Louisville – that is, Metro Louisville – is now the nation’s 27th largest city following merger of the city and Jefferson County governments in January 2003.

The city has grown from 61 square miles to encompass a diverse and vibrant community that spans nearly 399 square miles, including such rich cultural assets as historic Churchill Downs, the world's most legendary racetrack and home to the most exciting two minutes in sports, the incomparable Kentucky Derby; one of the largest municipally-owned urban forests in the country, the Jefferson Memorial Forest; and one of the oldest free public library systems in existence.

The population of nearly 701,500 residents is served by the largest public school system in the state (99,000 students) -- the 31st largest school district in the United States – that was recently named one of the top five most outstanding urban school districts in the U.S. by the Broad Foundation.

A host of post-secondary schools are available, including the University of Louisville, Bellarmine University, Spalding University and others.

UPS, Humana, Ford Motor Company and GE are among the area’s largest public employers. (Baptist Hospital East is in the top 10, based on the number of persons employed.)

Louisville is one of the 50 best large cities for relocating families, according to a study conducted by Worldwide ERC, Primacy Relocation and Bert Sperling of Sperling's BestPlaces. Louisville was ranked at No. 5 for 2005. Cities were rated on factors including cost of living, taxes, home costs/appreciation, schools, climate and commute times as well as elder-care and assisted-living.

Louisville is home to such signature products as the Louisville Slugger Baseball Bat, Louisville Stoneware and, even KFC, formerly Kentucky Fried Chicken and part of YUM! Brands, Inc.

On the food front, Louisville is the birthplace of the cheeseburger (at Kaelin’s Restaurant – costing a mere 15-cents when offered on the menu in October 1934), and such local delicacies as the Hot Brown, Benedictine, Derby Pie® and Modjeskas candies.

The quality of life index is high. Louisville is one of only a dozen U.S. cities with a professional orchestra, ballet, opera, theater and children’s theater.

Housing options are diverse and affordable. For the first quarter of 2003, the average home price for a new, 2,400-square-foot home in the Louisville MSA* was $198,570, according to the American Chamber of Commerce Researchers Association (ACCRA). This was more than 15 percent below the national average.

Louisville neighborhoods maintain their character. from Butchertown to Anchorage, Fern Creek to Fairdale, Louisville offers distinct choices in housing, from steep bluffs with Ohio River views to verdant golf course lots.

Downtown Louisville is enjoying a rebirth, with creation of the Great Lawn (a prime spot for viewing the world’s largest fireworks show, Thunder Over Louisville), opening of Fourth Street Live, Glassworks and Friday evening Trolley Hops to local art galleries and exhibits.

Celebrating the great boxer’s life and achievements, The Muhammad Ali Center is now open on the downtown riverfront. The riverfront and Main Street area is also home to the Louisville Science Center and the Frazier Historical Museum.

*The Louisville MSA (metropolitan statistical area) includes Jefferson, Bullitt, Henry, Meade, Nelson, Oldham, Spencer, Shelby and Trimble in Kentucky, and Clark, Floyd, Harrison, and Washington counties in Indiana.

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