Newport-Fort Thomas
RANK #657 / 996 NAT · #11 / 19 KY · POP 93,122
1YR FORECAST: +0.5%
5YR OUTLOOK: +20%
Campbell County, Kentucky, distinguishes itself with two county seats, Newport and Alexandria, a unique arrangement reflecting its blend of urban riverfront areas and rural expanses. Located in northern Kentucky, directly across the Ohio River from Cincinnati, Ohio, the county offers a commute that integrates with the larger metropolitan area. Residents have access to various transportation options, including Park & Ride locations and a new on-demand micro-transit service called TANK Plus, which launched in August 2024. The county's diverse topography, from rolling hills to riverfront communities, provides a backdrop for outdoor recreation, with AJ Jolly Park offering 1,000 acres for activities like fishing, kayaking, horseback riding, and golf.
Life in Campbell County offers a mix of suburban and rural living, with many residents owning their homes. The public schools in Campbell County are highly rated, and Northern Kentucky University is located in Highland Heights, providing higher education opportunities. The economy is closely tied to the Cincinnati region, with many residents commuting for employment in sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, and professional services. Recent economic developments include significant investments in mixed-use riverfront projects, health innovation centers, and university-adjacent developments, alongside residential growth. The county is also seeing growth in agritourism, including wineries and farm festivals.
Above national median (4.7x)
Above national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing is fairly valued at 5.1x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Ovation Mixed-Use Development
Unknown
|
$1,000M | Planned |
|
Newport on the Levee and Aqua on the Levee Expansion
Unknown
|
$180M | Under Construction |
|
NKU Town Center Project
Northern Kentucky University, St. Elizabeth Healthcare, OrthoCincy
|
$112M | Under Construction |
|
Manhattan Harbour
Unknown
|
$50M | Planned |
|
High-Speed Internet Infrastructure Upgrade (Campbell, Kenton, and Boone Counties)
altafiber (formerly Cincinnati Bell)
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
At 34/100, Campbell County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $71,979 combined with job growth of +1.4% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Housing in Campbell County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $214,400 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.34, with rents averaging $979/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Employers in Campbell County are hiring — job growth of +1.4% — but the population is close to flat (+0.1% YoY). Home values moved +3.3% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.46% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Campbell County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.