City Overview

The first Saturday in May celebrates the most anticipated Thoroughbred horse race in the country: the Kentucky Derby, held in Louisville. As visitors crowd the stands of Churchill Downs drinking mint juleps, the horses are brought onto the racetrack to the strains of "My Old Kentucky Home." So begins what's been called "the most exciting two minutes in sports."
But the Louisville area has much more to offer: the city sponsors its own ballet, orchestra, repertory theatre... More

City Facts

• Founded: 1778 (incorporated 1828)
• Head Official: Mayor Jerry E. Abramson (since 2003)
• City Population 1980: 298,694
• 1990: 269,555
• 2000: 256,231
• 2003: 248,762
• Percent change, 1990–2000: −5.0%
• U.S. rank in 1980: 49th
• U.S. rank in 1990: 58th
• U.S. rank in 2000: 69th (State rank: 1st)
• Metropolitan Area Population 1980: 954,000
• 1990: 949,012
• 2000: 1,025,598
• Percent change, 1990–2000: 8.1%
• U.S. rank in 1980: 38th
• U.S. rank in 1990: 43rd
• U.S. rank in 2000: 49th
• Area: 66.65 square miles (2000)
• Elevation: 488 feet above sea level
• Average Annual Temperature: 56.1° F
• Average Annual Precipitation: 44.4 inches
• Major Economic Sectors: services, wholesale and retail trade, manufacturing
• Unemployment rate: 4.2% (December 2004)
• Per Capita Income: $18,193 (1999)
• 2002 FBI Crime Index Total: 15,439
• Major Colleges and Universities: University of Louisville, Bellarmine College, Spalding University
• Daily Newspaper: Courier-Journal
• Area Code: 502
• Time Zone: Eastern Standard Time; observes daylight-saving time
• Climate:
  Louisville has moderately cold winters and warm, humid summers. The average annual winter temperature is 30 degrees Fahrenheit, and the average annual summer temperature is 65 F. The average annual precipitation is 46 inches, and an average of 46 thunderstorms per year. The annual average snowfall is 16 inches per year.

Historical Snapshot

City Resources

Local & State Government
City of Louisville
Governor's Page
State of Kentucky

U. S. Post Office
United States Postal Service

Chamber of Commerce
Greater Louisville Chamber of Commerce

Visitor Information
Louisville Convention and Tourism Bureau
Louisville Landmarks

Louisville Hospitals
Full List Of Major Hospitals

Organizations
American Red Cross - Louisville
Bowling Green Humane Society
Boys & Girls Clubs of Kentuckiana
Louisville AIDS Walk
Louisville Historical League Online

Libraries
Louisville Free Public Library
Oldham County Public Library - Call (502) 228-1852 for more information
 

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