Bowling Green, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bowling Green, Kentucky had a total population of 75,388, the 3rd largest city in Kentucky, with a median household income of $48,873, which is 23% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Bowling Green is the 3rd largest city in Kentucky with a population of 75,388.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.6%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Bowling Green Quick Facts
How Bowling Green Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 73,638 | 75,388 | +2.4% |
| Median household income | $48,419 | $48,873 | +0.9% |
| Median home value | $232,100 | $241,900 | +4.2% |
How Bowling Green Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 33 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bowling Green Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Other Cities in Warren County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plano | 1,290 | $80,188 | 5.3% | $226,300 |
| Smiths Grove | 786 | $53,098 | 9.9% | $164,500 |
| Plum Springs | 405 | $61,635 | 12.8% | $163,000 |
| Woodburn | 319 | $85,625 | 10.6% | $181,300 |
| Oakland | 280 | $67,188 | 12.6% | $164,800 |
Cities Similar to Bowling Green
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Owensboro | 60,302 | $56,357 | $178,900 | 26.1% | 18.9% |
| Covington | 41,110 | $61,166 | $187,300 | 32.3% | 20.8% |
| Richmond | 37,111 | $50,870 | $214,900 | 34.9% | 19.5% |
| Hopkinsville | 30,906 | $49,139 | $172,100 | 23.3% | 19.3% |
| Georgetown | 39,117 | $80,088 | $265,400 | 34.1% | 12.1% |
Population Overview
Bowling Green is a mid-sized community located in Kentucky, within Warren County. The total population is 75,388. It ranks as the 3rd most populous out of 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bowling Green is 28.7 years. This is 27% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bowling Green is $48,873. This is 23% lower than the state median of $63,726. It is also 39% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 25.6%. This is 59% higher than the state poverty rate of 16.1%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 4.9%. The median home value is $241,900. Housing costs are 18% higher than the state median of $205,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.9x. 36.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 46% lower than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Bowling Green is White (non-Hispanic), making up 62.1% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 14.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (14.1% vs 7.5%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (10.5% vs 5.0%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (7.7% vs 1.6%).
Education
31.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 13% higher than the state rate of 27.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 85.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bowling Green, Kentucky is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Kentucky state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Bowling Green, Kentucky?
Bowling Green, Kentucky has a population of 75,388 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bowling Green, KY?
The median household income in Bowling Green is $48,873, which is 39% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bowling Green, KY?
The poverty rate in Bowling Green is 25.6%. This means approximately 17,847 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bowling Green, Kentucky?
Bowling Green's population is 62.1% White, 14.1% Black, 10.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 7.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bowling Green, KY?
The median home value in Bowling Green is $241,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.9x.
How educated is Bowling Green, Kentucky?
31.2% of adults (25+) in Bowling Green hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.