About Newport

Newport Sign at Newport on the LeveeOverview

Newport provides an excellent mix of historic amenities and contemporary development.  The City occupies a land area of 3.5 square miles and serves a population of over 15,000. The community’s riverfront area provides a striking view of the Cincinnati skyline and is host to premier attractions including the Newport Aquarium, Newport on the Levee, BB Riverboats, Hofbrauhaus, and the World Peace Bell, the world’s largest swinging bell. The riverfront area serves as host to numerous warm-weather festivals and events. Newport is also home to a historic downtown filled with eclectic businesses and the East Row neighborhood, one of Kentucky’s largest and finest historic districts. 

City Government & Departments

The City has operated under the City Manager form of government since 1932. Legislative authority is vested in the Mayor and Board of Commissioners, while the City Manager is responsible for the day-to-day administration of the community. Newport provides a full range of services including a nationally accredited full-time professional police force; fire protection with advanced life support medic services; street maintenance and improvement; solid waste collection; twelve parks and recreational facilities; cultural events; planning and zoning; code enforcement; and business development. All of these services lead to a safe, clean, and welcoming community.

Business

Newport is home to approximately 600 businesses employing 6,500 people. The leading sectors are: service; retail; government; manufacturing; insurance, and real estate; and construction. Growth continues at the Newport Pavilion with several new retail spaces and eateries having opened throughout 2013. Examples of large, private employers include:

  • Comfort Suites
  • EGC
  • Executive Transportation
  • Gerner Law
  • Intrinzic Marketing
  • Kroger
  • Multi-Craft Litho
  • National Band and Tag
  • Newport Aquarium
  • Remke’s
  • Target
  • Wendling Printing
  • Xanodyne

Tourism

Additionally, Newport on the Levee, one of the Cincinnati area’s largest tourist attractions, brings approximately four million visitors to the community every year.

Access to the City / Transportation

Newport has the advantage of being easily accessible when you are traveling to or from work in Newport, coming to enjoy the many shopping and dining options, or vacationing in or near Northern Kentucky. Whether you are coming from within the local tri-state area or starting your travel from a more distant spot, Newport is conveniently located and easy to find and navigate. The city is located just under 20 miles (about a 25-minute drive) from the Greater Cincinnati International Airport (CVG).

Three bridges (two vehicular and one pedestrian) connect Newport to downtown Cincinnati. The City also has two bridges connecting to Covington on its western boundary.

The City has excellent access to I-471 with three exits within its jurisdiction. I-471 provides connectivity to I-275, which facilitates easy transportation to all of Northern Kentucky. Newport is bound on the north by the Ohio River, to the west by the Licking River, to the east roughly by I-471, and to the south by the cities of Wilder, Southgate, and Ft. Thomas.