92% white and 7.1% black (1990).
48.2% of population lives in rural areas.(1990) US rank: 8
47.6% live in metro areas.(1990) US rank 38
Per capita personal income: $16,954 ($1993) compared to US $20,781 for US rank 43
Poverty rate (1989) 19 percent compared to US 13.1 for US rank 6
The late 1990's appear to be a time of mixed trends. Statistically, Kentucky racially now is far more diverse. With the Department of Agriculture's recruitment of migrant workers to work in the tobacco fields, Kentucky today can not ignore race issues. Realizing a shift in market, the Lexington cable provider now broadcasts a Spanish speaking cannel. Several churches now offer services in Spanish and there are now government centers to assist the Spanish speaking population. I will speak more on this change in the Culture section.
Economically Kentucky seems fiscally to be better off now than ten years ago. However, now is not the great era of the farmer, especially for the tobacco farmer. Clearly, Kentucky's economy heads off along with the nation's towards the new service industry. However, Kentucky may not be ready for such things, at least in heart.
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