County · Kentucky
Kenton County, Kentucky
Kenton County, Kentucky. Kenton County had 175,779 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 4.0% since 2020, faster than Kentucky (+2.2%). It holds 20 places (20 cities, villages and boroughs) and 44 census tracts. GEOID 21117.
Kenton County is one of the 15 counties of the Cincinnati, OH-KY-IN metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
175,779
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 169,064 · ACS 2020-2024: 171,288
Median household income
$80,548
±$2,918 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $63,726
Median home value
$244,400
±$4,423 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $205,600
Median gross rent
$1,069
±$30 (90% margin)
Kentucky: $967
How many people live in Kenton County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 169,064 residents in Kenton County. The Census Bureau estimates 175,779 for July 1, 2025, up 4.0% since 2020, faster than Kentucky (+2.2%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 171,288 over 160 square miles of land.
| Measure | Kenton County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 171,288 | 4,534,824 | +5,620 |
| Households | 67,367±577 | 1,814,469 | +3,401 |
| Average household size | 2.52±0.02 | 2.43 | −0.03 |
| Housing units | 73,221±56 | 2,023,116 | +3,560 |
Kenton County's population since 2000
From 151,464 in 2000 to 175,779 in 2025: up 16.1%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. 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); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Kenton County?
Kenton County holds 20 places: 20 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Covington with 41,847 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Covington | 40,961 | $61,166 |
|---|---|---|
| Independence | 28,676 | $102,361 |
| Erlanger | 19,611 | $75,840 |
| Elsmere | 9,159 | $60,503 |
| Fort Mitchell | 8,702 | $86,310 |
| Edgewood | 8,435 | $119,028 |
| Villa Hills | 7,310 | $107,859 |
| Taylor Mill | 6,873 | $88,546 |
| Fort Wright | 5,851 | $105,024 |
| Ludlow | 4,385 | $65,284 |
| Crescent Springs | 4,319 | $83,066 |
| Crestview Hills | 3,246 | $95,441 |
| Park Hills | 3,162 | $99,861 |
| Lakeside ParkGEOID 2143606 | 2,841 | $128,650 |
| Ryland Heights | 922 | $69,000 |
| Bromley | 724 | $71,000 |
| Walton | 5,460 | $77,917 |
| Fairview, Kenton CountyGEOID 2126236 | 144 | $56,250 |
| Kenton ValeGEOID 2142094 | 105 | $63,021 |
| Crittenden | 4,023 | $57,283 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Kenton County?
The median resident of Kenton County is 37.7 years old; 23.3% are under 18 and 15.7% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 85.2%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 4.9%. 4.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Kenton County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.7±0.2 | 39.1 | +0.6 |
| Under 18 years | 23.3%±0.1 pts | 22.6% | – |
| 65 years and over | 15.7%±0.1 pts | 17.3% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 4.9% | 5.0% | +1.7 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 85.2%±0.3 pts | 81.5% | −3.3 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 3.9%±0.3 pts | 7.6% | −0.7 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.1%±0.2 pts | 1.6% | 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 | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.4%±0.4 pts | 3.9% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 4.1%±0.4 pts | 4.7% | +0.8 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 5.5%±0.6 pts | 6.8% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.7%±0.5 pts | 6.5% | – |
| With a disability | 13.7%±0.7 pts | 17.9% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 4.7%±0.5 pts | 6.0% | −0.9 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 92.9%±0.8 pts | 88.9% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 37.4%±1.4 pts | 27.6% | +5.7 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 13.2%±0.8 pts | 11.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.6%±0.4 pts | 2.4% | – |
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 Kenton County earn?
Half of Kenton County's 67,367 households earn less than $80,548 a year (±$2,918), against $63,726 in Kentucky. In 2015-2019 it was $79,182 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 11.8% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Kenton County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $80,548±$2,918 | $63,726 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $108,303±$3,337 | $87,807 | – |
| Per capita income | $43,733±$1,399 | $35,821 | +$2,714 |
| People below the poverty line | 11.8%±1.1 pts | 16.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 17.2%±2.6 pts | 20.3% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 7.2%±0.7 pts | 13.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 92.0%±0.9 pts | 88.6% | – |
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 Kenton County?
Owners occupy 70.7% of Kenton County's occupied homes and renters 29.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $244,400 by its owner (±$4,423). The median renter pays $1,069 a month including utilities, and 35.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Kenton County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $244,400±$4,423 | $205,600 | +$46,135 |
| Median gross rent | $1,069±$30 | $967 | +$71 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 35.7%±3.0 pts | 36.6% | +4.7 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,584±$30 | $1,433 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 70.7%±1.3 pts | 68.3% | +4.6 pts |
| Housing units | 73,221±56 | 2,023,116 | +3,560 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.4%±0.4 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 6.3%±1.4 pts | 4.6% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 67.9%±1.3 pts | 67.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 1.9%±0.4 pts | 10.7% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.3%±0.4 pts | 1.8% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 19.8%±1.0 pts | 9.0% | – |
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 Kenton County building?
Builders took permits for 681 new housing units across Kenton County in 2025 (412 single-family), 3.9 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Kenton County get to work?
75.0% of Kenton County's workers drive alone and 14.1% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.3%.
| Measure | Kenton County | Kentucky | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 68.4%±0.9 pts | 59.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.3%±0.5 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 75.0%±1.3 pts | 76.6% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.1%±0.9 pts | 9.3% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.9%±0.3 pts | 0.6% | – |
| Walked | 1.3%±0.3 pts | 2.0% | – |
| Worked from home | 14.1%±1.1 pts | 10.2% | +10.3 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.3 min±0.4 | 24.0 min | −1.4 min |
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 are Kenton County's census tracts?
Kenton County is divided into 44 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $31,094 (Tract 651) to $130,938 (Tract 668.02).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Kenton County compare with Kentucky's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 3rd of 120 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 33rd of 120 |
| Residents per square mile | 3rd of 120 |
| Median household income | 8th of 120 |
| Median home value | 13th of 120 |
| Median gross rent | 9th of 120 |
| Poverty rate | 105th of 120 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 5th of 120 |
| Median age | 108th of 120 |
Source: PlainCities ranks 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 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 Kenton County 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' school search.