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Demographics
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 49,296 people, 19,277 households, and 10,698 families residing in the city. The population density was 537.5/km² (1,392.3/mi²). There were 21,290 housing units at an average density of 232.1/km² (601.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 80.82% White, 12.71% African American, 0.23% Native American, 1.95% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 2.16% from other races, and 2.01% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.08% of the population. .
There were 19,277 households out of which 26.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.5% were married couples living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.5% were non-families. 33.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.91. .
In the city the population was spread out with 20.2% under the age of 18, 23.5% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 17.5% from 45 to 64, and 12.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females there were 93.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.4 males.
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The median income for a household in the city was $29,047, and the median income for a family was $40,320. Males had a median income of $30,244 versus $22,606 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,621. About 15.7% of families and 21.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.1% of those under age 18 and 15.0% of those age 65 or over.
Geography
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According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 92.1 km² (35.6 mi²). 91.7 km² (35.4 mi²) of it is land and 0.4 km² (0.2 mi²) of it (0.45%) is water.
Economy
Bowling Green is increasingly shifting to a more knowledge-based, technology-driven economy. With one major public university and a technical college, Bowling Green serves as an education hub for the South Central Kentucky region. In addition, the city plays an integral part in the region as the leading medical and commercial center.
General Motors Corvette Plant, Holley Performance Products, Pan-Oston and many other major industries call Bowling Green home, while industries from around the world continue to relocate to Bowling Green. Recently, Bowling Green Metalforming, a division of Magna International, Inc., and Halton Company chose to expand their worldwide companies into Bowling Green.
Commonwealth Health Corporation, Western Kentucky University and Warren County Board of Education are the biggest employers for Bowling Green and the surrounding region. Other top employers include General Motors Corvette Plant, Fruit of the Loom, Eagle Industries, DESA Heating, Weyerhauser, Trace Die Cast, Bowling Green Metalforming and Houchens Industries, Inc
Thanks, in part, to the continued investment of our existing industry base, the Bowling Green area’s economy is the second fastest growing in the state. The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis reported that personal income in the Bowling Green MSA grew at an estimated 6.0 percent in 2005.
Compared with Elizabethtown and Owensboro MSAs, Bowling Green has experienced the largest post-recession employment gain. From November 2001 to April 2006, total payroll employment increased by 13 percent. Bowling Green has experienced a 5% increase in manufacturing employment, a 5% increase in professional and business services and a 6% increase in leisure and hospitality since April 2005.
Bowling Green's high income and job growth combined with a low cost of doing business has led the city to be named to Forbes Magazine's list of the "Best Small Places for Business". In an evaluation of 179 cities across the nation, Forbes ranks Bowling Green 14th in which to do business, finishing ahead of Elizabethtown and Owensboro. The list ranks Bowling Green 11th nationwide for the lowest cost-of-living and 36th for highest job growth.
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The Medical Center
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