Louisville, Kentucky, December 2, 2025
Louisville, Kentucky, has demonstrated significant improvements in job creation and affordability when compared to its peer cities. The latest data from Greater Louisville Inc. highlights an 11% job growth from 2020 to 2025, with strong household earnings amid a favorable cost of living. Despite some challenges such as lower educational attainment and rising property crime rates, Louisville is making strides in key economic metrics, which positions the city as a competitive market for businesses and residents alike.
How Louisville Outshines Peers in Job Creation and Affordability
Louisville, Kentucky โ Recent data from Greater Louisville Inc. (GLI) indicates that the Louisville Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) has made notable strides in job creation and affordability compared to other similar cities. The 2025 Regional Economic Dashboard highlights these advancements, showcasing Louisvilleโs positive trajectory in several key economic metrics.
Key Findings
- Job Growth: Louisville’s job growth surged by 11% from 2020 to 2025, outpacing Oklahoma City and advancing in its rankings from 2024. This represents a substantial improvement over the 4% growth observed between 2019 and 2024.
- Affordability: The area continues to demonstrate strong average household earnings aligned with the cost of living, outdoing many competing cities in this category.
- Economic Indicators: Louisville has improved its rankings in measures such as Gross Regional Product, Imports, and Exports, climbing one spot from 2024.
- Crime Rates: The incidence of violent crime has decreased, enhancing the region’s ranking by two spots. However, property crime rates have risen, which caused a slight drop in ranking.
Areas for Improvement
- Population Growth: While Louisville’s population is growing steadily, it still ranks in the middle tier relative to peer cities.
- Educational Attainment: The region is dealing with lower levels of educational attainment when compared to its peers, posing a challenge for the workforce.
- Property Crime Rates: An uptick in property crime has negatively affected Louisville’s ranking in this area.
Background Context
The Regional Economic Dashboard, initiated by GLI in 2024, meticulously tracks the progress of the Louisville MSA across 28 categories that encompass population growth, talent, economy, labor market, and livability. This annual update is vital for understanding the regionโs economic performance while pinpointing areas that require strategic focus. Peer cities included in the comparison are St. Louis, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Kansas City, Columbus, Indianapolis, Nashville, Oklahoma City, Memphis, Birmingham, Grand Rapids, Tulsa, Omaha, Greenville, Knoxville, and Greensboro.
Clark Welch, Vice President of Economic Development for GLI, emphasized the importance of data in guiding business decisions and regional strategies, noting the dashboardโs role in revealing where Greater Louisville excels and the areas that need enhancement to attract businesses and residents alike. Camilla Schroeder, Chair of GLIโs Board of Directors, underlined the significance of tracking progress in essential economic indicators year-on-year to identify strengths and areas requiring focus.
For more in-depth insights and detailed data across all categories, please visit the official GLI website.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is the Regional Economic Dashboard?
The Regional Economic Dashboard is an annual report introduced by Greater Louisville Inc. in 2024 to track the Louisville MSA’s progress across 28 categories related to population growth, talent, economy, labor market, and livability. It provides insights into the region’s economic performance and identifies areas for strategic focus.
Which cities are considered Louisville’s peer markets?
Louisville’s peer markets for comparison include St. Louis, Charlotte, Cincinnati, Kansas City, Columbus, Indianapolis, Nashville, Oklahoma City, Memphis, Birmingham, Grand Rapids, Tulsa, Omaha, Greenville, Knoxville, and Greensboro.
How does Louisville’s job growth compare to its peer cities?
Louisville’s job growth has increased by 11% from 2020 to 2025, surpassing Oklahoma City and moving up one spot from 2024. This marks a significant improvement from the 4% increase observed between 2019 and 2024.
What areas does Louisville need to improve upon?
Areas for improvement include population growth, educational attainment, and property crime rates. While Louisville continues to see steady population growth, it remains in the middle tier compared to peer regions. The region also faces challenges with lower educational attainment levels compared to its peers, and an increase in property crime rates has negatively impacted Louisville’s ranking in this area.
Where can I find more detailed information about the dashboard?
For a comprehensive view of the full dashboard and detailed data across all 28 categories, please visit the official GLI website.
Key Features of the Regional Economic Dashboard
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Job Growth | Tracks the percentage increase in jobs within the Louisville MSA over a specified period, comparing it to peer cities. |
| Affordability Metrics | Assesses average household earnings relative to the cost of living, providing insights into the region’s economic accessibility. |
| Economic Indicators | Evaluates metrics such as Gross Regional Product, Imports, and Exports to gauge the region’s economic performance. |
| Crime Rates | Monitors violent and property crime rates, offering insights into the region’s safety and livability. |
| Population Growth | Measures changes in population size, providing context for economic and social planning. |
| Educational Attainment | Assesses the highest level of education achieved by residents, indicating the region’s workforce skill level. |
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