Photo courtesy of MeetNKY
Nearly 400,000 people live in Northern Kentucky (NKY), a vibrant, fast-growing community made up of three counties – Boone, Campbell and Kenton – and a whopping 36 cities. Northern Kentucky is part of the 16-county Greater Cincinnati region, a thriving metropolitan area with nearly 2.2 million residents and a workforce of more than 1.13 million workers. Nearly 68% of Northern Kentucky residents are employed.
Within a day’s drive (or 60-minute flight) of 60% of the US population, Northern Kentucky is centrally located where three interstate highways meet. With I-75 and I-71 running through the heart of the region, the transportation and logistics industries play an important role in the region’s economy.
NKY is home to Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), which serves 165 peak-day flights and is the seventh busiest cargo airport in North America. The Amazon Prime Air hub is co-located with the DHL Express Global Superhub at CVG. Dozens of other logistics and transportation companies are based near the airport, including warehouses for eBay, Amazon, and Wayfair.
Other key industries in the region include financial services, aerospace, food and flavor, life sciences and automotive. Northern Kentucky’s demographics paint a picture of a thriving, growing, and influential region poised to capture the attention of business and industry leaders for many years to come.
top employer
The largest employment sector in NKY is transportation and warehousing, followed by healthcare and social assistance. Manufacturing is the third largest employment sector.
The top employers in the region include:
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Loyal Investments- St Elizabeth Healthcare
- Citicorp Credit Services
- Amazon
- DHL Express
- verst logistics
- Robert Bosch automotive steering
- mubea
- curriculum vitae
- Kroeger Co.
- Fewer
- University of Northern Kentucky
- Tyson Foods
- engage
- Schwan’s global supply chain
- Archer Daniels Midland (ADM)
- Tyson
RELATED: Small businesses in northern Kentucky: Whimsical, quaint, and one-of-a-kind
Collaborative but unique
NKY is a region made up of many cities and communities working together on various initiatives including the Department of Health, Convention and Visitors Bureau, Public Transportation, Economic Development and more. Six cities lie on the Ohio River: Ludlow, Covington, Newport, Bellevue, Dayton and Fort Thomas.
The largest cities in the region by population are Covington, Florence, Independence, Erlangen, Burlington and Newport.
COVINGTON
More than 40,000 residents live in Covington, a river town at the confluence of the Ohio and Licking rivers that was incorporated in 1815. The city is known for its unique small businesses, historic homes, beautiful architecture, converted commercial space and an innovative entrepreneurial environment.
Florence Y’all’s water tower welcomes Interstate 75 drivers to northern Kentucky.
FLORENCE
Located off Interstate 75, Florence is the retail capital of Northern Kentucky. The second largest city in the region is a colorful mix of young professionals, families and seniors. The city is home to more than 2,500 businesses and is one of the few cities in the region to have an independent drinking water system and sanitary sewage system.
ERLANGER
Just five minutes from Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), Erlanger is in the center of the metropolitan region. It is home to several major manufacturers such as Perfetti Van Melle, Toyota Boshoku, United States Playing Card Co., Newly Weds Foods and more. Wayfair also operates a large fulfillment center there.
FORT THOMAS
Located on the Ohio River, Fort Thomas served as a US Army post for many years. Today, the suburb is home to families and young professionals, and is known for its schools and small businesses.
BURLINGTON
Burlington, the county seat of Boone County, is a census-designated place with over 17,000 residents and numerous businesses.
NEWPORT
The river city of Newport is known for its Purple People Bridge, a pedestrian bridge that connects Newport to Cincinnati. The city has many tourist attractions, including the Newport on the Levee entertainment complex and Ovation, a mixed-use facility that includes an indoor and outdoor concert hall and more.
Bircus Brewing in Ludlow is described as a place where the “surreal world of circus meets the love of beer”. Photo by Point & Click Studio, courtesy of Bircus Brewing
Something for everyone
The thriving Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky metropolitan area has much to offer. The region is a perfect blend of small-town charm and big-city excitement – professional sports teams, Fortune 500 and well-known corporations, major arts and cultural institutions, nationally recognized restaurants, live music and more.
NKY’s riverside towns have quick access to Cincinnati and all its amenities, but NKY is far from overshadowed by Cincinnati. In fact, Northern Kentucky has it all. Picturesque inner cities full of development. Prominent universities and a successful community college system. Historic neighborhoods and a booming residential real estate market. Global logistics expertise driving growth and creating more high-paying jobs. Fast access to North America’s premier regional airport. Four major league athletic teams and successful high school athletic programs that bring the community together. Innovative entrepreneurs and a supportive business community. Exciting riverside development. Several art and cultural sites. Cost of living below the national average.
NKY is one of the largest urban areas in Kentucky. It is a thriving manufacturing center and a leader in logistics, finance and technology. It is within walking distance to world class restaurants, live music and a variety of craft breweries and bourbon distilleries. It also has an active suburban community with great schools and shopping.
Fans from across the region celebrated the Cincinnati Bengals’ return to the Super Bowl in 2022, the team’s first appearance since 1989. Who Dey, the Bengals’ mascot, visited Newport on the Levee with football fans ahead of the big game.
Click here to read more articles from the Market Review of Northern Kentucky 2022-2023.
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