Move over millenials, zillenials, Gen Z, and Gen Alpha, there’s a new kid on the block.
According to Australian social researcher McCrindle, 2025 marks the end of Generation Alpha and the beginning of Generation Beta. Feel old yet?
The impact of technology and climate change loom large in the future of Gen Beta, but there’s another major milestone — Generation Beta will be the first generation where most of its members live into the 22nd century. Babies born this year will be 76 in the year 2101.
That got us thinking — what’s Derby City going to look like in the 22nd century? We put our heads together and came up with some potential headlines from 22nd-century Derby City — they’ll be reading them in LOUtomorrow— but we want to hear your predictions as well.
“Louisville’s 1,000,000th boutique hotel opens downtown”
In 2101, another boutique hotel opens downtown. Downtown Louisville is now 95% boutique hotels. The other 5%? Distilleries and the Bader’s gas station on 1st Street.
“Louisville adds so many lanes to Spaghetti Junction that locals have a new name for it: Lasagna Junction”
As Louisville grows, more highways are added. Mayor Jack Harlow Jr. is considering a new plan that more closely resembles a Hot Brown.
“Officials say work is nearly complete on the Sherman Minton Bridge”
The historic bridge will return to two-way traffic any day now.
“Kentucky Derby Festival extended to a length of 51 weeks”
The newly established “Not-Derby week” will give locals a chance to rest + perform the annual rotation of the Pegasus Pin before festivities begin again with Thunder Over, Under, and Generally Around Louisville.
Your turn
Earlier this month, we asked you for your predictions about how Derby City will look in the year 2101. Here’s what you had to say:
- 36% of respondents agree that Louisville’s major industry in 2101 will be bourbon, followed by 20% saying tourism and 18% saying healthcare. Several of you had another idea: Horses.
- 83% are certain that gin, beer, and coffee will never unseat bourbon as Louisville’s favorite drink.
- 53% said Louisville’s population would be double what it is today.
- Opinions are divided on the Louisville Cardinals: 31% said they’d be having an alright season in 2101, while 26% said they’d be on fire. Another 26% made the ultimate prediction: We’d beat Kentucky.
LOUtoday readers also had some more specific hopes and predictions for the future:
“My hope is that Louisville is one of the top run cities and universities in Kentucky. I think we have so much potential and we’d be fools to just throw that away to other cities. It takes great leadership to make that happen. Louisville sports will still be a talking point. I think this will still be a haven for jobs both big and small.” — Josh H.
“Lots of downtown living and awesome public transportation. Maybe a mini train, self driving vehicles or a skyrail.” — Heather T.
“The 800,000th “X’s Louisville” banner goes up.” — Emily K. (This year, LOU made a small step closer to that number.)
“Hovering cars now crash into Mag Bar.” — Katie M.
Finally, Cynthia M. has a big picture prediction: “Peace on earth.”
