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CITY

Independence

Kentucky · 30,198 residents (2025 est.) · 17.738 sq mi
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The short version

Independence is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $102,361. The city has grown rapidly, with population up 96% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $263,700. At a median age of 33.7, residents skew younger than the country as a whole. It sits in the top 10% of US cities for household income. Households here earn about 61% more than the Kentucky median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 33.7
US median: 38.9
Average education
36% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 30%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
29,392
+96%since 2000
from 14,982 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,657 / sq mi
+96%since 2000
from 845 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
33.7
+8%since 2000
from 31.3 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:30,198 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
9K14K20K26K31K1990201020202024Independence
202429K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$102,361
+10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $51,002 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$39,714
+97%since 2000
from $20,191 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
65.2%
+22.7 ptssince 2009
from 42.4% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
8.8%
+2.2 ptssince 2000
from 6.5% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.361
+14%since 2010
from 0.317 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade13.9%
US avg: 9.9%
Information9.4%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services8.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance8.1%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical7.5%
US avg: 5.1%
Public administration7.3%
US avg: 4.8%
Wholesale trade4.9%
US avg: 6.9%
Transportation & warehousing2.3%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food2.2%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.2%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.1%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$263,700
+30%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $111,300 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,250
+17%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $587 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
83.8%
+7.0 ptssince 2000
from 76.8% in 2000
16.2% rent
Vacancy rate
1.9%
−3.1 ptssince 2009
from 5.0% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
17.2%
−6.9 ptssince 2009
from 24.1% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
34.6%
+5.3 ptssince 2009
from 29.3% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.6
+18%since 2000
from 2.2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
61
RELATED:See current rent listings in Independence on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic96.5%(14,454)
Black1%(144)
Hispanic / Latino1.2%(173)
Asian0.4%(56)
Other0%
Diversity Score6.2%(926)
2024
White, non-Hispanic91.4%(26,855)
Black1.5%(428)
Hispanic / Latino2.5%(736)
Asian1%(294)
Other3.7%(1,079)
Diversity Score20.4%(5,985)
Diversity Score
20
+230%since 2000
from 6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
36.4%
+17.7 ptssince 2000
from 18.7% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
94.9%
+9.8 ptssince 2000
from 85.1% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
11.2%
+6.7 ptssince 2000
from 4.5% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
27.2 min
+77%since 2000
from 15.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
78.7%
−8.8 ptssince 2009
from 87.5% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
5.5%
−2.5 ptssince 2009
from 8.0% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.2%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.9% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
13.6%
+11.4 ptssince 2009
from 2.2% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.4%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
2.2%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 3.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.3%
−2.3 ptssince 2011
from 6.6% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
72.6%
−4.1 ptssince 2011
from 76.7% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
13.1%
+2.1 ptssince 2009
from 11.0% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
42.4%
−21.8 ptssince 2009
from 64.2% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.9%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 49.6% in 2009
Female
50.1%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 50.4% in 2009
Foreign born
3.1%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 2.1% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
5.9%
−41.8 ptssince 2009
from 47.7% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
11.3%
+2.2 ptssince 2012
from 9.1% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
3.8%
−86.9 ptssince 2013
from 90.7% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
96.6%
+8.8 ptssince 2017
from 87.8% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
96.1%
−1.5 ptssince 2016
from 97.6% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
1.3%
+0.4 ptssince 2016
from 1.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Independence

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Pop 33,067
East Lake
Pop 33,283
Richmond West
Pop 35,593
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Pop 32,070
Places similar to Independence
Head to head

Compare Independence to nearby cities

INDEPENDENCE VS
Edgewood
Income$119,028+16%
Home value$312,200+18%
Population8,503−72%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
INDEPENDENCE VS
Elsmere
Income$60,503−41%
Home value$171,900−35%
Population9,521−68%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
INDEPENDENCE VS
Covington
Income$61,166−40%
Home value$187,300−29%
Population41,847+39%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
INDEPENDENCE VS
Florence
Income$71,003−31%
Home value$210,700−20%
Population34,018+13%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Independence, Kentucky?

Independence, Kentucky has about 29,392 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Independence, Kentucky?

The typical household in Independence, Kentucky earns about $102,361 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Independence, Kentucky expensive?

In Independence, Kentucky, the median home is worth about $263,700, and the typical rent is about $1,250 a month.

How educated are people in Independence, Kentucky?

About 36.4% of adults age 25 and over in Independence, Kentucky hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Independence, Kentucky?

About 8.8% of people in Independence, Kentucky live below the federal poverty line.

Has Independence, Kentucky grown since 1990?

Yes, Independence, Kentucky has grown since 1990. The population has added about 18,948 residents, a change of about 181 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →