Lexington, Kentucky

Horse Capital of the World

Southeast Lexington-Fayette, KY Metro

U.S. News (2025)

#44 Best Places to Live

Livability (2025)

#32 Top 100 Best Places to Live

WhereAtHome Score

71.9

C-

out of 100

Overview

Lexington combines University of Kentucky energy with horse farm beauty and bourbon culture. The city offers affordable housing, strong healthcare employment, and a growing downtown. Rolling bluegrass countryside and equestrian culture create a unique sense of place.

Key Highlights

  • Horse Capital of the World
  • University of Kentucky flagship
  • Bourbon Trail access
  • Very affordable housing
  • Beautiful bluegrass countryside
  • Growing downtown distillery district

Key Metrics

Population 2024

324,756

Source: Census ACS

$334,819

Source: Zillow ZHVI

$61,742

Source: Census ACS

20.8 min

Source: Census ACS

Walk Score 2025

36

Source: Walk Score

School Rating

2025

B- (6.4/10)

Source: Curated

93 (100 = U.S. avg)

Source: Curated

2024 Presidential Election

Fayette County (county-level results)

58%
40%
Democrat 83,387
Republican 57,347
Leans D+18.1

Source: County-level results from MIT Election Data + Science Lab. Learn more

Climate

Summer High

87°F

Winter Low

26°F

Annual Rainfall

46"

Sunny Days

192

Amenities & Infrastructure

105+ Parks

Green spaces and recreation

4 Major Hospitals

Healthcare access

3 Universities

Higher education institutions

Public Transit Available

Bus, rail, or metro service

Major Employers

University of Kentucky UK HealthCare Lexmark Amazon

Score Breakdown

6 of 6 score factors available. Missing factors are excluded and available weights are rescaled.

Housing Affordability 61.3/100

Median home value relative to national average (Weight: 20%)

Income vs Housing 50.8/100

How affordable housing is relative to local incomes (Weight: 20%)

Commute Time 70.4/100

Average commute time compared to national average (Weight: 15%)

Crime 50/100

Overall crime levels based on FBI crime statistics (Weight: 20%)

Walkability 36/100

Walk Score — ease of daily errands on foot (Weight: 15%)

Purchasing Power 47.4/100

Median income relative to national average, adjusted for cost of living (Weight: 10%)

WhereAtHome Score 71.9

Location

Lexington, KY (38.0406, -84.5037)
View on Google Maps

Compare with another city

Start Comparison

Last Updated: 2026-07-01

Data sourced from U.S. Census Bureau, Zillow, FBI Crime Data Explorer, Walk Score, and Niche.