U.S. Census Bureau Releases Detailed Studies Of Kentucky Demographics

The United States Census Bureau recently released detailed information regarding Kentucky's growth, population and race demographics. The new data will serve as a guideline for redefining federal, state and local legislative districts, as well as giving government officials and citizens up-to-date information about race, voters, population and housing units.

"The U.S. Census release only gives us population counts," said Dr. Robert M. Groves, U.S. Census Bureau Director, via press conference. "It's the ... American Community Survey (ACS) data that provides us with the detailed characteristics of the population."

Louisville/Jefferson County is the most populous area of Kentucky with an estimated 741,096 residents. The Louisville/Jefferson County population physically grew by 6.8% since the 2000 Census. The data also reflects a Louisville population growth of 189.2% due to the Louisville and Jefferson County government merger during the period between the 2000 and 2010 Censuses.   

Race and Hispanic origin data played a large role in the 2010 Census. Only since the 2000 Census were individuals able to identify with multiple race groups, providing new insight into the nation's ethnic diversity. The ACS data also allowed for individuals to classify themselves into the "some other race" category if their ethnic background was different than those listed on the Census survey.

The 2000 Census showed that a majority of people who checked the "some other race" category were of Hispanic or Latino origin, so the 2010 Census added an additional question about that particular ethnic heritage to aid in data collection.  

The detailed Census data will be available online for all 50 States by April 1st. Information on 2010 Census legislative district data can be obtained by contacting the Census Redistricting Data Office at 301-763-4039 or rdo@census.gov.

U.S. Census 2010 American Community Survey Louisville Kentucky legislative districts demographics voters growth population data ethnic