Lexington, Kentucky is the "Horse Capital of the World," located in the heart of the Bluegrass. It is the second largest city in Kentucky and has the second largest metropolitan area (after Louisville). In 2004, the population estimate given by the U.S. Census Bureau was 266,358. Its population, territory and government are coextensive with that of Fayette County.
Lexington is home to the Kentucky Horse Park, Keeneland race course, a JIF peanut butter plant which produces more peanut butter than any other factory in the world, Transylvania University and the University of Kentucky. UK's basketball program is immensely popular in the city; for example, the area code (859) spells out UKY. The University of Kentucky Wildcats basketball team has won more games than any other team in college basketball history.
The estimated 2000 population of Lexington-Fayette was 260,512. The estimated 2000 population of the metropolitan statistical area (MSA), comprised of Bourbon, Clark, Fayette, Jessamine, Madison, Scott, and Woodford Counties, is 424,778.
In 2005 a Combined Statistical Area (CSA) was established for "Lexington-Frankfort-Richmond" for which Lexington is the centerpiece.
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 260,512 people, 108,288 households, and 62,915 families residing in the city. The population density is 353.5/km2 (915.6/mi2). There are 116,167 housing units at an average density of 157.6/km2 (408.3/mi2).
The racial makeup of the city is:81.04% White13.48% African American0.19% Native American2.46% Asian0.03% Pacific Islander1.21% from other races1.58% from two or more races3.29% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 108,288 households out of which:27.3% have children under the age of 18 living with them43.5% are married couples living together11.5% have a female householder with no husband present41.9% are non-families31.7% of all households are made up of individuals7.5% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older
The average household size is 2.29 and the average family size is 2.90.
The age distribution is 21.3% under the age of 18, 14.6% from 18 to 24, 33.2% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.0% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 33 years. For every 100 females there are 96.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 94.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $39,813, and the median income for a family is $58,677. Males have a median income of $36,166 versus $26,964 for females. The per capita income for the city is $23,109. 12.9% of the population and 8.2% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 14.3% of those under the age of 18 and 8.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
There are over 230 churches and synagogues in Lexington, representing 38 denominations.
Traditional products of the area include horses, tobacco and handcrafts, but an increasing diversity of products and services contributes to a healthy economy. Major employers in the Lexington area include:
Kentucky state sales tax is 6 percent . Groceries are exempt. Hotel tax is 6 percent.
Lexington was founded in June of 1775, 17 years before Kentucky became a state. A party of frontiersmen, led by William McConnell, camped on a branch of Elkhorn Creek at the location known today as McConnell Springs. Upon hearing of the colonists' victory at Lexington, Massachusetts on April 19, 1775, they named their campsite Lexington to commemorate it. Due to the danger of Indian attacks, permanent settlement was delayed for four years. In 1779, Colonel Robert Patterson and 25 companions came from Fort Harrod and erected a blockhouse. Cabins and a stockade were soon built, making the fort a place of importance. The town of Lexington was established on May 6, 1782, by an act of the Virginia General Assembly.
By 1820, it was one of the largest and wealthiest towns west of the Allegheny Mountains. So cultured was its lifestyle, Lexington gained the nickname "Athens of the West." One early prominent citizen, John Wesley Hunt, became the first millionaire west of the Alleghenies.
Lexington hosted one of the first drug rehabilitation clinics, known as the "Addiction Research Center," which opened in 1935 . It also has a Federal Prison.
Source:
LexingtonKentucky.com
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