Covington, Kentucky
| Covington, Kentucky | |
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| — City — | |
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| Coordinates: 39°3′54″N 84°30′35″W / 39.06500°N 84.50972°WCoordinates: 39°3′54″N 84°30′35″W / 39.06500°N 84.50972°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Kentucky |
| County | Kenton |
| Founded | 1815 |
| Government | |
| • Type | Commission-City Manager |
| • Mayor | Sherry Carran |
| 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 |
| • Density | 2,966.4/sq mi (1,148.0/km2) |
| Time zone | EST (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| 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. As of the 2010 census, the city population was 40,640; it is the fifth-most-populous city in Kentucky.[1] It is one of two county seats of Kenton County.[2] Covington is located at the confluence of the Ohio and Licking rivers. Covington is part of the Cincinnati – Northern Kentucky metropolitan area and is separated from Cincinnati by the Ohio River and from Newport by the Licking River. Covington is located within the Upland South region of the United States of America.
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History [edit]
Covington was established in 1814 when John Gano, Richard Gano, and Thomas Carneal purchased 150 acres (0.6 km2) on the west side of the Licking River at its confluence with the Ohio River, referred to as "the Point," from Thomas Kennedy for $50,000.[3] The city was incorporated by the Kentucky General Assembly a year later. Stewart Iron Works was established in 1862 and became the largest iron fence maker in the world. Covington experienced growth during most of the 19th century, only to decline during the Great Depression and the middle 20th century.[3] The city has seen some redevelopment during the late 20th and early 21st centuries.
Covington Blue Sox [edit]
In 1912, city leaders attempted to acquire a baseball franchise in the Class D Blue Grass League; the Cincinnati Reds, whose park was just five miles away across the Ohio River, decided against the move. Instead (after several larger cities backed out), Covington was awarded a team in the new "outlaw" circuit, the Federal League.[4]
The city raised $12,500, with $6,000 budgeted to build the ballpark. Bernard Wisehall, a prominent local architect, designed Federal Park (also known as Riverbreeze Park) with a capacity to 6,000. The playing field (bounded by East 2nd Street, East 3rd Street, Madison Avenue and Scott Boulevard[5]) was tiny, believed to be smallest for any pro baseball park ever built: just 194 feet down the right-field line, 267 feet to dead center and 218 feet down the left-field line.[4] Construction didn't even begin until a month before Opening Day; after starting the season on a long road trip, the Blue Sox managed to sell out their home opener in late May, with thousands of fans turned away.[4]
But Covington simply did not have the populace to support such an ambitious endeavor. On June 26, the team moved to Kansas City and ownership of the team reverted to creditors. Federal Park was used for other events the next few years, but was eventually torn down and a tobacco warehouse was put up in its place; Covington has never hosted a professional team in any sport since.
Geography [edit]
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 water.
Climate [edit]
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) |
| Precipitation inches (mm) | 2.70 (68.6) |
2.30 (58.4) |
3.49 (88.6) |
3.81 (96.8) |
4.50 (114.3) |
3.71 (94.2) |
3.25 (82.6) |
3.46 (87.9) |
3.04 (77.2) |
2.80 (71.1) |
3.49 (88.6) |
3.02 (76.7) |
39.57 (1,005.1) |
| Source: The Weather Channel.[6] | |||||||||||||
Demographics [edit]
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1830 | 743 |
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| 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. 2011 | 40,811 | 0.4% | |
| U.S. Census Bureau[1][7] | |||
As of the census[8] of 2000, there were 43,370 people, 18,257 households, and 10,132 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,301.3 people per square mile (1,274.4/km²). There were 20,448 housing units at an average density of 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.
There were 18,257 households out of which 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 non-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.[9]
Economy [edit]
Omnicare, a pharmaceutical manufacturer, and Ashland, a chemicals, plastics, and motor oil manufacturer are based in Covington.
Top employers [edit]
According to Covington's 2009 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report,[10] the top employers in the city are:
| # | Employer | # of Employees |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | St. Elizabeth Healthcare | 6,300 |
| 2 | Fidelity Investments | 3,900 |
| 3 | Covington Independent Schools | 925 |
| 4 | Roman Catholic Diocese of Covington | 800 |
| 5 | ACNielsen | 400 |
| 6 | State of Kentucky | 360 |
| 7 | Omnicare | 325 |
| 8 | Club Chef | 300 |
| 9 | NorthKey | 280 |
| 10 | Atkins & Pearce | 225 |
Transportation [edit]
Covington is served by Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport and Bus Transit is served by TANK.[11]
Historic Churches [edit]
- Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption in Covington
- Holy Cross Roman Catholic Church
- Latonia Christian Church
- Mother of God Parish (Covington, KY)
- Trinity Episcopal Church (Covington, Kentucky)
- Eastside Church of the Nazarene
- First Christian Church Covington
Notable residents [edit]
 |
This biographical section needs additional citations for verification. (May 2013) |
- Gary Bauer, former Republican presidential hopeful born in Covington.
- Daniel Carter Beard, his life-size bronze statue, created by sculptor Kenneth Bradford, stands in town.
- Adrian Belew, a musician best known for his role as vocalist and guitarist of King Crimson since the early 1980s; born in Covington.
- Gail Borden, inventor of condensed milk, lived in Covington during his childhood.
- Steve Cauthen, U.S. Racing Hall of Fame jockey born in Covington.
- Bob Charles, Australian politician, member of the Australian House of Representatives.
- Asa Drury, educator, Baptist minister and first superintendent of Covington public schools.
- Frank Duveneck, realist painter, born in Covington.
- Mitch English, national television personality, best known as one of the hosts on the show 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 born in Covington.
- Frederick William Franz, religious leader and theologian 4th president of the Jehovah's Witnesses born in Covington.
- Haven Gillespie, songwriter, born in Covington. He is remembered primarily for "Santa Claus Is Coming to Town".
- Nannie Emory Holding, a Covington native, was a 30-year superintendent and the namesake of the former Holding Institute boarding school in Laredo, Texas.[12]
- David Justice, former Major League Baseball player graduated from Covington Latin School.
- Durward Kirby, actor best known as the co-host of Candid Camera was born in Covington.
- Una Merkel, actress born in Covington.
- Eddie Peabody, banjo player, died of a stroke at St. Elizabeth Hospital on November 7, 1970; he had collapsed on stage on November 6, 1970 at the Lookout House in Fort Wright, Kentucky.
- George Remus, lawyer and bootlegger during the Prohibition era.
- Lee Roy Reams, Broadway actor born in Covington.
- Jack Roush, Champion NASCAR owner of the Roush Fenway Racing team, born in Covington.
- Patricia Scott, All-American Girls Professional Baseball League pitcher born in Covington.
- William Wright Southgate, Northern Kentucky Congressman
- John W. Stevenson, Governor and Senator.
- Ron Ziegler, White House Press Secretary during U.S. President Richard Nixon's administration, was born in Covington.
See also [edit]
Gallery [edit]
-
Historic Trinity Episcopal Church
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Mother of God Catholic Church
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Emery Row
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MainStrasse Village
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Mutter Gottes Historic District
References [edit]
- ^ a b Covington, Kentucky QuickFacts U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 2013-03-11.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
- ^ a b Our History City of Covington. Retrieved 2013-03-11.
- ^ a b c "Federal Park / Covington Blue Sox | Visits". Ballparkdigest.com. 2008-11-04. Retrieved 2012-05-08.
- ^ "Riverbreeze Ballpark (Historical) - Covington". RecreationParks.net. Retrieved 2012-05-08.
- ^ "MONTHLY AVERAGES for Covington, KY". The Weather Channel. Retrieved 2010-05-26.
- ^ Historical Census Data U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved on 2010-05-26.
- ^ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "Kentucky Homes For Sale By City". Kentucky Real Estate Trends. RealEstate.com. Retrieved 21 January 2013.
- ^ City of Covington CAFR Retrieved 2013-03-11
- ^ TANK Destinations Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky. Retrieved 2013-03-11.
- ^ "John H. McNeely, "Holding Institute"". The Handbook of Texas. Retrieved September 30, 2009.
External links [edit]
- 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
- A Byrd's Eye View of Covington, Kentucky Photobank
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