Lexington, Kentucky facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Lexington
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Consolidated city-county
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Lexington skyline
Rupp Arena
Donamire Farm
Kroger Field
Old Fayette County Courthouse
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| Nickname(s):
Athens of the West, Horse Capital of the World
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 Lexington
Location in Kentucky
Lexington
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States | |
| State | Kentucky | |
| Counties | Fayette | |
| Established | 1782 | |
| Incorporated | 1831 | |
| Named for | Lexington, Massachusetts | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Mayor–council | |
| Area | ||
| • Consolidated city-county | 285.54 sq mi (739.54 km2) | |
| • Land | 283.64 sq mi (734.62 km2) | |
| • Water | 1.90 sq mi (4.92 km2) | |
| • Urban | 87.5 sq mi (226.7 km2) | |
| Elevation | 978 ft (298 m) | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Consolidated city-county | 322,570 | |
| • Estimate
(2022)
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320,347  |
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| • Rank | US: 59th Kentucky: 2nd |
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| • Density | 1,129.68/sq mi (436.177/km2) | |
| • Urban | 315,631 (US: 130th) | |
| • Metro | 517,056 (US: 109th) | |
| • CSA | 745,033 (US: 70th) | |
| Demonym(s) | Lexingtonian | |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (EST) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) | |
| ZIP codes |
40502–40517, 40522–40524, 40526, 40533, 40536, 40544, 40546, 40550, 40555, 40574–40583, 40588, 40591, 40598
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| Area code | 859 | |
| FIPS code | 21-46027 | |
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Lexington is a large city in Kentucky, United States. It's also the main city of Fayette County, Kentucky. In 2020, about 322,570 people lived there. This makes it the second-biggest city in Kentucky, after Louisville. It's also one of the largest cities in the Southeast.
Lexington is famous as the "Horse Capital of the World." This is because of the many horse farms nearby. You can also find the Kentucky Horse Park, The Red Mile, and Keeneland race courses here. The city is part of Kentucky's beautiful Bluegrass region. Important places in Lexington include Rupp Arena, the University of Kentucky, and Transylvania University.
Lexington is the center of a larger area with over 516,000 people. Since 1974, the city and Fayette County have worked together as one government.
Contents
- Discover Lexington: A City of Horses and History
- Exploring Lexington's Geography
- People of Lexington: Demographics
- Lexington's Economy: What Powers the City?
- Arts and Culture: Fun in Lexington
- Sports in Lexington: Go Teams!
- Parks and Recreation: Get Outdoors!
- Education: Learning in Lexington
- Media: News and Entertainment
- Getting Around: Lexington's Transportation
- Safety and Services
- Notable People from Lexington
- Sister Cities
- Images for kids
- See also
Discover Lexington: A City of Horses and History
A Look Back: Lexington's History
Lexington got its name in June 1775. This was 17 years before Kentucky became a state. A group of explorers, led by William McConnell, were camping by a creek. They heard about the colonists' victory in the Battles of Lexington and Concord. So, they named their camp "Lexington" after the town in Massachusetts. It was the first place in America named after that battle.
In 1780, 45 early settlers signed an agreement called the "Lexington Compact." This settlement was also known as Fort Lexington. It had walls to protect against attacks. The agreement gave land to settlers for homes and farms. Some of these early settlers fought in a war against the British.
In 1781, a large group of about 600 pioneers arrived. They were called "The Travelling Church." They started many churches, including the South Elkhorn Christian Church. In 1782, Lexington officially became a town. The First African Baptist Church was founded around 1790. It is the oldest Black Baptist church in Kentucky.
In the early 1800s, Lexington grew into an important city. People described it as the largest and wealthiest town west of the Appalachian Mountains. Many elegant brick buildings were being built. The area around Lexington was known for its beauty and rich farmland.
A difficult time came in 1833 when many people in Lexington became sick. About 500 residents passed away. Despite this, the city continued to grow. Many farms in the area used enslaved people for work. In the city, enslaved people worked in homes and various trades. By 1850, Lexington had a large population of enslaved people. It also had many free Black residents. The First African Baptist Church had the largest church congregation in Kentucky at that time.
Lexington in the 20th Century and Today
In the early 1900s, school superintendent Massillon Alexander Cassidy worked to improve schools. He focused on better buildings and teacher training. He wanted more people to be able to read and go to public schools.
In 1917, there was a disagreement between different groups in the city. This led to a brief period of unrest. The Kentucky National Guard was called in to help. After things calmed down, soldiers and police patrolled the streets.
Exploring Lexington's Geography
The Lexington-Fayette area includes five other counties: Clark, Jessamine, Bourbon, Woodford, and Scott. This is Kentucky's second-largest city area. The city covers about 285.5 square miles (739.5 square kilometers). Most of this is land, with a small part covered by water.
City Views: Lexington's Look
Lexington has many different kinds of buildings and areas.
Protecting the Horse Farms
Lexington has grown quickly, but it also wants to protect its famous horse farms. In 1958, the city created an urban growth boundary. This rule limits new buildings to certain areas. It also makes sure that rural landholdings, especially horse farms, stay as open spaces. This helps keep the area's unique character.
Later, the city updated its plan to include urban and rural activity centers. These centers help manage where businesses and industries can be built. The city also bought development rights from farms. This helps keep them from being built on.
Lexington's Climate
Lexington has four clear seasons. Summers are hot and humid, while winters are moderately cold. You can enjoy cool breezes and mild nights. The average temperature in January is about 33.9°F (1.1°C). In July, it's about 76.7°F (24.8°C). The city gets about 49.84 inches (126.6 cm) of rain each year. Snowfall averages about 14.5 inches (36.8 cm) per season.
| Climate data for Lexington, Kentucky (Blue Grass Airport), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1872–present | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 80 (27) |
80 (27) |
86 (30) |
91 (33) |
96 (36) |
104 (40) |
108 (42) |
105 (41) |
103 (39) |
97 (36) |
83 (28) |
75 (24) |
108 (42) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 64.2 (17.9) |
68.4 (20.2) |
75.0 (23.9) |
81.6 (27.6) |
87.2 (30.7) |
92.0 (33.3) |
93.9 (34.4) |
93.4 (34.1) |
90.9 (32.7) |
83.6 (28.7) |
73.5 (23.1) |
65.6 (18.7) |
95.9 (35.5) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 42.3 (5.7) |
46.8 (8.2) |
56.1 (13.4) |
67.2 (19.6) |
75.8 (24.3) |
83.8 (28.8) |
86.9 (30.5) |
86.2 (30.1) |
80.2 (26.8) |
68.6 (20.3) |
55.8 (13.2) |
45.9 (7.7) |
66.3 (19.1) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 33.9 (1.1) |
37.5 (3.1) |
45.9 (7.7) |
56.2 (13.4) |
65.4 (18.6) |
73.3 (22.9) |
76.7 (24.8) |
75.7 (24.3) |
69.1 (20.6) |
57.8 (14.3) |
46.1 (7.8) |
37.8 (3.2) |
56.3 (13.5) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 25.4 (−3.7) |
28.3 (−2.1) |
35.8 (2.1) |
45.2 (7.3) |
55.0 (12.8) |
62.8 (17.1) |
66.5 (19.2) |
65.2 (18.4) |
58.1 (14.5) |
47.0 (8.3) |
36.4 (2.4) |
29.6 (−1.3) |
46.3 (7.9) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | 3.5 (−15.8) |
7.8 (−13.4) |
16.9 (−8.4) |
28.1 (−2.2) |
38.9 (3.8) |
49.8 (9.9) |
56.9 (13.8) |
54.9 (12.7) |
43.5 (6.4) |
30.8 (−0.7) |
20.2 (−6.6) |
11.5 (−11.4) |
0.3 (−17.6) |
| Record low °F (°C) | −21 (−29) |
−20 (−29) |
−2 (−19) |
15 (−9) |
26 (−3) |
39 (4) |
47 (8) |
42 (6) |
32 (0) |
20 (−7) |
−3 (−19) |
−19 (−28) |
−21 (−29) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 3.42 (87) |
3.64 (92) |
4.48 (114) |
4.42 (112) |
5.44 (138) |
4.96 (126) |
5.12 (130) |
3.71 (94) |
3.42 (87) |
3.66 (93) |
3.37 (86) |
4.20 (107) |
49.84 (1,266) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 4.7 (12) |
4.5 (11) |
2.8 (7.1) |
0.2 (0.51) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.4 (1.0) |
1.9 (4.8) |
14.5 (37) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 12.6 | 11.6 | 12.8 | 12.8 | 12.6 | 11.7 | 10.7 | 9.6 | 7.7 | 9.2 | 10.3 | 12.6 | 134.2 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 4.5 | 3.8 | 1.7 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.7 | 2.5 | 13.4 |
| Source: NOAA | |||||||||||||
People of Lexington: Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1790 | 834 | — | |
| 1800 | 1,795 | 115.2% | |
| 1810 | 4,326 | 141.0% | |
| 1820 | 5,270 | 21.8% | |
| 1830 | 6,026 | 14.3% | |
| 1840 | 6,997 | 16.1% | |
| 1850 | 8,159 | 16.6% | |
| 1860 | 9,321 | 14.2% | |
| 1870 | 14,801 | 58.8% | |
| 1880 | 16,656 | 12.5% | |
| 1890 | 21,567 | 29.5% | |
| 1900 | 26,369 | 22.3% | |
| 1910 | 35,099 | 33.1% | |
| 1920 | 41,534 | 18.3% | |
| 1930 | 45,736 | 10.1% | |
| 1940 | 49,304 | 7.8% | |
| 1950 | 55,534 | 12.6% | |
| 1960 | 62,810 | 13.1% | |
| 1970 | 108,137 | 72.2% | |
| 1980 | 204,165 | 88.8% | |
| 1990 | 225,366 | 10.4% | |
| 2000 | 260,512 | 15.6% | |
| 2010 | 295,803 | 13.5% | |
| 2020 | 322,570 | 9.0% | |
| 2022 (est.) | 320,347 | 8.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
The Lexington-Fayette area includes several counties. In 2020, its total population was 516,811 people.
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In 2020, Lexington had 322,570 residents. The city is home to people from many different backgrounds. About 70.7% of residents were White. About 15.6% were Black or African American. About 4.1% were Asian. People of Hispanic or Latino background made up 7.4% of the population.
English is the main language spoken in Lexington. However, people speak about 196 different languages here! Spanish is the most common non-English language. Other languages include Swahili, Arabic, and Nepali. Many students in Fayette County schools speak a language other than English at home.
In 2019, the average household income in Lexington was $57,291. This was a bit lower than the national average. About 14.6% of the population lived below the poverty line.
The chart below shows how Lexington's population has grown over time.
Lexington's Economy: What Powers the City?
Lexington has a very stable economy. It is strong in manufacturing, technology, and supporting new businesses. The city's economy benefits from many different types of businesses. In August 2015, the unemployment rate was 3.7%. This was lower than many other cities of similar size.
Many large companies have offices or factories in Lexington. These include Lexmark International, Lockheed-Martin, and IBM. United Parcel Service (UPS) and Amazon.com, Inc. also have big operations here. The Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky plant is nearby in Georgetown. A Jif peanut butter factory in Lexington makes more peanut butter than any other factory in the world!
Some companies have their main offices in Lexington. These include Lexmark International, which makes printers. Link-Belt Construction Equipment designs and builds large cranes. Big Ass Fans makes big ceiling fans. Also, A&W Restaurants and Fazoli's (Italian fast-food) have their headquarters here.
The biggest employer in Lexington is the University of Kentucky. It employed over 16,700 people in 2020. Other major employers include the city government and hospitals. The Fayette County Public Schools employ over 5,300 people.
Arts and Culture: Fun in Lexington
Annual Events and Festivals
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Lexington hosts many fun events each year. In June, you can enjoy two music festivals. The Festival of the Bluegrass is Kentucky's oldest bluegrass music festival. It even has a music camp for kids! Later in June, the Lexington Pride Festival celebrates the LGBTQIA+ community with music, crafts, and food.
For the Fourth of July, the city has several days of celebrations. On July 3, the Gratz Park Historic District becomes an outdoor concert hall. The Lexington Singers and the Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra perform patriotic music. On July 4, there's a reading of the Declaration of Independence, a race, a parade, and fireworks. The Woodland Arts Fair is a popular outdoor art fair in the summer. It attracts over 70,000 visitors!
"Southern Lights: Spectacular Sights on Holiday Nights" is a holiday event at the Kentucky Horse Park. You can drive through 3 miles of amazing light displays. There's also a petting zoo, a model train exhibit, and Santa Claus!
Other cultural events include:
- The Lexington Philharmonic Orchestra performs several concerts each year.
- The Lexington Ballet Company puts on their annual Nutcracker Ballet.
- LexArts Gallery HOP is an event where art galleries open to the public. It happens six times a year.
Historic Places and Museums
Lexington has many historic buildings and museums. The Mary Todd Lincoln House was the childhood home of Mary Todd Lincoln, wife of President Abraham Lincoln. The Hunt-Morgan House is another historic home. It belonged to John Wesley Hunt, who was one of the first millionaires west of the Appalachian Mountains.
The University of Kentucky Art Museum is the main art museum in Lexington. It has over 4,000 art pieces, from old masters to modern art.
Sports in Lexington: Go Teams!
College Sports Excitement
The Kentucky Wildcats are the sports teams of the University of Kentucky. They are the most popular sports group in Lexington. The school has 22 different sports teams. Most of them play in the Southeastern Conference. The men's basketball team is one of the best in NCAA history. They have won eight national championships! They were also the first team to reach 2000 wins.
Professional Sports Teams
Lexington is home to the Lexington Legends baseball team. They play in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. Their home games are at The Ballpark at 207 Legends Lane.
The city also has Lexington SC, a professional soccer team. They play in the USL League One. The club started in 2021. They plan to build a new stadium by 2024 that can hold 5,000 fans.
Horse Racing and Equestrian Events
Lexington has two horse racing tracks: Keeneland and The Red Mile. Keeneland holds live races in April and October. It is also the world's largest Thoroughbred auction house. Many famous racehorses were bought at Keeneland sales. Its most important race is the Blue Grass Stakes. The Red Mile is the oldest horse racing track in the city. It hosts harness racing, where horses pull two-wheeled carts.
The Kentucky Horse Park opened in 1978. It's a popular tourist spot and museum. It's also a working horse farm. Since 1978, it has hosted the Rolex Kentucky Three Day Event. This is one of the top three horse riding competitions in the world. In 2010, Lexington was the first city outside Europe to host the World Equestrian Games.
Other Fun Sports
Lexington is home to Roller Derby of Central Kentucky and the Lexington Bike Polo League. In 2017, Lexington hosted the World Hardcourt Bike Polo Championship. The city also hosted the North American Championship a few years before.
The Dirt Bowl is a long-running local basketball tournament. It's held at Douglass Park by Lexington Parks and Recreation. It started in the early 1970s. The courts were once dirt, which gave the tournament its name. Now, the courts are paved.
Parks and Recreation: Get Outdoors!
City Parks and Facilities
Lexington has over 100 parks! They range from small neighborhood parks to large ones like Masterson Station Park. Many parks have recently been improved. Lexington's parks offer:
- Five public golf courses.
- Six dog parks for your furry friends.
- Three public 18-hole disc golf courses.
- A public skate park at Woodland Park with ramps and bowls.
- Triangle Park in the heart of downtown.
- Gatton Park, a new 10-acre park opening in 2025.
Natural Areas to Explore
The city is home to Raven Run Nature Sanctuary. This 734-acre (2.97 km²) nature preserve is along the Kentucky River Palisades.
The Arboretum is a 100-acre (0.40 km²) preserve next to the University of Kentucky. It's a great place to see different plants.
McConnell Springs is a historic 26-acre (0.11 km²) park. It's where Lexington got its name!
Education: Learning in Lexington
Many people in Lexington have college degrees. About 22.4% of adults over 25 have a bachelor's degree.
The city's public schools are managed by the Fayette County Public Schools. The system has six high schools, 12 middle schools, and 37 elementary schools. There are also many private schools. The school system's budget for 2023-2024 was over $677 million.
Lexington has two main universities. The University of Kentucky is the state's largest public university. Transylvania University is the oldest four-year university in Kentucky. It was also the first university west of the Appalachian Mountains.
Media: News and Entertainment
Lexington's biggest daily newspaper is the Lexington Herald-Leader. Business Lexington is a monthly newspaper about business. There are also community magazines like Chevy Chaser Magazine.
The area has eight main TV stations. Kentucky's public television network, Kentucky Educational Television, is based in Lexington. It is one of the largest public TV networks in the country.
Getting Around: Lexington's Transportation
Roads and Highways
Interstate 75 runs north-south on the edge of Lexington. Interstate 64 runs east-west on the northern side. Several U.S. Routes also meet in Lexington.
Lexington can have a lot of traffic. This is because there aren't many large highways. Also, the University of Kentucky is close to downtown. Many people also drive in from nearby towns for work.
Trains and Airports
In the past, passenger trains ran through Lexington. The Union Station was open from 1907 to 1960.
The Blue Grass Airport is on the west side of Lexington. It offers passenger flights from four airlines: Allegiant, American, Delta, and United.
How People Travel
In 2019, most working people in Lexington (79.3%) drove to work alone. About 9.3% carpooled. Only 2.0% used public transportation, and 3.0% walked. About 4.4% of people worked from home.
In 2016, about 7.4% of households in Lexington did not have a car. On average, households in Lexington had 1.7 cars.
Safety and Services
Law Enforcement
The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Division of Police handles law enforcement in the city. This police department was formed in 1974. The Fayette County Sheriff's Office helps with court services.
Fire Protection
The Lexington Fire Department provides all fire and rescue services in Lexington-Fayette County. This department was formed in 1973. It is the largest fire department in Kentucky. It has over 600 staff and 24 fire stations.
Notable People from Lexington
Sister Cities
Lexington has sister city relationships with cities around the world:
Deauville, France (since 1957)
County Kildare, Ireland (since 1984)
Newmarket, United Kingdom (since 2003)
Shinhidaka, Japan (since 2006)
Images for kids
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Panoramic view of downtown Lexington before the construction of City Center
See also
In Spanish: Lexington (Kentucky) para niños
