Fayette County, Kentucky
Encyclopedia
Fayette County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Kentucky
. The population was 295,083 in the 2010 Census. Its territory, population and government are coextensive with the city of Lexington
, which also serves as county seat
.
Fayette County is part of the Lexington–Fayette Metropolitan Statistical Area
.
by the Virginia
Act in 1780, along with Jefferson
and Lincoln
counties, and which together separated from Virginia in 1792 to become the state of Kentucky
. Fayette County then included land which makes up 37 present-day counties and portions of 7 others. It was reduced to its present boundaries in 1799. The county is named for the Marquis de Lafayette, who came to America to join the rebelling English colonies in the American Revolutionary War
.
On January 1, 1974, Fayette County merged its government with that of its county seat
of Lexington
, creating a consolidated city-county
governed by the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government.
of 2000, there were 260,512 people, 108,288 households, and 62,915 families residing in the county. The population density
was 916 people per square mile (354/km²). There were 116,167 housing units at an average density of 408 per square mile (158/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 81.04% White
, 13.48% Black
or African American
, 0.19% Native American
, 2.46% Asian
, 0.03% Pacific Islander
, 1.21% from other races
, and 1.58% from two or more races. 3.29% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 108,288 households out of which 27.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.50% were married couples
living together, 11.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.90% were non-families. 31.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.90.
In the county the population was spread out with 21.30% under the age of 18, 14.60% from 18 to 24, 33.20% from 25 to 44, 20.90% from 45 to 64, and 10.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 96.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $39,813, and the median income for a family was $53,264. Males had a median income of $36,166 versus $26,964 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $23,109. About 8.20% of families and 12.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.30% of those under age 18 and 8.60% of those age 65 or over.
.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
. The population was 295,083 in the 2010 Census. Its territory, population and government are coextensive with the city of Lexington
Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...
, which also serves as county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
.
Fayette County is part of the Lexington–Fayette Metropolitan Statistical Area
Lexington-Fayette, KY Metropolitan Statistical Area
The Lexington-Fayette, KY Metropolitan Statistical Area is the 106th largest Metropolitan Statistical Area in the United States. It was originally formed by the United States Census Bureau in 1950 and consisted solely of Fayette County until 1980 when surrounding counties saw increases in their...
.
History
Fayette County was one of the original three counties created from the former Kentucky County, VirginiaKentucky County, Virginia
Kentucky County was formed by the Commonwealth of Virginia by dividing Fincastle County into three new counties: Kentucky, Washington, and Montgomery, effective December 31, 1776. Four years later Kentucky County was abolished on June 30, 1780, when it was divided into Fayette, Jefferson, and...
by the Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
Act in 1780, along with Jefferson
Jefferson County, Kentucky
As of the census of 2000, there were 693,604 people, 287,012 households, and 183,113 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 305,835 housing units at an average density of...
and Lincoln
Lincoln County, Kentucky
Lincoln County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. The population was 24,742 in the 2010 Cesus. Its county seat is Stanford. Lincoln is a prohibition or "dry county" and is part of the Danville Micropolitan Statistical Area.- History :...
counties, and which together separated from Virginia in 1792 to become the state of Kentucky
Kentucky
The Commonwealth of Kentucky is a state located in the East Central United States of America. As classified by the United States Census Bureau, Kentucky is a Southern state, more specifically in the East South Central region. Kentucky is one of four U.S. states constituted as a commonwealth...
. Fayette County then included land which makes up 37 present-day counties and portions of 7 others. It was reduced to its present boundaries in 1799. The county is named for the Marquis de Lafayette, who came to America to join the rebelling English colonies in the American Revolutionary War
American Revolutionary War
The American Revolutionary War , the American War of Independence, or simply the Revolutionary War, began as a war between the Kingdom of Great Britain and thirteen British colonies in North America, and ended in a global war between several European great powers.The war was the result of the...
.
On January 1, 1974, Fayette County merged its government with that of its county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
of Lexington
Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington is the second-largest city in Kentucky and the 63rd largest in the US. Known as the "Thoroughbred City" and the "Horse Capital of the World", it is located in the heart of Kentucky's Bluegrass region...
, creating a consolidated city-county
Consolidated city-county
In United States local government, a consolidated city–county is a city and county that have been merged into one unified jurisdiction. As such it is simultaneously a city, which is a municipal corporation, and a county, which is an administrative division of a state...
governed by the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government.
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 285.52 square miles (739.5 km²), of which 284.52 square miles (736.9 km²) (or 99.65%) is land and 1 square miles (2.6 km²) (or 0.35%) is water.Major highways
- Interstate 75Interstate 75Interstate 75 is a major north–south Interstate Highway in the Great Lakes and Southeastern regions of the United States. It travels from State Road 826 and State Road 924 in Hialeah, Florida to Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, at the Ontario, Canada, border...
- Interstate 64Interstate 64Interstate 64 is an Interstate Highway in the Midwestern and Southeastern United States. Its western terminus is at I-70, U.S. 40, and U.S. 61 in Wentzville, Missouri. Its eastern terminus is at an interchange with I-264 and I-664 at Bowers Hill in Chesapeake, Virginia. As I-64 is concurrent with...
- U.S. Highway 25
- U.S. Highway 27
- U.S. Highway 60
- U.S. Highway 68
- U.S. Highway 421
- Kentucky Route 4, a.k.a. New Circle RoadNew Circle RoadNew Circle Road, also known as Kentucky Route 4, is a Kentucky state highway that serves as an inner beltway around Lexington, which is part of the consolidated city-county government with Fayette County....
Adjacent counties
- Scott CountyScott County, KentuckyScott County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. The population was 47,173 in the 2010 Census. Its county seat is Georgetown.Scott County is part of the Lexington–Fayette Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
(north) - Bourbon CountyBourbon County, KentuckyBourbon County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It is the remnant of what was previously a much larger Bourbon County, established as part of Virginia in 1785, and comprising what are now thirty-four modern Kentucky counties...
(northeast) - Clark CountyClark County, KentuckyClark County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1793. The population was 35,613 in the 2010 Census. Its county seat is Winchester, Kentucky...
(east) - Madison CountyMadison County, KentuckyMadison County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2008, the population was 82,192. Its county seat is Richmond. The county is named for Virginia statesman James Madison, who later became the fourth President of the United States. This is also where famous pioneer Daniel...
(south) - Jessamine CountyJessamine County, KentuckyJessamine County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It is within the Inner Blue Grass region, which was the center of farming and blooded stock raising, including thoroughbred horses. It was formed in 1799. The population was 48,586 in the 2010 Census...
(south) - Woodford CountyWoodford County, KentuckyWoodford County is a county located in the heart of the Bluegrass region of the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2000, the population was 23,208. Its county seat is Versailles. The county is named for General William Woodford, who was with General George Washington at Valley Forge...
(west)
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 260,512 people, 108,288 households, and 62,915 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 916 people per square mile (354/km²). There were 116,167 housing units at an average density of 408 per square mile (158/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 81.04% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 13.48% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.19% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 2.46% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.03% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 1.21% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.58% from two or more races. 3.29% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race.
There were 108,288 households out of which 27.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.50% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 11.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.90% were non-families. 31.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.90.
In the county the population was spread out with 21.30% under the age of 18, 14.60% from 18 to 24, 33.20% from 25 to 44, 20.90% from 45 to 64, and 10.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 96.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $39,813, and the median income for a family was $53,264. Males had a median income of $36,166 versus $26,964 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $23,109. About 8.20% of families and 12.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.30% of those under age 18 and 8.60% of those age 65 or over.
Rural communities
- AthensAthens, KentuckyAthens, Kentucky, United States, is a small unincorporated village in the rural services area of Lexington- Fayette Urban County to the east of Interstate 75. First settled in 1786 as the community of Cross Plains, the town was chartered as Athens in 1826 and had its own post office from that time...
- Clays Ferry
- Little Texas
- South Elkhorn
- Andover
- Todds Station
- Colby (split between ClarkClark County, KentuckyClark County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It was formed in 1793. The population was 35,613 in the 2010 Census. Its county seat is Winchester, Kentucky...
and Fayette County.) - Spears (split between JessamineJessamine County, KentuckyJessamine County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. It is within the Inner Blue Grass region, which was the center of farming and blooded stock raising, including thoroughbred horses. It was formed in 1799. The population was 48,586 in the 2010 Census...
and Fayette Counties.)
Historically black hamlets
- Bracktown
- Cadentown
- Little Georgetown
- Pralltown
- Jimtown
Schools
Schools in the county are operated by Fayette County Public SchoolsFayette County Public Schools (Kentucky)
Fayette County Public Schools is a school district based in Lexington, Kentucky, United States.The district serves all of Fayette County, which is coextensive with the city of Lexington.-Board of Education:...
.
Colleges and universities
- Bluegrass Community and Technical CollegeBluegrass Community and Technical CollegeBluegrass Community and Technical College , located in Lexington, Kentucky, is one of 16 two-year, open-admissions colleges of the Kentucky Community and Technical College System . It was formed from the consolidation of two separate institutions: Lexington Community College and Central Kentucky...
- Indiana Wesleyan University (Lexington campus)Indiana Wesleyan UniversityIndiana Wesleyan University is a private, evangelical Christian, liberal arts university located in Marion, Indiana that is affiliated with the Wesleyan Church denomination...
- ITT Technical InstituteITT Technical InstituteITT Technical Institute is a for-profit technical institute with over 130 campuses in 38 states of the United States. ITT Tech is owned and operated by ITT Educational Services, Inc. , a publicly traded company headquartered in Carmel, Indiana. ITT Educational Services, Inc...
- Lexington Theological SeminaryLexington Theological SeminaryLexington Theological Seminary is an accredited graduate theological institution located in Lexington, Kentucky. Although the seminary is related to the Christian Church , it is intentionally ecumenical with almost 50 percent of its enrollment coming from other denominations...
- Midway College (Lexington campus)Midway CollegeMidway College is an independent, liberal arts college with approximately 1,800 students located in Midway, Kentucky. Related by covenant to the Christian Church , it currently offers two and four-year degrees. Midway is the only women's college in Kentucky...
- National College of Business & TechnologyNational College of Business & TechnologyNational College, formerly National College of Business & Technology and also formerly National Business College, is a for-profit career college operating in the southeastern and east-central United States...
- Spencerian CollegeSpencerian CollegeSpencerian College is a career college in Louisville and Lexington, Kentucky. Students may receive a certificate, diploma, or associate degree in a variety of fields of study including Health Sciences, Business, Graphic Design, Computer Aided Design, and others. All of the programs are taught in...
- Sullivan UniversitySullivan UniversitySullivan University is a private for-profit university based in Louisville, Kentucky and is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. Sullivan University currently has physical campuses in Louisville, Lexington, and Fort Knox, and an online Global e-Learning campus. With...
- Transylvania UniversityTransylvania UniversityTransylvania University is a private, undergraduate liberal arts college in Lexington, Kentucky, United States, affiliated with the Christian Church . The school was founded in 1780. It offers 38 majors, and pre-professional degrees in engineering and accounting...
- University of KentuckyUniversity of KentuckyThe University of Kentucky, also known as UK, is a public co-educational university and is one of the state's two land-grant universities, located in Lexington, Kentucky...
Private high schools
- Lexington Catholic High SchoolLexington Catholic High SchoolLexington Catholic High School is a parochial secondary school affiliated with the Catholic Church located in the Rosemill neighborhood in Lexington, Kentucky. It is located in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Lexington.-History:...
- Lexington Christian AcademyLexington Christian Academy (Kentucky)Lexington Christian Academy is a nondenominational evangelical Christian school in Lexington, Kentucky, accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The school serves preschool through 12th grade. Total enrollment is around 1,600, with about 200 junior high school, and 460 high...
- Sayre SchoolSayre SchoolSayre School is an independent, co-educational school in Lexington, Kentucky. The school enrolls 610 students from preschool to twelfth grade. It has 76 full time faculty members....
- Trinity Christian AcademyTrinity Christian Academy (Lexington, Kentucky)Trinity Christian Academy is a small private school in Lexington, Kentucky. It is a Christian school and teaches by the classical method or trivium. As of the 2011 school year there were 346 students in grades K to 12. It is operated by Tates Creek Presbyterian Church. The headmaster is Mark...
- Blue Grass Baptist School
Private middle and elementary schools
Public high schools
- Henry Clay High SchoolHenry Clay High SchoolHenry Clay High School is the oldest public high school in Lexington, Kentucky, opened on Main Street in 1928. It was named in honor of the Kentuckian and United States statesman, Henry Clay. The Main Street location now houses the main offices of the Fayette County Public Schools system. The...
- Paul Laurence Dunbar High SchoolPaul Laurence Dunbar High School (Lexington, Kentucky)Paul Laurence Dunbar High School is a secondary school located at 1600 Man O' War Boulevard on the southwest side of Lexington, Kentucky, USA. The school is one of five high schools in the Fayette County Public Schools district....
- Bryan Station High SchoolBryan Station High SchoolBryan Station High School, founded in 1958, is a high school within the Fayette County Public Schools system in Lexington, Kentucky. During the 2006-2007 school year, students were moved to their newly built school known as Bryan Station High. The school was named for Bryan Station, a 18th century...
- Lafayette High SchoolLafayette High School (Lexington, Kentucky)Lafayette Senior High School is a public high school located in Lexington, Kentucky's Picadome neighborhood. The school is one of five high schools in the Fayette County Public Schools district. It is among the largest high schools in Kentucky....
- Tates Creek High SchoolTates Creek High SchoolTates Creek High School is a public school in Lexington, Kentucky. It is located at 1111 Centre Parkway with a ZIP code of 40517. It is in Southeastern Lexington between Gainesway and Southeastern Hills Subdivisions. The school is one of five high schools in the Fayette County Public Schools...
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Fayette County, KentuckyNational Register of Historic Places listings in Fayette County, KentuckyThis is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Fayette County, Kentucky.This is intended to be a complete list of the properties and districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Fayette County, Kentucky, United States...