RANK #194 / 996 · POP 169,066 · KY
PROJECTED GROWTH: +2.1%
Kenton County, Kentucky, is distinguished by its dual county seats, Covington and Independence, a historical arrangement dating back to 1840. Situated in Northern Kentucky, it lies directly across the Ohio River from Cincinnati, Ohio, making it part of the Cincinnati metropolitan area. This proximity means a commute to downtown Cincinnati can be as short as 10-20 minutes during off-peak hours, though rush hour can extend this. The Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky (TANK) provides bus services, including express routes, connecting the county to Cincinnati. The county offers a mix of urban and suburban environments, with numerous parks like Devou Park in Covington, which provides views of the Cincinnati skyline and extensive trails for hiking and mountain biking.
Life in Kenton County appeals to families and young professionals, with a significant portion of residents owning their homes. The public school system is extensive, comprising five districts, including Kenton County Public Schools, which serves over 13,000 students. The local economy is diverse, with a notable increase in employment in warehousing and storage, and a strong presence of public sector, education, and healthcare jobs. Recent economic developments include investments in public amenities, such as a new county park in Independence, and funding for educational infrastructure, including a biomedical center in Covington.
Below national median
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 3.6x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Niagara Bottling Manufacturing Facility
Niagara Bottling
|
$130M | Planned |
|
Biomedical Center for Excellence / UK College of Medicine–NKY Campus & NKU Chase College of Law
Northern Kentucky Port Authority, University of Kentucky, Northern Kentucky University
|
$115M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Kenton County has a Boom Town Index score of 81/100, ranking #194 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +2.3% and a median household income of $76,016, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Kenton County is $207,700 with median rent at $961/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.366, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.5% year-over-year. Job growth: +2.3%. Home values changed +2.0% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 4.12% of Kenton County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.