Urban Studies Institute
The Urban Studies Institute (USI) is a planning and policy research center with a focus on applied economic and demographic analysis serving Louisville and the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Originally established in 1966 by the University of Louisville Board of Trustees to “develop ways by which the University can be of greater service to the community”, USI has a long history of addressing urban problems through research and service. USI carries out sponsored projects and fee-for-service contracts with external partners, including governmental agencies, nonprofit organizations, and private companies. Proceeds are used to support student internships and assistantships within the Department of Urban and Public Affairs.
USI also houses the Kentucky State Data Center, which represents Kentucky in two federal-state cooperative programs: the State Data Center (SDC) Network and the Federal-State Cooperative for Population Estimates (FSCPE).