Lexington’s grown a lot over the past 250 years, but just how large is our population?
Editor’s Note: As Lexington celebrates the 250th anniversary of its founding, the Herald-Leader and kentucky.com each day throughout 2025 will share interesting facts about our hometown. Compiled by Liz Carey, all are notable moments in the city’s history - some funny, some sad, others heartbreaking or celebratory, and some just downright strange.
Jan. 5: According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the estimated population of Lexington-Fayette County area is 320,154. Nearly half of the population has a bachelor’s degree or higher, and the median household income is $67,631, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
That’s a far cry from when the city was founded in 1775 by some 30 pioneers, many of whom had little education and the monetary system was based mostly on bartering.
In comparison, Louisville has an estimated population of 622,981, and 33.4 percent of Louisville residents 25 or older have a bachelor’s degree or higher. In 2018, about 47 percent of Kentuckians between 25 and 64 had a degree or post-secondary credential.
Louisville’s median income is $64,731, while the median income for the state is $62,417.
This story was originally published January 5, 2025 at 4:45 AM.
