3rd most populous of 120
With 174,862 residents in 2024, Kenton County ranks 3rd by population among Kentucky's 120 counties and is home to 3.8% of the state's residents.
Kenton County is home to 174,862 people (2024 estimate) on 160 square miles of land. This page brings together official U.S. Census Bureau population estimates since 2000, the components of change—births, deaths and migration—American Community Survey indicators on income, housing, poverty and education, BEA economic accounts and BLS unemployment.
Key indicators
Population
174,862
July 1, 2024 estimate
2020 Census base
169,039
April 1, 2020
Change since 2020
+3.4%
2020–2024
Land area
160 mi²
415 km²
Population density
1,090.4 /mi²
2024 estimate ÷ land area
Births
2,099
Year to July 1, 2024
Deaths
1,364
Year to July 1, 2024
Natural change
+735
Births minus deaths, 2024
Net migration
+1,876
Domestic + international, 2024
Per capita personal income
$78,130
BEA, 2024
Gross domestic product
$12.4 billion
BEA, current dollars, 2024
Median household income
$80,548
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Poverty rate
11.8%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Bachelor’s degree or higher
37.4%
Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Foreign-born residents
4.1%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Median home value
$244,400
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Unemployment rate
4.3%
BLS annual average, 2024
Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Population
2000–2024174,862▲ 15%
U.S. Census Bureau: intercensal estimates 2000–2009, Vintage 2020 (2010–2019) and Vintage 2024 (2020–2024), July 1.
Data summary
| Indicator | Value | Year and source |
|---|---|---|
| Population estimate | 174,862 | 2024 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2010 Census | 159,720 | 2010 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2000 | 151,658 | July 1, 2000 · Census intercensal |
| Change since 2000 | +15.3% | 2000–2024 · Census |
| International migration | +1,208 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Domestic migration | +668 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate | 12.0 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Death rate | 7.8 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Population rank in Kentucky | 3rd of 120 | 2024 · calculated |
| Per capita personal income | $78,130 | BEA, 2024 · official |
| Gross domestic product | $12.4 billion | BEA, current dollars, 2024 · official |
| Median household income | $80,548 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Poverty rate | 11.8% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 37.4% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Foreign-born residents | 4.1% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median home value | $244,400 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median gross rent | $1,069/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median age | 37.7 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Households | 67,367 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Owner-occupied homes | 70.7% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
Kenton County in context
Comparable indicators for Kenton County, Kentucky and the United States.
| Indicator | County | Kentucky | U.S. | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population change 2020–2024 | +3.4% | +1.8% | +2.6% | Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate (per 1,000) | 12.0 | 11.4 | 10.6 | 2024 |
| Death rate (per 1,000) | 7.8 | 11.6 | 9.1 | 2024 |
| Net migration rate (per 1,000) | 10.7 | 8.4 | 8.2 | 2024 |
| Population density (/mi²) | 1090.4 | 116.2 | 96.3 | 2024 |
| Per capita personal income | $78,130 | $58,256 | $73,204 | BEA, 2024 |
| Median household income | $80,548 | $63,726 | $80,734 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Poverty rate | 11.8% | 16.1% | 12.5% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 37.4% | 27.6% | 35.7% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Foreign-born residents | 4.1% | 4.7% | 14.1% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median home value | $244,400 | $205,600 | $332,700 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median gross rent | $1,069/month | $967/month | $1,413/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median age | 37.7 years | 39.1 years | 38.9 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Owner-occupied homes | 70.7% | 68.3% | 65.2% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
Cities & towns
1 city · choose how to order them
Covington
41,000 residents
Did you know? Kenton County
A quarter century of change
Its population went from 151,658 in 2000 to 174,862 in 2024, a change of +15.3%, compared with +13.3% for Kentucky as a whole.
Births and deaths
In the year to July 2024 the county recorded 2,099 births and 1,364 deaths, so births outnumbered deaths by 735.
Record population
Annual Census estimates since 2000 put the county's highest population in 2024, at 174,862.
3rd in density
Kenton County has about 1090.4 residents per square mile of land, ranking 3rd of 120 counties; Kentucky averages 116.2.
Household income rank
With a median household income of $80,548 (ACS 2020–2024 5-year), the county ranks 8th of 120 Kentucky counties; the state median is $63,726.
Size of the economy
Its economy produced $12.4 billion of GDP in 2024 (BEA), 4th largest among 120 Kentucky counties.
Latest economic growth
Real GDP grew 2.1% in 2024, adjusted for inflation (BEA, chained 2017 dollars).
Sources and methodology
- U.S. Census Bureau — County population totals and components, Vintage 2024
- U.S. Census Bureau — County estimates 2010–2020
- U.S. Census Bureau — Intercensal estimates 2000–2010
- U.S. Census Bureau — Gazetteer files (land area)
- U.S. Census Bureau — American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis — Regional economic accounts
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — LAUS