Population 34,824 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Independence
Household size in Independence
| Period | Independence | Cincinnati area | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.01 | 2.59 | 2.51 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 3.02 | 2.61 | 2.53 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.96 | 2.55 | 2.52 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 3.03 | 2.55 | 2.51 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.03 | −0.04 | −0.00 | −0.03 |
Independence is a place of big households: 3.03 people per home on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. Numbers like that usually point to plenty of families with kids. Only six of the 146 Kentucky cities with 5,000+ people have larger households.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Independence
| Period | Independence | Cincinnati area | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 32.2 | 37.6 | 38.5 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 33.6 | 38.6 | 39.3 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 35.7 | 39.4 | 40.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 35.7 | 39.5 | 39.9 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.5 | +1.9 | +1.5 | +2.3 |
Independence is young: half of its residents are under 35.7, compared with a national median of 40.1. The population tilts toward young families with children. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 32.2, in line with the national trend. Only 13 of the 146 Kentucky cities with 5,000+ people are younger.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Independence
| Period | Independence | Cincinnati area | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.3% | 11.8% | 11.7% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 14.9% | 12.0% | 11.9% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 8.6% | 11.6% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 11.9% | 11.4% | 11.9% | 11.6% |
| Change | +1.5 pts | −0.4 pts | +0.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head nearly one in eight households in Independence (11.9%), close to the national share of 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has risen 1.5 points, even as the national share fell.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Independence
Renters in Independence
| Period | Independence | Cincinnati area | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.1% | 30.9% | 30.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 20.3% | 32.8% | 32.3% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 19.6% | 33.6% | 32.8% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 14.5% | 31.7% | 31.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | −2.6 pts | +0.8 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 14.5% of households in Independence rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Among homeowners, 24.3% have no mortgage at all, well below the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has fallen 2.6 points, even as the national share rose. Only 12 of the 146 Kentucky cities with 5,000+ people have a lower share of renters.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Independence
| Period | Independence | Cincinnati area | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.9% | 10.9% | 12.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 7.4% | 10.7% | 11.9% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.2% | 9.0% | 12.3% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 2.9% | 7.2% | 10.6% | 9.6% |
| Change | −4.0 pts | −3.7 pts | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts |
Empty homes are scarce in Independence: just 2.9% sit vacant, compared with 9.6% nationally, a sign of a tight housing market. Vacancy has fallen 4.0 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Only one other Kentucky city with 5,000+ people has a lower vacancy rate.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Independence
| Period | Independence | Cincinnati area | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1992 | 1973 | 1977 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1992 | 1973 | 1979 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1993 | 1974 | 1980 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1995 | 1977 | 1982 | 1980 |
| Change | +3 | +4 | +5 | +6 |
Independence has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 1995, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1992 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the northeast, while the southeast has the oldest housing. Only 14 of the 146 Kentucky cities with 5,000+ people have newer homes.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Independence
| Period | Independence | Cincinnati area | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $852 | $826 | $657 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $909 | $888 | $728 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,054 | $987 | $814 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,524 | $1,263 | $1,024 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$672 | +$437 | +$367 | +$606 |
The median renter in Independence pays $1,524 a month for rent and utilities, close to the national median of $1,571. Rents here are higher than in the Cincinnati area as a whole ($1,263). Rents are up $672 a month from 2006–10, a 79% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 28.2% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Independence
Bachelor's degrees in Independence
| Period | Independence | Cincinnati area | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 24.3% | 29.2% | 21.3% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 28.6% | 30.8% | 22.5% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 28.2% | 34.1% | 24.5% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 34.5% | 37.0% | 27.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +10.2 pts | +7.8 pts | +6.2 pts | +7.2 pts |
Just over a third of adults 25 and older in Independence (34.5%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, close to the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 10.2 points, mirroring the country. College graduates are most concentrated in the southwest and least in the northwest.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Independence
| Period | Independence | Cincinnati area | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 89.8% | 87.7% | 81.7% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 90.5% | 89.3% | 83.9% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 91.7% | 91.1% | 86.4% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 95.1% | 92.4% | 88.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +5.3 pts | +4.7 pts | +7.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Independence: 95.1% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 5.3 points, as it has nationally. Independence has a higher share of high school graduates than at least four in five Kentucky cities.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Independence
| Period | Independence | Cincinnati area | Kentucky | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.0% | 7.5% | 8.4% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 7.0% | 8.6% | 9.5% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.6% | 4.7% | 5.8% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.8% | 4.5% | 5.1% | 5.4% |
| Change | −1.3 pts | −3.0 pts | −3.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
At 4.8%, unemployment in Independence is close to the national rate of 5.4%. Unemployment has edged down 1.3 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Independence compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Independence | 3.03 | 35.7 | 11.9% | 14.5% | 2.9% | 1995 | $1,524 | 34.5% | 95.1% | 4.8% |
| White Tower | 2.60 | 46.1 | 8.3% | 5.4% | 4.0% | 1980 | $1,493 | 25.9% | 95.6% | 5.2% |
| Edgewood | 2.59 | 44.2 | 4.7% | 8.4% | 1.4% | 1976 | $1,077 | 51.8% | 96.3% | 3.0% |
| Elsmere | 2.65 | 32.0 | 9.7% | 28.2% | 8.1% | 1974 | $1,218 | 24.4% | 91.2% | 4.2% |
| Erlanger | 2.45 | 38.5 | 12.1% | 29.9% | 5.8% | 1975 | $1,191 | 32.4% | 92.4% | 3.0% |
| Ryland Heights | 2.57 | 50.3 | 4.9% | 11.7% | 13.9% | 1971 | $1,258 | 28.1% | 92.1% | 4.1% |
| Fort Mitchell | 2.71 | 36.3 | 13.2% | 22.6% | 8.2% | 1978 | $1,180 | 44.3% | 96.0% | 3.2% |
| Tylor Mill | 2.94 | 46.4 | 5.4% | 9.7% | 22.3% | 1960 | $1,219 | 20.1% | 90.9% | 2.4% |
| Taylor Mill | 2.51 | 38.5 | 10.8% | 18.6% | 8.3% | 1978 | $1,142 | 36.8% | 90.5% | 4.9% |
| Crestview Hills | 2.54 | 35.0 | 5.9% | 34.4% | 8.6% | 1982 | $1,240 | 49.2% | 96.9% | 4.0% |
| Walton | 3.09 | 35.7 | 12.6% | 19.6% | 7.3% | 1994 | $1,380 | 34.4% | 93.0% | 3.2% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Ambler, PA · Williston, ND · Wheat Ridge, CO · Westmont, CA · Waycross, GA · Troy, OH · Cottonwood Heights, UT · Collegeville, PA · Chester, PA · Cabot, AR
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Independence. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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