Kentucky

Kenton

169,064
2020 population
1840
first census record
19
census records

About Kenton

Kenton, Kentucky, first appears in the United States federal census in 1840, when it recorded a population of 7,816. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 169,064.

The county's recorded population has risen across the decades to its highest level in 2020.

On the ground today, 2 documented military engagements have been recorded within the county, among them Covington-Newport Defense Crisis (September 1862), Confederate Guerrillas at Covington (threatened), and 77 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
2020169,064
2010159,720
2000151,464
1990142,031
1980137,058
1970129,440
1960120,700
1950104,254
194093,139
193093,534
192073,453
191070,355
190063,591
189054,161
188043,983
187036,096
186025,467
185017,038
18407,816
Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Battles & engagements in Kenton

Military engagements that took place in Kenton, Kentucky.

Covington-Newport Defense Crisis (September 1862)
1862
Confederate Guerrillas at Covington (threatened)
1862

Historic places in Kenton

National Register of Historic Places listings in Kenton, Kentucky.

St. Augustine Church Complex
Covington
Elmwood Hall
Ludlow
Riverside Drive Historic District
Covington
Bavarian Brewing Company
Covington
GAR Monument in Covington
Covington
Fifth District School
Covington
Licking Riverside Historic District
Covington
Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption
Covington
Mutter Gottes Historic District
Covington
Beard, Daniel Carter, Boyhood Home
Covington
Mother Of God Roman Catholic Church
Covington
Wadsworth Electric Manufacturing Company
Covington
Linden Grove Cemetery
Covington
Covington and Cincinnati Suspension Bridge
Covington
Veteran's Monument in Covington
Covington
LaSalette Academy
Covington
Odd Fellows Hall
Covington
Trinity Episcopal Church
Covington
Emery Row
Covington
Holy Cross Church and School Complex-Latonia
Covington
Browse all Kentuckyhistoric sites ›

Other counties in Kentucky

Explore census history and historic records for more Kentucky counties.

BellBooneBourbonBoydBoyleBrackenBreathittBreckinridgeBullittButlerCaldwellCallowayCampbellCarlisleCarrollCarterCaseyChristianClarkClay
Unlimited access

Everything a full report reveals about Kenton County, Kentucky

This page charts the census history of Kenton County, Kentucky. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
First month just $5.99, then $11.99 a month. Unlimited locations, cancel anytime.

Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.

Start your Kenton County, Kentucky report
Or see a real report first

Explore Kentucky records

Kentuckyhistory ›NRHP historic sites ›Notable people from Kentucky›

Frequently asked about Kenton

When does Kenton first appear in the US census?
Kenton, Kentucky first appears in the federal census in 1840, with a recorded population of 7,816.
What is the population of Kenton?
At the most recent federal census (2020), Kenton had a recorded population of 169,064.
Were any battles fought in Kenton?
2 documented military engagements took place in Kenton, including Covington-Newport Defense Crisis (September 1862), Confederate Guerrillas at Covington (threatened).
How many historic places are in Kenton?
77 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Kenton, Kentucky.
Aubrey Research

Research the history of any US location

Aubrey searches federal archives, archaeological records, historic registers, and primary sources to build a full historical report for any address or place in the United States.

Research your locationView a free sample report