City profile · Kentucky · Census ACS 2023

Covington, KY

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Covington - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

40,902
Residents
$58,814
Median income
$167,900
Median home
$1,353
Median rent (state)

Covington - the verdict

Covington ranks in the 33rd percentile for household income and the 34th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

33rd
percentile, household income
33rd
percentile, home value
50th
percentile, median rent
34th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Covington, KY

40,902 people live in Covington, Kentucky - a small city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Covington brings in $58,814 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 15.6%. Covington's housing stock carries a median value of $167,900, and the median resident age is 37.6 years. About 32.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 63.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 158 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Active). Crime here tracks close to the national norm: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 1922.7 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, near the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Kentucky run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Kentucky scores 90.2 (Well Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,353 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Kentucky's average monthly utility costs around $225 (state average). Natural-hazard exposure scores 77.4 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (High).

Population

40,902 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Kentucky

Median Household Income

$58,814 /yr

Poverty 15.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

90.2 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Kentucky average

How does Covington compare to other US cities?

Covington measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 33% higher than other cities
Home value 33% pricier than other cities
Median rent 50% pricier than other cities
Safety 34% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Kentucky, Covington ranks #153 of 181 Kentucky cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Covington's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Kentucky, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

33rdIncome percentile
34thSafety percentile

33rd percentile nationally for median household income · 34th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Covington's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Covington's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 42 Avg. percentile National median
Covington's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Covington's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$167,900 Among the most affordable more affordable than 67% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Covington $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Covington, KY Covington, KY's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Covington, KY-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Covington, KY median $58,814/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Covington, KY's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Covington, KY. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 32.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 15.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 63.9%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
40,902
Median Income
$58,814
Median Home Value
$167,900
Median Age
37.6
Poverty Rate
15.6%
Labor force participation
63.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
32.0%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1922.7
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
287.9
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1634.8
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
13
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
40,500 residents41,000 residents41,500 residents42,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 40,948 residents 41,847 residents ▲ +2.2%
Covington's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

🏗️ Active
Total Permits (2024)
158
housing units authorized
Single-Family
51
detached homes
Multifamily
107
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
3.9
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 0
2020 0
2021 230
2022 85
2023 48
2024 158

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
70.9%
Carpool
6.1%
Public Transit
3.6%
Walk
3.3%
Work from Home
12.8%
Other
3.3%

Based on 20,797 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Kentucky - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$115
avg/month
Natural Gas
$70
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$40
avg/month
Total Utilities
$225
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Kentucky state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Kentucky state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Covington sits in

Cost of Living Index
90.2
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,353/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
77.4 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Kentucky

Georgetown
38,206 people
Richmond
35,498 people
Florence
32,334 people
Elizabethtown
31,870 people
Nicholasville
31,625 people
Hopkinsville
31,011 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Covington's 40,902 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Lancaster, OH
40,902 people
Lynnwood, WA
40,953 people
Mount Juliet, TN
40,828 people
Friendswood, TX
40,827 people
Maplewood, MN
40,981 people
Germantown, TN
40,812 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Covington's $58,814 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Atwood, CO
$58,816 median income
Hallowell, ME
$58,811 median income
Loudon, TN
$58,810 median income
Glasco, NY
$58,808 median income
Midway CDP (Seminole County), FL
$58,821 median income
Wellington, UT
$58,807 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Covington, KY Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Covington, KY - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 76.2% 9.4% 7.7% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 9.2% White 76.2% Black or African American 9.4% Asian 1.2% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.3% Some other race 5.0% Two or more races 7.7% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Covington compares to nearby Kentucky cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Covington (this city) 40,902 $58,814
Georgetown 38,206 $78,373
Richmond 35,498 $48,223
Florence 32,334 $68,508
Census ACS 5-year FIPS KY FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Covington, KY?

What is the population of Covington, KY? +

40,902 people live in Covington, KY according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Covington, KY? +

The median household income in Covington is $58,814 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Covington? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Covington; the closest available measure is the Kentucky state average, a cost of living index of 90.2 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Kentucky vary by metro area.

Is Covington, KY safe? +

Covington has a total crime rate of 1922.7 per 100,000 residents, which is near the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Covington, KY? +

The median home value in Covington is $167,900, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities Editorial

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.