Northern Kentucky

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This article is about the geographical region. For the university, see Northern Kentucky University.

The term Northern Kentucky generally refers to the three northernmost counties in Kentucky. The counties, from west to east, highlighted in bright red on the map at right:

Four other Kentucky counties which are officially part of the Cincinnati Combined Statistical Area, highlighted in pink on the map, are sometimes included in definitions of "Northern Kentucky" (also listed from west to east):

Historically, two other counties have also been included in "Northern Kentucky" (also listed from west to east):

Often thought of as the Gateway to the South, the three northermost counties of Kentucky each has at least one major center of population: Florence in Boone County; Covington, Erlanger, and Independence in Kenton County; and Newport, Fort Thomas, and Alexandria in Campbell County. Immediately on the other side of the Ohio River is Cincinnati, Ohio. However, the entire core region is densely populated, with these cities surrounded by many smaller towns which have little other than a city limit sign between them. The periphery of Boone, Kenton, and Campbell Counties, namely the extreme western part of Boone County, and southernmost parts of all three of the core counties are still primarily rural in nature, but are fairly rapidly being consumed by housing development. The four outer counties are still primarily rural, although suburban development is starting to reach them. Combined with part of Indiana, and Southwestern Ohio, all seven counties are a part of the Greater Cincinnati area, which has a population of over 2 million.

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, creation of several industrial parks, and the growth of Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (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 of 80% of the US population) makes it ideal for distribution centers, and those shipping all over the country.

Though often thought of by many, particularly those outside the region, as Midwestern in terms of culture, a significant portion of residents still consider themselves as being "Southern."

[edit] 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, Crape-myrtle, and Needle palm 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 wall lizard, introduced from Italy in the 1950s, is an example of fauna in the area that lends a subtropical ambiance to the region. Northern Kentucky is considered to be within the periphery of the Upland South.

Geographic Area	July 1, 2007	July 1, 2006	July 1, 2005	Census 2000	1990 Census	1980 Census	1970 Census	1960 Census	1950 Census
TOTAL	412,820	408,783	403,336	362,741	315,390	302,583	282,257	261,191	225,353
Boone County, Kentucky	112,459	110,080	106,272	85,991	57,589	45,842	32,812	21,940¹	13,015¹
Bracken County, Kentucky	8,574	8,670¹	8,279¹	7,766¹	7,738¹	7,227¹	7,422¹	8,424¹
Campbell County, Kentucky	86,858	86,866	87,251	88,616	83,866	83,317	88,501	86,803	76,196
Gallatin County, Kentucky	8,035	8,153	8,134	7,870	5,393¹	4,842¹	4,134¹	3,867¹	3,969¹
Grant County, Kentucky	25,161	24,769	24,610	22,384	15,737¹	13,308¹	9,999¹	9,489¹	9,809¹
Kenton County, Kentucky	156,675	154,911	153,665	151,464	142,031	137,058	129,440	120,700	104,254
Pendleton County, Kentucky	15,058	15,334	15,125	14,390	12,036¹	10,989¹	9,949¹	9,968¹	9,610¹