Covington, Kentucky | |
|---|---|
 Downtown Covington skyline | |
 Seal | |
 Location of Covington in Kenton County, Kentucky | |
  Covington  Covington | |
| Coordinates:39°02′00″N84°31′00″W / 39.03333°N 84.51667°W /39.03333; -84.51667[1] | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Kentucky |
| County | Kenton |
| Founded | 1815 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Commission-City Manager |
| • Mayor | Ron Washington[2] |
| Area | |
• Total | 13.76 sq mi (35.63 km2) |
| • Land | 13.20 sq mi (34.18 km2) |
| • Water | 0.56 sq mi (1.45 km2) |
| Elevation | 719 ft (219 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 40,961 |
• Estimate (2024)[4] | 41,611 |
| • Density | 3,103.9/sq mi (1,198.42/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (EST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code | 41011-41012, 41014-41019 |
| Area code | 859 |
| FIPS code | 21-17848 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2404138[1] |
| Website | covingtonky.gov |
Covington is ahome rule-class city inKenton County, Kentucky, United States. It is located at the confluence of theOhio andLicking rivers, across fromCincinnati to the north andNewport to the east. It is the largest city inNorthern Kentucky and thefifth-most populous city in the state with a population of 40,691 at the2020 census.[5] Covington is part of theCincinnati metropolitan area and is one of Kenton County's twoseats, along withIndependence.[6]
In 1814, John Gano, Richard Gano, and Thomas Carneal purchased The Point, 150 acres (0.6 km2) of land on the west side of the Licking River at its confluence with the Ohio, from Thomas Kennedy for $50,000, and laid out the settlement of Covington the next year.[7] It was named in honor ofGen. Leonard Covington,[8] who was killed at theBattle of Crysler's Farm during theWar of 1812.[9] The town was formally incorporated by theKentucky General Assembly a year later[citation needed] and raised to city status in 1834.[9]
The city prospered as an emporium for Kentucky'stobacco andcigar production.[10] In 1862,Stewart Iron Works was established; for a time, it was the largest iron fence maker in the world and still exists today as part of the Huseman Group of Cincinnati. There were alsodistilleries,glassworks, andstove factories.[10] Like nearby Cincinnati, Covington's factories and businesses were particularly staffed byCatholic andGerman immigrants.[10] Its Catholic church was eventually raised to the level of adiocese.[9]
In 1880, the city was named thecenter of the country's population by theU.S. Census Bureau.[11]
By 1900, Covington was the second-largest city and industrial region in Kentucky.[9] At the time, its population of almost 43,000 was about 12% foreign-born and 5%Black.[9] By this time, it was connected to theChesapeake & Ohio andLouisville & Nashvillerailways, and companies offeredsteamboat service to other ports on the Ohio River.[9] Its factories had expanded to include cotton goods, machinery, andcordage.[9]
Covington even boasted aFederal Leaguebaseball team, theCovington Blue Sox, during the 1913 season. The present-day circuit courthouse is located at the site of its former grounds, Federal Park, which is thought to have been the smallest stadium ever used by a professional baseball club.
It declined in importance during theGreat Depression and the middle 20th century.[7] The city has undergone some redevelopment during the late 20th and early 21st centuries as the most populous city in Kenton County.
The Covington Police Department has been sued 14 times in federal court since 2021. with half of those lawsuits involving the conduct of a single officer, Doug Ullrich.[12]
The city is on the south bank of theOhio River withCincinnati, Ohio across the river to the north. TheLicking River forms the eastern boundary withNewport in the adjacentCampbell County.[13]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, Covington has a total area of 13.7 square miles (35 km2), of which 13.1 square miles (34 km2) is land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km2) (3.88%) is covered by water.
Covington claims 19 distinct neighborhoods,[14] ranging in population from several hundred to 10,000 people. Many of the neighborhoods are located in 12 historic districts that are predominantly found in the northern portion of the city, but Covington annexed many areas to the south in the late 20th and early 21st centuries to significantly enlarge its land area. Most of the neighborhoods have active resident associations or block watches that are dedicated to involving residents in strengthening their neighborhoods and improving safety, housing, and beautification.
Covington is located within a climatic transition zone; it is nestled within the southern end of thehumid continental climate zone and the northern periphery of thehumid subtropical climate of theUpland South, with hot, humid summers and cool winters. Evidence of both a humid subtropical and humid continental climate can be found here, particularly noticeable by the presence of plants indicative of each climatic region; for example, the southern magnolia(Magnolia grandiflora) from the subtropics and theblue spruce from cooler regions are successful landscape plants in and around Covington.
| Climate data for Cincinnati (Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Int'l), 1991–2020 normals,[a] extremes 1871–present[b] | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 77 (25) | 79 (26) | 88 (31) | 90 (32) | 95 (35) | 102 (39) | 108 (42) | 103 (39) | 102 (39) | 95 (35) | 82 (28) | 75 (24) | 108 (42) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 61.8 (16.6) | 66.1 (18.9) | 74.3 (23.5) | 81.1 (27.3) | 86.7 (30.4) | 91.6 (33.1) | 93.6 (34.2) | 93.2 (34.0) | 90.7 (32.6) | 82.9 (28.3) | 72.0 (22.2) | 63.8 (17.7) | 95.3 (35.2) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 39.6 (4.2) | 43.7 (6.5) | 53.5 (11.9) | 65.5 (18.6) | 74.5 (23.6) | 82.6 (28.1) | 86.0 (30.0) | 85.2 (29.6) | 78.9 (26.1) | 66.7 (19.3) | 53.8 (12.1) | 43.3 (6.3) | 64.4 (18.0) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 31.4 (−0.3) | 34.7 (1.5) | 43.6 (6.4) | 54.6 (12.6) | 64.1 (17.8) | 72.3 (22.4) | 75.9 (24.4) | 74.9 (23.8) | 68.1 (20.1) | 56.2 (13.4) | 44.4 (6.9) | 35.6 (2.0) | 54.7 (12.6) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 23.1 (−4.9) | 25.8 (−3.4) | 33.8 (1.0) | 43.7 (6.5) | 53.7 (12.1) | 62.1 (16.7) | 65.9 (18.8) | 64.6 (18.1) | 57.3 (14.1) | 45.7 (7.6) | 35.1 (1.7) | 27.9 (−2.3) | 44.9 (7.2) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | 0.1 (−17.7) | 6.5 (−14.2) | 14.8 (−9.6) | 26.7 (−2.9) | 36.6 (2.6) | 49.2 (9.6) | 55.9 (13.3) | 54.6 (12.6) | 42.5 (5.8) | 29.8 (−1.2) | 19.0 (−7.2) | 9.1 (−12.7) | −2.7 (−19.3) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −25 (−32) | −17 (−27) | −11 (−24) | 15 (−9) | 27 (−3) | 39 (4) | 47 (8) | 43 (6) | 31 (−1) | 16 (−9) | 0 (−18) | −20 (−29) | −25 (−32) |
| Averageprecipitation inches (mm) | 3.30 (84) | 3.17 (81) | 4.16 (106) | 4.53 (115) | 4.67 (119) | 4.75 (121) | 3.83 (97) | 3.43 (87) | 3.11 (79) | 3.35 (85) | 3.23 (82) | 3.73 (95) | 45.26 (1,150) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 7.7 (20) | 6.7 (17) | 3.4 (8.6) | 0.4 (1.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.2 (0.51) | 0.8 (2.0) | 4.1 (10) | 23.3 (59) |
| Average extreme snow depth inches (cm) | 3.5 (8.9) | 3.4 (8.6) | 2.0 (5.1) | 0.2 (0.51) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.0 (0.0) | 0.1 (0.25) | 0.4 (1.0) | 2.0 (5.1) | 6.0 (15) |
| Average precipitation days(≥ 0.01 in) | 13.2 | 12.0 | 12.5 | 13.1 | 13.5 | 11.8 | 11.0 | 8.9 | 8.3 | 8.7 | 10.3 | 12.4 | 135.7 |
| Average snowy days(≥ 0.1 in) | 6.7 | 5.9 | 2.7 | 0.6 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 1.1 | 4.6 | 21.7 |
| Averagerelative humidity (%) | 72.2 | 70.1 | 67.0 | 62.8 | 66.9 | 69.2 | 71.5 | 72.3 | 72.7 | 69.2 | 71.0 | 73.8 | 69.9 |
| Averagedew point °F (°C) | 19.9 (−6.7) | 22.5 (−5.3) | 31.3 (−0.4) | 39.6 (4.2) | 50.5 (10.3) | 59.7 (15.4) | 64.2 (17.9) | 63.0 (17.2) | 56.7 (13.7) | 43.7 (6.5) | 34.7 (1.5) | 25.5 (−3.6) | 42.6 (5.9) |
| Mean monthlysunshine hours | 120.8 | 128.4 | 170.1 | 211.0 | 249.9 | 275.5 | 277.0 | 261.5 | 234.4 | 188.8 | 118.7 | 99.3 | 2,335.4 |
| Percentagepossible sunshine | 40 | 43 | 46 | 53 | 56 | 62 | 61 | 62 | 63 | 55 | 39 | 34 | 52 |
| Averageultraviolet index | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
| Source 1:NOAA (relative humidity and sun 1961–1990)[15][16][17][18] | |||||||||||||
| Source 2: Weather Atlas (UV)[19] | |||||||||||||
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1830 | 743 | — | |
| 1840 | 2,026 | 172.7% | |
| 1850 | 9,408 | 364.4% | |
| 1860 | 16,471 | 75.1% | |
| 1870 | 24,505 | 48.8% | |
| 1880 | 29,720 | 21.3% | |
| 1890 | 37,371 | 25.7% | |
| 1900 | 42,938 | 14.9% | |
| 1910 | 53,270 | 24.1% | |
| 1920 | 57,121 | 7.2% | |
| 1930 | 65,252 | 14.2% | |
| 1940 | 62,018 | −5.0% | |
| 1950 | 64,452 | 3.9% | |
| 1960 | 60,376 | −6.3% | |
| 1970 | 52,535 | −13.0% | |
| 1980 | 49,585 | −5.6% | |
| 1990 | 43,264 | −12.7% | |
| 2000 | 43,370 | 0.2% | |
| 2010 | 40,640 | −6.3% | |
| 2020 | 40,961 | 0.8% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 41,611 | [4] | 1.6% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[20] | |||
As of the census of 2020, there were 40,691 people living in the city, for a population density of 3,103.81 people per square mile (1,198.42/km2). There were 20,576 housing units. The racial makeup of the city was 75.7%White, 11.6%Black orAfrican American, 0.5%Native American, 0.6%Asian, 0.1%Pacific Islander, 3.7% fromsome other race, and 7.8% from two or more races. 7.0% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race.[21]
There were 18,040 households, out of which 25.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 29.1% weremarried couples living together, 26.9% had a male householder with no spouse present, and 32.9% had a female householder with no spouse present. 38.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.8% were someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21, and the average family size was 2.99.[21]
21.6% of the city's population were under the age of 18, 65.0% were 18 to 64, and 13.4% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.9. For every 100 females, there were 104.9 males.[21]
According to the U.S. CensusAmerican Community Survey, for the period 2016-2020 the estimated median annual income for a household in the city was $47,917, and the median income for a family was $60,224. About 23.9% of the population were living below thepoverty line, including 37.9% of those under age 18 and 14.6% of those age 65 or over. About 61.8% of the population were employed.[21]
As of thecensus[22] of 2000, 43,370 people, 18,257 households, and 10,132 families resided in the city. The population density was 3,301.3 inhabitants per square mile (1,274.6/km2). The 20,448 housing units averaged 1,556.5 per square mile (600.8/km2). Theracial makeup of the city was 87.05% White, 10.14% African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.63% from other races, and 1.57% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 1.38% of the population.
Of the 18,257 households, 28.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.3% were married couples living together, 16.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.5% were not families; 36.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 3.08.
The age distribution was 25.9% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 33.3% from 25 to 44, 19.0% from 45 to 64, and 11.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $30,735, and the median income for a family was $38,307. Males had a median income of $31,238 versus $24,487 for females. Theper capita income for the city was $16,841. About 15.5% of families and 18.4% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 25.0% of those under age 18 and 13.4% of those age 65 or over.
Covington has some of the least expensive real estate in Kentucky; the median house price in Covington is around $95,430, while the median house price for Kentucky as a whole is $124,100.[23]
According to Covington's 2019 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,[24] the principal employers in the city are:
| # | Employer | # of Employees |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Internal Revenue Service - partially closed in 2019 | 3,951 |
| 2 | Fidelity Investments | 2,069 |
| 3 | Club Chef | 1,039 |
| 4 | Covington Board of Education | 914 |
| 5 | Crown Services Inc. | 524 |
| 6 | Rosedale Manor | 488 |
| 7 | State of Kentucky | 477 |
| 8 | St. Elizabeth Hospital | 408 |
| 9 | Diocese of Covington Board of Education | 403 |
| 10 | Atkins & Pearce Mftg | 339 |
In September 2025, the new four-story, OneNKY Center, office and lab facility had its grand opening. The main tenant being LifeSciKY, which will operate a, $15 million, 15,000-sq-ft facility specializing in biotech lab and incubator within the center. Beshear said, “With the opening of the center, we can support the many life sciences and biotech companies already in the region and welcome new innovators and startup companies to create more high-wage jobs and cutting-edge treatments right here in the commonwealth”.[25][26][27][28]
Covington has five churches listed on theNational Register of Historic Places.St. Mary's Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption is aminor basilica under theRoman Catholic Diocese of Covington. It was built in 1895 and is famous for what is said to be the world's largest handmade church stained glass window, at 67 ft × 24 ft (20.4 m × 7.3 m).[29][30] TheMother of God Roman Catholic Church is a historic German church built in 1869 and included in theMutter Gottes Historic District.[31] The church features twinrenaissance towers and murals by Vatican artist Johann Schmitt.St. Augustine Church Complex is another German parish constructed in 1913.[32]Holy Cross Church and School Complex-Latonia was constructed between 1906 and 1908 with the elementary school added in 1914, rectory in 1924, the high school in 1930 and the convent in 1941.[33]Trinity Episcopal Church was constructed between 1857 and 1859.
TheDaniel Carter Beard Boyhood Home is aNational Historic Landmark located in theRiverside Drive Historic District. The home was built in 1821 and is one of the two oldest buildings in Kenton County.Daniel Carter Beard, a founder of theBoy Scouts of America, grew up here in the mid-19th century.[34]
Public education within much of Covington is provided byCovington Independent Public Schools, the largestindependent school district in Kentucky.[35] Its high school,Holmes Junior/Senior High School, is the oldest public high school in the state.
Southern portions of the city are in theKenton County School District.[36]
TheRoman Catholic Diocese of Covington operates two high schools in the city,Covington Latin School andHoly Cross High School. Two Catholic high schools, the all-boys'Covington Catholic High School and all-girls'Notre Dame Academy, moved to neighboringPark Hills in the 1950s.Calvary Christian School, a Baptist school, is also located in Covington.
U.S. Route 25,Interstate 71 andInterstate 75 serve downtown Covington.
Bus transit is served by theTransit Authority of Northern Kentucky (TANK).[37]
Covington Union Station served Chesapeake and Ohio and Louisville and Nashville passenger trains into the 1960s. The final train making stops at the station was the L&N'sPan-American (Cincinnati-New Orleans) in 1971. The L&N'sHumming Bird (Cincinnati- Memphis and New Orleans) also served the station. C&O trains included theFast Flying Virginian,George Washington andSportsman. The C&O dropped Union Station from its trains' itineraries in 1966.
Covington is served byCincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), which is the largest airport in the state. The airport is one ofDHL Aviation's three superhubs, serving destinations throughout the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia, making it the seventh-busiest airport in the U.S. based on cargo operations.[38] CVG also serves as afocus city forAllegiant Air and is the airlines largest O&D airport. The airport additionally serves as an operating base forDelta Air Lines subsidiaryEndeavor Air and as a maintenance base forAmerican Airlines subsidiaryPSA Airlines.
The 1936 Licking River Bridge, the main connector between Covington and Newport, is scheduled to be torn down and replaced. Starting in the spring of 2026, the Licking River Bridge, will be demolished and rebuilt over a two-year construction period. The new bridge is expected to open in the summer of 2028. The 12th Street Bridge will temporarily become the main connector between Covington and Newport.[39][40][41]
The Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project, with funding settled in late 2022, will construct a new double-deck companion bridge to carry interstate through-traffic, while the existingBrent Spence Bridge will be reconfigured for local traffic only, through Cincinnati and Covington. Approximately eight miles of improved roadways spanning Kentucky and Ohio will be constructed. The total project cost is estimated at $3.6 billion, and a federal grant of $1.6 billion was awarded in late 2022 to the project, with the remaining cost evenly split between Ohio and Kentucky. Major construction is expected to begin in 2026. Beshear said there will be no tolls.[42][43]
In 1817, the Town of Covington created the position "Captain of Patrol", and assigned two "Patrollers" under his supervision. The patrol area included the Town and eight miles of surrounding territory. In 1833 the first full time Town Marshall was appointed. An act of the Kentucky General Assembly in 1834 incorporated Covington as a city, and in 1842, the City of Covington appointed its first "Police Commissioner". Covington City Ordinance created the "Voluntary Night Watch" in 1843, which consisted of seventy-one reputable persons invested with police authority. In 1856 a regular citizen's police force was established.[44] The department is staffed by 114 sworn officers, each assigned to one of 4 bureaus. There are substations, and a central headquarters.[45] The department maintains accreditation through the Kentucky Association of Chiefs of Police as well as theCommission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.[46]
The Covington Fire Department was created on June 30, 1864.[47] Since 1918, the Covington Fire Department has been represented by Covington Professional Firefighters Local 38, a member union of theInternational Association of Firefighters. Covington FD was a charter member of the IAFF.[48]
Municipalities and communities ofKenton County, Kentucky,United States | ||
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| Unincorporated communities | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties. | |
Great Lakes megalopolis as defined by theRPA | ||
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Includes all metropolitan areas that have a population of 150,000 or greater according to the most recent national census. | ||
| Great Lakes region cities |  | |
| Surrounding cities |
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| Cities of states south of region | ||
| Other metro-regions | ||
| International | |
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| Geographic | |
| Other | |
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