countyscore
37.5
County Score
Water Quality 86Lawn Care 68.3Weather & Climate 66.5

County Report Card

About Fayette County, Kentucky

Trailing National Averages

Fayette County’s composite score of 37.5 falls significantly below the national median of 50.0. Despite its urban amenities, the county struggles with high costs and environmental risk factors.

Below the State Average

The county sits well below the Kentucky state average of 58.6, highlighting a disparity between urban Lexington and rural counties. Higher housing costs and safety concerns drive this lower relative ranking.

High Incomes and Infrastructure

Strengths include a robust water quality score of 86.0 and an income score of 60.6. Residents benefit from a median household income of $67,631 and relatively strong health infrastructure scoring 61.3.

Cost and Safety Concerns

Affordability is a major challenge, with a cost score of 18.3 and a median home value of $272,100. Safety is also a concern, as the county’s score of 6.2 is among the lowest in the region.

An Urban Professional Hub

Fayette County suits young professionals who value high-income potential and urban infrastructure over low costs. It is the best choice for those prioritizing career opportunities and modern amenities.

2040608010045.618.36.261.357.560.688666.5Tax45.6Cost18.3Safety6.2Health61.3Schools57.5Income60.6Risk8Water86Weather66.537.5/100
This county
National avg
3 above average3 below average

Fayette County DNA

Foverall

How Fayette County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Fayette County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Water Quality (86/100) but notably weak in Safety (6.2/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
45.6
Cost
18.3-29.7
Safety
6.2-48.8
Health
61.3+11.299999999999997
Schools
57.5
Income
60.6+9.600000000000001
Risk
8-39
Water
86+28
Weather
66.5+10.5
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$272,100

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$1,101/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$272,100/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$44,040/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum4.0x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $67,631/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

19.3

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Nearby counties

Jessamine County
Kentucky
47.5
Bourbon County
Kentucky
51.3
Woodford County
Kentucky
56.3
Clark County
Kentucky
47.5
Scott County
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Madison County
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Mercer County
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Garrard County
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Deep Dives

Fayette County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 11 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Fayette County

via TaxByCounty

Fayette taxes comparable to U.S. median

At 0.891%, Fayette County's effective tax rate sits just above the national median, placing it roughly in the 50th percentile nationally. The median annual tax of $2,425 is slightly below the national median of $2,690, a difference of just $265.

Third-highest rate in Kentucky

Fayette County ranks among Kentucky's highest-taxed counties at 0.891%, well above the state average of 0.719%. Only a handful of Kentucky counties exceed Fayette's rate, making it one of the more expensive places to own property in the state.

Fayette leads surrounding counties

Fayette's 0.891% rate far exceeds neighboring Garrard County (0.720%) and Gallatin County (0.808%), reflecting Lexington's position as a major metro area. The higher rate correlates with higher property values—Fayette's median home of $272,100 is significantly above rural neighbors.

Median home costs $2,425 annually

A homeowner with Fayette County's median property value of $272,100 pays approximately $2,425 in annual property taxes. Whether financed or owned outright, the tax bill remains consistent around $2,400–$2,450.

Appeals can reduce your burden

Even in high-value markets, properties are sometimes overassessed relative to comparable sales. Filing an appeal with Fayette County's property valuation administrator could lower your assessment and annual tax liability.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Fayette County

via CostByCounty

Fayette premium reflects urban pull

Fayette County's 19.5% rent-to-income ratio falls within the acceptable range, but its rents ($1,101/month) nearly match the national median, reflecting its status as Kentucky's economic hub anchored by Lexington. Though median household income ($67,631) remains below the U.S. average ($74,755), residents pay significantly more for housing than national norms.

Kentucky's most expensive rental market

Fayette County leads Kentucky with a median rent of $1,101/month—43% above the state average of $771—earning it the highest rental costs in the commonwealth. The 19.5% rent-to-income ratio pushes slightly above Kentucky's 17.0% state average, signaling tighter housing budgets despite higher local incomes.

Urban premium over surrounding counties

Fayette's $1,101 rent dwarfs nearby rural alternatives: Fleming ($677), Estill ($689), and even Franklin County ($946) charge substantially less. For homebuyers, Fayette's median value of $272,100 towers over neighbors like Floyd County ($93,300), reflecting Lexington's robust real estate market.

Lexington's cost structure

A Fayette household earning $67,631 annually dedicates $1,101 to rent (19.5% of income) or $1,255 to mortgage payments on a median-priced home of $272,100. This urban affordability squeeze leaves less cushion than rural neighbors, but higher local wages partially offset the premium.

Fayette offers opportunity with costs

Relocating to Fayette means paying Kentucky's steepest housing prices, but you're gaining access to Lexington's robust job market and higher median incomes that help offset the premium. Compare your salary expectations carefully: if you can secure above-average wages in Fayette's economy, the 19.5% rent-to-income ratio remains manageable despite sticker shock compared to rural alternatives.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Fayette County

via IncomeByCounty

Fayette nears national income parity

Fayette County's median household income of $67,631 closes the gap with the national median of $74,755, trailing by just $7,124 or 10%. This positions Fayette as an above-average earner relative to most U.S. counties.

Kentucky's top-earning county

Fayette's median income of $67,631 leads all Kentucky counties by a substantial margin, outpacing the state average of $55,909 by $11,722. Its per capita income of $42,272 nearly doubles the state average of $29,616.

Clear income leader among peers

Fayette ($67,631) significantly outearns all comparison counties, including Franklin ($66,470), Gallatin ($62,247), and Garrard ($62,572). Its income advantage reflects Fayette's role as Kentucky's largest metropolitan economic center.

Strong income supports high housing costs

Fayette's median home value of $272,100 is the highest among profiled counties, yet the 19.5% rent-to-income ratio remains manageable. Households here have the earnings capacity to sustain both homeownership and rental housing.

Fayette's income supports wealth building

With $67,631 median household income, Fayette residents have meaningful capacity to invest beyond basic housing and living costs. Diversifying into stocks, bonds, and retirement accounts positions households to compound long-term wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Fayette County

via CrimeByCounty

Urban Challenges in Fayette County

Fayette County faces a total crime rate of 3,221.2 per 100,000, which sits above the national average of 2,385.5. Despite these urban challenges, the county maintains a respectable safety score of 94.9.

Safety Trends in Kentucky's Major Hub

The county's safety score of 94.9 trails the Kentucky state average of 98.8, reflecting its status as a major metropolitan center. As a high-activity area, it sees more reporting across its seven active law enforcement agencies.

Comparing Lexington to the Commonwealth

Fayette's crime rate is higher than the state average of 786.2, though this is typical for Kentucky's largest population centers. It serves as a regional contrast to the surrounding rural counties with much lower activity levels.

Property Crime Drives Local Statistics

Property crime dominates the data with a rate of 2,930.2, significantly higher than the violent crime rate of 291.0. These numbers indicate that most incidents involve theft or burglary rather than physical confrontations.

Prioritizing Security in the City

High property crime rates make home security a priority for Lexington area residents. Investing in alarm systems and smart doorbells can provide peace of mind in this busy urban environment.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in Fayette County

via SchoolsByCounty

Lexington's Massive Urban School Network

Fayette County operates a robust system of 80 public schools catering to 41,422 students. The landscape features 41 elementary schools and 20 high schools, making it one of the largest educational infrastructures in the state. This single-district system serves a diverse student body across a primarily urban environment.

High Investment and Competitive Scores

The county invests $8,810 per pupil, which is notably higher than the Kentucky state average of $6,894. These resources contribute to a school score of 56.4, outperforming both the state and national medians. The 88.0% graduation rate also stays ahead of the 87% national average.

The Power of Fayette County Schools

Fayette County is the sole district, managing all 41,422 students and 80 individual school sites. Charter schools are not present, meaning 100% of the public options are traditional district-run facilities. This central management oversees massive campuses like Lafayette High School, which alone enrolls over 2,400 students.

Urban Living and Large Campuses

With 78 of its 80 schools located in city settings, Fayette County offers a truly metropolitan educational experience. Large-scale high schools dominate the landscape, with Henry Clay and Paul Laurence Dunbar both exceeding 1,900 students. The average school size of 567 reflects the high-density nature of this central Kentucky hub.

Locating Your Next Home in Lexington

For families moving to Lexington, the diversity of city-based schools is a major draw for residential real estate. High-performing high schools like Lafayette and Paul Laurence Dunbar often drive demand in nearby neighborhoods. Investing in a home here means accessing one of the most well-funded school systems in the Commonwealth.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Fayette County

via RiskByCounty

Fayette ranks moderately higher than nation

With a composite risk score of 92.05, Fayette County faces substantially elevated natural disaster exposure compared to the national average. This relatively moderate rating reflects compound vulnerabilities across multiple hazard types, particularly tornadoes and earthquakes.

Among Kentucky's highest-risk counties

Fayette's score of 92.05 places it near the top tier of Kentucky risk, more than double the state average of 44.21. The county ranks among the state's most exposed to combined natural hazard threats.

Fayette faces outsized risk in central region

Fayette's risk profile (92.05) significantly exceeds neighboring Franklin County (64.47) and is comparable to nearby Floyd County (94.18), one of Kentucky's most hazardous areas. The county's location in central Kentucky places it in a particularly vulnerable zone.

Tornadoes and earthquakes dominate risk profile

Fayette faces extreme tornado risk with a score of 97.96—among the highest in the nation—driven by its central Kentucky location in Tornado Alley. Earthquake risk (93.03) and flood risk (92.68) round out a serious triple threat to homes and infrastructure.

Comprehensive coverage is essential here

Fayette County residents must prioritize comprehensive homeowner insurance including tornado and wind protection—standard policies often exclude these events. Adding flood insurance and considering an earthquake rider provides the fullest protection given the county's elevated multi-hazard exposure.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Water Quality in Fayette County

via WaterByCounty

Fayette County maintains a perfect A grade

With zero health violations in the last five years, Fayette County achieves a violation rate of 0.0 per 100,000 residents. This performance outperforms the Kentucky state average of 35.7 violations per 100,000. The county consistently meets all Safe Drinking Water Act standards.

Watershed meets 2022 Clean Water standards

According to the 2022 ATTAINS cycle, the two assessed water bodies in the county are not listed as impaired. This 0% impairment rate matches the current state average for assessed segments. These specific waterways currently meet the criteria for their designated uses.

No federal monitoring records available

There are no recent water quality monitoring records for Fayette County currently available in the federal EPA Water Quality Portal. This lack of data prevents a detailed analysis of local chemical and physical water trends. Improved data reporting could provide better transparency regarding local stream health.

Town Branch flows well below average

The Town Branch at Yarnallton Road currently flows at 27 cfs, representing 28% of its long-term mean. This 30-square-mile drainage area is experiencing significantly lower volume than its 96 cfs historical average. Dry conditions are noticeably impacting this urban-adjacent stream.

Maintain vigilance despite strong compliance

While drinking water compliance is excellent, the lack of federal monitoring data makes it harder to track emerging contaminants in local streams. Residents should support local watershed groups to fill these data gaps. Low streamflow in Town Branch can also lead to higher concentrations of urban runoff during storm events.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Weather & Climate in Fayette County

via WeatherByCounty

Warm Humid Subtropical Profile

Fayette County averages 56.3°F annually, placing it notably warmer than the national median. This climate provides a long growing season and relatively mild winters compared to the northern United States.

Reflecting the State Average

Fayette's 56.3°F average temperature perfectly mirrors the Kentucky state average of 56.2°F. It serves as a thermal benchmark for the central Bluegrass region.

Standard Bluegrass Rainfall Levels

The county sees 49.8 inches of annual precipitation, slightly trailing the state average of 50.6 inches. This puts it on par with most central Kentucky neighbors who enjoy similar rainfall patterns.

Hot Summers and Snowy Winters

July averages a warm 76.7°F with 25 days of extreme heat exceeding 90°F. Winter brings a significant 14.5 inches of snowfall, which is higher than many counties further south.

Preparing for Snow and Sun

Homeowners should keep snow shovels ready for the 14.5 inches of annual snow. High-performance HVAC is essential to combat the 25 days of extreme heat each summer.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Fayette County

via SoilByCounty

The Heart of the Bluegrass

Fayette County sits in the heart of the Bluegrass, though specific soil pH data is missing from this record. Its Hardiness Zone 7a offers a slightly longer growing season than its neighbors to the north.

Limestone-Rich Foundations

Detailed sand and silt percentages are unavailable, but the region is famous for its limestone-rich foundation. This geologic base typically creates fertile ground for the legendary horse pastures of Central Kentucky.

Striving for State Benchmarks

Although specific organic matter stats are missing, the state average of 3.55% serves as a benchmark for local land managers. High-quality water capacity is a hallmark of this region's historic agricultural success.

Natural Runoff on Rolling Hills

Hydrologic and drainage class data are not explicitly provided, but the rolling hills of Fayette generally facilitate natural runoff. Local developers often account for these slopes to ensure stable building foundations.

A Versatile Growing Climate

Zone 7a allows for a wide variety of perennials and early-spring planting. Fayette's climate supports everything from tobacco and corn to lush ornamental flowers.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Fayette County

via LawnByCounty

Fayette County Offers Steady Growing Conditions

Fayette County scores a 68.3 on the lawn difficulty scale, beating both the state average of 66.3 and the national median of 50.0. This 7a hardiness zone provides a slightly longer growing window than its northern neighbors.

High Growing Degrees Fuel Turf Speed

With 4,093 growing degree days, grass in Fayette County develops quickly during the season. The 49.8 inches of annual rain keeps lawns hydrated, though 25 days of extreme heat require careful monitoring of soil moisture.

Monitor Your Soil's Hidden Needs

Local soil data is currently limited, so a private test is the best way to determine if your yard needs lime or organic matter. Because this area experiences more heat than eastern Kentucky, ensuring proper soil structure helps your lawn retain moisture during July peaks.

Moderate Drought Risk Calls for Care

The county experienced four weeks of drought over the past year, though conditions are currently clear of abnormal dryness. Mow your grass at a higher setting during dry spells to shade the soil and protect the crown from heat stress.

Take Advantage of Early Spring Sun

The frost-free window typically opens on April 13 and lasts until October 28, offering a generous period for establishing new sod. Focus on heat-tolerant cool-season blends like improved tall fescues to handle the 25 days of 90-degree temperatures.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Fayette County's county score?
Fayette County, Kentucky has a composite county score of 37.5 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Fayette County rank among counties in Kentucky?
Fayette County ranks #119 among all counties in Kentucky on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Fayette County, Kentucky?
The median annual property tax in Fayette County is $2,425, with an effective tax rate of 0.89%. This earns Fayette County a tax score of 45.6/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Fayette County?
The median household income in Fayette County, Kentucky is $67,631 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Fayette County earns an income score of 60.6/100 on CountyScore.
Is Fayette County, Kentucky a good place to live?
Fayette County scores 37.5/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #119 in Kentucky. The best way to evaluate Fayette County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Fayette County with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

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Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.