Facts About Immigrants In Louisville

• Between 1990 and 2000, Kentucky’s immigrant population more than doubled from 34,000 to 80,000, making the state’s population growth among the ten fastest growing in the nation.
• Louisville Metro’s immigrant and refugee population growth increased from less than 12,000 to nearly 28,000 between 1990 and 2000.
• In 2003, 752 refugees were resettled in Louisville from a wide variety of countries around the world.
• Louisville is unique compared to other cities, as its Mexican population makes up a small percentage of its immigrant population – 11 percent compared to the national average of 30 percent.
• The following countries have populations in Louisville that make up more than 5 percent of the Metro’s foreign-born population: Cuba, India, Mexico, Germany, Bosnia and Herzegovina, China, and Korea.
• 53 percent of immigrants in Louisville own their own homes. Immigrant families in Louisville have the same median income as native-born families, $30,000.
• 41 percent of immigrant families are considered low income compared to 32 percent of native-born families.
• Immigrant adults in Louisville are more likely to have a Bachelor’s degree, 37 percent compared to 21 percent of native-born adults.
• Immigrant adults are more likely NOT to have a high school diploma, 22 percent versus 19 percent of native born Americans.
• Currently, there are approximately 4,000 immigrants/refugees being served by Jefferson Country Public Schools. 1,500 adults, 2,000 K-12 students, and 500 non-English background (NEB) students.
• Louisville has a very diverse foreign-born population. In fact, more than 80 languages are spoken within Jefferson Country Public Schools.
• The University of Louisville’s international student body represents 91 different countries.

This information was providided by the Urban Institute for more information go to  http://www.urban.org