Northern Kentucky is an urban area in theU.S. Commonwealth ofKentucky consisting of the southern part of theCincinnati metropolitan area. The three main counties of the area areBoone,Kenton, andCampbell, all along theOhio River across fromCincinnati, Ohio. Other counties frequently included in Northern Kentucky includeBracken,Grant,Gallatin andPendleton. Of Greater Cincinnati's over two million residents, over 450,000 of them live in Northern Kentucky as of 2020, primarily in the northernmost counties. The largest cities in the region areCovington,Florence, andIndependence.[1]
Historically,Trimble,Mason, andLewis Counties have also been included in the broader definition of Northern Kentucky. On July 17, 2019, Brent Cooper, a member of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, called for the Northern Kentucky community to consider reuniting three counties (Boone, Kenton, and Campbell) into one county to better reflect the region's common identity and strengthen its political voice and economic marketability.[2]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1950 | 225,353 | — | |
| 1960 | 261,191 | 15.9% | |
| 1970 | 282,257 | 8.1% | |
| 1980 | 302,583 | 7.2% | |
| 1990 | 315,390 | 4.2% | |
| 2000 | 362,741 | 15.0% | |
| 2010 | 425,503 | 17.3% | |
| 2020 | 454,783 | 6.9% | |
| data source:[3] | |||
The area was served byferry service across the Ohio River until the completion of theJohn A. Roebling Suspension Bridge (prototype of the famousBrooklyn Bridge) in 1866.
Beginning in the 1970s, many factors combined to create major growth. The proximity to Cincinnati, the completion ofI-75, the nexus of rail service and river traffic, the creation of several industrial parks, and the growth ofCincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) (located nearHebron in northeastern Boone County near the Kenton County line) drew many industries into the area. Its geographically central location (within 800 miles [1,300 km] of 80% of the US population) makes it ideal for distribution centers, and those shipping all over the country.
In addition to location, the Northern Kentucky area hosts several organizations that strive to enhance the quality of life and the local economy. The primary airport (CVG) servingCincinnati is located in Northern Kentucky.[4]
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Northern Kentucky is located within a climatic transition zone and is at the extreme northern limit of thehumid subtropical climate. Evidence of both humid subtropical climate andhumid continental climate can be found here, particularly noticeable by the presence of plants indicative of each climatic region; for example, thesouthern magnolia, andcrape myrtle, from the subtropics and theblue spruce,maple, andeastern hemlock from cooler regions are successful landscape plants in and around Northern Kentucky. Some significant moderating variables for the overall climate of Northern Kentucky include the Ohio River, the region's relatively large hills and valleys, and an urban heat influence due to the proximity of the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky metropolitan area. Thecommon wall lizard, introduced from Italy in the 1950s, is an example of fauna in the area that lends a subtropical ambiance to areas near the urban core of Cincinnati. Even though Kentucky as a whole is firmly considered Southern and part of the Upper South. Northern Kentucky is considered to be within the periphery of theUpper South andMidwest.
Northern Kentucky contributes many attractions to the Greater Cincinnati community. Beyond the shops, restaurants, and riverside views of Cincinnati's skyline, some of the more well-known attractions are The Florence Speedway, MainStrasse Village,Newport on the Levee (including theNewport Aquarium), and theWorld Peace Bell. There are also several community playhouses and music venues, along with community parks, arboretums, and museums. Campbell County has some wineries.
Religious attractions of Northern Kentucky range from the historic churches of the older river cities, including theSt. Mary's Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption and Mother of God Church, both inCovington, to theArk Encounter inWilliamstown, south in Grant County. Florence is home to the Islamic Center of Northern Kentucky.
Northern Kentucky has several schools of higher education, includingGateway Community and Technical College,Northern Kentucky University, andThomas More University.
