Independence, Kentucky
Among the top 14% of US places for getting around.
AffordabilityAffordability: grade C, better than 42% of US places
WeatherWeather: grade F, better than 1% of US places
Safety & WellbeingSafety & Wellbeing: grade B, better than 56% of US places
Getting AroundGetting Around: grade A, better than 86% of US places
Lifestyle & ConnectivityLifestyle & Connectivity: grade C, better than 50% of US places
- top 4% for airport distance
- top 9% for natural disaster risk
- bottom 8% for sunny days
Independence is a mid-size city in Kentucky with about 29,000 residents. It grades A for getting around and F for weather. Standout strengths include airport distance, natural disaster risk, and sales tax. It rates lower on air quality and sunny days.
Official websitecityofindependence.org (opens in new tab)
Climate
Warm summers · Cold winters · Moderate rain · Snowy
very cold
cold
comf.
warm
hot
warm
comf.
cold
v.cold
66%36%clearovercast
Precipitation 4.5 in3.2 in
humid 82%dry
Livability factors
Affordability
Median Household Income$92k81st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Cost of Living$46kbetter than 50% of US places
Home Value$226k66th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Monthly Rent$1kbetter than 28% of US places
Monthly Owner Costs$2kbetter than 35% of US places
Property Tax Rate0.99%better than 51% of US places
Income Tax5.50%better than 41% of US places
State 4.50% + Local 1.00%
Sales Tax6.00%better than 86% of US places
Estimated total tax burden9.89%better than 49% of US places
Unemployment3.6%better than 53% of US places
Weather
Winter Temp (Jan)32°F49th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Summer Temp (Jul)76°F52nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Precipitation45.3 in61st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Annual Snowfall23.3 inbetter than 42% of US places
Sunny Days176 daysbetter than 8% of US places
Summer Humidity65°Fbetter than 39% of US places
Comfortable Days72 daysbetter than 26% of US places
Safety & Wellbeing
Natural Disaster Risk28.9better than 91% of US places
Air Quality53 AQIbetter than 11% of US places
School Quality44.6better than 24% of US places
Violent Crime507/100kbetter than 65% of US places
Property Crime363/100kbetter than 76% of US places
Community
Population28,72295th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Median Age34.721st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Racial Diversity0.1132nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Male/Female Ratio0.9851st percentile — neutral, not ranked
Political LeaningR+2045th percentile — neutral, not ranked
White (%)93.6%72nd percentile — neutral, not ranked
Black (%)1.2%59th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Hispanic (%)1.3%34th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Asian (%)1.4%75th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Other / Multiracial (%)2.6%47th percentile — neutral, not ranked
Getting Around
Commute Time27 minbetter than 40% of US places
Walkability8.6/20better than 79% of US places
Airport Distance10 mibetter than 96% of US places
Lifestyle & Connectivity
Broadband Access94.8%better than 82% of US places
Amenities Nearby14.97better than 18% of US places
Park & Nature AccessGoodbetter than 54% of US places
Similar places
Frequently asked questions
- Is Independence an affordable place to live?
- Independence is about average in cost. Its cost-of-living index is $46k, better than 50% of comparable areas.
- What is the median home value in Independence?
- The median home value in Independence is $226k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- What is the median household income in Independence?
- Median household income in Independence is $92k, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- How much is rent in Independence?
- Median gross rent in Independence is $1k a month, per the U.S. Census ACS (5-Year).
- Is Independence safe?
- Independence is safer than most comparable areas, with a violent crime rate of 507/100k (better than 65%). Property crime is 363/100k.
- What is the weather like in Independence?
- Independence averages 76°F in July and 32°F in January, with 45.3 in of annual precipitation and about 176 sunny days a year.
- How are the schools in Independence?
- Public-school quality in Independence is below average, scoring better than 24% of comparable areas on a composite of graduation rates, spending, and student-teacher ratio.
- How long is the commute in Independence?
- The average one-way commute in Independence is 27 min.
Other places in Kenton County
Places near Independence
Compare Independence
Explore Kentucky
Data sources
- EPA Air Quality (AQI)
- EPA Smart Location Database
- EPI Family Budget Calculator
- FAA airport enplanements
- FBI Uniform Crime Reports
- FEMA National Risk Index
- MIT Election Data Lab (2020)
- NCES School Finance Survey
- NOAA Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA nClimGrid
- OpenStreetMap
- Tax Foundation + state revenue depts
- U.S. Census ACS (5-Year)
- USGS Protected Areas (PAD-US)