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Greater Louisville Inc. The Metro Chamber of Commerce
× Greater Louisville Inc. The Metro Chamber of Commerce

Economic Development

Welcome to Greater Louisville.

Greater Louisville is a great place to live and work, and a great place to locate or grow your business. Our 15-county bi-state region has top notch and diverse talent, a competitive cost of doing business, a pro-business environment, and a robust workforce pipeline that includes work-ready skill building, industry-specific training programs, employer networks, job placement, university-industry partnerships, and customized talent attraction solutions.

With a workforce participation rate above the national average and steady population growth over the last several decades, Louisville is becoming one of the most attractive places to do business. In 2023, Site Selection Magazine, the nation’s leading publication for corporate expansion and area economic development, named Louisville a Top 5 U.S. Metro for Economic Development. As a metro with a population of more than 1 million people. The accolades do not stop there. Greater Louisville consistently tops the ranks for most affordable metros, and most inclusive cities. With recently passed state and local policies to reduce production-based taxes, the region is also on-track to making a name for itself for its top tier business climate.

Greater Louisville Inc. is hard at work to support our local industries and provide grassroots services across industry sectors. In close collaboration with regional partners, GLI provides confidential relocation and economic development services.

Call on us for:

  • Site Selection / Assist with contact and coordination with real estate brokers
  • Community Networking / Provide introductions to business leaders across various industries
  • Talent Attraction / Collaborate with regional representatives to attract talented professionals
  • Talent Development / Connect businesses to workforce services and programs
  • Research / Provide data and research on various industries, the community, and other topics
  • Incentives / Facilitate introductions to community representatives to execute incentive opportunities

Greater Louisville Population Data

County200020102022
Bullitt (KY)61,24174,31980,171
Clark (IN)96,473110,232116,507
Floyd (IN)70,82174,57877,320
Harrison (IN)34,32739,36439,940
Henry (KY)15,06015,41615,911
Jefferson (KY)693,614741,096767,419
Oldham (KY)46,17960,31665,967
Shelby (KY)33,33842,07447,325
Spencer (KY)11,76517,06118,680
Washington (IN)27,22328,26227,848
10 County Louisville MSA1,090,0411,202,7181,257,088
Hardin (KY)94,174105,543108,527
Meade (KY)26,34928,60228,182
Nelson (KY)37,47743,43745,650
Scott (IN)22,96024,18123,759
Trimble (KY)8,1258,8098,558
15 County Greater Louisville Region1,279,1261,413,2901,471,764
Source: Emsi Burning Glass – economicmodeling.com, 2022

10-County Louisville MSA Age Distribution

Age20012022
19 and under27%24%
20-247%7%
25-3414%14%
35-4416%12%
45-5415%12%
55-649%13%
65 and Over12%18%
10-County Louisville MSA
Source: Emsi Burning Glass – economicmodeling.com, 2022

Crime Rate in the United States, 2019

Metropolitan Statistical AreaViolent Crime (Rate per 100,000 inhabitants)Property Crime (Rate per 100,000 inhabitants)
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN436.82864.0
Elizabethtown-Fort Knox, KY99.81,134.1
Austin-Round Rock, TX286.92,410.2
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD 698.72,358.5
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH277.7n/a
Charleston-North Charleston, SC398.02,678.8
Columbus, OH286.52,390.3
Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA477.52,140.7
Memphis, TN-MS-AR1,120.54,053.4
Nashville-Davidson-Murfreesboro-Franklin, TN570.52,449.5
Omaha-Council Bluffs, NE413.12,646.6
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA302.62,746.9
Salt Lake City, UT366.73,333.6
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WVn/a1,626.1
Source:  FBI.gov, 2019, https://ucr.fbi.gov/crime-in-the-u.s/2019/crime-in-the-u.s.-2019/topic-pages/tables/table-6

Updated February 2021

Estimated Average Travel Time to Work

AreaCommute Time in Minutes
Greater Louisville Region27.1
Bullitt (KY)28.2
Clark (IN)23.7
Floyd (IN)23.3
Harrison (IN)31.3
Henry (KY)28.1
Jefferson (KY)22.5
Oldham (KY)27.5
Scott (IN)25.5
Shelby (KY)26.5
Spencer (KY)32.6
Trimble (KY)24.7
Washington (IN)32.3
Hardin (KY)22.0
Meade (KY)31.7
Nelson (KY)26.2
Source: Emsi Burning Glass – economicmodeling.com, 2022

15-County Greater Louisville Educational Attainment

2022 Population1,046,226
Less than 9th grade28,1092.69%
Some High School, no diploma65,9386.30%
High School Diploma309,84129.62%
Some College, No Degree234,94622.46%
Associate's Degree100,2969.59%
Bachelor's Degree184,52217.64%
Graduate Degree and Higher122,57311.72%
Emsi Burning Glass – economicmodeling.com, 2022

Occupational Employment Statistics 12-County Louisville MSA

OccupationEmploymentEmp. RSELocation QuotientMedian hourly wageMean hourly wageAnnual mean wageMean wage RSE
All Occupations614,720 1.5%1.00$18.91$23.66$49,2001.5%
Management Occupations29,4102.5%.84$43.47$50.68$105,4101.4%
Business and Financial Operations Occupations32,0305.6%.86$30.68$33.92$70,5601.2%
Computer and Mathematical Occupations17,7405.8%.87$37.07$38.49$80,0601.3%
Architecture and Engineering Occupations9,1705.3%.83$34.58$35.89$74,6601.9%
Life, Physical, and Social Science Occupations3,48021.5% .61$30.21 $32.58$67,7803.3%
Community and Social Service Occupations8,8107.0%.89$20.29$22.43$46,6503.1%
Legal Occupations3,8007.2%.75$34.96$45.84$95,3405.4%
Education Instructional and Library Occupations24,3603.3%.65$23.33$24.41$50,7703.0%
Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, and Media Occupations5,9307.0%.72$20.96$23.35$48,5702.3%
Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations40,9504.0%1.08$28.87$34.51$71,7802.4%
Healthcare Support Occupations21,8604.4%.77$14.98$15.80$32,8701.2%
Protective Service Occupations10,8204.7%.73$15.01$17.95$37,3403.4%
Food Preparation and Serving Related Occupations48,2101.9%.97$10.49$11.76$24,450 1.5%
Building and Grounds Cleaning and Maintenance Occupations14,7506.8%.82$12.93$14.24$29,6302.7%
Personal Care and Service Occupations11,8705.9%1.00$12.20$14.38$29,9102.9%
Sales and Related Occupations52,6502.7%.91$14.07$20.35$42,3202.0%
Office and Administrative Support Occupations88,2302.9%1.08$17.75$18.92$39,3500.7%
Farming, Fishing, and Forestry Occupations52018.1%.24$14.56 $16.08 $33,4503.3%
Construction and Extraction Occupations21,9403.4%.84$23.35 $24.83$51,6501.9%
Installation, Maintenance, and Repair Occupations25,7303.6%1.06$22.68$24.14$50,2102.2%
Production Occupations58,5407.3%1.55$19.18$20.70$43,0603.5%
Transportation and Material Moving Occupations83,9104.3%1.56$16.17$20.49$42,6309.0%
Source: U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, May 2020,

Updated April 2021

Employment Trends by Industry for Louisville Metropolitan Statistical Area

Industry2021 June2020 Annual2019 Annual2018 Annual
Total Non-Farm648,200635,700675,200672,900
Mining, Logging & Construction27,60028,80029,70029,900
Manufacturing80,00078,50083,00082,700
Trade, Transportation & Utilities155,200149,400150,000149,600
Information8,2008,3009,1009,200
Financial Activities47,300 47,20049,80046,100
Professional & Business Services81,30081,10087,60087,400
Education & Health Services96,30093,40099,10097,500
Leisure & Hospitality65,80055,30070,30069,600
Other Services23,70023,40025,40025,800
Government67,60071,10074,10075,200
Source:  U.S. Dept. of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics

Annual Averages

https://www.bls.gov/eag/eag.ky_louisville_msa.htm/

Updated Sept. 2021

15-County Greater Louisville Region Ethnic Composition

Race/Ethnicity2022 Population% of Population
White, Non-Hispanic1,128,81875.14%
Black, Non-Hispanic212,803 14.17%
White, Hispanic74,0144.93%
Asian, Non-Hispanic34,4772.29%
Two or More Races, Non-Hispanic36,4262.42%
American Indian or Alaskan Native, Non-Hispanic3,108.21%
Black, Hispanic5,952 .40%
Two or More Races, Hispanic2,798 .19%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, Non-Hispanic1,246.08%
American Indian or Alaskan Native, Hispanic1,572.10%
Asian, Hispanic685.05%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander, Hispanic405.03%
Source: Emsi Burning Glass – economicmodeling.com, 2022

Greater Louisville Region Household Data

CountyHomeowner Vacancy RateHousing Units% Occupied Housing UnitsMedian House ValueMedian Monthly Rent
Bullitt (KY)1.3%31,46394.4%$165,500$825
Clark (IN)2.0%50,56487.4%$142,800$845
Floyd (IN)1.7%32,80989.0%$171,400$796
Harrison (IN)0.7%17,07884.3%$151,900$732
Henry (KY)1.8%6,76989.3%$128,700$780
Jefferson (KY)1.5%345,26190.6%$170,100$871
Oldham (KY)0.5%21,97395.2%$282,100$919
Shelby (KY)0.8%17,82393.3%$197,300$849
Spencer (KY)0.2%7,27393.0%$213,300$649
Washington (IN)2.1%12,41388.1%$118,100$674
10 County Louisville MSA1.3%543,42690.5%$174,120$794
Hardin (KY)1.2%46,67789.2%$156,600$827
Meade (KY)3.5%12,44285.9%$153,500$856
Nelson (KY)0.7%19,05193.7%$154,700$761
Scott (IN)3.0%10,63784.3%$103,000$789
Trimble (KY)1.6%3,99387.6%$124,000$715
15 County Greater Louisville Region1.5%636,22689.7%$162,200$793
Source: Emsi Burning Glass – economicmodeling.com, 2022

15-County Greater Louisville Region Income

CountyMedian Household IncomePer Capita Income% Poverty Level
Bullitt County, KY$63,348$29,3336.4%
Clark County, IN$55,630$29,0627.0%
Floyd County, IN$64,468$33,4787.6%
Harrison County, IN$57,712$28,1198.1%
Henry County, KY$53,926$25,20211.8%
Jefferson County, KY$56,586$33,25110.2%
Oldham County, KY$99,128$42,2724.8%
Shelby County, KY$67,056$32,4687.4%
Spencer County, KY$80,166$33,6616.7%
Washington County, IN$47,983$25,01510.1%
10 County Louisville MSA$64,600$31,1868.0%
Hardin County, KY$54,367$28,6069.6%
Meade County, KY$56,603$27,8619.3%
Nelson County, KY$60,127$32,7356.6%
Scott County, IN$48,700$23,64611.2%
Trimble County, KY$53,056$27,23715.5%
15 County Greater Louisville Region$61,257$30,1308.8%
Source: Emsi Burning Glass – economicmodeling.com, 2022

Louisville Metropolitan Statistical Area Workforce Statistics

2022 -Jan520204201032000219901
Civilian Workforce669,509658,316636,946610,050549,884
Employed642,086614,534 571,183588,122521,646
Unemployed27,42343,78262,69221,92828,238
Unemployment Rate4.1%6.7%10.3%3.6%5.1%

1In 1990, the Louisville Metropolitan Statistical Area was defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget to include the following counties:  Bullitt, Jefferson, Oldham and Shelby counties in Kentucky and Clark, Floyd and Harrison counties in Indiana.

2In 1993, the Federal Office of Management and Budget revised the Louisville Metropolitan Statistical Area to include the following counties:  Bullitt, Jefferson and Oldham counties in Kentucky; Clark, Floyd, Harrison and Scott counties in Indiana.

3In 2009, the Federal Office of Management and Budget revised the Louisville Metropolitan Statistical Area to include the following counties:  Bullitt, Henry, Jefferson, Meade, Nelson, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer and Trimble counties in Kentucky; Clark, Floyd, Harrison and Washington counties in Indiana.

4In 2013, the Federal Office of Management and Budget revised the Louisville Metropolitan Statistical Area to include the following counties:  Bullitt, Henry, Jefferson, Oldham, Shelby, Spencer and Trimble counties in Kentucky; Clark, Floyd, Harrison, Scott and Washington counties in Indiana.

5In 2020, the Louisville Metropolitan Statistical Area was revised to include the following counties:  Bullitt, Henry, Jefferson, Oldham, Shelby, and Spencer counties in Kentucky; Clark, Floyd, Harrison, and Washington counties in Indiana.

Sources: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics https://www.bls.gov/lau/metrossa.htm

Updated March 2022

Cost of Living

MSAOverallGroceryHousingUtilitiesTransportationHealthcareMiscellaneous
Louisville94.192.378.196.2103.195.3104.5
Austin101.892.2109.895.089.6108.6103.2
Cincinnati93.395.179.988.1106.999.5100.4
Columbus91.398.182.685.8100.493.994.3
Indianapolis91.193.379.2101.991.587.197.2
Memphis84.988.774.189.285.680.991.2
Nashville96.6100.292.392.794.695.3100.2
Omaha93.698.586.295.695.194.896.4
Pittsburgh104.0109.0103.0 116.6117.395.697.1
Portland133.7112.6181.389.1129.2116.3119.6
Raleigh96.991.192.197.893.6104.6102.7
Source: C2ER 2020, annual average

Updated July 2021

Cost of Doing Business

With its pro-business attitude, low cost of doing business and low taxes, Greater Louisville offers a supportive and progressive climate for business. The region's dynamic, diversified economy has out-performed the U.S. in job and income growth on a per capita basis throughout the last decade.

Look at how low Louisville's business costs are in comparison with other cities:

MSAOverall CostLaborOffice RentEnergyTaxes
Louisville87.996.662.891.293.0
Atlanta89.594.384.387.480.4
Austin99.791.3125.599.479.6
Baltimore108.6101.7104.0133.079.8
Boston107.3100.9101.8128.290.2
Charlotte85.491.880.677.485.7
Chicago98.6100.0101.789.691.9
Columbus97.893.081.6118.1104.2
Dallas94.293.495.399.479.6
Denver101.0112.796.690.971.5
Greenville90.9106.166.584.385.7
Indianapolis90.987.566.1114.7101.6
Los Angeles117.6100.4143.2139.596.8
Memphis88.498.063.495.174.1
Nashville95.493.8104.797.669.4
New York154.192.8270.3203.3123.5
Omaha88.996.374.686.492.1
Pittsburgh98.188.180.5131.397.5
Portland100.7101.7113.890.791.2
Salt Lake City91.699.882.983.193.6
St. Louis91.7101.879.686.378.8
Washington, DC109.9104.0141.278.787.0
Source: North American Business Cost Review, 2020

Updated March 2021