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Fayette County

Friends, Family and Front Porches

Fayette County is the vibrant heart of Greater LEX, home to 320,000 residents and a hub of opportunity, culture and entertainment. As the most populated county in the region and the second most populated in the commonwealth, Fayette County offers a dynamic mix of nightlife, sports and diverse attractions.

Consistently ranked among the best places to live in the U.S., the “Horse Capital of the World” boasts a thriving job market, top-tier K-12 and higher education and a lower cost of living than the national average. Whether you’re drawn to career growth, world-class amenities or the Bluegrass’s signature hospitality, Fayette County is the perfect place to plant roots and thrive.

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A crowd at an outdoor festival.
320,154

Total Population in Fayette County Kentucky

U.S. Census Bureau, 2023
The Lexington skyline at night.
Top 15

Best Places to Live in the U.S. (Lexington)

U.S. News & World Report, 2024
A young man enjoys a drink.
9.2%

Lower Cost of Living than the National Average

Best Places

Convenience that Keeps You Moving

Situated at the center of the Greater Lexington region, Fayette County offers seamless connectivity for work, travel and play. Blue Grass Airport, located in Lexington, provides non-stop flights to 18 domestic destinations, making business trips and getaways more convenient than ever. For even greater reach, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International and Louisville International airports are just an hour’s drive away, ensuring easy access to global travel.

Looking for a way to navigate the region? LEXTRAN makes public transit effortless, with nearly 20 transit routes throughout the city. For those commuting beyond Lexington, Bluegrass Ride provides regional transit options connecting to nearby cities like Danville and Nicholasville, with planned routes to Georgetown and Frankfort.

Whether you’re catching a flight, commuting to work or exploring the Bluegrass region, Fayette County puts you at the center of it all.

Horses, Bourbon and Big Blue Nation

Horses stand against a sunset.

What makes Fayette County such an iconic place for recreation? Maybe it’s Lexington’s standing as the Horse Capital of the World, where railbirds can witness hundreds of stunning thoroughbred farms and experience the thrill of live racing at Keeneland — Kentucky’s premiere track, where history and high stakes unfold twice a year in spectacular fashion.

Or maybe it’s the region’s Bourbonland designation. With 18 renowned distilleries in the region, Fayette County is a bourbon lover’s dream. Sip on Kentucky’s finest straight from the source and explore the craftsmanship behind America’s native spirit.

Lexington has also been called the Athens of the West — boasting a thriving arts and music scene with dozens of arts, crafts and food festivals that bring the community together. Railbird Festival, a nationally recognized music event, draws nearly 40,000 fans each year.

Here you can tee off at one of Fayette County’s premier golf courses, like Greenbrier Golf & Country Club, or catch some of the best college sports in the nation. University of Kentucky Basketball has made an appearance in 61 of the 85 NCAA tournaments since 1939, proving why Big Blue Nation is legendary.

Whether you’re exploring the rolling pastures of a thoroughbred farm, raising a glass to Kentucky bourbon or cheering on the Wildcats, every moment in Fayette County is one for the books.

The Center of it All

An unbeatable mix of urban energy and rural charm thrives in Fayette County, named one of the top 15 places to live in the U.S. Lexington’s thriving job market is home to major company headquarters like Lexmark, Tempur-Sealy and Valvoline, providing strong career opportunities across industries. For those seeking a quieter lifestyle, Fayette County’s unincorporated communities offer stunning countryside, horse farm tours and unmatched scenic exploration — all just minutes from downtown Lexington.

With a cost of living 9% lower than the national average, residents enjoy more affordable housing, utilities and groceries while still benefiting from world-class amenities. The region also boasts some of Kentucky’s best schools, including top-ranked Meadowthorpe Elementary and the School for Creative and Performing Arts (SCAPA) within the Fayette County Public School System.

Higher education opportunities  are abundant here, with institutions like the University of Kentucky, Transylvania University and Bluegrass Community and Technical College shaping the next generation of professionals. Whether you’re building a career, raising a family or simply looking for a community that offers both opportunity and quality of life, Fayette County is a place where you can truly thrive.

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