Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky had a total population of 323,725, the 2nd largest community in Kentucky, with a median household income of $69,479, which is 9% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Lexington-Fayette is the 2nd largest city in Kentucky with a population of 323,725.
Lexington-Fayette Quick Facts
How Lexington-Fayette Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 321,122 | 323,725 | +0.8% |
| Median household income | $67,631 | $69,479 | +2.7% |
| Median home value | $272,100 | $293,500 | +7.9% |
How Lexington-Fayette Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 33 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Lexington-Fayette Rankings in Kentucky
Explore Kentucky Rankings
Cities Similar to Lexington-Fayette
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Louisville/Jefferson County metro government | 631,818 | $66,849 | $233,900 | 33.8% | 15.8% |
| Bowling Green | 75,388 | $48,873 | $241,900 | 31.2% | 25.6% |
| Owensboro | 60,302 | $56,357 | $178,900 | 26.1% | 18.9% |
| Covington | 41,110 | $61,166 | $187,300 | 32.3% | 20.8% |
| Georgetown | 39,117 | $80,088 | $265,400 | 34.1% | 12.1% |
Population Overview
Lexington-Fayette is a major urban center located in Kentucky, within Fayette County. The total population is 323,725. It ranks as the 2nd most populous out of 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky.
Age Demographics
The median age in Lexington-Fayette is 35.3 years. This is 10% lower than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Lexington-Fayette is $69,479. This is 9% higher than the state median of $63,726. It is also 14% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.9%. This is 7% lower than the state poverty rate of 16.1%. The unemployment rate is 4.9%. The median home value is $293,500. Housing costs are 43% higher than the state median of $205,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x. 53.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% lower than the state average of 68.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Lexington-Fayette is White (non-Hispanic), making up 66.8% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 14.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (14.4% vs 7.5%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (9.5% vs 5.0%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (4.3% vs 1.6%).
Education
48.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 75% higher than the state rate of 27.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.1%. Notably, 21.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Kentucky state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 552 Census-designated places in Kentucky. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky?
Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky has a population of 323,725 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
The median household income in Lexington-Fayette is $69,479, which is 14% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
The poverty rate in Lexington-Fayette is 14.9%. This means approximately 46,481 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky?
Lexington-Fayette's population is 66.8% White, 14.4% Black, 9.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 4.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Lexington-Fayette, KY?
The median home value in Lexington-Fayette is $293,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.2x.
How educated is Lexington-Fayette, Kentucky?
48.3% of adults (25+) in Lexington-Fayette hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 21.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.