Kenton County, Kentucky

Kenton County
County
Kenton County Courthouse in Independence
Kenton County Courthouse in Independence
Map of Kentucky highlighting Kenton County
Location within the U.S. state of Kentucky
Map of the United States highlighting Kentucky
Kentucky's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 38°56′N 84°32′W / 38.93°N 84.54°W / 38.93; -84.54
Country United States
State Kentucky
Founded1840
Named forSimon Kenton
SeatCovington and Independence
Largest cityCovington
Area
 • Total
164 sq mi (420 km2)
 • Land160 sq mi (400 km2)
 • Water4.1 sq mi (11 km2)  2.5%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
169,064
 • Estimate 
(2023)
171,321 Increase
 • Density1,000/sq mi (400/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district4th
Websitewww.kentoncounty.org

Kenton County is a county located in the northern part of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 169,064,[1] making it the third most populous county in Kentucky (behind Jefferson County and Fayette County). Its county seats are Covington and Independence.[2] It was, until November 24, 2010, the only county in Kentucky to have two legally recognized county seats. The county was formed in 1840 and is named for Simon Kenton, a frontiersman notable in the early history of the state.

Kenton County, with Boone and Campbell Counties, is part of the Northern Kentucky metro area, and is included in the Cincinnati-Middletown, OH-KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Kenton County was established on January 29, 1840, from land given by Campbell County. It was named in honor of Simon Kenton, a pioneer of Kentucky.[3][4]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 164 square miles (420 km2), of which 160 square miles (410 km2) is land and 4.1 square miles (11 km2) (2.5%) is water.[5] The county is located at the confluence of the Licking River and Ohio River, in the outer Bluegrass area of the Bluegrass region of the state. The elevation in the county ranges from 455 to 960 feet (139 to 293 m) above sea level.

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
185017,038—
186025,46749.5%
187036,09641.7%
188043,98321.9%
189054,16123.1%
190063,59117.4%
191070,35510.6%
192073,4534.4%
193093,53427.3%
194093,139−0.4%
1950104,25411.9%
1960120,70015.8%
1970129,4407.2%
1980137,0585.9%
1990142,0313.6%
2000151,4646.6%
2010159,7205.5%
2020169,0645.9%
2023 (est.)171,321[6]1.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9]
1990-2000[10] 2010-2020[1]

As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 151,464 people, 59,444 households, and 39,470 families living in the county. The population density was 935 per square mile (361/km2). There were 63,571 housing units at an average density of 392 per square mile (151/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 93.99% White, 3.84% Black or African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.59% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.41% from other races, and 1.00% from two or more races. 1.10% of the population were Hispanics or Latinos of any race.

There were 59,444 households, out of which 33.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.10% were married couples living together, 12.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.60% were non-families. 27.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.11.

The age distribution was 26.30% under 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 31.90% from 25 to 44, 21.40% from 45 to 64, and 11.10% who were 65 or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 96.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $43,906, and the median income for a family was $52,953. Males had a median income of $37,845 versus $27,253 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,085. About 7.10% of families and 9.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.00% of those under age 18 and 7.70% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Public schools

Historical marker for the county in Independence

Kenton County has five school districts providing education, from the extremely rural southern areas to the highly urbanized north. The districts are:[12]

Private schools

The Catholic educational system is as extensive as the public system.[citation needed] These schools are operated by the Diocese of Covington's Department of Schools. The Diocese runs 17 schools in Kenton County.

Higher education

Thomas More University is the only institute of higher learning wholly in the county itself. Northern Kentucky University had a Covington campus located at 1401 Dixie Highway until it closed at the end of 2008. NKU's main campus is not far from Kenton County – only about 4 miles from the Licking River. The Kentucky Community and Technical College System also operates the Gateway Community and Technical College. Classes are provided at GCTC locations in Boone County, Covington, Park Hills and Edgewood.

Libraries

Kenton County is served by a county library with branches in Covington, Erlanger, and Independence. The Erlanger Branch has grown to be the busiest branch library in the state of Kentucky.[13]

In 2008, Kenton County Public Library received the highest score of any Kentucky library ranked by Hennen's American Public Library Ratings.[14]

Communities

Cities

Unincorporated communities

Visalia and Latonia Lakes have been dissolved as cities within Kenton County.

Politics

United States presidential election results for Kenton County, Kentucky[15]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 48,444 59.63% 30,859 37.98% 1,938 2.39%
2020 48,129 58.55% 32,271 39.26% 1,798 2.19%
2016 42,958 59.67% 24,214 33.63% 4,826 6.70%
2012 41,389 61.13% 24,920 36.81% 1,395 2.06%
2008 40,714 59.69% 26,480 38.82% 1,019 1.49%
2004 43,664 65.05% 22,834 34.02% 625 0.93%
2000 35,363 62.87% 19,100 33.96% 1,786 3.18%
1996 28,579 54.77% 19,407 37.19% 4,194 8.04%
1992 27,261 51.31% 16,344 30.76% 9,530 17.94%
1988 30,738 67.12% 14,838 32.40% 217 0.47%
1984 34,304 69.66% 14,642 29.73% 299 0.61%
1980 25,965 56.16% 17,907 38.73% 2,360 5.10%
1976 22,087 52.99% 18,833 45.18% 760 1.82%
1972 28,076 66.66% 12,872 30.56% 1,173 2.78%
1968 17,263 43.64% 14,656 37.05% 7,638 19.31%
1964 15,630 40.29% 23,103 59.55% 62 0.16%
1960 21,857 52.89% 19,466 47.11% 0 0.00%
1956 20,895 57.93% 14,923 41.37% 252 0.70%
1952 19,200 49.60% 19,457 50.26% 52 0.13%
1948 10,771 35.07% 18,918 61.60% 1,022 3.33%
1944 12,654 41.85% 17,524 57.96% 58 0.19%
1940 13,147 40.47% 19,261 59.30% 74 0.23%
1936 8,885 25.63% 21,879 63.11% 3,903 11.26%
1932 11,202 32.69% 22,311 65.12% 750 2.19%
1928 21,043 53.56% 18,165 46.24% 77 0.20%
1924 13,537 44.33% 7,948 26.03% 9,054 29.65%
1920 11,411 39.72% 16,300 56.74% 1,019 3.55%
1916 5,267 32.55% 10,402 64.28% 514 3.18%
1912 2,512 18.26% 7,761 56.42% 3,482 25.31%
1908 6,431 40.76% 8,683 55.04% 663 4.20%
1904 6,306 48.14% 5,760 43.98% 1,032 7.88%
1900 5,650 42.58% 7,263 54.74% 355 2.68%
1896 6,165 46.28% 7,008 52.60% 149 1.12%
1892 3,494 36.61% 5,686 59.57% 365 3.82%
1888 3,994 39.98% 5,879 58.84% 118 1.18%
1884 3,459 42.92% 4,489 55.70% 111 1.38%
1880 2,980 40.43% 4,370 59.29% 20 0.27%

See also

References

  1. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 28, 2022.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ The Register of the Kentucky State Historical Society, Volume 1. Kentucky State Historical Society. 1903. pp. 35.
  4. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 173.
  5. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on August 12, 2014. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  6. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 14, 2024.
  7. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  9. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  10. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved August 17, 2014.
  11. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  12. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Kenton County, KY" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 26, 2022. Retrieved July 25, 2022. - Text list - For more detailed boundaries of the independent school districts see: "Appendix B: Maps Of Independent School Districts In Operation In FY 2014-FY 2015 Using 2005 Tax District Boundaries – Beechwood ISD/ Covington ISD / Erlanger-Elsmere ISD / Ludlow ISD" (PDF). Research Report No. 415 – Kentucky's Independent School Districts: A Primer. Frankfort, KY: Office of Education Accountability, Legislative Research Commission. September 15, 2015. pp. 91 (Beechwood), 100 (Covington), 107 (Erlanger-Elsemere), and 117 (Ludlow) (PDF p. 105, 114, 121, and 131/174). Archived (PDF) from the original on December 10, 2020.
  13. ^ "Kenton County Library website". February 25, 2010. Archived from the original on July 14, 2009.
  14. ^ Hennen Jr., Thomas J. (October 7, 2008). "Hennen's American Public Library Ratings: State HAPLR Scores: Kentucky". haplr-index.com. Archived from the original on December 11, 2008.
  15. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved July 3, 2018.

38°56′N 84°32′W / 38.93°N 84.54°W / 38.93; -84.54