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Independence, Kentucky
Kenton County Courthouse in Independence
Kenton County Courthouse in Independence
Location in Kenton County, Kentucky
Location in Kenton County, Kentucky
Country United States
State Kentucky
County Kenton
Named for the establishment of Kenton Co.
Area
 • Total 17.80 sq mi (46.11 km2)
 • Land 17.56 sq mi (45.49 km2)
 • Water 0.24 sq mi (0.62 km2)
Elevation
899 ft (274 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 28,676
 • Density 1,632.66/sq mi (630.36/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP code
41051
Area code(s) 859
FIPS code 21-39142
GNIS feature ID 0494900

Independence is a home rule-class city in Kenton County, Kentucky, in the United States. It is one of its county's two seats of government. The population was 24,757 at the time of the 2010 U.S. census, up from 14,982 at the 2000 census. It is the third largest city in Northern Kentucky after Covington and Florence.

The current mayor of Independence is Chris Reinersman.

Geography

Independence is located at 38°57′13″N 84°32′49″W / 38.95361°N 84.54694°W / 38.95361; -84.54694 (38.953668, -84.546990). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 16.8 square miles (44 km2), of which 16.8 square miles (44 km2) is land and 0.06% is water.

History

The area post office was established by Isaac Everett in 1837 as Everett's Creek; in 1838, this was changed to Crews Creek (presumably after the present Cruises Creek); in 1839, Thomas Hordern renamed it Bagby.

In 1840, Kenton was formed from Campbell and Boone counties. Local farmer John McCollum donated a site at the center of the new county to be its seat of governance and the name Independence was chosen to honor the liberation of locals from Campbell County. The post office was renamed the same year. Quickly settled, Independence was formally incorporated by the state assembly in 1842.

Because the majority of the county's population resided along the Ohio River, Independence was eventually obliged to share its status as county seat with the larger city of Covington, a situation later repeated in Campbell County between the centrally-located Alexandria and the larger, riverside Newport.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1850 182
1860 189 3.8%
1870 134 −29.1%
1880 165 23.1%
1900 193
1910 153 −20.7%
1920 153 0.0%
1930 260 69.9%
1940 253 −2.7%
1950 285 12.6%
1960 309 8.4%
1970 1,715 455.0%
1980 7,998 366.4%
1990 10,444 30.6%
2000 14,982 43.5%
2010 24,757 65.2%
2020 28,676 15.8%
U.S. Decennial Census

As of the census of 2000, there were 14,982 people, 5,181 households, and 4,149 families residing in the city. The population density was 893.2 people per square mile (344.9/km2). There were 5,391 housing units at an average density of 321.4 per square mile (124.1/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 97.20% White, 0.96% African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.40% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.36% from other races, and 0.87% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.15% of the population.

There were 5,181 households, out of which 44.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.9% were married couples living together, 12.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.9% were non-families. 15.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 3.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.89 and the average family size was 3.21.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 30.4% under the age of 18, 9.2% from 18 to 24, 35.3% from 25 to 44, 18.5% from 45 to 64, and 6.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.3 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $51,002, and the median income for a family was $55,030. Males had a median income of $39,213 versus $26,807 for females. The per capita income for the city was $20,191. About 5.4% of families and 6.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.2% of those under age 18 and 4.2% of those age 65 or over.

Cultural

Schools

  • Beechgrove Elementary School
  • Community Christian Academy
  • Kenton Elementary
  • Simon Kenton High School
  • St. Cecilia School
  • Summit View Elementary School
  • Summit View Middle School
  • Twenhofel Middle School
  • Whites Tower Elementary

* Some members of the community are districted for Woodland Middle School and Scott High School as well.

Parks

  • Lincoln Ridge Park
  • Bowman Field
  • Doe Run Lake
  • Memorial Park
  • Mills Road Park
  • Pioneer Park
  • Richardson Road Park
  • Sterling Staggs Park

Fire

  • Independence Fire District



Economy

Major employers in Independence include Balluff, Cengage Learning, Krauss Maffei, Mazak, and Rotek.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Independence (Kentucky) para niños

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