Independence

History

The area post office was established by Isaac Everett in 1837 as "Everett's Creek"; in 1838, this was changed to "Crews Creek" (presumably after the present Cruises Creek that is south of the city); in 1839, Thomas Hordern renamed it "Bagby". The post office was renamed the same year. Quickly settled, Independence was formally incorporated by the state assembly in 1842. Because the majority of the county's population resided along the Ohio River, Independence was eventually obliged to share its status as county seat with the larger city of Covington, a situation later repeated in Campbell County between the centrally located Alexandria and the larger, riverside Newport.

Geography

Independence is located in central Kenton County. It is bordered to the northwest by Elsmere, to the north by Erlanger and Covington, and to the northeast by Ryland Heights. The western border of Independence follows the Boone County line, and the city of Florence in Boone County borders the far northwestern end of Independence. The original center of Independence is in the southeast part of the city, along Madison Pike. Kentucky Route 17, a four-lane divided highway, passes just east of the city center, leading north to downtown Covington and south to Falmouth. According to the United States Census Bureau, Independence has a total area of , of which are land and , or 1.45%, are water. Banklick Creek, a northeast-flowing tributary of the Licking River, is the largest stream in the city, draining most of the area within the city limits.

Race & ethnicity

Largest nearby schools

• Simon Kenton High School
  High · Independence · 1,859 students · 22.1:1 ratio
• Dixie Heights High School
  High · Fort Mitchell · 1,561 students · 23.7:1 ratio
• Summit View Academy
  Elementary · Independence · 1,431 students · 17.2:1 ratio
• Scott High School
  High · Taylor Mill · 1,071 students · 20.6:1 ratio
• Turkey Foot Middle School
  Middle · Edgewood · 1,029 students · 20.2:1 ratio
• River Ridge Elementary School
  Elementary · Villa Hills · 931 students · 14.8:1 ratio
• Holmes High School
  High · Covington · 878 students · 15.1:1 ratio
• Twenhofel Middle School
  Middle · Independence · 835 students · 21.4:1 ratio