Covington, Kentucky
Covington, Kentucky | ||
|---|---|---|
City | ||
 Downtown Covington skyline | ||
| ||
 Location of Covington in Kenton County, Kentucky. | ||
| Coordinates: 39°3′54″N 84°30′35″W / 39.06500°N 84.50972°W / 39.06500; -84.50972Coordinates: 39°3′54″N 84°30′35″W / 39.06500°N 84.50972°W / 39.06500; -84.50972 | ||
| Country | United States | |
| State | Kentucky | |
| County | Kenton | |
| Founded | 1815 | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Commission-City Manager | |
| • Mayor | Joseph U. Meyer [1] | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 13.7 sq mi (35.4 km2) | |
| • Land | 13.1 sq mi (34.0 km2) | |
| • Water | 0.5 sq mi (1.4 km2) | |
| Elevation | 509 ft (155 m) | |
| Population (2010) | ||
| • Total | 40,640 | |
| • Estimate (2016)[2] | 40,797 | |
| • Density | 2,966.4/sq mi (1,148.0/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (EST) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) | |
ZIP code | 41011-41012, 41014-41019 | |
| Area code(s) | 859 | |
| FIPS code | 21-17848 | |
GNIS feature ID | 0490167 | |
| Website | covingtonky.gov | |
Covington is a city in Kenton County, Kentucky, United States, located at the confluence of the Ohio and Licking Rivers. Cincinnati, Ohio, lies to its north across the Ohio and Newport, Kentucky, to its east across the Licking. Part of the Cincinnati–Northern Kentucky metropolitan area, Covington had a population of 40,640 at the time of the 2010 U.S. census, making it the fifth-most populous city in Kentucky.[3] It is one of its county's two seats,[4] along with Independence.
Contents
1 Name
2 History
3 Neighborhoods
4 Geography
5 Climate
6 Demographics
7 Transportation
7.1 Air
8 Economy
8.1 Principal employers
9 Viral video controversy
10 Historic churches
11 Notable people
12 See also
13 Gallery
14 References
14.1 Citations
14.2 Bibliography
15 External links
Name
The initial American settlement at Covington was known as The Point, from its position at the confluence of the Licking and Ohio Rivers. When it was laid out in 1815, it was named in honor of Gen. Leonard Covington,[5] who was killed at the Battle of Crysler's Farm during the War of 1812.[6]
History
Daniel Carter Beard's boyhood home
The former C&O Railroad station in 2018
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] The town was formally incorporated by the Kentucky General Assembly a year later[citation needed] and raised to city status in 1834.[6]
The city prospered as an emporium for Kentucky's tobacco and cigar production.[8] In 1862, Stewart Iron Works was established; for a time, it was the largest iron fence maker in the world. There were also distilleries, glassworks, and stove factories.[8] Like nearby Cincinnati, Covington's factories and businesses were particularly staffed by Catholic and German immigrants.[8] Its Catholic church was eventually raised to the level of a bishopric.[6]
By 1900, Covington was the second-largest city and industrial region in Kentucky.[6] At the time, its population of almost 43,000 was about 12% foreign-born and 5% black.[6] Before World War I, it was connected to the Chesapeake & Ohio and Louisville & Nashville railways and offered steamboat service to ports on the Ohio River.[6] Its factories had expanded to include cotton goods, machinery, and cordage.[6]
Covington even boasted a Federal League baseball 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.
Neighborhoods
Covington claims 19 distinct neighborhoods,[9] 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. Most of the neighborhoods have active resident associations or block watches that are dedicated to involving residents in strengthening their neighborhoods, improving safety, housing, and beautification.
Geography
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.
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.
| Climate data for Covington, Kentucky | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 77 (25) | 77 (25) | 88 (31) | 90 (32) | 95 (35) | 102 (39) | 108 (42) | 103 (39) | 101 (38) | 92 (33) | 83 (28) | 75 (24) | 108 (42) |
| Average high °F (°C) | 38 (3) | 44 (7) | 55 (13) | 66 (19) | 75 (24) | 83 (28) | 87 (31) | 86 (30) | 79 (26) | 67 (19) | 54 (12) | 43 (6) | 64.8 (18.2) |
| Average low °F (°C) | 23 (−5) | 27 (−3) | 35 (2) | 43 (6) | 54 (12) | 62 (17) | 67 (19) | 65 (18) | 58 (14) | 46 (8) | 37 (3) | 27 (−3) | 45.3 (7.4) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −16 (−27) | −9 (−23) | 3 (−16) | 18 (−8) | 28 (−2) | 40 (4) | 48 (9) | 44 (7) | 32 (0) | 20 (−7) | 1 (−17) | −13 (−25) | −16 (−27) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 2.70 (69) | 2.30 (58) | 3.49 (89) | 3.81 (97) | 4.50 (114) | 3.71 (94) | 3.25 (83) | 3.46 (88) | 3.04 (77) | 2.80 (71) | 3.49 (89) | 3.02 (77) | 39.57 (1,005) |
| Source: The Weather Channel.[10] | |||||||||||||
Demographics
The Ascent at Roebling's Bridge
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1830 | 743 | — | |
| 1840 | 2,026 | 172.7% | |
| 1850 | 9,408 | 364.4% | |
| 1860 | 16,471 | 75.1% | |
| 1870 | 24,505 | 48.8% | |
| 1880 | 29,720 | 21.3% | |
| 1890 | 37,371 | 25.7% | |
| 1900 | 42,938 | 14.9% | |
| 1910 | 53,270 | 24.1% | |
| 1920 | 57,121 | 7.2% | |
| 1930 | 65,252 | 14.2% | |
| 1940 | 62,018 | −5.0% | |
| 1950 | 64,452 | 3.9% | |
| 1960 | 60,376 | −6.3% | |
| 1970 | 52,535 | −13.0% | |
| 1980 | 49,585 | −5.6% | |
| 1990 | 43,264 | −12.7% | |
| 2000 | 43,370 | 0.2% | |
| 2010 | 40,640 | −6.3% | |
| Est. 2016 | 40,797 | [2] | 0.4% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[11] | |||
As of the census[12] of 2000, 43,370 people, 18,257 households, and 10,132 families resided in the city. The population density was 3,301.3 people per square mile (1,274.4/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.
A view of the John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge, looking towards Covington
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.[13]
Transportation
Delta (Comair) Planes at CVG Concourse C
Bus transit is served by TANK.[14]
Air
Covington is served by Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), which is the largest airport in the state, and is hub to passenger airline Delta Air Lines and headquarters of its Delta Private Jets. 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.[15] CVG is also a focus city for Frontier Airlines and is the largest O&D airport and base for Allegiant Air, along with home to a maintenance for American Airlines subsidiary PSA Airlines and Delta Air Lines subsidiary Endeavor Air.
Economy
Principal employers
According to Covington's 2015 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,[16] the principal employers in the city are:
| # | Employer | # of Employees |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Internal Revenue Service | 4,500 |
| 2 | Fidelity Investments | 3,923 |
| 3 | Covington Independent Public Schools | 760 |
| 4 | Club Chef | 659 |
| 5 | State of Kentucky | 501 |
| 6 | St. Elizabeth Healthcare | 431 |
| 7 | Rosedale Green | 408 |
| 8 | Atkins & Pearce | 220 |
| 9 | NorthKey Community Care | 173 |
| 10 | Ashland | 94 |
Viral video controversy
On January 19, 2019, a video [17] appearing to involve students from Covington Catholic High School and a Native American man engaged in a form of conflict was released and quickly gained attention.[18] As a result, Covington city officials have reported receiving threats of violence toward them, as well as the city itself. [19] A "suspicious package" was also found outside of the Diocese of Covington.[20] However, despite the school's name, Covington Catholic High School is not located in Covington, Kentucky, but in Park Hills, Kentucky, which is a neighboring city.[21]
In response to the increasing calls for boycotts against Covington and its businesses, hostilities toward the city, and calls for violence, due to the misidentification, Covington's mayor, Joe Meyer, released a statement on the issue, saying in part "Over the past few days, we at the City of Covington have been cursed and threatened by email, over the phone, and in person. Our City is collateral damage in an incident that had nothing to do with us, happened 500 miles away, and coincidentally involves a school that actually isn’t even in Covington."[19][22]
Historic churches
Saint John the Evangelist Church as seen from the east side of I-75.
Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption in Covington
- Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption in Covington
- Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church
- Latonia Christian Church
- Mother of God Parish (Covington, KY)
- Saint Augustine Catholic Church
- Saint John the Evangelist Catholic Church in the Lewisburg Historic District
- Trinity Episcopal Church (Covington, Kentucky)
- Eastside Church of the Nazarene
- First Christian Church Covington
- Madison Avenue Christian Church
Notable people
Mike Battaglia, NBCSports analyst and long-time Kentucky Derby announcer, was born in Latonia.
Gary Bauer, former Republican presidential hopeful, was born in Covington.
Daniel Carter Beard, youth leader, his life-sized bronze statue, created by sculptor Kenneth Bradford, stands in town.
Adrian Belew, musician, vocalist and guitarist of King Crimson since early 1980s, was born in Covington.
Gail Borden, inventor of condensed milk, lived in Covington during his childhood.
Chuck Bradley, football player
Jamour Chames, visual artist, was born in Covington.[23]
Steve Cauthen, U.S. Racing Hall of Fame jockey, was born in Covington.
Bob Charles, Australian politician, member of the Australian House of Representatives, was born in Covington.
Byrd Spilman Dewey, author and Florida pioneer
Asa Drury, educator, Baptist minister, and first superintendent of Covington public schools
Frank Duveneck, realist painter, was born in Covington.
Mitch English, national television personality, a host of The Daily Buzz also featured in theatrical releases and other television programs, was born in Covington.
Henry Forrest, U.S. Racing Hall of Fame Thoroughbred racehorse trainer, was born in Covington.
Frederick William Franz, religious leader and theologian, fourth president of the Jehovah's Witnesses, was born in Covington.
Haven Gillespie, songwriter, remembered primarily for "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town", was born in Covington.
Joe Heving, Major League Baseball player
Nannie Emory Holding, Covington native, was a 30-year superintendent and the namesake of the former Holding Institute boarding school in Laredo, Texas.[24]
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.
David Justice, Major League Baseball player, graduated from Covington Latin School.
Durward Kirby, television personality, best known as co-host of Candid Camera, was born in Covington.
Jared Lorenzen, professional football quarterback, backup to Eli Manning for Super Bowl XLII champion New York Giants, was born in Covington.
Randy Marsh, Major League Baseball umpire, graduated from Covington Holmes High School.
Una Merkel, film and Tony Award-winning stage actress, was born in Covington.
Lee Roy Reams, Broadway actor, was born in Covington.
George Remus, lawyer and bootlegger during the Prohibition era.
Jack Roush, champion NASCAR owner of Roush Fenway Racing team, was born in Covington.
Pat Scott, All-American Girls Professional Baseball League pitcher, was born in Covington.
William Wright Southgate, northern Kentucky Congressman
Dorothy Spencer, film editor, four-time Oscar nominee, was born in Covington.
John W. Stevenson, Governor and Senator
Tom Thacker, NCAA and NBA champion basketball player, top pick of 1963 NBA draft, was born in Covington.
Paul Walther, professional basketball player, was born in Covington.
Ron Ziegler, White House Press Secretary during President Richard Nixon's administration, was born in Covington.
See also
- List of cities and towns along the Ohio River
- Carneal House
Gallery
John A. Roebling Suspension Bridge
Historic Trinity Episcopal Church
Mother of God Catholic Church
Emery Row
MainStrasse Village
Mutter Gottes Historic District
References
Citations
^ "Joseph U. Meyer". City of Covington, KY. Retrieved January 26, 2019..mw-parser-output cite.citation{font-style:inherit}.mw-parser-output .citation q{quotes:"""""""'""'"}.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-free a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/6/65/Lock-green.svg/9px-Lock-green.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-limited a,.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-registration a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/d/d6/Lock-gray-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-gray-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .citation .cs1-lock-subscription a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/a/aa/Lock-red-alt-2.svg/9px-Lock-red-alt-2.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration{color:#555}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription span,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration span{border-bottom:1px dotted;cursor:help}.mw-parser-output .cs1-ws-icon a{background:url("//upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/4/4c/Wikisource-logo.svg/12px-Wikisource-logo.svg.png")no-repeat;background-position:right .1em center}.mw-parser-output code.cs1-code{color:inherit;background:inherit;border:inherit;padding:inherit}.mw-parser-output .cs1-hidden-error{display:none;font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-visible-error{font-size:100%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-maint{display:none;color:#33aa33;margin-left:0.3em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-subscription,.mw-parser-output .cs1-registration,.mw-parser-output .cs1-format{font-size:95%}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-left,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-left{padding-left:0.2em}.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-right,.mw-parser-output .cs1-kern-wl-right{padding-right:0.2em}
^ ab "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved June 9, 2017.
^ Covington, Kentucky QuickFacts U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved March 11, 2013.
^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
^ Gannett, Henry (1905), The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States, Washington: Government Printing Office, p. 94.
^ abcdefg EB (1911).
^ ab Our History City of Covington. Retrieved March 11, 2013.
^ abc EB (1878).
^ "Center for Great Neighborhoods of Covington". Archived from the original on January 26, 2014. Retrieved March 3, 2014.
^ "MONTHLY AVERAGES for Covington, KY". 'The Weather Channel. Retrieved May 26, 2010.
^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Archived from the original on May 12, 2015. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on September 11, 2013. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
^ "Kentucky Homes For Sale By City". Kentucky Real Estate Trends. RealEstate.com. Archived from the original on November 5, 2012. Retrieved January 21, 2013.
^ TANK Destinations Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky. Retrieved March 11, 2013.
^ https://www.faa.gov/airports/planning_capacity/passenger_allcargo_stats/passenger/media/cy17-cargo-airports.pdf
^ City of Covington CAFR. (PDF) . Retrieved on October 16, 2016.
^ ALTO NERO. "Maga Hat Students From Covington Catholic High School Mocking Native American - Full Video -". Retrieved January 26, 2019 – via YouTube.
^ "Row over US teens taunting Native American". January 20, 2019. Retrieved January 26, 2019 – via www.bbc.com.
^ ab "Singular motivation: Defend Covington". City of Covington, KY. January 23, 2019. Retrieved January 26, 2019.
^ https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/2019/01/23/a5768042-1f5d-11e9-8b59-0a28f2191131_story.html
^ https://www.covcath.org/about/our-campus/address-directions
^ Levi, Maytal. "Mayor: CovCath isn’t in Covington, ‘Why are we being vilified?’". http://www.fox19.com. Retrieved January 26, 2019. External link in|website=(help)
^ "Interview with Artist Jamour Chames". Noragouma.com. Retrieved on October 16, 2016.
^ "John H. McNeely, "Holding Institute"". The Handbook of Texas. Retrieved September 30, 2009.
Bibliography
, , New York: Charles Scribner's Sons, 1878, p. 531.
, , Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1911, p. 315.
External links
 | Wikimedia Commons has media related to Covington, Kentucky. |
 | Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Covington, Kentucky. |
- City of Covington official website
- CovingtonUSA, online newspaper
- Historical Images and Texts of Covington, Kentucky
- Mortimer Murray Benton, First Mayor of Covington, Kentucky
- Oldest House in Covington, Ky. Built 1798
- Garrard Street, circa 1890
- Northern Kentucky Roller Derby
- Railroads of Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky
- Austinburg Neighborhood Association
- South Covington Community Action Association
- Old Seminary Square Neighborhood Association
Covington Journal, Google news archive. —PDFs of 873 issues, dating from 1849 to 1876.
Municipalities and communities of Kenton County, Kentucky, United States | ||
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County seats: Covington and Independence | ||
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| Unincorporated communities |
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| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties. | |
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