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Bowling Green, KY

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Bowling Green, KY

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Demographics

Majority WhiteSimpson's Diversity Index: 57
Population73,638
Foreign Born10.4%
Population Density1,753people per mi²
Median Age27.9 yrs
Demographics Trajectory
GrowingSince 2010, this city's population has grown with relatively minor shifts in racial composition.
Current Race / Ethnicity Breakdown
Population Trends

Quality of Life

Overall Quality Of Life
A-
Great

A high quality of life with strong walkability, manageable living costs, healthy neighborhood signals, and solid amenity access.

Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.

Cost of Living

82/100

18% below national average

A+

The Real Cost of Living in Bowling Green, Kentucky

TierIndividualFamily (4)
Survival $15k$28k
Comfortable $45k$66k
Luxury $87k+$136k+
Elite (Top 5%) $119k+$185k+
Affordability Ratio

73%

The Hood Index™

A metric tracking the socioeconomic signals of the area.

A+
Hood Index scan area
Luxury Lean92%
RisksNeutralGrowth
Premium
40
Positive
18
Poor
5
Negative
0

Groceries

7 within 10 miles

1.2mi

Gas

18 within 10 miles

0.5mi

Hospital

5 within 20 miles

0.6mi

Airport

BNA — Nashville International

60.1mi

Post Office

USPS — Bowling Green, KY

3.6mi

Critical Amenities

Country Clubs

1 private club within 10 miles.

Golf4Nearest 0.2 mi
Camping11Nearest 22.1 mi
Marina0Nearest 18.6 mi
Winery0Nearest 12.6 mi
Ice Rink0 
Gun Range0 

Affluence Level

Overall Affluence Grade
D
Soft

A below-average socioeconomic profile. Incomes, home values, and educational attainment trail the U.S., with higher poverty and unemployment.

Median HHI
$48k+2.8%
36% below US avg
Est. Avg Net Worth
$259k
61% below US avg
College Educated
32.0%
9% below US avg
WFH
5.2%
64% below US avg
Homeownership
37.3%
43% below US avg
Median Home
$232k
18% below US avg

Crime

Overall Crime Grade
B-
Safe

Generally safer than 61% of comparable U.S. locations.

Crime Rate
24.2
Incidents per 1,000 residents
5yr Trend
−44.7%
Overall crime change since 2020

Violent Crime

5yr−47.2%
Homicide
0.03 / 1k Residents4% below state avg
Robbery
0.28 / 1k Residents3% above state avg
Aggravated Assault
0.84 / 1k Residents38% below state avg

Property Crime

5yr−42.2%
Burglary
2.56 / 1k Residents61% above state avg
Larceny-Theft
17.79 / 1k Residents108% above state avg
Motor Vehicle Theft
1.93 / 1k Residents6% above state avg
Source: FBI Crime Data · 2025

Political Climate

Cook PVI: R+20Solidly Conservative

District shown is the primary district for this city’s centroid. Cities may span multiple districts.

Presidential Voting Trends for Bowling Green, Kentucky
Dem Rep
20%30%40%50%60%70%2000200420082012201620202024

Personal Sovereignty

Personal Sovereignty measures your capacity for self-reliance and independence with minimal government friction. Higher scores mean fewer barriers between you and the way you want to live... but it assumes you have the space you need and good neighbors.

Overall Sovereignty Grade
B
Self-Reliant

Viable for self-reliance. Generally workable, though some barriers may limit total independence.

State Policy

Tax Burden
C+
Fair9.6% of income
Property Rights
D+
WeakIJ Grade D+
Firearm Rights
A
GreatFPC Grade A
Homeschooling
A-
GoodLow regulation

Energy independence: Importer (60% of energy produced in-state)

Personal Liberty

Raw Milk
D-
RestrictedLimited
Gambling Laws
C+
LimitedTribal · Poker · Sportsbetting
Marijuana Laws
C+
LimitedMedical only

Homesteading

Growing Season211 days297 frost-free
Annual Rainfall61.5"
Elevation525 ft

Strategic Assessment

Strategic Assessment grades tactical survivability using Joel Skousen's Strategic Relocation framework. Major population centers, blast zones, natural disasters, and border exposure all drive risk — lower exposure means a more defensible position in a crisis.

Learn more about Strategic Relocation ($)
Overall Strategic Grade
B-
Defensible

Workable tactical position. Some exposure to population density or targets, but generally defensible in a crisis.

Strategic Pillars

City Proximity
B
Fair716 mi to nearest major city
Pop. Density
C-
Weak1,753/sq mi
Fallout Danger
A+
Great0 within ~30 mi
Natural Disaster
F
PoorInland Flooding, Hail, Tornado, Earthquake, Cold Wave
Border / Coast
A+
Greatborder 469 mi · coast 442 mi
FEMA Expected Loss$79.9M/yrfor the county

* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-04-21T09:51:58.000Z

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