Northern Kentucky

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Map of Northern Kentucky, showing the three core counties of the region in red and other parts of the region in pink Map of Kentucky highlighting Northern Kentucky.png
Map of Northern Kentucky, showing the three core counties of the region in red and other parts of the region in pink

Northern Kentucky is an urban area in the U.S. Commonwealth of Kentucky compromising the southern part of the Cincinnati metropolitan area. The three main counties of the area are Boone, Kenton, and Campbell, all along the Ohio River across from Cincinnati, Ohio. Other counties frequently included in Northern Kentucky include Bracken, Grant, Gallatin and Pendleton. 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 are Covington, Florence, and Independence. [1]

Contents

Covington skyline from Cincinnati, 2019 Covington Skyline 2019.jpg
Covington skyline from Cincinnati, 2019

Historically, Trimble, Mason, and Lewis County 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]

History

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1950 225,353
1960 261,19115.9%
1970 282,2578.1%
1980 302,5837.2%
1990 315,3904.2%
2000 362,74115.0%
2010 425,50317.3%
2020 454,7836.9%
data source: [3]

The area was served by ferry service across the Ohio River until the completion of the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge (prototype of the famous Brooklyn Bridge) in 1866, whereupon land values in the areas near the river quadrupled overnight.

Beginning in the 1970s, many factors combined to create major growth. The proximity to Cincinnati, the completion of I-75, the nexus of rail service and river traffic, the creation of several industrial parks, and the growth of Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) (located near Hebron 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) serving Cincinnati is located in Northern Kentucky. [4]

Plane at CVG-Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky's International Airport N578RP (6089839663).jpg
Plane at CVG-Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky's International Airport

Climate

Northern Kentucky is located within a climatic transition zone and is at the extreme northern limit of the humid subtropical climate. Evidence of both humid subtropical climate 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, and crape myrtle, from the subtropics and the blue spruce, maple, and eastern 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. The common 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 the Upper South and Midwest.

Attractions

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 the Newport Aquarium), and the World 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 the St. Mary's Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption and Mother of God Church, both in Covington, to the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, south in Grant County. Florence is home to the Islamic Center of Northern Kentucky.

Education

Northern Kentucky has several schools of higher education, including Gateway Community and Technical College, Northern Kentucky University, and Thomas More University.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kenton County, Kentucky</span> County in Kentucky, United States

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Campbell County, Kentucky</span> County in Kentucky, United States

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Boone County, Kentucky</span> County in Kentucky, United States

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Burlington, Kentucky</span> Census-designated place in Boone County, Kentucky, United States

Burlington is a census-designated place (CDP) in and the county seat of Boone County, Kentucky, United States. The population was 17,318 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alexandria, Kentucky</span> City in Kentucky, United States

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Fort Thomas is a home rule-class city in Campbell County, Kentucky, United States, on the southern bank of the Ohio River and the site of an 1890 US Army post. The population was 17,483 at the 2020 census, making it the largest city in Campbell County. It is part of the Cincinnati – Northern Kentucky metropolitan area.

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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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Covington, Kentucky</span> City in Kentucky, United States

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. A part of the Cincinnati metropolitan area, it is one of Kenton County's two seats, along with Independence.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Independence, Kentucky</span> City in Kentucky, United States

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Park Hills, Kentucky</span> City in Kentucky, United States

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport</span> Airport in Boone County, Kentucky

Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport is a public international airport located in Boone County, Kentucky, United States, around the community of Hebron. The airport serves the Cincinnati tri-state area. The airport's code, CVG, is derived from the nearest city at the time of the airport's opening, Covington, KY. The airport covers an area of 7,700 acres (3,100 ha). It is included in the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) National Plan of Integrated Airport Systems for 2023–2027, in which it is categorized as a medium-hub primary commercial service facility.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hebron, Kentucky</span> Unincorporated community in Kentucky, United States

Hebron is an unincorporated community and census-designated place (CDP) in Boone County, Kentucky, United States. It is named after the biblical city of Hebron. As of the 2020 census, it had a population of 6,195. The wider Hebron area is home to the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, which serves Cincinnati and the Tri-State (Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana) area.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Area code 859</span> Area code that serves the city of Lexington and the central portion of Kentucky

Area code 859 is a telephone area code in the North American Numbering Plan (NANP) for the city of Lexington and the central portion of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. It was created in a split from area code 606 in 1999.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Interstate 75 in Kentucky</span> Interstate Highway in Kentucky

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">James E. Simpson Jr.</span> American politician

James Simpson Jr (1928–1999) was the first African American to win a city commission election in the history of Covington, Kentucky. Simpson was one of nearly 30 people who filed to run for the City Commission in 1971. He finished third, winning one of four seats and making political history. Simpson served the full two-year term. He later finished an un-expired term on the commission in 1991. Simpson was active in many other civic groups. He served on the following boards: Kenton County Airport Board, People's Liberty Bank Board of Directors, Booth Hospital in Covington, St. Elizabeth Hospital in Covington and the Kenton County TB Sanatorium. Simpson was also one of the founders of the Northern Kentucky Community Center in the Eastside Neighborhood of Covington. James Edward Simpson Jr is father to State Representative Arnold Ray Simpson who serves the 65th district of Kentucky, the first African American to hold this seat at the Kentucky State Assembly.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Transportation in Cincinnati</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Francisville, Kentucky</span> Census-designated place in Kentucky, United States

Francisville is a census-designated place (CDP) in Boone County, Kentucky, United States, and a suburb of Greater Cincinnati. Its population was 9,952 as of the 2020 census. Francisville shares ZIP code 41048 with the neighboring CDP of Hebron. It is the northernmost community in the state.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cincinnati metropolitan area</span> Metropolitan Statistical Area in the United States

The Cincinnati metropolitan area is a metropolitan area with its core in Ohio and Kentucky. Its largest city is Cincinnati and includes surrounding counties in the U.S. states of Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana.

References

  1. See WPA, Kentucky: A Guide to the Bluegrass State (1939); classic guide from the Federal Writers Project; covers main themes and describes every town and feature, with capsule histories online
  2. "Op-Ed: How Should NKY Better Market Itself?". The River City News. July 17, 2019. Archived from the original on November 29, 2021.
  3. DIvision, US Census Bureau Systems Support. "Ranking Tables for Metropolitan Areas (PHC-T-3)". www.census.gov.
  4. "Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport". cvgairport.com. Archived from the original on June 17, 2014. Retrieved April 11, 2014.

Further reading