Editing Kenton County, Kentucky

{{short description|County in Kentucky, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Kenton County
 | state                = Kentucky
 | seal                 = 
 | founded year         = 1840
 | founded date         = 
 | seat                 = [[Covington, Kentucky|Covington]] and [[Independence, Kentucky|Independence]]
 | largest city         = Covington
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 164
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 160
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 4.1
 | area percentage      = 2.5
 | census yr            = 2020
 | pop                  = 169064
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2024
 | population_est       = 174862 {{increase}}
 | density_sq_mi        = auto
 | time zone            = Eastern
 | footnotes            = 
 | leader_title         = Judge/Executive
 | leader_name          = [[Kris Knochelmann]] (R)
 | web                  = www.kentoncounty.org
 | named for            = [[Simon Kenton]]
 | ex image             = Kenton county courthouse.jpg
 | ex image cap         = Kenton County Courthouse in Independence
 | district             = 4th
}}

'''Kenton County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] located in the [[Northern Kentucky|northern]] part of the [[Kentucky|Commonwealth of Kentucky]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 169,064,<ref name=QF>{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/kentoncountykentucky/PST045221|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=June 28, 2022}}</ref> making it the [[List of counties in Kentucky|third most populous county]] in Kentucky (behind [[Jefferson County, Kentucky|Jefferson County]] and [[Fayette County, Kentucky|Fayette County]]). Its [[county seat]]s are [[Covington, Kentucky|Covington]] and [[Independence, Kentucky|Independence]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011 }}</ref> 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 County, Kentucky|Boone]] and [[Campbell County, Kentucky|Campbell]] Counties, is part of the [[Northern Kentucky]] metro area, and is included in the [[Cincinnati metropolitan area|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.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_luoxAQAAMAAJ | title=The Register of the Kentucky State Historical Society, Volume 1 | publisher=Kentucky State Historical Society | year=1903 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_luoxAQAAMAAJ/page/n116 35]}}</ref><ref>{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ | title=The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States | publisher=Govt. Print. Off. | author=Gannett, Henry | year=1905 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_9V1IAAAAMAAJ/page/n172 173]}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|164|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|160|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|4.1|sqmi}} (2.5%) is water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_21.txt |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812210847/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_21.txt |url-status=dead |archive-date=August 12, 2014 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=August 17, 2014 |date=August 22, 2012 |title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files }}</ref> The county is located at the [[confluence]] of the [[Licking River (Kentucky)|Licking River]] and [[Ohio River]], in the outer Bluegrass area of the [[Bluegrass region]] of the state. The elevation in the county ranges from {{convert|455|to|960|ft|m|0}} above sea level.

===Adjacent counties===
* [[Hamilton County, Ohio]]  (north)
* [[Campbell County, Kentucky|Campbell County]]  (east)
* [[Pendleton County, Kentucky|Pendleton County]]  (southeast)
* [[Grant County, Kentucky|Grant County]]  (southwest)
* [[Boone County, Kentucky|Boone County]]  (west)

===Major highways===
{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
* {{Jct|state=KY|I|71}}
* {{Jct|state=KY|I|75}}
* {{Jct|state=KY|I|275}}
* {{Jct|state=KY|US|25}}
* {{Jct|state=KY|US|42}}
* {{Jct|state=KY|US|127}}
* {{Jct|state=KY|KY|8}}
* {{Jct|state=KY|KY|14}}
* {{Jct|state=KY|KY|16}}
* {{Jct|state=KY|KY|17}}
* {{Jct|state=KY|KY|177}}
* {{Jct|state=KY|KY|236}}
* {{Jct|state=KY|KY|371}}
* {{Jct|state=KY|KY|536}}
* {{Jct|state=KY|KY|1072}}
* {{Jct|state=KY|KY|1303}}
* {{Jct|state=KY|KY|1486}}
* {{Jct|state=KY|KY|1829}}
* {{Jct|state=KY|KY|2042}}
* {{Jct|state=KY|KY|2043}}
* {{Jct|state=KY|KY|2046}}
{{div col end}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
| 1850 = 17038
| 1860 = 25467
| 1870 = 36096
| 1880 = 43983
| 1890 = 54161
| 1900 = 63591
| 1910 = 70355
| 1920 = 73453
| 1930 = 93534
| 1940 = 93139
| 1950 = 104254
| 1960 = 120700
| 1970 = 129440
| 1980 = 137058
| 1990 = 142031
| 2000 = 151464
| 2010 = 159720
| 2020 = 169064
| estyear = 2024
| estimate = 174862
| estref = <ref name="USCensusEst2024">{{Cite web |title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2024 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html|access-date=March 13, 2025 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref>
| align-fn = center
| footnote = U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 17, 2014}}</ref><br />1790-1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=August 17, 2014}}</ref> 1900-1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/ky190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 17, 2014}}</ref><br />1990-2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 17, 2014}}</ref> 2010-2020<ref name="QF"/>
}}

As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2000, there were 151,464 people, 59,444 households, and 39,470 families living in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|935|/sqmi|/km2}}. There were 63,571 housing units at an average density of {{convert|392|/sqmi|/km2}}. The racial makeup of the county was 93.99% [[White American|White]], 3.84% [[African American|Black or African American]], 0.15% [[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]], 0.59% [[Asian American|Asian]], 0.03% [[Pacific Islander American|Pacific Islander]], 0.41% from [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#Race|other races]], and 1.00% from [[Multiracial American|two or more races]]. 1.10% of the population were [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|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 [[Marriage|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===
[[Image:Kenton county marker.jpg|thumb|right|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:<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st21_ky/schooldistrict_maps/c21117_kenton/DC20SD_C21117.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220726014141/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st21_ky/schooldistrict_maps/c21117_kenton/DC20SD_C21117.pdf |archive-date=July 26, 2022 |url-status=live|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Kenton County, KY|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|accessdate=July 25, 2022}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st21_ky/schooldistrict_maps/c21117_kenton/DC20SD_C21117_SD2MS.txt Text list] - For more detailed boundaries of the independent school districts see: {{cite web|url=https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/lrc/publications/ResearchReports/RR415.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210175230/https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/lrc/publications/ResearchReports/RR415.pdf |archive-date=December 10, 2020 |url-status=live |title=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 |work=Research Report No. 415 – Kentucky's Independent School Districts: A Primer |publisher=Office of Education Accountability, Legislative Research Commission |location=Frankfort, KY |pages=91 (Beechwood), 100 (Covington), 107 (Erlanger-Elsemere), and 117 (Ludlow) (PDF p. 105, 114, 121, and 131/174)|date=September 15, 2015 }}</ref>
* [[Kenton County School District]]
* [[Covington Independent Public Schools]]
* [[Beechwood Independent School District]] (serves Fort Mitchell)
* [[Ludlow Independent Schools]]
* [[Erlanger-Elsmere Schools]]

===Private schools===
The Catholic educational system is as extensive as the public system.{{fact|date=August 2023}} 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 (Kentucky)|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, Kentucky|Boone County]], [[Covington, Kentucky|Covington]], [[Park Hills, Kentucky|Park Hills]] and [[Edgewood, Kentucky|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.<ref>{{cite web|title=Kenton County Library website |date=February 25, 2010 |url=http://www.kenton.lib.ky.us/aboutus/history/index.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090714043832/http://www.kenton.lib.ky.us/aboutus/history/index.html |archive-date=July 14, 2009 }}</ref>

In 2008, [[Kenton County Public Library]] received the highest score of any Kentucky library ranked by Hennen's American Public Library Ratings.<ref>{{cite web|title=Hennen's American Public Library Ratings: State HAPLR Scores: Kentucky |author=Hennen Jr., Thomas J. |work=haplr-index.com |date=October 7, 2008 |url=http://www.haplr-index.com/States%202008/ky.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081211005137/http://www.haplr-index.com/States%202008/ky.html |archive-date=December 11, 2008 }}</ref>

==Communities==
===Cities===
{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
* [[Bromley, Kentucky|Bromley]]
* [[Covington, Kentucky|Covington]] (county seat)
* [[Crescent Springs, Kentucky|Crescent Springs]]
* [[Crestview Hills, Kentucky|Crestview Hills]]
* [[Edgewood, Kentucky|Edgewood]]
* [[Elsmere, Kentucky|Elsmere]]
* [[Erlanger, Kentucky|Erlanger]]
* [[Fairview, Kenton County, Kentucky|Fairview]]
* [[Fort Mitchell, Kentucky|Fort Mitchell]]
* [[Fort Wright, Kentucky|Fort Wright]]
* [[Independence, Kentucky|Independence]] (county seat)
* [[Kenton Vale, Kentucky|Kenton Vale]]
* [[Lakeside Park, Kentucky|Lakeside Park]]
* [[Ludlow, Kentucky|Ludlow]]
* [[Park Hills, Kentucky|Park Hills]]
* [[Ryland Heights, Kentucky|Ryland Heights]]
* [[Taylor Mill, Kentucky|Taylor Mill]]
* [[Villa Hills, Kentucky|Villa Hills]]
* [[Walton, Kentucky|Walton]]
{{div col end}}

===Unincorporated communities===
* [[Atwood, Kentucky|Atwood]]
* [[Latonia Lakes, Kentucky|Latonia Lakes]]
* [[Nicholson, Kentucky|Nicholson]]
* [[Visalia, Kentucky|Visalia]]

[[Visalia, Kentucky|Visalia]] and [[Latonia Lakes]] have been dissolved as cities within Kenton County.

==Politics==
{{PresHead|place=Kenton County, Kentucky|source=<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=July 3, 2018}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|48,444|30,859|1,938|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|48,129|32,271|1,798|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|42,958|24,214|4,826|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|41,389|24,920|1,395|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|40,714|26,480|1,019|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|43,664|22,834|625|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|35,363|19,100|1,786|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|28,579|19,407|4,194|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|27,261|16,344|9,530|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|30,738|14,838|217|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|34,304|14,642|299|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|25,965|17,907|2,360|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|22,087|18,833|760|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|28,076|12,872|1,173|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|17,263|14,656|7,638|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|15,630|23,103|62|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|21,857|19,466|0|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|20,895|14,923|252|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1952|Democratic|19,200|19,457|52|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1948|Democratic|10,771|18,918|1,022|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|12,654|17,524|58|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|13,147|19,261|74|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|8,885|21,879|3,903|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|11,202|22,311|750|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|21,043|18,165|77|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|13,537|7,948|9,054|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1920|Democratic|11,411|16,300|1,019|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|5,267|10,402|514|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|2,512|7,761|3,482|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1908|Democratic|6,431|8,683|663|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|6,306|5,760|1,032|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1900|Democratic|5,650|7,263|355|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1896|Democratic|6,165|7,008|149|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1892|Democratic|3,494|5,686|365|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1888|Democratic|3,994|5,879|118|Kentucky}}
{{PresRow|1884|Democratic|3,459|4,489|111|Kentucky}}
{{PresFoot|1880|Democratic|2,980|4,370|20|Kentucky}}
The county is governed by a [[County judge/executive|Judge/Executive]] and a Fiscal Court, which together oversee the county’s operations and policies. The Judge/Executive serves as the chief executive and administrative officer, responsible for implementing policies, managing county services, and overseeing the budget. The Fiscal Court, composed of three county commissioners, functions as the legislative body, working alongside the Judge/Executive to pass ordinances, approve budgets, and make key decisions affecting the county. This structure ensures a balance of executive and legislative authority, guiding Kenton County’s development and public services.

The current Judge/Executive is [[Kris Knochelmann]], while the three county commissioners are Beth Sewell (District 1), Jon Draud (District 2) and Joe Nienaber Jr. (District 3).

The county voted "No" on [[2022 Kentucky Amendment 2]], an anti-abortion ballot measure, by 55% to 45%, and backed [[Donald Trump]] with 59% of the vote to [[Joe Biden]]'s 39% in the [[2020 United States presidential election|2020 presidential election]].<ref>{{cite web |title=November 8, 2022 - Official 2022 General Election Results |url=https://elect.ky.gov/results/2020-2029/Documents/2022%20General%20Election%20results.pdf |publisher=Commonwealth of Kentucky State Board of Elections |access-date=December 30, 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221224001202/https://elect.ky.gov/results/2020-2029/Documents/2022%20General%20Election%20results.pdf |archive-date=December 24, 2022}}</ref>

===Elected officials===
{| class=wikitable
|-
| colspan="3" |'''Elected officials as of January 3, 2025'''<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/Legislators/smembers_county.html |title=Senate Members - County |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= |website=apps.legislature.ky.gov |publisher=[[Kentucky General Assembly]] |access-date=January 3, 2025 |quote=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://apps.legislature.ky.gov/Legislators/hmembers_county.html |title=House Members - County |author=<!--Not stated--> |date= |website=apps.legislature.ky.gov |publisher=[[Kentucky General Assembly]] |access-date=January 3, 2025 |quote=}}</ref>
|- 
! scope=row|[[U.S. House]]
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Thomas Massie]] (R)
| {{party shading/Republican}}|{{ushr|KY|4|B}}
|- 
!rowspan=4 |[[Kentucky Senate|Ky. Senate]]
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Matt Nunn (politician)|Matt Nunn]] (R)
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Kentucky's 17th Senate district|17]]
|-
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Gex Williams]] (R)
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Kentucky's 20th Senate district|20]]
|-
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Christian McDaniel]] (R)
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Kentucky's 23rd Senate district|23]]
|-
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Shelley Funke Frommeyer]] (R)
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Kentucky's 24th Senate district|24]]
|- 
!rowspan=6 |[[Kentucky House of Representatives|Ky. House]]
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Savannah Maddox]] (R)
| {{party shading/Republican}}|61
|- 
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Kim Banta]] (R)
| {{party shading/Republican}}|63
|- 
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Kimberly Poore Moser]] (R)
| {{party shading/Republican}}|64
|- 
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Stephanie Dietz]] (R)
| {{party shading/Republican}}|65
|- 
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Steven Doan]] (R)
| {{party shading/Republican}}|69
|- 
| {{party shading/Republican}}|[[Mark Hart (politician)|Mark Hart]] (R)
| {{party shading/Republican}}|78
|}

==See also==
{{Portal|United States|Kentucky}}
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Kenton County, Kentucky]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
* [http://www.kentoncounty.org/ Kenton County government]

{{Kenton County, Kentucky}}
{{Kentucky}}

{{Coord|38.93|-84.54|display=title|type:adm2nd_region:US-KY_source:UScensus1990}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Kenton County, Kentucky| ]]
[[Category:Kentucky counties]]
[[Category:Kentucky counties on the Ohio River]]
[[Category:1840 establishments in Kentucky]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1840]]