Covington, Kentucky | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 39°02′00″N84°31′00″W / 39.03333°N 84.51667°W [1] | |
Country | United States |
State | Kentucky |
County | Kenton |
Founded | 1815 |
Government | |
• Type | Commission-City Manager |
• Mayor | Joseph U. Meyer (D) [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 |
40,956 | |
• Density | 3,103.81/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 a home rule-class city in Kenton County, Kentucky, United States. Located at the confluence of the Ohio and Licking rivers, it lies south of Cincinnati, Ohio, across the Ohio and west of Newport, Kentucky, across the Licking. It had a population of 40,691 at the 2020 census, making it the largest city in Northern Kentucky and the fifth-most populous city in the state. [5] A part of the Cincinnati metropolitan area, it is one of Kenton County's two seats, along with Independence. [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 of Gen. Leonard Covington, [8] who was killed at the Battle of Crysler's Farm during the War of 1812. [9] The town was formally incorporated by the Kentucky General Assembly a year later[ citation needed ] and raised to city status in 1834. [9]
The city prospered as an emporium for Kentucky's tobacco and cigar 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 also distilleries, glassworks, and stove factories. [10] Like nearby Cincinnati, Covington's factories and businesses were particularly staffed by Catholic and German immigrants. [10] Its Catholic church was eventually raised to the level of a diocese. [9]
In 1880, the city was named the center of the country's population by the U.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 the Chesapeake & Ohio and Louisville & Nashville railways, and companies offered steamboat service to other ports on the Ohio River. [9] Its factories had expanded to include cotton goods, machinery, and cordage. [9]
Covington even boasted a Federal League baseball team, the Covington 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 the Great 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 city is on the south bank of the Ohio River with Cincinnati, Ohio across the river to the north. The Licking River forms the eastern boundary with Newport in the adjacent Campbell County. [12]
According to the United 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, [13] 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 the humid continental climate zone and the northern periphery of the humid subtropical climate of the Upland 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 the blue 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] | |||||||||||||
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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) |
Average precipitation 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 |
Average relative 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 |
Average dew 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 monthly sunshine 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 |
Percent possible sunshine | 40 | 43 | 46 | 53 | 56 | 62 | 61 | 62 | 63 | 55 | 39 | 34 | 52 |
Average ultraviolet index | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
Source 1: NOAA (relative humidity and sun 1961–1990) [14] [15] [16] [17] | |||||||||||||
Source 2: Weather Atlas (UV) [18] |
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% | |
2022 (est.) | 40,956 | [19] | 0.0% |
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 or African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 3.7% from some other race, and 7.8% from two or more races. 7.0% of the population were Hispanic or Latino 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% were married 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. Census American 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 the poverty 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 the census [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). The racial 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. The per capita income for the city was $16,841. About 15.5% of families and 18.4% of the population were below the poverty 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 |
Public education within much of Covington is provided by Covington Independent Public Schools, the largest independent school district in Kentucky. [25] Its high school, Holmes Junior/Senior High School, is the oldest public high school in the state.
Southern portions of the city are in the Kenton County School District. [26]
The Roman Catholic Diocese of Covington operates two high schools in the city, Covington Latin School and Holy Cross High School. Two Catholic high schools, the all-boys' Covington Catholic High School and all-girls' Notre Dame Academy, moved to neighboring Park Hills in the 1950s. Calvary Christian School, a Baptist school, is also located in Covington.
U.S. Route 25, Interstate 71 and Interstate 75 serve downtown Covington.
Bus transit is served by the Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky (TANK). [27]
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's Pan-American (Cincinnati-New Orleans) in 1971. The L&N's Humming Bird (Cincinnati- Memphis and New Orleans) also served the station. C&O trains included the Fast Flying Virginian, George Washington and Sportsman. The C&O dropped Union Station from its trains' itineraries in 1966.
Covington is served by Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), which is the largest airport in the state. The airport is one of DHL 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. [28] CVG also serves as a focus city for Allegiant Air and is the airlines largest O&D airport. The airport additionally serves as an operating base for Delta Air Lines subsidiary Endeavor Air and as a maintenance base for American Airlines subsidiary PSA Airlines.
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. [29] The department is staffed by 114 sworn officers, each assigned to one of 4 bureaus. There are substations, and a central headquarters. [30] The department maintains accreditation through the Kentucky Association of Chiefs of Police as well as the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies. [31]
The Covington Fire Department was created on June 30, 1864. [32] Since 1918, the Covington Fire Department has been represented by Covington Professional Firefighters Local 38, a member union of the International Association of Firefighters. Covington FD was a charter member of the IAFF. [33]
Pendleton County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 14,644. Its county seat is Falmouth. The county was founded December 13, 1798. Pendleton County is included in the Cincinnati-Middletown, OH-KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Kenton County is a county located in the northern part of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 169,064, making it the third most populous county in Kentucky. Its county seats are Covington and Independence. It was, until November 24, 2010, the only county in Kentucky to have two legally recognized county seats. The county was formed in 1840 and is named for Simon Kenton, a frontiersman notable in the early history of the state.
Campbell County is a county located in the northern part of the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 93,076. Its county seats are Alexandria and Newport. The county was formed on December 17, 1794, from sections of Scott, Harrison, and Mason Counties and was named for Colonel John Campbell (1735–1799), a Revolutionary War soldier and Kentucky legislator. Campbell County, with Boone and Kenton Counties, is part of the Northern Kentucky metro community, and the Cincinnati-Middletown, OH-KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Boone County is a county located on the Ohio River in the northernmost part of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. As of the 2020 census, the population was 135,968, making it the fourth-most populous county in Kentucky. Its county seat is Burlington. The county was formed in 1798 from a portion of Campbell County and was named for frontiersman Daniel Boone. Boone County, with Kenton and Campbell Counties, is of the Northern Kentucky metro area, and the Cincinnati-Middletown, OH-KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is the location of the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, which serves Cincinnati and the tri-state area.
Alexandria is a home rule-class city in Campbell County, Kentucky, in the United States. Along with Newport, it is one of the dual seats of the county. The population was 10,341 at the 2020 census.
Cold Spring is a home rule-class city in Campbell County, Kentucky, in the United States. The population was 6,216 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Cincinnati-Northern Kentucky metropolitan area.
Newport is a home rule-class city at the confluence of the Ohio and Licking rivers in Campbell County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 14,150 at the 2020 census. Historically, it was one of four county seats of Campbell County. Newport is a major urban center of Northern Kentucky and is part of the Cincinnati metropolitan area.
Cynthiana is a home rule-class city in Harrison County, Kentucky, in the United States. The population was 6,402 at the 2010 census. It is the seat of its county.
Bromley is a home rule-class city in Kenton County, Kentucky, United States, along the Ohio River. The population was 724 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Cincinnati metropolitan area.
Edgewood is a home rule–class city in Kenton County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 8,435 at the 2020 census. It was named for an early homestead in Walker Estates.
Erlanger is a home rule-class city in Kenton County, Kentucky, United States. It had a 2020 census population of 19,611. Erlanger is part of the Cincinnati-Middletown, OH-KY-IN Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Fairview is a home rule-class city in Kenton County, Kentucky, United States. The city is a suburb of Cincinnati. It was incorporated by the state assembly in 1957 to avoid annexation by Covington. The population was 144 at the 2020 census.
Fort Wright is a home rule-class city in Kenton County, Kentucky, in the United States. The population was 5,851 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Cincinnati metropolitan area.
Independence is a home rule-class city in Kenton County, Kentucky, United States. It is one of its county's two seats of government. The population was 28,676 at the time of the 2020 census. It is the third largest city in Northern Kentucky after Covington and Florence, and is part of the Cincinnati metropolitan area.
Kenton Vale is a home rule-class city in Kenton County, Kentucky, in the United States. The population was 105 at the 2020 census.
Lakeside Park is a home rule-class city in Kenton County, Kentucky, United States. As of the 2020 census, the city had a total population of 2,841. It is a suburb in the Cincinnati metropolitan area.
Ludlow is a home rule-class city in Kenton County, Kentucky, United States, along the Ohio River. The population was 4,385 at the 2020 census. It is a suburb of the Cincinnati metropolitan area. It received its greatest period of early growth as a rail station.
Park Hills is a home rule-class city in Kenton County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 3,162 at the 2020 census. It is a suburb of the Cincinnati metropolitan area. Much of the city was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2008 as the Park Hills Historic District.
Taylor Mill is a home rule-class city in Kenton County, Kentucky, in the United States. The population was 6,873 at the 2020 census.
Walton is a home rule-class city in Boone and Kenton counties in the U.S. state of Kentucky. The population was 5,460 at the 2020 census.