Lexington, Kentucky, November 19, 2025
Immigrants in Kentucky significantly contribute to the state’s economy, holding essential positions across various sectors. They make up 6% of the labor force, with a notable participation rate of 69%, and are heavily involved in agriculture, manufacturing, and the equine industry. Their contributions extend to entrepreneurship, with over 10,600 immigrant-owned businesses, and they contribute $37 million annually in state and local taxes, supporting Kentucky’s economic growth and prosperity.
Lexington, Kentucky: Immigrants Play Vital Role in State’s Economy
Immigrants in Kentucky significantly contribute to the state’s economy, holding essential positions across various sectors.
Key Contributions
- Labor Force Participation: Immigrants make up 6% of Kentucky’s labor force, with a participation rate of 69%, surpassing the native-born rate of 60%.
- Entrepreneurship: Over 10,600 immigrants own businesses, employing more than 35,000 Kentuckians.
- Tax Contributions: Immigrants pay $37 million in state and local taxes annually, with an effective tax rate of 7.1%, higher than the wealthiest 1% of Kentuckians.
- Industry Employment: Immigrants hold 22% of jobs in Kentucky’s animal production sector, contributing to the state’s livestock industry, which generated over $1 billion in farm receipts from cattle and calves in 2014.
Impact on Key Industries
Immigrants are integral to several critical industries in Kentucky:
- Agriculture: They play a crucial role in planting, harvesting, and processing crops such as tobacco, corn, and soybeans.
- Manufacturing: Immigrants are vital in sectors like automotive and food processing, filling essential roles in production and packaging.
- Equine Industry: In the thoroughbred industry, immigrants constitute 80-90% of farm workers, with approximately 5,000 immigrant workers employed across 460-500 farms.
Conclusion
Immigrants are a cornerstone of Kentucky’s economy, providing essential labor, driving entrepreneurship, and contributing significantly to the state’s tax revenue. Their presence is vital for the continued growth and prosperity of Kentucky’s diverse industries.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What percentage of Kentucky’s labor force is made up of immigrants?
Immigrants make up 6% of Kentucky’s labor force, with a participation rate of 69%, surpassing the native-born rate of 60%.
2. How many businesses are owned by immigrants in Kentucky?
Over 10,600 immigrants own businesses, employing more than 35,000 Kentuckians.
3. What is the annual tax contribution of immigrants in Kentucky?
Immigrants pay $37 million in state and local taxes annually, with an effective tax rate of 7.1%, higher than the wealthiest 1% of Kentuckians.
4. Which industries in Kentucky rely heavily on immigrant labor?
Immigrants are integral to several critical industries in Kentucky, including agriculture, manufacturing, and the equine industry.
5. How significant is the immigrant workforce in Kentucky’s equine industry?
In the thoroughbred industry, immigrants constitute 80-90% of farm workers, with approximately 5,000 immigrant workers employed across 460-500 farms.
Key Features of Kentucky’s Immigrant Workforce
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Labor Force Participation | Immigrants make up 6% of Kentucky’s labor force, with a participation rate of 69%, surpassing the native-born rate of 60%. |
| Entrepreneurship | Over 10,600 immigrants own businesses, employing more than 35,000 Kentuckians. |
| Tax Contributions | Immigrants pay $37 million in state and local taxes annually, with an effective tax rate of 7.1%, higher than the wealthiest 1% of Kentuckians. |
| Industry Employment | Immigrants hold 22% of jobs in Kentucky’s animal production sector, contributing to the state’s livestock industry, which generated over $1 billion in farm receipts from cattle and calves in 2014. |
| Agriculture | Immigrants play a crucial role in planting, harvesting, and processing crops such as tobacco, corn, and soybeans. |
| Manufacturing | Immigrants are vital in sectors like automotive and food processing, filling essential roles in production and packaging. |
| Equine Industry | In the thoroughbred industry, immigrants constitute 80-90% of farm workers, with approximately 5,000 immigrant workers employed across 460-500 farms. |
Now Happening on X
- @RamaAsmani (November 18, 2025): Small businesses are the backbone of Lexington’s economy, representing 99.3% of employers in Kentucky, employing 42.6% of the workforce, and including over 27,000 minority-owned operations. View on X
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