Fayette County, Kentucky

Infobox U.S. County
county = Fayette County
state = Kentucky


founded year = 1780
founded date =
seat wl = Lexington
area_total_sq_mi = 286
area_total_km2 = 739
area_land_sq_mi = 285
area_land_km2 = 737
area_water_sq_mi = 1
area_water_km2 = 3
area percentage = 0.35%
census yr = 2000
pop = 260,512
density_sq_mi = 916
density_km2 = 354
time zone = Eastern
UTC offset = -5
DST offset = -4
footnotes =
web = www.lfucg.com
named for = General Lafayette (1757–1834), American Revolutionary War general

Fayette County is a county located in the U.S. state of Kentucky. As of 2007, the estimated population was 279,044. Its territory, population and government are coextensive with the city of Lexington, which also serves as county seat.

History

One of three original counties formed when Kentucky County, Virginia was divided by the Virginia Act in 1780 (the other two counties being Jefferson and Lincoln). Fayette County included area north and east of the Kentucky River, 37 present-day counties, and parts of 7 others. It was reduced to its present boundaries in 1799. The county is named for Marquis de Lafayette, who came to America to assist with 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

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 286 square miles (739 km²), of which, 285 square miles (737 km²) of it is land and 1 square miles (3 km²) of it (0.35%) is water.

Major highways

*Interstate 75
*Interstate 64
*U.S. Highway 25
*U.S. Highway 27
*U.S. Highway 60
*U.S. Highway 68
*U.S. Highway 421

Adjacent counties

*Scott County (north)
*Bourbon County (northeast)
*Clark County (east)
*Madison County (south)
*Jessamine County (south)
*Woodford County (west)

Demographics

USCensusPop
1790= 18410
1800= 14028
1810= 21370
1820= 23250
1830= 25098
1840= 22194
1850= 22735
1860= 22599
1870= 26656
1880= 29023
1890= 35698
1900= 42071
1910= 47715
1920= 54664
1930= 68543
1940= 78899
1950= 100746
1960= 131906
1970= 174323
1980= 204165
1990= 225366
2000= 260512
estimate= 279044
estyear= 2007
estref=
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lexington,_Kentucky
footnote=http://ukcc.uky.edu/~census/21067.txt

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 260,512 people, 108,288 households, and 62,915 families residing in the county. The population density was 916 people per square mile (354/km²). There were 116,167 housing units at an average density of 408 per square mile (158/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 81.04% White, 13.48% Black or African American, 0.19% Native American, 2.46% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 1.21% from other races, and 1.58% from two or more races. 3.29% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 108,288 households out of which 27.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.50% were married couples living together, 11.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.90% were non-families. 31.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the county the population was spread out with 21.30% under the age of 18, 14.60% from 18 to 24, 33.20% from 25 to 44, 20.90% from 45 to 64, and 10.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 96.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $39,813, and the median income for a family was $53,264. Males had a median income of $36,166 versus $26,964 for females. The per capita income for the county was $23,109. About 8.20% of families and 12.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.30% of those under age 18 and 8.60% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

*Lexington

Rural communities

*Athens
*Clays Ferry
*Little Texas
*South Elkhorn
*Spears (split between Jessamine and Fayette Counties.)

Historically black rural hamlets

*Bracktown
*Cadentown
*Little Georgetown
*Pralltown
*Jimtown

Education

Schools

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

Colleges and universities

* Bluegrass Community and Technical College
* Lexington Theological Seminary
* National College of Business & Technology
* Sullivan University
* Transylvania University
* University of Kentucky
* ITT Technical Institute

Private high schools

* [http://www.lexingtoncatholic.com Lexington Catholic High School]
* Lexington Christian Academy
* [http://www.sayreschool.org Sayre School]
* [http://www.tcalex.org Trinity Christian Academy]
* Blue Grass Baptist School

Private middle and elementary schools

* [http://www.thelexingtonschool.org The Lexington School]

Public high schools

* Henry Clay High School
* Paul Laurence Dunbar High School
* Bryan Station High School
* Lafayette High School
* Tates Creek High School

ee also

References

External links

* [http://ksdc.louisville.edu/]
* [http://www.lexareampo.org/ Lexington Area Metropolitan Planning Organization]
* [http://www.lfucg.com/ Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government]