City profile · Kentucky · Census ACS 2023

Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Lexington-Fayette urban county - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

321,122
Residents
$67,631
Median income
$272,100
Median home
$1,272
Median rent (state)

Lexington-Fayette urban county - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Lexington-Fayette urban county places in the 47th percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

47th
percentile, household income
60th
percentile, home value
43rd
percentile, median rent
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 321,122 residents in Lexington-Fayette urban county, a mid-sized U.S. city within Kentucky. Median household income here is $67,631 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 9.4%. Lexington-Fayette urban county's housing stock carries a median value of $272,100, and the median resident age is 35.2 years. 47.3% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 64.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 1,036 residential building permits were authorized in Lexington-Fayette urban county (Slowing), down 25% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data.

Living costs in Kentucky run below the national norm: the state registers 90.2 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Well Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,272 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Kentucky run around $225, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 92.0 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

321,122 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Kentucky

Median Household Income

$67,631 /yr

Poverty 9.4%

Cost of Living Index (state)

90.2 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Kentucky average

How does Lexington-Fayette urban county compare to other US cities?

Lexington-Fayette urban county measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 47% higher than other cities
Home value 60% pricier than other cities
Median rent 43% pricier than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Lexington-Fayette urban county against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Kentucky only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Kentucky-relative analysis

Bachelor's Degree or Higher places Lexington-Fayette urban county toward the top of Kentucky's cities

Among the 520 Kentucky cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Lexington-Fayette urban county ranks #84 - the 84th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Lexington-Fayette urban county only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#171 of 485
65th percentile in Kentucky
Median Gross Rent
#59 of 520
66th percentile in Kentucky
Median Home Value
#80 of 484
83rd percentile in Kentucky
Poverty Rate
#292 of 519
43rd percentile in Kentucky
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#84 of 520
84th percentile in Kentucky

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Kentucky only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

47thIncome percentile

47th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Lexington-Fayette urban county's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$272,100 40th percentile more affordable than 40% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). This entry sits in this band. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Lexington-Fayette urban county $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY median $67,631/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 47.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 9.4%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 64.5%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
321,122
Median Income
$67,631
Median Home Value
$272,100
Median Age
35.2
Poverty Rate
9.4%
Labor force participation
64.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
47.3%

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
315,000 residents320,000 residents325,000 residents330,000 residents335,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 322,620 residents 329,751 residents ▲ +2.2%
Lexington-Fayette urban county's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

🏗️ Slowing
Total Permits (2024)
1,036
housing units authorized
Single-Family
492
detached homes
Multifamily
544
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
3.2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 1,383
2020 1,437
2021 1,655
2022 1,731
2023 1,398
2024 1,036

Permit volume decreased 25% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
74.8%
Carpool
8.4%
Public Transit
1.3%
Walk
3.0%
Work from Home
10.9%
Other
1.6%

Based on 164,357 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Kentucky - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$115
avg/month
Natural Gas
$70
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$40
avg/month
Total Utilities
$225
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Kentucky state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Kentucky state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Lexington-Fayette urban county sits in

Cost of Living Index
90.2
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,272/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
92.0 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Kentucky

Bowling Green
73,638 people
Owensboro
60,112 people
Covington
40,902 people
Georgetown
38,206 people
Richmond
35,498 people
Florence
32,334 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Lexington-Fayette urban county's 321,122 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

San Juan zona urbana, PR
320,691 people
Stockton, CA
320,470 people
Henderson, NV
324,523 people
Corpus Christi, TX
317,383 people
Riverside, CA
316,241 people
Orlando, FL
311,732 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Lexington-Fayette urban county's $67,631 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Cambridge, MN
$67,632 median income
New Egypt, NJ
$67,633 median income
Hiawatha, IA
$67,628 median income
Richland Hills, TX
$67,628 median income
Tipton, IA
$67,625 median income
Katherine, AZ
$67,639 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 69.9% 14.4% 7.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 9.2% White 69.9% Black or African American 14.4% Asian 4.2% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 3.5% Two or more races 7.8% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Lexington-Fayette urban county compares to nearby Kentucky cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Lexington-Fayette urban county (this city) 321,122 $67,631
Bowling Green 73,638 $48,419
Owensboro 60,112 $53,295
Covington 40,902 $58,814
Census ACS 5-year FIPS KY Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY?

What is the population of Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY? +

Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY counts 321,122 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY? +

Lexington-Fayette urban county households earn a median of $67,631 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Lexington-Fayette urban county? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Lexington-Fayette urban county; the closest available measure is the Kentucky state average, a cost of living index of 90.2 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Kentucky vary by metro area.

What is the median home value in Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY? +

A typical home in Lexington-Fayette urban county is worth $272,100, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.