Thinking of relocating to a peaceful Cincinnati suburb with Southern charm and an affordable cost of living? You should consider moving to Fort Mitchell, KY, a home rule city in Northern Kentucky, located just south of the Ohio border. Fort Mitchell is known for its Civil War heritage as one of seven fortifications built to defend the city of Cincinnati and gets its name from Union General Ormsby Mitchell. It was officially incorporated as a city in 1910 and later annexed nearby communities such as South Ft. Mitchell and Crescent Park. Today, Fort Mitchell is a good place to live, with low crime, affordable housing, and an easy commute to Cincinnati.
Where Is Fort Mitchell?
Fort Mitchell, Kentucky is in Kenton County but within the Cincinnati metropolitan area. Nearby communities include Fort Wright, Park Hills, Villa Hills, Crestview Hills, and Crescent Springs. Fort Mitchell is also very close to the Cincinnati and Licking Rivers. I-71 also runs through the city, offering easy access to Cincinnati and the Cincinnati Kentucky International Airport.
Fort Mitchell is 6 miles or a 12-minute drive from downtown Cincinnati. Cold Springs, KY, is also 12 miles or an 18-minute drive from Fort Mitchell, KY. Plus, Fort Mitchell, KY, is 35 miles or a 36-minute drive from Williamstown, KY. So the city is very centrally located.
Fort Mitchell Population & Demographics
Fort Mitchell, KY has a population of 8,702, according to the 2020 census. But it’s also consistently growing, and the population increased by 5.8% compared to 2010. The population density is 2,809.8 residents per square mile, indicating a mix of urban and suburban living. A few notable residents have called Fort Mitchell home, including American attorney A.M. Edwards, who served as the Secretary of Guam.
Fort Mitchell is home to a lot of young families, and out of the 3,467 households in the city, 63% are married couples, while 28.3% of residents are under 18.
Other Fort Mitchell Demographics
- The median age is 34.6 years old.
- There are slightly more men than women, and the population is 51% male and 49% female.
- The racial and ethnic breakdown is 94.7% White (non-Hispanic), 2% Latino or Hispanic, 0.9% Black or African American, 0.5% Asian, and 2.9% two or more races.
- The median household income is $72,669, which is about 30% higher than the rest of Kentucky.
- 95.5% of residents have a high school diploma; 47.8% have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
- The foreign-born population is 1.4%.
Fort Mitchell is very safe. The total crime rate is 1,160 incidents per 100,000 residents, which is 51% lower than the national average. The violent crime rate is also 88% lower than the rest of the United States, and the property crime rate is 43% lower.
The Fort Mitchell Police Department monitors crime in the city and keeps residents safe with the help of 15 sworn officers.
Cost of Living in Fort Mitchell
A major draw of living in Fort Mitchell is the affordability. The cost of living index is a good way to judge how cheap it is to live in an area compared to the national average (represented by 100).
The COLI for the Cincinnati metro area is 92.2, which indicates it is 7.8% less expensive than the rest of the United States. However, Fort Mitchell, KY real estate is even more affordable than in Cincinnati, and the COLi is close to 87 or 13% lower than the rest of the US.
The Family Budget Calculator created by the Economic Policy Institutes is another good way to gauge the affordability of moving to Fort Mitchell. It states that the average family with two adults and two children would need to earn $83,907 per year to afford to live in Kenton County.
Typical Fort Mitchell Living Expenses
- Loaf of bread: $3.38
- A gallon of milk: $2.12
- Carton of eggs: $1.96
- Bunch of bananas: $2.93
- Hamburger: $4.47
Source: Payscale
Fort Mitchell real estate is also reasonably affordable. Redfin states that the median listing price of homes for sale in Fort Mitchell, KY, is $520,000, and the median price per square foot is $211 per square foot. About 54% of residents own a home, while 46% rent.
Apartments in Fort Mitchell, KY are very affordable, and RentCafe states that the average rent is only $1086 per month. Prices range from $850 for a 1-bedroom to $1245 for a 3-bedroom.
Fort Mitchell Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Fort Mitchell
Fort Mitchell is a relatively small city that doesn’t have many distinct neighborhoods; however, it offers well-maintained single-family homes and quiet streets wherever you go. However, the most desirable homes tend to be in the western part of the city, formerly known as Crescent Park. The most affordable tend to be in the southern portion of the city, formerly South Fort Mitchell. But moving to Fort Mitchell offers a high quality of life no matter where you live.
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Fort Mitchell Weather & Climate
Fort Mitchell has a humid subtropical climate, according to the Koppen climate classification system. It typically experiences warm, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. The temperature typically ranges from about 24°F to 86°F but can get as low as 8°F and as high as 93°F. The best time to visit Fort Mitchell is mid-June to late September.
Fort Mitchell also experiences a fair amount of precipitation. It averages 44 inches of rain and 12 inches of snow per year. So, you may want to invest in an umbrella and a snowplow if you plan on living in Fort Mitchell.
Things to Do in Fort Mitchell
You will find plenty of exciting things to do in Fort Mitchell, KY, from museums to amusement parks. There are plenty of opportunities for shopping at Expressway Plaza or Remke Plaza. You can also head into Cincinnati to check out Hyde Park Plaza and other major retail brands. Here are a few other fun things to do in Fort Mitchell.
Vent Haven Museum
The Vent Museum is the world’s only museum dedicated to the art of ventriloquism, with exhibits, photos, and artifacts about puppets and the history of the craft.
33 W Maple Ave, Fort Mitchell, KY 41011 (859) 341-0461
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General Ormsby Park
General Ormsby Park is a public Park in North Fort Mitchell featuring playgrounds, walking trails, open green spaces, and picnic tables that make a great destination for weekend outings and birthday parties.
261 Grandview Dr. Fort Mitchell, KY 41017 (859) 331-1212
Silverlake “The Family Place“
If you’re looking for fun things to do in Fort Mitchell with kids, Silverlake “The Family Place” is an active entertainment center just outside the city in Erlanger that features a trampoline park, ropes course, bowling, climbing walls, golf, and more.
301 Kenton Lands Rd, Erlanger, KY 41018 (859) 426-7777
Additional Fort Mitchell KY Attractions
- Behringer-Crawford Museum
- Scenic Overlook at Devou Park
- Fort Mitchell Country Club
- National Underground Railroad Freedom Center
If you’re looking for more Fort Mitchell attractions, the Fort Mitchell Parks and Recreation Department maintains three public parks and hosts frequent community events.
Fort Mitchell Restaurants
For a small city, there are a wide variety of great restaurants in Fort Mitchell, offering everything from Italian food to Chinese.
Fort Mitchell Public House
The Fort Mitchell Public House is one of the best restaurants in Fort Mitchell, KY if you’re looking for fine Cajun cuisine served in a relaxed setting, serving delicious entrees like jambalaya and voodoo shrimp pasta.
2053 Dixie Hwy, Fort Mitchell, KY 41011 (859) 331-0867
Camporosso
Camporosso is an upscale Italian restaurant serving artisan pizza and pasta, along with an extensive wine and cocktail list, making it one of the best Fort Mitchell KY restaurants for a date night.
2475 Dixie Hwy, Fort Mitchell, KY 41017 (859) 331-0155
Asian Place Chinese Restaurant
The Asian Place Chinese restaurant is the perfect spot if you’re in the mood for authentic Chinese food with a large selection of low mein, fried rice, pad thai, and other classic dishes.
2220 Grandview Dr, Fort Mitchell, KY 41017 (859) 578-8707
Jobs in Fort Mitchell, KY
Fort Mitchell has a strong economy with plenty of job opportunities available in a variety of industries. Many residents who are moving to Fort Mitchell plan on commuting to Cincinnati for work. The average commute time is 23.3 minutes, which is a full 3.5 minutes less than the national average.
The major industries in Fort Mitchell are health care and social assistance, manufacturing, and educational services. Most Fort Mitchell residents are employed in management, sales, or office and administrative support occupations.
According to Payscale, the average salary for Fort Mitchell residents is $71,000 per year. The average salary of common Fort Mitchell jobs includes:
- Business development director: $99,359
- Human resources manager: $55,766
- Mechanical engineer: $93,399
- Program manager: $135,379
- Senior software engineer: $109,437
The largest employers in Northern Kentucky are:
- St. Elizabeth Healthcare: 9,865 employees
- Amazon: 6,000 employees
- Fidelity Investments: 4,800
- Kroger: 4,000
- Boone County School District: 3,500
Employment seekers will find a wide variety of fulfilling Fort Mitchell, KY jobs ranging from veterinarian to flight attendant.
Fort Mitchell Schools
The main Fort Mitchell KY school district is the Beechwood ISD, although a small part of the city falls within the Kenton County School System. The Beechwood ISD is highly respected and ranks as the 2nd best school district in the state of Kentucky. The district has three schools: Beechwood Elementary, Beechwood High School, and Guardian Angel, an alternative school.
Beechwood High School scores well for a variety of metrics, with a graduation rate of 100% and an AP participation rate of 87%. According to US News and World Report, it is the 5th best high school in Kentucky, 9th best in the Cincinnati metro area, and 407th best in the US.
Blessed Sacrament is also a private Catholic School in Fort Mitchell, and the Goddard School is a private school for children six months to 6 years. For public libraries, residents can check out the Fort Thomas Branch of the Campbell County Public Library or the Erlanger Branch of the Kenton County Public Library.
Fort Mitchell Statistics & Information
- Fort Mitchell County: Kenton County
- Fort Mitchell area: 3.11 sq mi
- Fort Mitchell KY zip code: 41011, 41017
- Fort Mitchell area code: 859
- Fort Mitchell elevation: 830 ft
- Fort Mitchell time zone: Eastern Standard Time (EST)
- The closest airport to Fort Mitchell: The Cincinnati Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) is 9.4 miles away
Fort Mitchell, KY Map
Explore more fun things to do, restaurants, and attractions in the Fort Mitchell zip code with this map!
Ready to relocate to this picturesque Cincinnati suburb? Let our experienced Fort Mitchell movers help make your upcoming move simple and stress-free. Call 513-942-7500 for a free, customized moving quote.
