Owensboro, KY

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

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2023 Population
112,322
7.28% 1-year decline
US Senator
Mitch McConnell
Republican Party
US Senator
Rand Paul
Republican Party
2023 Median Age
39.1
0% 1-year change
2023 Poverty Rate
14.8%
8.49% 1-year increase
2023 Median Household Income
$65,656
2% 1-year growth
2023 Median Property Value
$182,100
10.6% 1-year growth
2023 Employed Population
51,425
6.88% 1-year decline

About

In 2023, Owensboro, KY had a population of 112k people with a median age of 39.1 and a median household income of $65,656. Between 2022 and 2023 the population of Owensboro, KY declined from 121,147 to 112,322, a −7.28% decrease and its median household income grew from $64,366 to $65,656, a 2% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Owensboro, KY are White (Non-Hispanic) (86.2%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (3.98%), Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) (2.54%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (2.01%), and White (Hispanic) (1.24%).

None of the households in Owensboro, KY reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

97.7% of the residents in Owensboro, KY are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Owensboro, KY are Owensboro Community and Technical College (3,673 degrees awarded in 2023), Brescia University (225 degrees), and Kentucky Wesleyan College (191 degrees).

In 2023, the median property value in Owensboro, KY was $182,100, and the homeownership rate was 67.9%.

Most people in Owensboro, KY drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 20.7 minutes. The average car ownership in Owensboro, KY was 2 cars per household.

United StatesKentucky

Population & Diversity

Owensboro, KY is home to a population of 112k people, from which 97.7% are citizens. As of 2023, 3.48% of Owensboro, KY residents were born outside of the country (3.91k people).

In 2023, there were 21.7 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (96.9k people) in Owensboro, KY than any other race or ethnicity. There were 4.47k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 2.86k Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

97.7%
2023 Citizenship
98.1%
2022 Citizenship

As of 2023, 97.7% of Owensboro, KY residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2022, the percentage of US citizens in Owensboro, KY was 98.1%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Owensboro, KY compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Owensboro, KY
  1. White (Non-Hispanic)
    96.9k ± 516
  2. Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
    4.47k ± 446
  3. Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic)
    2.86k ± 456
3.88%
Hispanic Population
4.36k people

In 2023, there were 21.7 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (96.9k people) in Owensboro, KY than any other race or ethnicity. There were 4.47k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 2.86k Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

3.88% of the people in Owensboro, KY are hispanic (4.36k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Owensboro, KY as a share of the total population.

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Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the MSA level, so we are showing data for Kentucky.
Most Common Origin
  1. Mexico
    34,091 ± 4,516 people
  2. Cuba
    20,475 ± 3,505 people
  3. India
    12,629 ± 2,755 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Kentucky was Mexico, the natal country of 34,091 Kentucky residents, followed by Cuba with 20,475 and India with 12,629.

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Foreign-Born Population

3.48%
2023 Foreign-Born Population
3.91k people
2.82%
2022 Foreign-Born Population
3.41k people

As of 2023, 3.48% of Owensboro, KY residents (3.91k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 13.8%. In 2022, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Owensboro, KY was 2.82%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Owensboro, KY compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period
  1. Vietnam
    2,137 ± 362
  2. Gulf War (1990s)
    1,164 ± 289
  3. Gulf War (2001-)
    838 ± 225

Owensboro, KY has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.84 times greater than any other conflict.

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Economy

The economy of Owensboro, KY employs 51.4k people. In 2023, the largest industries in Owensboro, KY were Manufacturing (9,552 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (7,775 people), and Retail Trade (5,952 people), and the highest paying industries were Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($87,589), Utilities ($67,596), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($63,667).

Employment

Occupations

51.4k
2023 Value
± 1,787
−6.88%
1 Year decline
± 5.14%

From 2022 to 2023, employment in Owensboro, KY declined at a rate of −6.88%, from 55.2k employees to 51.4k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Owensboro, KY, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (6,200 people), Production Occupations (6,042 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (5,042 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Owensboro, KY.

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Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Kentucky.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Kentucky (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

51.4k
2023 Value
± 1,787
−6.88%
1 Year decline
± 5.14%

From 2022 to 2023, employment in Owensboro, KY declined at a rate of −6.88%, from 55.2k employees to 51.4k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Owensboro, KY, are Manufacturing (9,552 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (7,775 people), and Retail Trade (5,952 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Owensboro, KY, though some of these residents may live in Owensboro, KY and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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Median Earnings by Industry

$51,171
Median earning men ± $2,568
$36,897
Median earning women ± $1,432

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2023 are Manufacturing ($67,860), Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($64,137), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($58,125).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2023 are Wholesale Trade ($66,667), Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($51,727), and Manufacturing ($44,698).

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Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Kentucky.
Y-Axis
2.51%
Year-over-year growth
Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 1.98M people employed in Kentucky. This represents a 2.51% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 14.4%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Kentucky.

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments
  1. 192
    Retail Trade
  2. 173
    Health Care and Social Assistance
  3. 158
    Other Services (except Public Administration)

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

The visualization shows the number of establishments and its share across establishment sizes.

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Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll
  1. $507k
    Health Care and Social Assistance
  2. $458k
    Manufacturing
  3. $167k
    Retail Trade

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

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Civics

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Kentucky went to Donald J. Trump with 64.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (33.9%), followed by Robert Kennedy (0.808%).

Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul are the senators currently representing the state of Kentucky. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Kentucky is currently represented by 6 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Voting results are not available for Owensboro, KY. Showing the available data for Kentucky.
2024 Election Results
  1. Donald J. Trump (64.5%)
    Republican Party
  2. Kamala Harris (33.9%)
    Democratic Party
  3. Robert Kennedy (0.808%)
    Independent Party

In the 2024 presidential election, the popular vote in Kentucky went to Donald J. Trump with 64.5% of the vote. The runner-up was Kamala Harris (33.9%), followed by Robert Kennedy (0.808%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Kentucky for each registered party from 1976 to 2024.

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Senator Elections

US Senators from Kentucky

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Kentucky.
Mitch McConnell
Senator from Kentucky2
Assumed office on January 3, 1985
Rand Paul
Senator from Kentucky3
Assumed office on January 3, 2011

Mitch McConnell and Rand Paul are the senators currently representing Kentucky.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Kentucky over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

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US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Kentucky

Kentucky is currently represented by 6 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Kentucky have changed over time starting in 2008.

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Education

In 2023, universities in Owensboro, KY awarded 4,112 degrees. The student population of Owensboro, KY in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 2,774 male students and 3,421 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Owensboro, KY are White (3,480 and 84.7%), followed by Black or African American (197 and 4.79%), Hispanic or Latino (126 and 3.07%), and Two or More Races (109 and 2.65%).

The largest universities in Owensboro, KY by number of degrees awarded are Owensboro Community and Technical College (3,673 and 89.3%), Brescia University (225 and 5.47%), and Kentucky Wesleyan College (191 and 4.64%).

The most popular majors in Owensboro, KY are Electrician (784 and 19.1%), Liberal Arts & Sciences (384 and 9.34%), and Industrial Mechanics & Maintenance Technology (366 and 8.9%).

The median tuition cost in Owensboro, KY for private four year colleges is $30,700.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University
Measure

In 2023 in Owensboro, KY, the percentage of applicants admitted was 48.9%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 17.7%. The number of students enrolled in 2023 was 6,195 (44.8% men and 55.2% women).

The line chart  shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

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Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2023 there were 6,195 students enrolled in Owensboro, KY, 44.8% men and 55.2% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 4,733 records, of which 56.7% were women and 43.3% men.

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Completions

Concentrations

Most Common
  1. Electrician
    329 degrees awarded
  2. Industrial Mechanics & Maintenance Technology
    304 degrees awarded
  3. Machine Shop Technology
    166 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Certificate of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years recipients in Owensboro, KY was Electrician with 329 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Certificate of at least 1 but less than 2 academic years from schools in Owensboro, KY according to their major.

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Universities

Gender
Race
Largest Universities by degrees awarded
  1. Owensboro Community and Technical College
    3,673 degrees awarded
  2. Brescia University
    225 degrees awarded
  3. Kentucky Wesleyan College
    191 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Owensboro Community and Technical College with 3,673 degrees awarded.

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Student Diversity

University

In 2023, 2,638 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Owensboro, KY, which is 1.79 times more than the 1,474 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 3,480 degrees mean that there were 17.7 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 197 degrees awarded.

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Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

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Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($30,700) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($1,222) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2023.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($2,149) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

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Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Kentucky.
Measure

In 2023, 0.875% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.806% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

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Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Kentucky.
Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2023 were High School or Equivalent (1.17M), Some college (753k), and Secondary Education (541k).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Owensboro, KY was $182,100 in 2023, which is 0.6 times smaller than the national average of $303,400. Between 2022 and 2023 the median property value increased from $164,600 to $182,100, a 10.6% increase. The homeownership rate in Owensboro, KY is 67.9%, which is higher than the national average of 65%.

People in Owensboro, KY have an average commute time of 20.7 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Owensboro, KY is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property

$182,100
Median Property Value 2023
±$4,789
$30,408
Median Property Taxes
±$1,207

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Owensboro, KY the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Owensboro, KY compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

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Rent vs Own

67.9%
Homeownership
2023
67.9%
Homeowners with Mortgage
2023

In 2023, 67.9% of the housing units in Owensboro, KY were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 69.7%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Owensboro, KY compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.
$65,656
Median Household Income
± $2,831
44.8k
Number of Households
± 1,652

In 2023, the median household income of the 44.8k households in Owensboro, KY grew to $65,656 from the previous year's value of $64,366.

The following chart displays the households in Owensboro, KY distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

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Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Owensboro, KY is from Kentucky.
0.449
2023 Wage GINI in Kentucky
0.452
2022 Wage GINI in Kentucky

In 2023, the income inequality in Kentucky was 0.449 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.729% decline from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Kentucky was lower than than the national average of 0.476. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Kentucky in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Kentucky across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

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Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2023
  1. Drove Alone (84.1%)
  2. Carpooled (7.93%)
  3. Worked At Home (5.3%)

In 2023, 84.1% of workers in Owensboro, KY drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (7.93%) and those who worked at home (5.3%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

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Commute Time

20.7 minutes
Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Owensboro, KY have a shorter commute time (20.7 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.6 minutes). Additionally, 1.76% of the workforce in Owensboro, KY have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Owensboro, KY compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Car Ownership

2 cars
Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Owensboro, KY distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Owensboro, KY have 2 cars.

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Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

14.8% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Owensboro, KY (16.2k out of 109k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.4%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Males 6 - 11 and then Females 18 - 24.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Owensboro, KY is White, followed by Hispanic and Two Or More.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

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Health

94.6% of the population of Owensboro, KY has health coverage, with 46.1% on employee plans, 21.4% on Medicaid, 13.8% on Medicare, 12.5% on non-group plans, and 0.796% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Kentucky see 1,601 patients per year on average, which represents a 3.22% increase from the previous year (1,551 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1502 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 342 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.9% were men and 51.1% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Kentucky.
1,601 to 1
Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Kentucky

Primary care physicians in Kentucky see an average of 1,601 patients per year. This represents a 3.22% increase from the previous year (1,551 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Kentucky in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

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Health Care Diversity

In 2023, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 26% under 18 years, 19.5% between 18 and 34 years, 37.3% between 35 and 64 years, and 17.2% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.9% were men and 51.1% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

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Uninsured People

5.35%
Uninsured
46.1%
Employer Coverage
21.4%
Medicaid
13.8%
Medicare
12.5%
Non-Group
0.796%
Military or VA

Between 2022 and 2023, the percent of uninsured citizens in Owensboro, KY grew by 6.41% from 5.03% to 5.35%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Owensboro, KY changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

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