Located at the crossroads of Interstates 64 and 75, Lexington is known for its bluegrass, horses, history, bourbon, and lively downtown. It is a significant cultural and economic center. Did you that Lexington is known as the “Horse Capital of the World”? Did you that Lexington ranks tenth in a list of US most educated cities? Did you that it is consolidated with Fayette County? Did you know that Bluegrass music was born in Lexington? Here are a few facts about Lexington, KY.
Image by Fredgar via Wikimedia Commons
Lexington's Geographic and Demographic Fast Facts
- Lexington is located in the heart of the Bluegrass in north Central Kentucky.
- It is merged with Fayette County.
- It is the second largest city in Kentucky and sixty-one largest in the US.
- It is located at the intersection of Interstates 75 and 64.
- It is less than 175 miles from five main cities- Indianapolis, Cincinnati, Knoxville, Louisville, and Nashville.
- The ethnic composition of Lexington includes: White-81.04%, African Amerinca-13.48%, Asian-2.46%, Native American-0.19%, Pacific Islander-0.03%, Other races-1.21%, two or more races-1.58%, Latino or Hispanic-3.29%.
Lexington's History Fast Facts
- In 1775, European Americans founded Lexington.
- In 1782, it was formed by an act of the Virginia General Assembly.
- The first man to explore the region was Daniel Boone and he helped in establishing the state’s first forts.
- It was one of the wealthiest and largest towns west of Allegheny Mountains by 1820.
- Several nineteenth century America’s prominent people spend part of the lives in Lexington- Jefferson Davis, US President Abraham Lincoln, Mary Todd Lincoln (US President Lincoln’s wife), and many more.
Lexington's Government and Economy Fast Facts
- Lexington has a mayor-city council form of government.
- It is part of the state’s sixth congressional district federally.
- The city’s unemployment rate is lower as compared to the state and country.
- It ranks tenth in a list of US most educated cities with about 39.5% resident holding at least a bachelor’s degree.
- The city has one of the country’s most stable economies.
- The city has many fortune 500 companies-IBM, Xerox, Amazon, Lexmark International, and more.
- The peanut butter produced here from a JIF Peanut butter plant is more than any other factory in the world.
Lexington's Important and Interesting Fast Facts
- Lexington is nicknamed as “Horse Capital of the World”, “Athens of the West” and “Thoroughbred City”.
- It is home to 3 main race courses: The Red Mile, Keeneland and Kentucky Horse Park.
- Bluegrass music was born in Lexington.
- Rupp Arena, the largest basketball area in the US is in Lexington.
- It is ranked as one of the world’s 17th cleanest cities by Forbes.
- The city was the first one to launch a reenactment of “Thriller” video of Michael Jackson.
- The city has more than 100 parks.
- 4th July celebrations last for many days rather than just 1 day in Lexington.
- The daily newspaper in Lexington is the Lexington Herald-Leader.