to nearby cities

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BOWLING GREEN VS
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BOWLING GREEN VS
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BOWLING GREEN VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Bowling Green, Kentucky?

Bowling Green, Kentucky has about 72,294 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Bowling Green, Kentucky?

The typical household in Bowling Green, Kentucky earns about $42,044 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Bowling Green, Kentucky expensive?

In Bowling Green, Kentucky, the median home is worth about $168,000, and the typical rent is about $815 a month.

How educated are people in Bowling Green, Kentucky?

About 31.6% of adults age 25 and over in Bowling Green, Kentucky hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Bowling Green, Kentucky?

About 25.9% of people in Bowling Green, Kentucky live below the federal poverty line.

Has Bowling Green, Kentucky grown since 1990?

Yes, Bowling Green, Kentucky has grown since 1990. The population has added about 31,653 residents, a change of about 78 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →