Florence, Kentucky facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Florence, Kentucky
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City
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Florence Hotel
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Location of Florence in Boone County, Kentucky.
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| Country | United States | ||
| State | Kentucky | ||
| County | Boone | ||
| Established | 1830 | ||
| Incorporated | February 17, 1860 | ||
| Government | |||
| • Type | Mayor–council | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 10.73 sq mi (27.78 km2) | ||
| • Land | 10.70 sq mi (27.72 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.03 sq mi (0.07 km2) | ||
| Elevation | 883 ft (269 m) | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 31,946 | ||
| • Estimate
(2022)
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32,618 | ||
| • Density | 2,985.05/sq mi (1,152.58/km2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) | ||
| ZIP codes |
41022, 41042
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| Area code(s) | 859 | ||
| FIPS code | 21-27982 | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 2403620 | ||
Florence is a city in Boone County, Kentucky, United States. It is part of the larger Cincinnati metropolitan area. In 2020, about 31,946 people lived here.
This makes Florence the second-largest city in Northern Kentucky. It is also the eighth-largest city in all of Kentucky. Florence is the biggest city in Kentucky that is not a county seat. Most cities in Kentucky, including Florence, are called "home rule-class cities." This means they have the power to manage their own local affairs.
Contents
History of Florence
The area where Florence now stands had a few different names over the years.
Early Names of the City
- Crossroads: This was the first name for the area. It was called this because several roads from nearby towns like Burlington and Union met there.
- Maddentown: Around 1821, the area became known as Maddentown. This name came from Thomas Madden, a lawyer from Covington. He owned a farm on one of the main roads.
- Connersville: In 1828, after Madden moved away, the town was named Connersville. This was in honor of Jacob Conner, an early settler who helped the growing community.
Why the Name Changed to Florence
The town was finally renamed Florence because there was already another Connersville in Harrison County. To avoid confusion, a new name was needed. The name "Florence" likely comes from the famous city of Florence, Italy. However, the exact reason for choosing this name is not fully clear.
The city officially became a town on January 27, 1830. It grew much faster after a major road, the Covington-Lexington Turnpike, was finished in 1836. At one point, before the 1900s, Florence was also known as Stringtown.
Where is Florence Located?
Florence is in the eastern part of Boone County, Kentucky.
Major Roads and Highways
Several important roads run through the center of Florence:
- U.S. Route 25
- U.S. Route 42
- U.S. Route 127
These roads lead northeast about 11 miles (18 km) to downtown Cincinnati. Major highways, Interstate 75 and Interstate 71, also pass through the western part of Florence. You can get to Florence from these highways using exits 178 through 182.
Size of the City
The city of Florence covers a total area of about 10.73 square miles (27.78 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a very small amount of water.
How Many People Live in Florence?
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1830 | 62 | — | |
| 1850 | 251 | — | |
| 1870 | 374 | — | |
| 1880 | 309 | −17.4% | |
| 1900 | 258 | — | |
| 1910 | 250 | −3.1% | |
| 1920 | 268 | 7.2% | |
| 1930 | 450 | 67.9% | |
| 1940 | 776 | 72.4% | |
| 1950 | 1,325 | 70.7% | |
| 1960 | 5,837 | 340.5% | |
| 1970 | 11,661 | 99.8% | |
| 1980 | 15,586 | 33.7% | |
| 1990 | 18,624 | 19.5% | |
| 2000 | 23,551 | 26.5% | |
| 2010 | 29,951 | 27.2% | |
| 2020 | 31,946 | 6.7% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 34,510 | 15.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Florence has grown a lot over the years. In 1830, only 62 people lived there. By 2020, the population had grown to 31,946. This shows a steady increase in the number of people choosing to live in Florence.
Diversity in Florence
Florence is a diverse city. Most residents are White, but there are also many people of African American, Asian, and other backgrounds. About 5.6% of the population identifies as Hispanic or Latino.
What is the Economy Like in Florence?
Florence has many different businesses and companies that provide jobs for its residents.
Major Employers
Some of the biggest employers located directly in Florence include:
- St. Elizabeth Healthcare (a hospital system)
- Boone County Schools (the local school district)
- Robert Bosch (a large engineering and technology company)
- SWECO (a company that makes industrial equipment)
- Meritor (a company that makes parts for vehicles)
- Eagle Manufacturing
- Walmart and Costco Wholesale (popular retail stores)
- The City of Florence itself (local government jobs)
Many other large companies have offices or factories in areas near Florence, even if their main address is in Florence. These include companies like Celanese, Citigroup, Kellogg's, and Staples. A company called Kona Ice, which sells shaved ice, is also based in Florence.
Arts and Culture in Florence
Florence is known for a unique landmark that many people see when driving by.
The Florence Y'all Water Tower
One of the most famous things about Florence is its water tower. You can see it clearly from I-71 and I-75. What makes it special is that it says "Florence Y'all" on it.
The tower was built in 1974. It was originally meant to advertise the new Florence Mall, which was being built. The mall developers even gave the land for the tower. However, because the mall wasn't finished yet, the tower's sign broke highway rules.
The city had to change the sign quickly. Instead of repainting the whole tower, they simply painted over two lines of the letter "M" to turn it into a "Y". The original plan was to change it back to "Florence Mall" once the mall was open. But people in the area really liked the new "Florence Y'all" message. So, the city decided to keep it that way, and it has been a local landmark ever since!
Sports in Florence
Florence has its own professional baseball team.
Florence Y'alls Baseball Team
The city is home to the Florence Y'alls. This is an independent minor league baseball team. They play their games at Thomas More Stadium in Florence. The stadium was completed in 2004.
Education in Florence
Students in Florence are served by the local school district.
Schools and Colleges
- The public schools in Florence are part of Boone County Schools.
- Gateway Community and Technical College has a campus located just south of town. This college offers many different programs for students.
Public Library
Florence also has a public library. It is a branch of the Boone County Public Library system. Libraries are great places to read, learn, and find information.
Notable People from Florence
Many interesting people have connections to Florence, Kentucky.
- Shaun Alexander: A former professional football player in the NFL.
- Curtis Gates Lloyd: A famous mycologist, someone who studies fungi.
- Akilah Hughes: An American writer, comedian, YouTuber, podcaster, and actress.
- Kenny Price: A well-known country music singer.
- Delano E. Williamson: A former Indiana Attorney General.
See also
In Spanish: Florence (Kentucky) para niños
