Kenton County, Kentucky: commercial real estate data.
Kenton County, Kentucky had an estimated 174,862 residents on July 1, 2024, up 3.4 percent since the 2020 census base of 169,039, across 160 square miles. County output reached $12.39 bn in 2024, 3,297 establishments operate here, and the SBA record carries 237 7(a) approvals worth $99.2 m since FY2020.
Underlined figures are computed by MMCG Analytics, not published by the agency.
Kenton County
How many people live in Kenton County
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-2024171,288
- Households67,367
- Average household size2.54
- Median household income$80,548
- Median age37.7
- Median gross rent$1,069 per month
- Median owner-occupied home value$244,400
- Home value to household income3.0 times
- Annual rent as a share of median income15.9 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a bachelor degree or higher37.4 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a graduate degree13.2 percent
- Adults 25 and over117,534
- Population under 1839,980
- Share under 1823.3 percent
- Population 65 and over26,958
- Share 65 and over15.7 percent
- Working age population, 18 to 64104,350
- Civilian labor force92,927
- Unemployment rate4.3 percent
- Labor force participation, adults 18 and over70.8 percent
- Rank by population among Kentucky counties3rd of 120
- Rank by population among US county-equivalents, Puerto Rico included401st of 3,222
Kenton County is the 3rd largest of 120 Kentucky counties by population. A median home costs 3.0 times median household income, which is affordable by national standards. Residents under 18 outnumber those 65 and over, at 23.3 percent against 15.7 percent, a household formation profile rather than a retirement one.
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Kenton County
Is Kenton County's population growing?
- Population, July 1, 2024174,862
- Census 2020 base population169,039
- Population change since the 2020 census base3.44 percent
- Population change, 2023 to 20242,614
- Births, 20242,099
- Deaths, 20241,364
- Natural change, 2024735
- Net domestic migration, 2024668
- Net international migration, 20241,208
- Total net migration, 20241,876
- Cumulative net domestic migration, 2021 to 2024640
- Rank by growth among US county-equivalents785th of 3,144
The county has grown 3.44 percent since the 2020 census base. The population grew in 2024 from both sources: births exceeded deaths and more people moved in than left.
US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
Kenton County
Where are people moving to Kenton County from?
- Tax returns filed by households arriving5,976
- People arriving, from those returns9,696
- Tax returns filed by households leaving5,619
- Net household movement357
- Adjusted gross income arriving$384.0 m
- Net adjusted gross income movement$17.5 m
- Average income of an arriving household$64,252
- Average income of a leaving household$65,216
- Largest single originBoone County (1,508 households)
- Largest single destinationBoone County (1,496 households)
| Origin | Households | People | Adjusted gross income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Boone County | 1,508 | 2,680 | $86.3 m |
| Hamilton County | 965 | 1,412 | $65.6 m |
| Campbell County | 908 | 1,455 | $55.3 m |
| Clermont County | 167 | 249 | $11.8 m |
| Butler County | 129 | 180 | $8.6 m |
| Grant County | 117 | 201 | $4.6 m |
| Jefferson County | 103 | 140 | $6.2 m |
| Fayette County | 93 | 142 | $5.6 m |
Households arriving report $964 less average income than households leaving, which drains spending power even where headcount holds up. The largest single source of arrivals is Boone County, which is the catchment a retail or multifamily study should look at first.
US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Kenton County
What is the Kenton County economy?
- County GDP, 2024$12.39 bn
- County GDP, 2023$11.70 bn
- GDP change, 2023 to 20245.9 percent
- GDP change over five years28.8 percent
- Rank by GDP among the Kentucky areas BEA publishes4th of 120
- Rank by GDP among the US county areas BEA publishes377th of 3,127
- GDP per resident$72,342
Output grew 5.9 percent in the latest year and 28.8 percent over five, which is the trend line a lender will read behind any single year figure.
US Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional, table CAGDP2, CAGDP2, through 2024.
Kenton County
Employment by industry in Kenton County
- Covered employment, annual average74,672
- Establishments reporting5,970
- Average annual pay$71,985
- Average weekly wage$1,384
- Health care and social assistance, employment12,656
- Health care and social assistance, average annual pay$75,434
- Accommodation and food services, employment7,759
- Accommodation and food services, average annual pay$25,797
- Manufacturing, employment7,093
- Manufacturing, average annual pay$90,663
- Transportation and warehousing, employment5,956
- Transportation and warehousing, average annual pay$88,668
- Retail trade, employment5,825
- Professional, scientific and technical services, employment4,491
| Sector | Employment | Establishments | Average annual pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 12,656 | 693 | $75,434 |
| Accommodation and food services | 7,759 | 386 | $25,797 |
| Manufacturing | 7,093 | 322 | $90,663 |
| Transportation and warehousing | 5,956 | 176 | $88,668 |
| Retail trade | 5,825 | 479 | $37,538 |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 4,491 | 1,110 | $102,597 |
| Finance and insurance | 4,005 | 387 | $110,455 |
| Construction | 3,440 | 430 | $82,615 |
Health care and social assistance is the largest private sector at 12,656 jobs, 16.9 percent of covered employment.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
Kenton County
How many businesses are in Kenton County?
- Establishments, all industries3,297
- Employment at those establishments68,018
- Annual payroll$4.39 bn
- Establishments per 1,000 residents19.2
These are counts of establishments physically operating in the county, not listings, so they are the supply side a feasibility study measures demand against. County Business Patterns counts private establishments with paid employees in March 2023, while the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages above counts every unemployment-insured employer, public ones included, as a 2024 annual average, so the two establishment and employment counts differ.
US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Kenton County
Building permits in Kenton County
- Housing units authorized by permit, 2024699
- Declared construction value permitted$290.3 m
- Single family units authorized366
- Multifamily units authorized333
- Multifamily share of units47.6 percent
- Average declared value per unit$415,310
- Units authorized per 1,000 households10.4
Multifamily is 47.6 percent of units authorized, so the pipeline is being built for renters rather than buyers.
US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
Kenton County
SBA loans in Kenton County (7(a) and 504)
- 7(a) approvals recorded237
- 7(a) gross approval dollars$99.2 m
- Average 7(a) approval$418,456
- Median 7(a) approval$134,000
- 10th percentile approval$25,000
- 90th percentile approval$1,034,700
- Largest single approval$5,000,000
- Jobs reported supported, 7(a)2,024
- Jobs per approval8.5
- Distinct 7(a) lenders active36
- Distinct industries receiving approvals96
- Median 7(a) term120 months
- Share of loans on real estate terms, 240 months or longer7.2 percent
- Loans on real estate terms17
- Loans on working capital terms, 120 months or shorter209
- Franchise loans32
- Franchise share of approvals13.5 percent
- Leading industry by approval countFull-Service Restaurants (14)
- Most active lenderThe Huntington National Bank (100)
- 504 approvals recorded30
- 504 gross approval dollars$19.2 m
- Average 504 approval$640,833
- Median 504 approval$431,500
- Distinct CDCs active3
- 504 jobs per approval7.1
- 504 jobs per million dollars approved11.1
- Most active CDCAlloy Development Co., Inc. (20)
- Combined SBA approval dollars, 7(a) FY2020 to FY2026 and 504 FY2010 to FY2026$118.4 m
The average approval of $418,456 sits well above the median of $134,000, pulled up by a few larger deals, so the median is the better guide to what a typical borrower here gets. Only 7.2 percent of approvals run on real estate terms, so SBA credit here is mostly working capital and equipment rather than property acquisition.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30. US Small Business Administration, 504 FOIA release, FY2010 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Kenton County
SBA loan default and charge-off rates in Kenton County
Do SBA loans in Kenton County get paid back?
- Loans with a final outcome recorded58
- Paid in full56
- Charged off2
- Charge-off rate on resolved loans3.4 percent
- Status: Paid in full56
- Status: Exempt from disclosure144
- Status: Charged off2
- Status: Cancelled17
- Status: Committed, not yet disbursed18
Of the 58 loans that have reached a final outcome, 3.4 percent were charged off. This is computed only over resolved loans, because a loan still running has not yet succeeded or failed and counting it either way would be wrong.
Compare against the national and state SBA charge-off rates, computed the same way over resolved loans only.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Kenton County
SBA lending by place in Kenton County
- Borrower cities with recorded lending22
- Covington, approvals72
- Independence, approvals41
- Fort Mitchell, approvals32
- Erlanger, approvals31
- Crestview Hills, approvals14
- Villa Hills, approvals7
| Borrower city | Approvals | Gross approval dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Covington | 72 | $31,214,100 |
| Independence | 41 | $13,177,200 |
| Fort Mitchell | 32 | $8,639,000 |
| Erlanger | 31 | $10,402,000 |
| Crestview Hills | 14 | $9,337,400 |
| Villa Hills | 7 | $2,917,400 |
| Crescent Springs | 6 | $966,100 |
| Morning View | 5 | $1,719,700 |
| 14 other borrower cities | 29 | $20,801,200 |
Covington accounts for 72 approvals against 41 in Independence. County level figures average over that gap, which is why a site decision is made at the submarket rather than the county.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Kenton County
How large is Kenton County?
- Land area160 sq mi
- Rank by land area among Kentucky counties115th of 120
- Width, east to west11.1 mi
- Height, north to south21 mi
- Geographies sharing a boundary5
- Residents per square mile of land1,071
- Establishments per square mile20.61
US Census Bureau county boundary geometry, TIGER, adjacency computed from shared boundary vertices, TIGER county boundaries. US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year. US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Kenton County
Flood risk in Kenton County
- Participation of the county's own NFIP community Kenton County, unincorporated areasParticipating, community 210128
- Communities in the county in the NFIP Community Status Book17
- Of those, participating in the NFIP13
- NFIP participation rate76.5 percent
- Communities carrying a CRS class0
- Radon levels in Kenton County, EPA zone predicted average indoor radon screening level from 2 to 4 pCi/LZone 2
The county's own community in the status book, unincorporated Kenton County (community 210128), participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and carries no Community Rating System class, so no CRS premium discount applies there. The EPA places Kenton County in radon zone 2, a predicted average indoor radon screening level from 2 to 4 pCi/L. The zone is a screening prediction for the county and does not substitute for a test at an address. 76.5 percent of the county's listed communities participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, per Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26.
Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26. US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Coverage
What this page does not hold.
Traffic counts, zoning and the flood zone at an address are not on this page; they resolve at the address in the platform. How this page was built →
Feasibility studies
When a Kenton County site needs a document a lender will accept.
The same data layer behind this page is the one the studies are written from. A study for a Kenton County site starts with the figures you are reading, carrying the same source and period into the credit file.
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-2024171,288
- Households67,367
- Average household size2.54
- Median household income$80,548
- Median age37.7
Common questions
Kenton County questions, answered from the record.
How many people live in Kenton County, Kentucky?
The Census Bureau estimates 174,862 residents on July 1, 2024 (US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024). The American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimate is 171,288, in 67,367 households, ranking 3rd of 120 Kentucky counties. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Is Kenton County's population growing?
The population has grown 3.44 percent since the 2020 census base of 169,039, to 174,862 on July 1, 2024. In 2024 there were 2,099 births against 1,364 deaths, with net migration of 1,876. Source: US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
What is the median household income in Kenton County?
$80,548. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $244,400, which is 3.0 times income, and median gross rent is $1,069 per month. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
How many businesses are in Kenton County?
3,297 establishments, employing 68,018 people with an annual payroll of $4.39 bn. These are establishments physically operating in the county, not listings. Source: US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
What is employment by industry in Kenton County?
Health care and social assistance is the largest private sector at 12,656 jobs, 16.9 percent of covered employment. Covered employment averages 74,672 jobs at an average annual pay of $71,985, or $1,384 a week. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
How much SBA lending happens in Kenton County?
237 7(a) approvals totaling $99.2 m since FY2020, across 36 lenders, with a median approval of $134,000, plus 30 504 approvals worth $19.2 m since FY2010. These are approvals recorded in the release, not loans disbursed.
Do SBA loans in Kenton County get paid back?
Of the 58 loans that have reached a final outcome, 56 were paid in full and 2 charged off, a charge-off rate of 3.4 percent. Loans still running are excluded, because they have not yet succeeded or failed.
How many building permits were issued in Kenton County?
699 housing units were authorized by permit in 2024, with a declared construction value of $290.3 m. Multifamily was 47.6 percent of units. Source: US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
What is the radon zone for Kenton County?
Zone 2, a predicted average indoor radon screening level from 2 to 4 pCi/L. Source: US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Where do people moving to Kenton County come from?
The largest single origin is Boone County, with 1,508 households. Arriving households report an average income of $64,252 against $65,216 for those leaving. Source: US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Are traffic counts available for Kenton County on this page?
No. Annual average daily traffic resolves in the platform rather than in this dataset, so no AADT figure is printed here. It is a gap we know about rather than a figure we estimated.
Is zoning published for Kenton County?
No. Nothing on this page presents parcel level zoning, and where a statutory framework applies it is marked as the statewide frame, to be confirmed locally.
Kenton County
Cities and places in Kenton.
19 Census places lie wholly or partly in Kenton County. All 19 carry enough published place level data for a page of their own and are linked.
| Place | Type | Population | SBA 7(a) approvals, projects in this county | Lies in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Covington | city | 41,110 | 72 | Wholly in this county |
| Independence | city | 29,392 | 41 | Wholly in this county |
| Erlanger | city | 19,875 | 31 | Wholly in this county |
| Elsmere | city | 9,205 | 4 | Wholly in this county |
| Fort Mitchell | city | 8,713 | 32 | Wholly in this county |
| Edgewood | city | 8,447 | 3 | Wholly in this county |
| Villa Hills | city | 7,480 | 7 | Wholly in this county |
| Taylor Mill | city | 6,937 | 2 | Wholly in this county |
| Fort Wright | city | 5,887 | 4 | Wholly in this county |
| Walton | city | 5,730 | 2 | 21.4 percent here, 78.6 percent Boone County |
| Crescent Springs | city | 4,486 | 6 | Wholly in this county |
| Ludlow | city | 4,378 | 5 | Wholly in this county |
| Crestview Hills | city | 3,284 | 14 | Wholly in this county |
| Park Hills | city | 3,165 | 1 | Wholly in this county |
| Lakeside Park | city | 2,828 | 1 | Wholly in this county |
| Bromley | city | 821 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Ryland Heights | city | 789 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Kenton Vale | city | 158 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Fairview | city | 120 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
A further 12 of the county's 237 SBA 7(a) approvals are to borrowers in cities that match no Census place in Kenton County, the largest being Morning View (5), Latonia (2), Fort Thomas (1). Those are postal cities, unincorporated areas and cities outside the county, so no place row claims them; they are counted in the county total above.
Nearby