Bowling Green, KY Demographics

A map of Bowling Green's Population by Race

Bowling Green, Kentucky has an estimated population of 75,388, an increase from the 72,294 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 62.1% White, 14.1% Black, 10.6% Hispanic, 7.7% Asian, 4.3% Multiracial, and 1.3% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Bowling Green, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Bowling Green has become slightly more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably more diverse than Kentucky overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Bowling Green, that probability was 57.0% in 2020 and 57.5% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Bowling Green is ranked the 3rd most populous place in Kentucky, out of 554 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Bowling Green was ranked the 4th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Bowling Green's White Population

46,827 residents of Bowling Green, or 62.1% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Bowling Green is significantly lower than in Kentucky overall, where 81.5% of the population is White. Bowling Green ranks 533rd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 554 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Bowling Green's White population has grown by an estimated 3.2%. White residents' share of Bowling Green's population has decreased from 62.7% to 62.1%.

Bowling Green is less White than neighboring Plum Springs (70.4% White), Plano (69.1% White), Woodburn (98.1% White), Oakland (88.9% White), and Smiths Grove (81.9% White).

Bowling Green's Black Population

10,599 residents of Bowling Green, or 14.1% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Bowling Green is higher than in Kentucky overall, where 7.6% of the population is Black. Bowling Green ranks 37th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 554 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Bowling Green's Black population has grown by an estimated 7.3%. Black residents' share of Bowling Green's population has remained roughly unchanged at 14.1%.

Bowling Green is more Black than neighboring Plano (2.6% Black), Woodburn (0% Black), Oakland (6.1% Black), and Smiths Grove (10.3% Black). Bowling Green is less Black than neighboring Plum Springs (18% Black).

Bowling Green's Asian Population

5,802 residents of Bowling Green, or 7.7% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Bowling Green is higher than in Kentucky overall, where 1.6% of the population is Asian. Bowling Green ranks 5th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 554 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Bowling Green's Asian population has grown by an estimated 1.1%. Asian residents' share of Bowling Green's population has remained roughly unchanged at 7.7%.

Bowling Green is more Asian than neighboring Plum Springs (1% Asian), Plano (0% Asian), Woodburn (0% Asian), Oakland (0% Asian), and Smiths Grove (0% Asian).

Bowling Green's Hispanic Population

7,956 residents of Bowling Green, or 10.6% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Bowling Green is higher than in Kentucky overall, where 5% of the population is Hispanic. Bowling Green ranks 22nd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 554 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Bowling Green's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 13.2%. Hispanic residents' share of Bowling Green's population has increased from 9.7% to 10.6%.

Bowling Green is more Hispanic than neighboring Plum Springs (8.9% Hispanic), Plano (0% Hispanic), Woodburn (0% Hispanic), Oakland (0.7% Hispanic), and Smiths Grove (2.9% Hispanic).

Bowling Green's Native American/Other Population

965 residents of Bowling Green, or 1.3% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Bowling Green is comparable to the share in Kentucky overall, where 0.4% of the population is Native American/Other. Bowling Green ranks 29th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 554 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Bowling Green's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 11.2%. Native American/Other residents' share of Bowling Green's population has remained roughly unchanged at 1.3%.

Bowling Green is more Native American/Other than neighboring Plum Springs (0% Native American/Other), Plano (0% Native American/Other), Woodburn (0% Native American/Other), and Oakland (0% Native American/Other). Bowling Green is less Native American/Other than neighboring Smiths Grove (2% Native American/Other).

Bowling Green's Multiracial Population

3,239 residents of Bowling Green, or 4.3% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Bowling Green is comparable to the share in Kentucky overall, where 3.9% of the population is Multiracial. Bowling Green ranks 191st statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 554 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Bowling Green's Multiracial population has remained roughly the same. Multiracial residents' share of Bowling Green's population has remained roughly unchanged at 4.3%.

Bowling Green is more Multiracial than neighboring Plum Springs (1.7% Multiracial), Woodburn (1.9% Multiracial), and Smiths Grove (2.8% Multiracial). Bowling Green is less Multiracial than neighboring Plano (28.3% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.