City · Kentucky
Independence, Kentucky
Independence, city, in Kenton County, Kentucky. Independence had 30,198 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 5.2% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 28,676 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 29,392 (±88). GEOID 2139142.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
30,198
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 28,676 · ACS 2020-2024: 29,392 ±88
Median household income
$102,361
±$8,284 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $63,726
Median home value
$263,700
±$10,671 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $205,600
Median gross rent
$1,250
±$120 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $967
Where is Independence and what county is it in?
Independence is a city in Kenton County, Kentucky. It covers 17.7 square miles of land, 1,617 residents per square mile in 2020.
Independence is in the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 15 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Independence, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 30,198 people lived in Independence on July 1, 2025, up 5.2% since 2020, faster than Kentucky (+2.2%). The 2020 Census counted 28,676 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 29,392 (±88).
| Measure | Independence | Kenton County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 29,392 ±88 | 171,288 | +1,709 |
| Households | 9,813 ±330 | 67,367 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 3.00 ±0.10 | 2.52 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 10,008 ±343 | 73,221 | no clear change |
Independence's population since 2000
From 14,982 in 2000 to 30,198 in 2025: up 101.6%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Independence as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Independence?
The median resident of Independence is 33.7 years old; 27.9% are under 18 and 10.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 91.4%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 3.3%. 3.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Independence | Kenton County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 33.7 ±1.5 | 37.7 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 27.9% ±1.8 pts | 23.3% | – |
| 65 years and over | 10.7% ±1.3 pts | 15.7% | – |
| Male | 49.9% ±1.7 pts | 49.8% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.5% ±1.0 pts | 4.9% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 91.4% ±1.8 pts | 85.2% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.5% ±0.8 pts | 3.9% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.0% ±0.5 pts | 1.1% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.3% ±1.1 pts | 4.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3% ±0.3 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.1% ±0.9 pts | 4.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.9% ±1.6 pts | 5.5% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.9% ±1.2 pts | 5.7% | – |
| With a disability | 11.3% ±1.8 pts | 13.7% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 3.8% ±1.0 pts | 4.7% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.9% ±1.7 pts | 92.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 36.4% ±3.5 pts | 37.4% | +7.9 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 11.2% ±1.8 pts | 13.2% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 92.9% ±1.8 pts | 88.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.4% ±0.8 pts | 2.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Independence earn?
Half of Independence's 9,813 households earn less than $102,361 a year (±$8,284), against $80,548 in Kenton County and $63,726 in Kentucky. In 2015-2019 it was $100,495 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 8.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Independence | Kenton County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $102,361 ±$8,284 | $80,548 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $114,830 ±$6,280 | $108,303 | – |
| Per capita income | $39,714 ±$2,341 | $43,733 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 8.8% ±2.9 pts | 11.8% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 12.9% ±6.3 pts | 17.2% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 5.5% ±2.2 pts | 7.2% | – |
| Households with a computer | 99.1% ±0.6 pts | 95.8% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 96.6% ±1.5 pts | 92.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Independence?
Owners occupy 83.8% of Independence's occupied homes and renters 16.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $263,700 by its owner (±$10,671). The median renter pays $1,250 a month including utilities, and 33.2% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Independence | Kenton County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $263,700 ±$10,671 | $244,400 | +$50,421 |
| Median gross rent | $1,250 ±$120 | $1,069 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 33.2% ±11.1 pts | 35.7% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,666 ±$61 | $1,584 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 83.8% ±2.8 pts | 70.7% | +4.3 pts |
| Renter-occupied homes | 16.2% ±2.8 pts | 29.3% | – |
| Housing units | 10,008 ±343 | 73,221 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.1% ±0.2 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.0% ±2.3 pts | 6.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 85.1% ±2.6 pts | 67.9% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.4% ±0.4 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 5.8% ±2.4 pts | 2.3% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 11.1% ±2.2 pts | 6.2% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 2.3% ±1.2 pts | 19.8% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 2.2% ±0.9 pts | 6.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Independence building?
Builders took permits for 77 new housing units in Independence in 2025 (70 in single-family houses), 2.5 per 1,000 residents against 3.2 across Kentucky.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Independence work and get to work?
78.7% of Independence's workers drive alone and 13.6% work from home. The average trip to work takes 27.2 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.3%.
| Measure | Independence | Kenton County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 72.6% ±2.7 pts | 68.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.3% ±1.1 pts | 4.3% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 78.7% ±2.5 pts | 75.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 5.5% ±1.7 pts | 7.1% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2% ±0.2 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Walked | 0.4% ±0.4 pts | 1.3% | – |
| Worked from home | 13.6% ±2.0 pts | 14.1% | +10.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 27.2 min ±1.7 | 22.3 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Independence?
5 census tracts lie mostly in Independence, and 4 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $74,366 (Tract 636.04) to $130,938 (Tract 668.02).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 636.04Kenton County | 6,925 | $74,366 |
| Tract 636.10Kenton County | 6,420 | $103,114 |
| Tract 668.02Kenton County | 5,042 | $130,938 |
| Tract 636.06Kenton County | 4,781 | $112,813 |
| Tract 636.09Kenton County | 6,388 | $106,201 |
| Tract 658Kenton County | 3,642 | $104,387 |
| Tract 636.08Kenton County | 7,835 | $92,847 |
| Tract 636.07Kenton County | 2,663 | $60,612 |
| Tract 637.02Kenton County | 4,214 | $82,422 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Independence) · Census block assignment files
How does Independence compare with other places in Kentucky?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Independence is the 1,355th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 12th-most populous of 418 in Kentucky.
Independence ranks 27th of 230 places in Kentucky with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 12th | 418 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 36th | 204 |
| Residents per square mile | 64th | 232 |
| Median household income | 27th | 230 |
| Per capita income | 56th | 232 |
| Median home value | 47th | 225 |
| Median gross rent | 34th | 217 |
| Poverty rate | 178th | 203 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 55th | 223 |
| Median age | 194th | 232 |
| Owner-occupied share | 31st | 229 |
| Work from home | 52nd | 130 |
| Travel time to work | 33rd | 232 |
Independence's figures with every place in Kentucky (CSV)
Every place in Kentucky, sortable · Compare Independence with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Independence?
8 of the 57 figures for Independence on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Independence are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Independence.