City profile · Kentucky · Census ACS 2023

Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance), KY

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance) - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

627,210
Residents
$64,731
Median income
$221,500
Median home
$1,272
Median rent (state)

Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance) - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance) lands in the 42nd percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

42nd
percentile, household income
49th
percentile, home value
43rd
percentile, median rent
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance), KY

Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance) is a mid-sized U.S. city in Kentucky, home to 627,210 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance) brings in $64,731 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 11.9%. Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance)'s housing stock carries a median value of $221,500, and the median resident age is 37.7 years. About 33.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 62.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Living costs in Kentucky run below the national norm: the state registers 90.2 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Well Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,272 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Kentucky run around $225, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 98.3 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

627,210 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Kentucky

Median Household Income

$64,731 /yr

Poverty 11.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

90.2 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Kentucky average

How does Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance) compare to other US cities?

Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance) measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 42% higher than other cities
Home value 49% pricier than other cities
Median rent 43% pricier than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance) against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Kentucky only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Kentucky-relative analysis

Median Home Value places Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance) toward the top of Kentucky's cities

Among the 484 Kentucky cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance) ranks #123 - the 75th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance) only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#182 of 485
62nd percentile in Kentucky
Median Gross Rent
#59 of 520
66th percentile in Kentucky
Median Home Value
#123 of 484
75th percentile in Kentucky
Poverty Rate
#243 of 519
53rd percentile in Kentucky
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#136 of 520
74th percentile in Kentucky

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Kentucky only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

42ndIncome percentile

42nd percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance)'s home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$221,500 Among the most affordable more affordable than 51% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). This entry sits in this band. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance) $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance), KY Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance), KY's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance), KY-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance), KY median $64,731/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance), KY's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance), KY. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 33.4%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 11.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 62.2%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
627,210
Median Income
$64,731
Median Home Value
$221,500
Median Age
37.7
Poverty Rate
11.9%
Labor force participation
62.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
33.4%

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
625,000 residents630,000 residents635,000 residents640,000 residents645,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 631,872 residents 641,962 residents ▲ +1.6%
Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance)'s Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
73.5%
Carpool
8.7%
Public Transit
2.2%
Walk
2.0%
Work from Home
11.6%
Other
2.0%

Based on 306,339 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Kentucky - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$115
avg/month
Natural Gas
$70
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$40
avg/month
Total Utilities
$225
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Kentucky state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Kentucky state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance) sits in

Cost of Living Index
90.2
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,272/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
98.3 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Kentucky

Lexington-Fayette urban county
321,122 people
Bowling Green
73,638 people
Owensboro
60,112 people
Covington
40,902 people
Georgetown
38,206 people
Richmond
35,498 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance)'s 627,210 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Memphis, TN
629,063 people
Detroit, MI
636,644 people
Portland, OR
642,715 people
Las Vegas, NV
650,873 people
Boston, MA
663,972 people
Washington, DC
672,079 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance)'s $64,731 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Leoti, KS
$64,732 median income
Tannersville, NY
$64,732 median income
Midway, CA
$64,735 median income
Gulf Gate, FL
$64,724 median income
Mount Carmel, OH
$64,738 median income
Norwood, OH
$64,724 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance), KY Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance), KY - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 63.1% 23.7% 8.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 8.7% White 63.1% Black or African American 23.7% Asian 2.6% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 2.1% Two or more races 8.4% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance) compares to nearby Kentucky cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance) (this city) 627,210 $64,731
Lexington-Fayette urban county 321,122 $67,631
Bowling Green 73,638 $48,419
Owensboro 60,112 $53,295
Census ACS 5-year FIPS KY OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance), KY?

What is the population of Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance), KY? +

Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance), KY has a population of 627,210 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance), KY? +

Median annual household income in Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance) runs $64,731, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance)? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance); the closest available measure is the Kentucky state average, a cost of living index of 90.2 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Kentucky vary by metro area.

What is the median home value in Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance), KY? +

Homes in Louisville/Jefferson County metro government (balance) carry a median value of $221,500, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.