Metro area profile · Kentucky
Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area market data
How the Lexington-Fayette metro area compares with other metro areas for 56 business types: competitors, household spending, official counts and growth.
- Population, 2025
- 535,174
- +3.4% since 2020
- Households
- 216,273
- Median household income
- $71,966
- +22.6% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Median home value
- $281,300
- Jobs located here
- 289,772
- Highest market score
- 69
- Convenience stores, #66 of 387 scored metro areas
A site report maps the competitors on map listings around any address in the Lexington-Fayette metro area by name and distance, and the households and spending within reach. Or open the report at the center of the Lexington-Fayette metro area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardSurvey estimates 2020–2024 · population estimates 2025 · official business counts 2023 · map listings September 2026 · Data credits · How we measure
What this means
The Lexington-Fayette metro area has an estimated 535,174 people and 216,273 households. Between 2020 and 2025, the population of the Lexington-Fayette metro area grew 3.4%, in step with the U.S. (+3.1%). Median household income in the Lexington-Fayette metro area is $71,966, 11% below the U.S. median of $80,734. Against the 2015–2019 survey, the median rose 22.6%, before inflation.
Relative to the U.S., household spending in the Lexington-Fayette metro area runs highest on vehicle insurance (an index of 119, where 100 is the U.S. average) and lowest on memberships, classes and admissions (75).
Of the business types scored in the Lexington-Fayette metro area, convenience stores (69), pest control companies (67) and landscaping and lawn care companies (67) have the highest Groundwork market scores. For convenience stores, that ranks #66 of 387 scored metro areas.
The Lexington-Fayette metro area takes in 6 counties: Fayette County, Scott County, Jessamine County, Clark County and 2 more. Against the U.S., map listings per household run highest for veterinarians (67% above the U.S. rate) and lowest for collision repair and body shops (26% below the U.S. rate).
All 56 business types in the Lexington-Fayette metro area
Highest Groundwork market score first. Each score compares the Lexington-Fayette metro area with other metro areas for that business type, from 0 to 100. Spending per listing divides a whole spending line (all vehicle repairs, all eating out) by one type’s listings: the demand for each competitor, not a business’s revenue. Compare it across markets with its index, where 100 is the U.S. figure for the same type; the real estate types, whose line is all housing costs, show the index only. How the score works.
| Business type | Score | Rank among metro areas | Listings | Per 10k households | Spending per listing | Spending per listing vs. U.S. (100) | Official establishments |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Convenience stores | 69 | #66 of 387 | 137 | 6.3 | $9.5M | 120 | 29 |
| Pest control | 67 | #62 of 345 | 29 | 1.3 | $11M | 108 | 23 |
| Landscaping and lawn care | 67 | #97 of 385 | 118 | 5.5 | $2.7M | 93 | 174 |
| Grocery and convenience stores | 66 | #85 of 387 | 335 | 15.5 | $3.9M | 115 | 117 |
| Lawn, cleaning and pest control | 64 | #104 of 387 | 200 | 9.2 | $1.6M | 95 | 334 |
| Collision repair and body shops | 62 | #117 of 381 | 50 | 2.3 | $3.7M | 120 | 36 |
| Nail salons | 57 | #131 of 387 | 98 | 4.5 | $2M | 118 | 27 |
| Coffee shops and cafes | 56 | #142 of 387 | 210 | 9.7 | $3.9M | 105 | 107 |
| Auto repair shops | 55 | #159 of 387 | 417 | 19.3 | $444K | 100 | 171 |
| Auto repair and car care | 55 | #166 of 387 | 715 | 33.1 | $259K | 96 | 251 |
| House cleaning | 54 | #143 of 375 | 53 | 2.5 | $6M | 94 | 137 |
| Barbershops | 54 | #162 of 387 | 108 | 5.0 | $1.8M | 95 | 8 |
| Insurance agencies | 53 | #172 of 387 | 391 | 18.1 | $1.3M | 103 | 219 |
| Gas stations | 52 | #182 of 387 | 258 | 11.9 | $2.3M | 96 | 173 |
| Bakeries and dessert shops | 52 | #183 of 387 | 195 | 9.0 | $4.2M | 101 | 123 |
| Child care and preschools | 52 | #183 of 387 | 107 | 4.9 | $939K | 94 | 127 |
| Roofing and gutters | 50 | #199 of 381 | 101 | 4.7 | $6.2M | 73 | 35 |
| Funeral homes | 49 | #182 of 377 | 40 | 1.8 | $638K | 94 | 19 |
| Pet grooming and boarding | 49 | #210 of 386 | 98 | 4.5 | $2M | 78 | 44 |
| Home repair trades | 48 | #210 of 387 | 325 | 15.0 | $1.9M | 79 | 345 |
| HVAC and plumbing | 48 | #210 of 387 | 155 | 7.2 | $4M | 85 | 184 |
| Electricians | 48 | #215 of 383 | 69 | 3.2 | $9M | 75 | 126 |
| Chiropractors | 47 | #209 of 386 | 106 | 4.9 | $2.3M | 95 | 57 |
| Grocery stores | 47 | #219 of 387 | 141 | 6.5 | $9.2M | 99 | 88 |
| Home inspectors | 46 | #148 of 243 | 17 | 0.8 | Index only | 73 | 13 |
| Tire shops | 46 | #231 of 386 | 82 | 3.8 | $2.3M | 90 | 31 |
| Car washes and detailing | 44 | #248 of 387 | 93 | 4.3 | $2M | 79 | 26 |
| Restaurants and cafes | 43 | #242 of 387 | 2,366 | 109.4 | $345K | 93 | 969 |
| Fast food and sandwich shops | 42 | #246 of 387 | 331 | 15.3 | $2.5M | 81 | 453 |
| Pet stores | 42 | #255 of 382 | 54 | 2.5 | $3.6M | 80 | 20 |
| Hair salons | 42 | #268 of 387 | 489 | 22.6 | $396K | 92 | 127 |
| Optometrists and eye care | 42 | #271 of 386 | 93 | 4.3 | $2.6M | 83 | 31 |
| Mortgage brokers and lenders | 41 | #254 of 373 | 90 | 4.2 | Index only | 93 | 50 |
| Salons, barbers and spas | 41 | #290 of 387 | 988 | 45.7 | $196K | 92 | 227 |
| Laundromats | 40 | #243 of 364 | 37 | 1.7 | $11.1M | 88 | 17 |
| Sit-down restaurants | 40 | #277 of 387 | 1,341 | 62.0 | $609K | 92 | 400 |
| Urgent care and walk-in clinics | 39 | #143 of 197 | 13 | 0.6 | $18.6M | 76 | 19 |
| Clothing and shoe stores | 38 | #280 of 387 | 408 | 18.9 | $1M | 79 | 189 |
| Clothing, shoes and laundry | 37 | #287 of 387 | 555 | 25.7 | $738K | 84 | 236 |
| Pizza | 37 | #294 of 387 | 221 | 10.2 | $3.7M | 73 | 453 |
| Property management | 37 | #297 of 374 | 86 | 4.0 | Index only | 68 | 119 |
| Martial arts and dance studios | 36 | #321 of 387 | 101 | 4.7 | $1.6M | 79 | 57 |
| Dry cleaners | 35 | #213 of 272 | 28 | 1.3 | $14.6M | 93 | 30 |
| Yoga, Pilates and fitness studios | 35 | #304 of 347 | 51 | 2.4 | $3.1M | 77 | 69 |
| Primary care and pediatrics | 34 | #306 of 387 | 177 | 8.2 | $1.4M | 77 | 377 |
| Gyms | 34 | #326 of 387 | 183 | 8.5 | $877K | 67 | 69 |
| Real estate | 34 | #346 of 387 | 968 | 44.8 | Index only | 78 | 550 |
| Real estate agents and brokers | 34 | #348 of 387 | 775 | 35.8 | Index only | 77 | 296 |
| Gyms, studios and classes | 33 | #339 of 387 | 335 | 15.5 | $479K | 72 | 126 |
| Pet businesses | 32 | #327 of 387 | 319 | 14.7 | $610K | 69 | 180 |
| Oil change and quick lube | 30 | #240 of 290 | 21 | 1.0 | $8.8M | 64 | 21 |
| Spas and skin care | 30 | #364 of 387 | 271 | 12.5 | $715K | 82 | 62 |
| Veterinarians | 28 | #340 of 384 | 120 | 5.5 | $1.6M | 60 | 116 |
| Dentists and orthodontists | 28 | #353 of 387 | 282 | 13.0 | $856K | 87 | 234 |
| Doctors, dentists and clinics | 27 | #354 of 387 | 2,302 | 106.4 | $105K | 69 | 845 |
| Physical therapy | 23 | #368 of 386 | 158 | 7.3 | $1.5M | 64 | 127 |
Household spending in the Lexington-Fayette metro area
What households here spend in a year on each line, in total and per household, with the index against the U.S. average (100).
| Spending line | A year, all households | Per household | Index vs. U.S. (100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle maintenance and repairs | $185.3M | $857 | 89 |
| Gasoline and other fuels | $590.8M | $2,732 | 105 |
| Food away from home | $816.9M | $3,777 | 93 |
| Groceries | $1.3B | $6,013 | 95 |
| Personal care products and services | $193.8M | $896 | 89 |
| Child care and other personal services | $100.4M | $464 | 80 |
| Memberships, classes and admissions | $160.4M | $742 | 75 |
| Medical and dental services | $241.4M | $1,116 | 87 |
| Pets | $194.6M | $900 | 99 |
| Clothing, shoes and related services | $409.5M | $1,894 | 92 |
| Vehicle insurance | $503.9M | $2,330 | 119 |
| Home repairs, maintenance and insurance | $623.1M | $2,881 | 95 |
| Lawn care, cleaning and other household services | $320.3M | $1,481 | 105 |
| Rent and homeowner costs | $3.3B | $15,124 | 91 |
Household spending is estimated from the incomes of the households in each neighborhood, using what households at each income spent nationally in 2024, adjusted for the region. It counts what residents spend, wherever they spend it.
Population and households in the Lexington-Fayette metro area
- Population, 2025 estimate
- 535,174+3.4% since 2020
- Households
- 216,273
- Median age
- 38.1
- Homes lived in by their owners
- 59%
- Vehicles per household
- 1.7
- Land area
- 1,470 sq. mi.
- People per square mile
- 355
- Median household income
- $71,966+22.6% vs. 2015–2019, before inflation
- Average household income
- $102,014
- Median home value
- $281,300
- Jobs located here
- 289,772
- Daytime population
- 573,681Residents who don’t work, plus everyone whose job is here
Looking at a specific site in the Lexington-Fayette metro area?
These figures cover the whole metro area. A site report draws rings around one address and counts what’s inside them: households, spending, jobs, and the competitors on map listings by name and distance, for any of the 56 business types.
Or open the report at the center of the Lexington-Fayette metro area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
Free10 actions over 3 days, no cardRelated markets
Counties in the Lexington-Fayette metro area 6
- Fayette County, KY323,725 people
- Scott County, KY59,536 people
- Jessamine County, KY54,588 people
- Clark County, KY37,192 people
- Woodford County, KY27,279 people
- Bourbon County, KY20,240 people
Other markets based in Kentucky 12
- Louisville/Jefferson County, KY-IN metro area1,372,558 people
- Bowling Green, KY metro area186,959 people
- Elizabethtown, KY metro area127,049 people
- Owensboro, KY metro area112,762 people
- Paducah, KY-IL metro area102,748 people
- Corbin, KY area149,689 people
- Richmond-Berea, KY area125,967 people
- Pikeville, KY area91,951 people
- Frankfort, KY area76,195 people
- Somerset, KY area65,897 people
- Henderson, KY area57,122 people
- Danville, KY area55,445 people
Questions
How fast is the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area growing?
Population estimates put the Lexington-Fayette metro area at 535,174 people in 2025, up 3.4% since 2020, in step with the U.S. (+3.1%). It has 216,273 households. Median household income rose 22.6% from the 2015–2019 survey, before inflation.
How much do households in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area spend?
Households in the Lexington-Fayette metro area spend about $3.3B a year on rent and homeowner costs, $1.3B on groceries and $816.9M on food away from home. Set against the U.S., households in the Lexington-Fayette metro area spend the most on vehicle insurance (an index of 119, where 100 is the U.S. average) and the least on memberships, classes and admissions (75).
Which business types have the highest market scores in the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area?
The highest Groundwork market scores in the Lexington-Fayette metro area are for convenience stores (69), pest control companies (67) and landscaping and lawn care companies (67). The Lexington-Fayette metro area ranks #66 of 387 scored metro areas for convenience stores.
How does the Lexington-Fayette, KY metro area compare with the U.S.?
The median household income in the Lexington-Fayette metro area is $71,966 a year, 11% below the U.S. median of $80,734. The population rose 3.4% from 2020 to 2025, against +3.1% for the U.S. The median home value is $281,300, against $332,700 for the U.S. For its number of households, the Lexington-Fayette metro area has the most map listings, relative to the U.S., for veterinarians (67% above the U.S. rate) and the fewest for collision repair and body shops (26% below the U.S. rate).
What is the Groundwork market score?
The Groundwork market score runs from 0 to 100 and compares a market with others of its kind for one business type: states with states, metro areas with metro areas, small-town markets and counties with their own. It weighs household spending per competitor (35%), households per business with payroll (25%), population growth (20%) and spending power (20%), each ranked against those peers. A higher score means that, taken together, the market has more household spending and more households for each business already there, faster population growth and more spending per household than similar markets. It describes a market, not any one site or deal. All 56 business types have a score in the Lexington-Fayette metro area, each ranked against other metro areas.
How can I see the market around a specific site?
Run a Groundwork site report on an address in the Lexington-Fayette metro area. It maps the competitors on map listings near the site and sizes the households and spending within the distance you choose. New accounts get 10 actions over 3 days, no card.
All markets in Kentucky · Every U.S. market · How we measure
Screening a site or an acquisition in the Lexington-Fayette metro area?
A site report maps the competitors on map listings near an address and sizes the households and spending around it.
The button opens the report at the center of the Lexington-Fayette metro area. Signed out, you see a blurred preview; on an account, each report is one action.
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau.
Figures are estimates for research only. Not investment or real estate advice.