Welcome to Lexington

Lexington, A Great American City.

Guide to the Bluegrass

Where We Are

Lexington-Fayette County

Bluegrass Region

Population: 295,803

Median Age: 33.7 years

Labor Force: 157,358

Population: 604,300

Median Age: 35.2 years

Labor Force: 390,249

Bluegrass Region

State and Regional Population

Population of Kentucky

Population of the Golden Triangle: Lexington, Louisville, and Northern Kentucky

4,336,367

Approximately 1,300,000

Where You Are

Bingham McCutchen

5 miles from downtown Lexington

.5 miles from Interstate 64

and 75

Where You Are

University of Kentucky Coldstream Research Campus

Where We Are

14 Non-stop flights to

destinations

Where We Are

Lexington is about an hour’s drive from Louisville International Airport (SDF) and Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG). From these airports, direct flights include Boston, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Hartford, New York, and Washington DC.

CVG

53 24

SDF

non-stop destinations

non-stop destinations

Lexington

Lexington’s Economy

6.7%

Unemployment rate – 3rd

lowest in the state

-KY Labor Market Information,

August 2012

$69,703

Average Household

Income -American Community

Survey, 2011

$39,260

Average Wage for

the Bluegrass

(all occupations) -KY Office of Employment

and Training, 2011

Lexington’s Industries – Percentage of Total Employees, 2010

Health Care and Social Assistance

16%

Educational Services 13%

Professional/Business Services, Management,

Real Estate 21% Retail Trade

12%

Manufacturing 8%

Construction 4%

Agriculture 1%

Other Industries 25%

Source: OnTheMap, 2010

Lexington’s Economy - Regional Major Employers

Company Number of Employees

University of Kentucky 14,000

Toyota Motor Manufacturing 7,900

Fayette County Public Schools 5,375

Xerox 3,100

Lexmark 3,000

Central Baptist Healthcare 3,000

Eastern Kentucky University 2,900

Kentucky State Government 2,860

Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government

2,700

Saint Joseph Healthcare 2,500

Lockheed Martin 1,705

Amazon.com 1,600

Bluegrass Mental Health 1,400

United States Postal Service 1,300 Source: Commerce Lexington, 2012

Major Employers Employers of Significance

An Emphasis on Higher Education Lexington is one of the most educated cities in the nation. For cities with a population of 250,000 or more, Lexington ranks 12th with 41.1% of its population having earned a Bachelor’s degree or higher. The Bluegrass Region boasts 10 colleges and universities within 40 miles of Lexington. In addition, Lexington has five professional and technical schools. Over 70,000 students are enrolled in institutions of higher learning, while more than 12,000 graduate annually.

Colleges and Universities

Institution

2011-2012

Enrollment

2011

Graduates

Degrees

Conferred

Distance

from

Lexington

University of Kentucky 28,094 5,835 B, M, PhD 0 mi

Eastern Kentucky University 16,062 3,101 A, B, M 21 mi

Bluegrass Community &

Technical College14,210 1,138 A 0 mi

Kentucky State University 2,746 328 A, B, M 22 mi

Georgetown College 1,818 505 B, M 12 mi

Asbury College 1,649 321 B, M 14 mi

Berea College 1,661 235 B 16 mi

Midway College 1,734 359 A, B 12 mi

Centre College 1,309 267 B 32 mi

Transylvania University 1,029 263 B 0 mi

enrolled 70,312 yearly graduates 12,352

Source: KY Dept. of Education, 2011

A Message from the UK President

Horse Capital of the World

As the “Horse Capital of the World,” the Bluegrass Region has no shortage of horse-related activities – from farm tours to races to elegant equestrian events. We attract visitors from around the world.

Keeneland

Catch a glimpse of the Thoroughbreds warming up at sunrise at “Breakfast with the Works” during a Race Meet.

The historic Keeneland is on full display during the Race Meets in April and October, as well as during the various sales throughout the year. Over the last year, Keeneland has sold horses to buyers from 50 different countries.

Kentucky Horse Park

The Kentucky Horse Park is home to the International Museum of Horse, American Saddlebred Museum, Hall of Champions, and the Parade of Breeds. The Horse Park hosted the 2010 World Equestrian Games and is home to 34 horse associations.

The Bourbon Trail

For more than 200 years, Kentucky’s legendary distilleries have crafted the world’s finest Bourbons. This tradition can be explored on the Kentucky Bourbon Trail tour, featuring six signature distilleries among the beautiful scenery of the Bluegrass. CNN recently named the Kentucky Bourbon Trail a “Top 10 Classic American Experience.”

Quality of Life

Lexington Living

From newer, suburban neighborhoods to older, historical areas, Lexington living truly offers something for everyone. Residents can choose from downtown living, suburbia, apartments, and farms. The average house price in the Lexington area currently stands at $209,846 making the region an attractive and affordable place to live.

Housing by the Numbers

Average home cost $209,846

Average monthly apartment rent

$789

Average mortgage rate with points

$3.92%

Average monthly electric bill

$61.87

Average monthly gas bill

$65.23

Average monthly phone bill

$25.00

Source: ACCRA Cost of Living, Q3 2012

Downtown Living

Cost of Living

Composite

Index

Grocery

Items

Housing Utilities Transportat

ion

Healthcare

Lexington 89.4 91.7 77.0 82.6 100.3 103.6

Boston 140.6 119.5 171.7 148.3 104.0 128.7

Los Angeles 131.7 108.5 194.4 104.2 112.5 111.0

New York 233.5 149.8 459.3 132.8 120.7 129.1

San Francisco 163.2 123.4 283.6 94.3 107.9 119.8

Washington 145.5 111.6 251.3 105.1 108.7 101.7

Lexington is an affordable and attractive place to live!

Source: ACCRA Cost of Living, Q3 2012

Public Safety

City Population

Violent crime

Murder/ Manslaughter

Forcible rape Robbery

Aggravated assault

Property crime Burglary

Larceny-theft

Lexington 300,069 1,724 18 87 593 1,026 11,024 2,679 7,704

Boston 644,064 5,819 73 256 1,926 3,564 20,628 3,587 15,004

Los Angeles 3,841,707 21,484 293 923 10,924 9,344 89,704 17,410 55,248

New York 8,336,002 48,489 536 1,036 19,608 27,309 139,615 17,926 111,370

San Francisco 818,594 5,747 48 133 3,180 2,386 32,365 4,557 23,905

Washington 601,723 7,468 132 184 3,914 3,238 27,138 4,224 18,050

Source: FBI National Crime Statistics, 2010

Primary Education

Kentucky’s commitment to public education over the last 20 years has made it a model for the nation. Fayette County, along with the state of Kentucky, has made major strides in teacher pay, student testing, and teacher training. Fayette County sets high standards for education, with students consistently scoring above state and national averages on both the SAT and ACT.

Education Facts

With roughly 40,000 students enrolled, Fayette County Public Schools is the second largest school district in the state of Kentucky.

Although the district counts for just 6% of student enrollment in the state, we represent two to three times that percentage of National Merit Finalists, Governor’s Scholars, and Governor’s Scholars for the Arts participants.

In 2011, Fayette County had the 11th highest overall test scores in the state. Four of the top ten elementary schools in Kentucky are located in Fayette County, as are two of the top ten middle schools.

Fayette County is the only county in the nation to offer world language instruction in three target languages – Chinese, Japanese, and Spanish.

In 2012, Fayette County had 27 National Merit Finalist and 56 Governor’s Scholars. The class of 2012 earned roughly $62 million in scholarships.

Private Education Lexington offers several private and Montessori schools as an alternative to the public school system.

Source: Lexington Private Schools, 2012

Schools Grades & Tuition

Assembly Christian School PS K-5 6-8

$4,326 $4,875 $4,970

Bluegrass Baptist School PS-K 1-12

$4,230 $5,300

Christ the King Elementary K-8

$4,650

Clays Mill Road Christian Academy K-12

$2,250

Community Montessori PS K-6 7-8

$4,908 $6,780 $9,563

Independent Kore Academy 1-12

$7,750

Lexington Catholic High School 9-12

$8,080

Lexington Christian Academy PS K-3 4-6 7-8 9-12

$7,116 $7,640 $7,981 $8,866 $9,346

Lexington Junior Academy Elementary K-8

$3,000

Lexington Montessori PS K-6

$8,300 $7,460

Mary Queen of Holy Rosary School PS K-8

$5,129 $4,836

Providence Montessori PS-K K-6

$9,630 $7,505

Sayre School PS K 1-5 6-9 10-12

$7,000 $13,000 $16,700 $18,550 $19,970

The Lexington School PS-K 1-8

$16,690 $18,820

Trinity Christian Academy PS K 1-3 4-6 7-12

$2,690 $5,747 $7,301 $7,575 $8,696

Healthcare

Lexington’s healthcare supply is consistently ranked among the best in North America and around the world. The area contains 13 hospitals, 249 physician’s offices, 148 dentist’s offices, and 164 other facilities related to ambulatory care. The healthcare sector has been one of the driving forces of growth in the Bluegrass, with about 16% of the area’s workforce employed in healthcare and social assistance.

Lexington’s Expanding Healthcare Industry

Central Baptist • $200 million expansion underway to create a state-of-the-art cancer center, an

expanded oncology clinic, and a women’s center by 2014

Saint Joseph Health System • Opened a women’s hospital in 2010, and $150 million facility in London, KY • Merged with Jewish Hospital and Saint Mary’s Healthcare in 2012 to form

KentuckyOne Health, the state’s largest health system University of Kentucky’s Albert B. Chandler Hospital • In mid-2010, the $532 million hospital opened a new emergency department, which

includes a Level I Trauma Center and separate adult and pediatric centers • Construction is underway to build eight additional operating rooms and a hybrid

operating room

Cardinal Hill Rehabilitation Hospital • In 2011, Cardinal Hill opened its new 1,580,000 sq. ft. patient care building, including

more patient rooms, larger therapy gyms, and a new aquatic center

Eastern State Hospital • Eastern State Hospital, the second oldest mental hospital in the United States, is

building a $140 million facility to replace the current facility

Worship

There are over 250 churches, synagogues, and mosques in Lexington, representing 38 denominations. Lexington is also home to the Bharatiya Temple and Cultural Center.

A community report by New Century Lexington cited the area’s numerous religious opportunities as one of the city’s strengths.

Gender 50.7%

Female

49.3% Male

Diversity

Age 6.2%

Under 5 18.3%

5-19 years

Race & Ethnicity

76.2% Caucasian

14.8% African

American

40.3% 20-44 years

10.6% Over 65

3.5% Asian

.2% Native

American

7.0%

Hispanic or Latino (of any race)

2.9% Other race

Source: American Community Survey,2011

24.6% 45-64 years

33.7 Median Age

Culture and Heritage

Festival Latino

Culture and Heritage

LGBT Lexington’s Scene

Lexington has a strong presence in the LGBT community in Kentucky. Downtown Lexington and the Martin Luther King District serve as the city's gay epicenter. Small but fierce seems the best way to describe the scene, headed up by the Bar Complex which houses three rooms in a former speak-easy space, and the newly renovated Pulse Nightlife.

Gay Bars & Restaurants: SoundBar The Bar Crossings Pulse Nightlife

LGBT Supporting Organizations: Gay & Lesbian Services Organization JustFundKY GSL Youth Program (in majority of Fayette County Public Schools) Lexington Pride Festival

Culture and Heritage

Community Activities

The Legacy Trail and Mountain Bike Trail – The Legacy Trail is a 12 mile walking and biking trail that begins in the East End of downtown Lexington and runs to the Kentucky Horse Park. The Veterans Park also recently opened a Mountain Bike Trail. The trail tops out at nearly four miles and includes beginner and intermediate trails.

Community Activities

Plays in the Park

Community Activities

Movies at Triangle Park in the summer and ice skating in the winter!

Community Activities

Thursday Night Live – live music every Thursday night in downtown Lexington from April - October

Arts LexArts, Lexington’s cultural development organization, operates ArtsPlace and Downtown Arts Center. These spaces provide performance space, galleries, and rehearsal space for other arts organizations.

Lexington is home to several performance venues, including the Lexington Opera House, the Lexington Children’s Theater, and the Singletary Center for the Arts at the University of Kentucky.

Arts

Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Lexington Opera House is known as one of the premiere performing arts centers in the region.

Programming at the Opera House offers ballet, opera, children’s productions, comedy, concerts, and national Broadway tours.

Eastern Kentucky University Center for Arts

The EKU Center for the Arts is Central Kentucky's premier arts and entertainment venue. Visit the performing arts center for live entertainment, theater, and music concerts.

Nightlife and Restaurants

Sports

Lexington is home to the iconic Rupp Arena, home court of the University of Kentucky Wildcats. In 2012, the Wildcats won the NCAA Men’s basketball national championship, claiming their 8th national title!

The Lexington Legends are the city’s minor league baseball team, associated with the Kansas City Royals. Enjoy a game at Whitaker Bank Ballpark!

Sports

Lexington is also only an hour away from two professional sports teams: Major League Baseball’s Cincinnati Reds (currently in the playoffs!) and the National Football League’s Cincinnati Bengals!

Community Activities

Lexington Connects

Lexington Connects is a new ambassador program that helps welcome you to Lexington! Lexington volunteers will be matched with you based on mutual interests. Time and involvement can range from dinner to a community activity. Volunteers are willing to talk about their professional field, family life, and hobbies.

Rankings and Accolades

#1 Mid-Sized Community

#2 Best Cities for Education

#9 Best Places to Retire

#25 America’s 50 Best Cities

#5 Best Real Estate Market Buy

100 Best Communities for Young People

by Fourth Economy, 2011

by Parenting Magazine, 2010

by Forbes, 2011

by MSN Real Estate, 2010

by America’s Promise Alliance, 2012

by Bloomberg, 2012

Rankings and Accolades

#5 Best Cities for Families

National Geographic Place of a Lifetime

#2 Best Cities for Relocating Families

#1 Best Cities for Finding a Job

Top Ten College Town

by National Geographic Traveler, 2001

by Primary Relocation, 2008

by Relocate America, 2010

by Parenting Magazine, 2010

by Forbes, 2011