Lexington, Kentucky
Lexington | |
|---|---|
Lexington skyline Wimbeldon Farm | |
| Nickname(s): Athens of the West, Horse Capital of the World | |
Interactive map of Lexington | |
| Coordinates: 38°02′47″N 84°29′49″W / 38.04639°N 84.49694°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Kentucky |
| Counties | Fayette |
| Established | 1782 |
| Incorporated | 1831 |
| Named after | Lexington, Massachusetts |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor–council |
| • Mayor | Linda Gorton (R) |
| • Urban County Council | 15-member legislative council |
| Area | |
| 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) | |
| 322,570 | |
• Estimate (2022) | 320,347 |
| • Rank | US: 59th Kentucky: 2nd |
| • Density | 1,100/sq mi (440/km2) |
| • Urban | 315,631 (US: 130th) |
| • Metro | 517,056 (US: 109th) |
| • CSA | 745,033 (US: 70th) |
| Demonym | 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 |
| Area code | 859 |
| FIPS code | 21-46027 |
| Website | www |
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Lexington is a consolidated city coterminous with and the county seat of Fayette County, Kentucky, United States. As of the 2020 census the city's population was 322,570, making it the second-most populous city in Kentucky (after Louisville), the 14th-most populous city in the Southeast, and the 59th-most populous city in the United States. By area, it is the country's 33rd-largest city.
Lexington is known as the "Horse Capital of the World" due to the hundreds of horse farms in the region, as well as the Kentucky Horse Park, The Red Mile and Keeneland race courses. It is within the state's Bluegrass region. Notable locations within the city include venues Rupp Arena and Central Bank Center, colleges and universities such as the University of Kentucky, Transylvania University, and Bluegrass Community and Technical College, and the National Thoroughbred Racing Association (NTRA) Headquarters.
The city anchors the Lexington–Fayette metropolitan area of 516,811 people and the greater Lexington–Fayette–Richmond–Frankfort combined statistical area of 747,919 people. It has been consolidated entirely within Fayette County since 1974 and has a nonpartisan mayor-council form of government, with 12 council districts and three members elected at large, with the highest vote-getter designated vice mayor.