Independence, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Independence, Kentucky had a total population of 29,392, the 12th largest city in Kentucky, with a median household income of $102,361, which is 61% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 61% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in Kentucky.
Independence Quick Facts
How Independence Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 29,024 | 29,392 | +1.3% |
| Median household income | $98,653 | $102,361 | +3.8% |
| Median home value | $240,500 | $263,700 | +9.6% |
How Independence Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 33 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Independence Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Other Cities in Kenton County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Covington | 41,110 | $61,166 | 20.8% | $187,300 |
| Erlanger | 19,875 | $75,840 | 13.7% | $209,000 |
| Elsmere | 9,205 | $60,503 | 15.6% | $171,900 |
| Fort Mitchell | 8,713 | $86,310 | 8.1% | $357,100 |
| Edgewood | 8,447 | $119,028 | 3.8% | $312,200 |
| Villa Hills | 7,480 | $107,859 | 3.7% | $362,500 |
| Taylor Mill | 6,937 | $88,546 | 10.9% | $241,000 |
| Fort Wright | 5,887 | $105,024 | 3.0% | $328,900 |
| Walton | 5,730 | $77,917 | 13.0% | $262,200 |
| Crescent Springs | 4,486 | $83,066 | 5.4% | $302,100 |
Cities Similar to Independence
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jeffersontown | 29,199 | $81,506 | $250,700 | 39.8% | 6.5% |
| Nicholasville | 32,197 | $68,503 | $226,800 | 26.9% | 13.1% |
| Florence | 32,803 | $71,003 | $210,700 | 26.4% | 9.5% |
| Frankfort | 28,503 | $53,073 | $183,700 | 28.4% | 19.1% |
| Elizabethtown | 32,576 | $60,760 | $245,900 | 28.2% | 17.0% |
Population Overview
Independence is a mid-sized community located in Kentucky, within Kenton County. The total population is 29,392. It ranks as the 12th most populous out of 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Independence is 33.7 years. This is 14% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Independence is $102,361. This is 61% higher than the state median of $63,726. It is also 27% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.8%. This is 45% lower than the state poverty rate of 16.1%. The unemployment rate is 4.3%. This is 11% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $263,700. Housing costs are 28% higher than the state median of $205,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Independence is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 83.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 23% higher than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Independence has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.5%. The Black or African American population (1.5%) is well below the state average of 7.5%.
Education
36.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 32% higher than the state rate of 27.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Independence, Kentucky is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Kentucky state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Independence, Kentucky?
Independence, Kentucky has a population of 29,392 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Independence, KY?
The median household income in Independence is $102,361, which is 27% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Independence, KY?
The poverty rate in Independence is 8.8%. This means approximately 2,563 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Independence, Kentucky?
Independence's population is 91.4% White, 1.5% Black, 2.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Independence, KY?
The median home value in Independence is $263,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Independence, Kentucky?
36.4% of adults (25+) in Independence hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 11.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.