RANK #524 / 1001 NAT · #7 / 19 KY · POP 93,426
1YR FORECAST: +0.9%
5YR OUTLOOK: +28%
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.
Campbell County is one of 110 U.S. counties in this market profile — near the profile average on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +3.3% runs above the profile's typical +2.4%.
See all 110 Educated Suburban Growth counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 12.7x — home prices are high 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.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
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 1001 counties.
Campbell County scores 47/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 1001 U.S. counties (#524). Median household income is $77,567 and job growth is running at +0.8%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Housing in Campbell County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $252,000 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.31, with rents averaging $1,145/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Population and employment in Campbell County are both close to flat — population +0.2% YoY and jobs +0.8%. Home values shifted +3.3% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.95% 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.