—  City —

Shops along Fountain Square in Downtown Bowling Green

Location of Bowling Green within Warren County in Kentucky.

Coordinates: 36°58′54″N 86°26′40″W

As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 49,296 people, 19,277 households, and 10,698 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,392.3 people per square mile (537.5/km²). There were 21,290 housing units at an average density of 601.3/sq mi (232.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 80.82% White, 12.71% African American, 0.23% Native American, 1.95% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 2.16% from other races, and 2.01% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 4.08% of the population.

There were 19,277 households out of which 26.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.5% were married couples living together, 13.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.5% were non-families. 33.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the city the population was spread out with 20.2% under 18, 23.5% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 17.5% from 45 to 64, and 12.0% who were 65 or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females there were 93.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,047, and the median income for a family was $40,320. Males had a median income of $30,244 versus $22,606 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,621. About 15.7% of families and 21.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.1% of those under age 18 and 15.0% of those age 65 or over.