In 1814, John Gano, Richard Gano, and Thomas Carneal purchased The Point, 150 acres (0.6 km2) of land on the west side of the Licking River at its confluence with the Ohio, from Thomas Kennedy for $50,000, and laid out the settlement of Covington the next year.[7] It was named in honor of Gen. Leonard Covington,[8] who was killed at the Battle of Crysler's Farm during the War of 1812.[9] The town was formally incorporated by the Kentucky General Assembly a year later[citation needed] and raised to city status in 1834.[9]
The city prospered as an emporium for Kentucky's tobacco and cigar production.[10] In 1862, Stewart Iron Works was established; for a time, it was the largest iron fence maker in the world and still exists today as part of the Huseman Group of Cincinnati. There were also distilleries, glassworks, and stove factories.[10] Like nearby Cincinnati, Covington's factories and businesses were particularly staffed by Catholic and German immigrants.[10] Its Catholic church was eventually raised to the level of a diocese.[9]
By 1900, Covington was the second-largest city and industrial region in Kentucky.[9] At the time, its population of almost 43,000 was about 12% foreign-born and 5% Black.[9] By this time, it was connected to the Chesapeake & Ohio and Louisville & Nashvillerailways, and companies offered steamboat service to other ports on the Ohio River.[9] Its factories had expanded to include cotton goods, machinery, and cordage.[9]
Covington even boasted a Federal Leaguebaseball team, the Covington Blue Sox, during the 1913 season. The present-day circuit courthouse is located at the site of its former grounds, Federal Park, which is thought to have been the smallest stadium ever used by a professional baseball club.
It declined in importance during the Great Depression and the middle 20th century.[7] The city has undergone some redevelopment during the late 20th and early 21st centuries as the most populous city in Kenton County.
According to the United States Census Bureau, Covington has a total area of 13.7 square miles (35 km2), of which 13.1 square miles (34 km2) is land and 0.5 square miles (1.3 km2) (3.88%) is covered by water.
Neighborhoods
Covington claims 19 distinct neighborhoods,[13] ranging in population from several hundred to 10,000 people. Many of the neighborhoods are located in 12 historic districts that are predominantly found in the northern portion of the city, but Covington annexed many areas to the south in the late 20th and early 21st centuries to significantly enlarge its land area. Most of the neighborhoods have active resident associations or block watches that are dedicated to involving residents in strengthening their neighborhoods and improving safety, housing, and beautification.
Climate
Covington is located within a climatic transition zone; it is nestled within the southern end of the humid continental climate zone and the northern periphery of the humid subtropical climate of the Upland South, with hot, humid summers and cool winters. Evidence of both a humid subtropical 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 (Magnolia grandiflora) from the subtropics and the blue spruce from cooler regions are successful landscape plants in and around Covington.
As of the census of 2020, there were 40,691 people living in the city, for a population density of 3,103.81 people per square mile (1,198.42/km2). There were 20,576 housing units. The racial makeup of the city was 75.7% White, 11.6% Black or African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.6% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 3.7% from some other race, and 7.8% from two or more races. 7.0% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[21]
There were 18,040 households, out of which 25.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 29.1% were married couples living together, 26.9% had a male householder with no spouse present, and 32.9% had a female householder with no spouse present. 38.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.8% were someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21, and the average family size was 2.99.[21]
21.6% of the city's population were under the age of 18, 65.0% were 18 to 64, and 13.4% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36.9. For every 100 females, there were 104.9 males.[21]
According to the U.S. Census American Community Survey, for the period 2016-2020 the estimated median annual income for a household in the city was $47,917, and the median income for a family was $60,224. About 23.9% of the population were living below the poverty line, including 37.9% of those under age 18 and 14.6% of those age 65 or over. About 61.8% of the population were employed.[21]
2000 census
As of the census[22] of 2000, 43,370 people, 18,257 households, and 10,132 families resided in the city. The population density was 3,301.3 inhabitants per square mile (1,274.6/km2). The 20,448 housing units averaged 1,556.5 per square mile (600.8/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 87.05% White, 10.14% African American, 0.24% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.63% from other races, and 1.57% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 1.38% of the population.
Of the 18,257 households, 28.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.3% were married couples living together, 16.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 44.5% were not families; 36.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 12.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 3.08.
The age distribution was 25.9% under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 33.3% from 25 to 44, 19.0% from 45 to 64, and 11.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $30,735, and the median income for a family was $38,307. Males had a median income of $31,238 versus $24,487 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,841. About 15.5% of families and 18.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.0% of those under age 18 and 13.4% of those age 65 or over.
Covington has some of the least expensive real estate in Kentucky; the median house price in Covington is around $95,430, while the median house price for Kentucky as a whole is $124,100.[23]
Covington Union Station served Chesapeake and Ohio and Louisville and Nashville passenger trains into the 1960s. The final train making stops at the station was the L&N's Pan-American (Cincinnati-New Orleans) in 1971. The L&N's Humming Bird (Cincinnati- Memphis and New Orleans) also served the station. C&O trains included the Fast Flying Virginian,George Washington and Sportsman. The C&O dropped Union Station from its trains' itineraries in 1966.
Covington is served by Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), which is the largest airport in the state. The airport is one of DHL Aviation's three superhubs, serving destinations throughout the Americas, Europe, Africa, and Asia, making it the seventh-busiest airport in the U.S. based on cargo operations.[28] CVG also serves as a focus city for Allegiant Air and is the airlines largest O&D airport. The airport additionally serves as an operating base for Delta Air Lines subsidiary Endeavor Air and as a maintenance base for American Airlines subsidiary PSA Airlines.
Law enforcement
In 1817, the Town of Covington created the position "Captain of Patrol," and assigned two "Patrollers" under his supervision. The patrol area included the Town and eight miles of surrounding territory. In 1833 the first full time Town Marshall was appointed. An act of the Kentucky General Assembly in 1834 incorporated Covington as a city, and in 1842, the City of Covington appointed its first "Police Commissioner." Covington City Ordinance created the “Voluntary Night Watch" in 1843, which consisted of seventy-one reputable persons invested with police authority. In 1856 a regular citizen's police force was established.[29] The department is staffed by 114 sworn officers, each assigned to one of 4 bureaus. There are substations, and a central headquarters.[30] The department maintains accreditation through the Kentucky Association of Chiefs of Police as well as the Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement Agencies.[31]
Fire protection
The Covington Fire Department was created on June 30, 1864.[32] Since 1918, the Covington Fire Department has been represented by Covington Professional Firefighters Local 38, a member union of the International Association of Firefighters. Covington FD was a charter member of the IAFF.[33]
Mitch English, national television personality, a host of The Daily Buzz also featured in theatrical releases and other television programs, was born in Covington.
Daniel Henry Holmes, businessman and founder of D.H. Holmes in 1849 in New Orleans; department store was largest in South at his death; he built Holmesdale, a 32-room mansion, in Covington and lived here part-time.
^"Station: Cincinnati Northern KY AP, KY". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Archived from the original on February 6, 2024. Retrieved May 9, 2021.
^Mean monthly maxima and minima (i.e. the expected highest and lowest temperature readings at any point during the year or given month) calculated based on data at said location from 1991 to 2020.
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