Fayette
Kentucky

What stands out

Three things set Fayette County apart from the other 3,142 counties: rainfall is among the wettest in America (62 inches a year), homeownership is in the bottom 3% of American counties (54%), and natural-hazard risk is in the top 12% of American counties (88 of 100). Within Kentucky it ranks 24th of 120 counties for rainfall.

Where you are

You live in Fayette County, Kentucky. 321,276 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.0% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -2,644).

Kentucky moved to a flat income tax, 3.5% for 2026, and exempts the first $31,110 of pension and retirement income per person. It has an inheritance tax, but spouses, children, parents and siblings are exempt. Home prices are among the lowest in the country outside Louisville and Lexington, and the state has some of the cheapest electricity, much of it still coal-fired.

Money

The typical household here brings in $66,087 a year, higher than 65% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $64,489. Unemployment runs 3.1%, lower than 63% of American counties. 10% of workers work from home.

Kentucky takes 3.5% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,313 a year.

Home

The median home costs $335K, pricier than 77% of American counties, about 2.7 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,062 a month. Property tax is 0.92% of home value, roughly $2,282 a year on that median home, higher than 55% of American counties. 54% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.8 per 1,000 residents, lower than 54% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 27 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 77.4 years, longer than 68% of American counties. There are 3,031 active physicians in the county, about 94.3 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.2 of 5 stars. 9.1% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.07 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 58% of American counties. 92% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 21 points. 65% of eligible voters turned out. Under Kentucky law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is medical only.

Weather and risk

The year averages 56°F, highs near 67 and lows near 46, warmer than 52% of American counties. About 62 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 88 out of 100, riskier than 88% of American counties; the county has had 21 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 274 Mbps down, faster than 86% of American counties. There are 3 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.8 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 11 breweries, 11 museums.