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Fayette County, Kentucky facts for kids

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Fayette County
Consolidated city-county
Lexington-Fayette Urban County
Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Complex in Lexington
Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Complex in Lexington
Official seal of Fayette County
Seal
Map of Kentucky highlighting Fayette County
Location within the U.S. state of Kentucky
Map of the United States highlighting Kentucky
Kentucky's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Kentucky
Founded 1780
Named for Gilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette
Seat Lexington
Largest city Lexington
Area
 • Total 286 sq mi (740 km2)
 • Land 284 sq mi (740 km2)
 • Water 1.9 sq mi (5 km2)  0.7%%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 322,570 Increase
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 6th

Fayette County is located in the central part of the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of the 2010 census, the population was 295,803, making it the second-most populous county in the commonwealth. Its territory, population and government are coextensive with the city of Lexington, which also serves as the county seat. Fayette County is part of the Lexington–Fayette, KY Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Fayette County was one of the original three counties created from the former Kentucky County, Virginia, by the Virginia Act in 1780, along with Jefferson and Lincoln counties. Together they separated from Virginia in 1792 to become the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Originally, Fayette County included land which makes up 37 present-day counties and portions of 7 others. It was reduced to its present boundaries in 1799. The county is named for the Marquis de LaFayette, who came to America to join the rebelling English colonies in the American Revolutionary War.

On January 1, 1974, Fayette County merged its government with that of its county seat of Lexington, creating a consolidated city-county governed by the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government.

Geography

Fayette County tree
Sycamore tree in Fayette County, Kentucky

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 286 square miles (740 km2), of which 284 square miles (740 km2) is land and 1.9 square miles (4.9 km2) (0.7%) is water.

Major highways

  • Interstate 75
  • Interstate 64
  • U.S. Route 25
  • U.S. Route 27
  • U.S. Route 60
  • U.S. Route 68
  • U.S. Route 421
  • Kentucky Route 4, a.k.a. New Circle Road

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1790 18,410
1800 14,028 −23.8%
1810 21,370 52.3%
1820 23,250 8.8%
1830 25,098 7.9%
1840 22,194 −11.6%
1850 22,735 2.4%
1860 22,599 −0.6%
1870 26,656 18.0%
1880 29,023 8.9%
1890 35,698 23.0%
1900 42,071 17.9%
1910 47,715 13.4%
1920 54,664 14.6%
1930 68,543 25.4%
1940 78,899 15.1%
1950 100,746 27.7%
1960 131,906 30.9%
1970 174,323 32.2%
1980 204,165 17.1%
1990 225,366 10.4%
2000 260,512 15.6%
2010 295,803 13.5%
2020 322,570 9.0%
2021 (est.) 321,793 8.8%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2010-2021

As of the census of 2010, there were 295,803 people, 123,043 households, and 69,661 families residing in the county. The population density was 1,034 people per square mile (399/km2). There were 135,160 housing units at an average density of 473 per square mile (182/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 75.7% White, 14.5% Black or African American, 0.3% Native American, 3.2% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 3.7% from other races, and 2.5% from two or more races. 6.9% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 123,043 households, out of which 25.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.1% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.4% were non-families. 32.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.3 and the average family size was 2.94.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 21.2% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 21, and 62.4% from 21 to 65. 10.5% were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33.7 years. 50.8% of the population was female.

The median income for a household in the county was $47,469, and the median income for a family was $66,690. Males had a median income of $44,343 versus $35,716 for females. The per capita income for the county was $28,345. About 11.1% of families and 17.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.6% of those under age 18 and 8.6% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Hempfieldkentucky1898
Hemp production was a major crop

City

Unincorporated communities

Historically black hamlets

  • Bracktown
  • Cadentown
  • Jimtown
  • Smithtown
  • Little Georgetown
  • Pralltown

Education

Public high schools

Schools in the county are operated by Fayette County Public Schools.

  • Henry Clay High School
  • Paul Laurence Dunbar High School
  • Frederick Douglass High School
  • Bryan Station High School
  • Lafayette High School
  • Tates Creek High School

Private middle and elementary schools

Private high schools

  • Lexington Catholic High School
  • Lexington Christian Academy
  • Sayre School
  • Trinity Christian Academy

Colleges and universities

  • Bluegrass Community and Technical College
  • Indiana Wesleyan University (Lexington campus)
  • ITT Technical Institute
  • Lexington Theological Seminary
  • Midway College (Lexington campus)
  • National College of Business & Technology
  • Spencerian College
  • Sullivan University
  • Transylvania University
  • University of Kentucky

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Fayette (Kentucky) para niños

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