Lexington, Kentucky, sits at the heart of this state’s famous Bluegrass Region, where water filtered through limestone nourishes this area's pastures. Here, top racehorses graze on this nutrient-rich grass, just one of the reasons why Lexington is known as the Horse Capital of the World. In addition to the grass, the city and surrounding metro area is equipped with more than 400 horse farms, specializing in breeding and training Thoroughbred horses, plus several large-scale institutions like the Kentucky Horse Park and the Keeneland racetrack. It’s no wonder the city’s official logo is the silhouette of a blue-colored horse.
Despite its nickname, Lexington — or Kentucky’s second largest city — is far more than one big ranching town. The city is also home to over 320,000 people and boasts a diverse economy, a bustling Downtown Lexington , a vibrant art scene and one of the NCAA’s premier sports markets. Lexington is also home to the University of Kentucky, or UK, a college basketball powerhouse and a top-tier academic and research institution.
“It’s a big city where you can get really great big city stuff with a small hometown feel. And you don’t get too overwhelmed with the city life,” says Kait Saier, the director of development and events for Ashland — The Henry Clay Estate.
There are over 7,000 horses in Scott County and the Paynes Depot neighborhood.
Downtown Lexington visitors can take a selfie with "Big Lex", the famous racehorse.
There are 123 homes in Downtown Lexington.
The Hollywood neighborhood borders the University of Kentucky, which was founded in 1865.
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Refurbished cottages, limestone Cape Cods and affluent Colonial Revivals
Lexington's housing options range from small, refurbished cottages and ranch-style homes to historic and prominent million-dollar houses situated in the affluent communities that surround Richmond Road. Condos exist downtown, while those seeking bedroom communities will find many suburban subdivisions between New Circle Road and Interstate 64. The Richmond Road area, a few miles south of downtown, has some of the city’s most charming neighborhoods and many homes here date back to pre-World War II. Housing styles range from limestone Cape Cods and Craftsman bungalows to Tudor Revivals and impressive Colonial Revivals with Greek touches. These neighborhoods also stand out for their mature tree canopies. A notable example is Ashland Park , which the famous architects, the Olmsted Brothers, designed. The neighborhood features a strip of ginkgo trees, which during the fall turn this place into one of the city’s most picturesque spots, covering the streets and sidewalks with layers of bright yellow leaves.
With size, age and historic significance being the main factors, the costs of most single-family homes in the city run between $300,000 and $1 million. The city also has many townhouses built between the late 20th century and today, and they run roughly from $200,000 to $800,000. While a few outliers pass the $1 million mark, most condos fall within a similar price range. Lexington has a median list price of approximately $340,000, slightly below the national median of about $407,000. However, the city is pricier than some of its regional peers. Louisville and Cincinnati, both over an hour from Lexington, have median list prices below $300,000.
“Lexington is concerned about affordable housing, but we’ve also restricted development to protect the farms around us, so we’re limited on where we can build,” says Donna Elder, an associate broker with Re/Max Creative Realty. “But the quality of life, you pay for what you get.”
Homes in Chevy Chase have an average value of $656,139.
Homes in Lakeview Estates have an average value of $843,315.
Buyers looking for a view can opt for a condo at City Center in Downtown Lexington.
Some homes in Eastland Parkway feature Tudor Revival architecture.
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Dining and whiskey tastings in the Distillery District
Kentucky is renowned for bourbon, and Lexington has plenty of places for tastings. Several city establishments sit along the famous Kentucky Bourbon Trail, which consists of a large group of distilleries that stretch from Cincinnati down to the Kentucky and Tennessee border. A few of these places exist in Lexington’s Distillery District, a neighborhood near downtown where repurposed industrial buildings are now home to an eclectic mix of dining and drinking establishments. The district is most prominently home to the James E. Pepper Distillery, a historic spot that re-opened its whiskey-making doors in the 2010s after being shuttered for five decades. The Burl is another notable establishment, where the old train depot now functions as an entertainment venue that draws local and national bands.
“People come in here, even from Europe, to do the bourbon trail. That gives you a tour of central Kentucky,” Elder says. “And we now also have vineyards here that are successful.”
Other places with vibrant dining scenes include the downtown area and the Warehouse Block – a series of industrial buildings turned into bakeries, restaurants and a brewery. The Blue Door Smokehouse is one of the latest additions here, serving up smoked meats and barbeque favorites. The city’s Asian cuisine options have also expanded, with some of the newest restaurants including Ume Craft Ramen and the Omakase Sushi and Sake Bar. Kentucky native and Chef Ouita Michel, who has earned multiple James Beard nominations, also runs several restaurants in the region, including two within Lexington: Smithtown Seafood and the Windy Corner Market, which is popular for its po’boys, breakfasts and comfort meals.
The Fayette Mall and the Hamburg Pavilion are destinations for name-brand apparel shopping, chain retailers and more restaurants.
The Distillery District in Melrose-Oakpark is the premiere destination for a night out.
Melrose-Oakpark residents can meet with friends around the fire pit at The Burl.
Blue Door Smokehouse has been serving Liberty Heights residents for over 10 years.
Wellington residents enjoy shopping at Fayette Mall, the largest shopping mall in Kentucky.
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Keeneland races and Wildcats basketball
The Keeneland track hosts numerous stake races during the spring and fall seasons. The highly-ranked course is a designated National Historic Landmark and part of a larger equine operation. In addition to the races, the track has attracted filmmakers who have used its setting in blockbuster movies like Seabiscuit and Secretariat. The Kentucky Horse Park is a local tourist attraction that hosts annual events like the Bluegrass Music Festival each June. For years, no city outside of Europe had ever hosted the World Equestrian Games, but that changed in 2010 when the event took place at Lexington’s Horse Park.
Attending the Kentucky Wildcats men’s basketball games is a tradition in town. The team, which plays at the 20,545-seat Rupp Arena, boasts one of the most successful programs in NCAA history and ranks just behind UCLA for the most national titles. Fans of the team have a strong chance of seeing future pro-stars out on the courts, as the program is known for producing first-round NBA draft picks, some of which even achieved All-Star game selections.
Many horse- and nature-themed murals grace businesses, residential buildings and other institutions throughout Lexington, exemplifying this city's strong arts scene. While musical celebrations like the Railbird Festival, features a variety of artists, including prior performances by Noah Kahan, Chris Stapleton and Hozier. During the summer months, bluegrass fans come out to the Moondance Amphitheater on Thursday nights for a free concert series, while performances move to the nearby Lexington Public Library during winter. The historic Henry Clay Estate also hosts several major events, including the Jazz on the Lawn music series in September. During the Christmas season, the Estate turns festive and features holiday-themed decor and displays of 19th-century era clothing. For theater fans, the Lexington Opera House brings numerous acclaimed productions to town.
Early Keeneland visitors from Firmantown enjoy watching horses warm up.
Rupp Arena in Downtown Lexington can hold a capacity of over 20,000 people.
Big Band & Jazz is one of Lexington's longest-running and most beloved concert series.
The Lexington Opera House in Downtown Lexington is ranked #87 in the US for ticket sales.
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Learning about the equestrian world at the Kentucky Horse Park
The city oversees more than 100 park spaces, several community centers, public golf courses, pools and arts venues. Masterson Station Park is by far one of the largest multi-purpose green spaces in Lexington and sits within convenient reach of several neighborhoods, including Masterson Station , Yarnallton and McConnell's Trace . This more than 650-acre site and its rolling landscapes offer horse-riding trails and other amenities like a playground and splash pad. The city’s other massive green space is the Horse Park, which cyclists can reach from the 12-mile Legacy Trail. Visitors to the Horse Park can enjoy this 1,000-acre attraction, its many barns and activities like youth riding camps. Other popular outdoor sites include Jacobson Park, which draws golfers, boaters and anglers.
Lexington has also committed to a few recreational initiatives. The city has a long-term plan to put everyone within a 10-minute walk of a park by 2050. “We have tons of parks here, all kinds of activities for children and adults. You can do something every day in Lexington,” Elder says.
Kite Fest features kite flying, children’s games, inflatables, and more.
Kentucky Horse Park offers visitors a chance to learn more about equestrianism.
Legacy Trail is a 12-mile shared-use greenway trail.
Jacobson Park is a 216-acre park located in east Lexington.
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Fayette County Public Schools and UK’s many programs
Fayette County Public Schools serves over 40,000 students in the Lexington area and gets an A-minus rating from Niche. There are also many standout private schools in the area, including Sayre School and Trinity Christian Academy, the latter of which Niche ranks as the state's second best Christian High School.
In addition to the University of Kentucky, college students here may attend Transylvania University or pursue two-year degrees at the Bluegrass Community and Technical College. UK’s many institutions include the University of Kentucky’s College of Medicine, located at the UK HealthCare campus a few miles from downtown.
Trinity Christian Academy ranks on Niche as Lexington’s best Christian high school.
Transylvania University is a private institution in Lexington that was founded in 1780.
Bluegrass Community and Technical College is the only accredited college in Northside.
With over 32,000 students, the University of Kentucky is the states largest college.
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Diverse economic hub led by UK and hospital system
UK and UK HealthCare employ nearly 25,000 people, making the academic institution and its affiliated hospital system the largest employer in the Lexington area. Medical institutions under UK HealthCare include its flagship Albert B. Chandler Hospital, the Kentucky Children’s Hospital and the UK Good Samaritan Hospital.
With over 5,000 employees, the Fayette County Public Schools district is the city’s next largest employer. Other major employers include tech and computer hardware companies Xerox and Lexmark, with the latter headquartered in the city. Defense contractor and aerospace giant Lockheed Martin also has a presence in town, and its roughly 1,500 workers keep it among the city’s top 10 largest employers. Although it’s situated in the neighboring community of Georgetown, the Toyota Kentucky plant — the automaker’s largest in the world — is another major regional employer, and many Lexington residents work at the plant.
In 2023, the city approved its Imagine Lexington 2045 Comprehensive Plan, which provides guidance on key areas like growth, environmental sustainability, jobs and maintaining the urban and rural balance — which has long been a sticking point in the city. The comprehensive plan includes a so-called “Placebuilder,” or a set of criteria for builders seeking land use changes.
The city’s public transit system, Lextran, provides buses to those needing alternative transportation options. UK students, employees and retirees can ride Lextran routes free of cost by showing their Wildcard ID. Interstates 64 and 75 pass through the city, connecting Lexington to neighbors like Georgetown, Richmond and the state capital, Frankfort. New Circle Road is an inner beltway and another major commuter route. The Blue Grass Airport is the city’s hub for commercial flights.
Shriners residents receive healthcare at Shriners Hospital.
The Southern Heights neighborhood is adjacent to the Albert B. Chandler Hospital.
The Georgetown Toyota plant is the company's largest, at 1,300 acres and growing.
Students enjoy free bus rides around the University of Kentucky.
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Important to know
Although Lexington’s crime rates are higher than the state average, stats show it is safer than Louisville, Kentucky’s largest city. Louisville’s violent and property crime rates are, respectively, about 70% and 40% higher than Lexington’s. The violent crime rate in Lexington is also on par with the national average, but its property crime rate is about 50% higher than the country’s.
Weather experts say Lexington experiences four true seasons, with mild winters and warm summers with lower humidity levels than much of the American South. The city’s average annual temperature is around 56 degrees, putting it slightly above the national mean. While winter snowfall isn’t heavy, Lexington averages about 11 inches a year. In contrast, National Weather Service data shows the Midwest averaging about 43 inches of snow yearly. The city can also experience severe weather events like thunderstorms and tornadoes. The National Weather Service forecasters say more than 50 thunderstorms occur in the area annually. The town also typically sees at least one tornado a year.
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