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Lexington-Fayette,KY Neighborhood Guides

Neighborhood Map

Discovering the Best Neighborhoods in Lexington-Fayette: A Local’s Guide

Lexington-Fayette, KY, is a vibrant city known for its blend of southern charm and modern amenities. Whether you're a young professional, a family, or someone looking to retire, the Lexington-Fayette neighborhoods offer a diverse range of options to fit your lifestyle. From historic districts with quaint homes to bustling areas filled with restaurants and shops, there’s something here for everyone. If you’re exploring the best neighborhoods in Lexington-Fayette, having a good Lexington-Fayette neighborhoods map handy will help you navigate and find the perfect spot to call home.

Demographic Insights & Community Composition

The city’s neighborhoods vary widely in demographic makeup, offering unique community vibes. Areas like Chevy Chase and Beaumont are popular among families and professionals, known for their tree-lined streets and active neighborhood associations. Meanwhile, Downtown Lexington draws a younger crowd, including students from the University of Kentucky, which is centrally located. This mix creates a lively, diverse atmosphere where you’ll find everything from retirees enjoying quiet, established communities to young creatives contributing to the city’s arts scene.

Lifestyle Variety: What Different Areas Offer

Each neighborhood in Lexington-Fayette has its own distinct flavor. For example, the historic Gratz Park neighborhood features beautifully preserved 19th-century homes and is close to cultural landmarks like the Lexington Opera House and Mary Todd Lincoln House. In contrast, areas like Hamburg offer a more suburban feel with newer developments and easy access to shopping centers like the Summit at Fritz Farm. If you prefer a walkable lifestyle with plenty of nightlife, the District offers trendy bars, coffee shops, and boutiques right in the heart of the city.

Housing, Affordability & Market Conditions

When it comes to housing, Lexington-Fayette neighborhoods cover a broad spectrum of affordability and styles. You’ll find charming bungalows and mid-century homes in places like Ashland Park, while more upscale, newly constructed homes dominate areas such as Masterson Station. The real estate market here is relatively stable, making it a good time for buyers to explore options without the pressure of skyrocketing prices seen in larger metro areas. Using a detailed Lexington-Fayette neighborhoods map can help pinpoint which areas fit your budget and lifestyle preferences.

Food & Social Scene: Are Some Areas More Popular Than Others?

Food lovers will be delighted by the culinary variety across Lexington-Fayette neighborhoods. The Chevy Chase district is a hotspot for farm-to-table restaurants like Josie’s and Lockbox, while the Warehouse District downtown offers a lively bar scene and popular eateries such as Distilled on Jefferson. For a cozy, neighborhood vibe with local favorites, try the restaurants in the Southland area, where you can find everything from classic southern comfort food to innovative new American cuisine. Social gatherings and neighborhood festivals further enrich community life, especially during warmer months.

Things to Do: What Are Some Popular Attractions and Activities?

Lexington-Fayette neighborhoods are packed with attractions and activities for all ages. Horse lovers can’t miss the proximity to Keeneland Race Course, a world-renowned thoroughbred racing venue located just a short drive from many neighborhoods. If you enjoy the outdoors, the Legacy Trail offers miles of scenic biking and walking paths connecting several neighborhoods. For arts and history buffs, the Lexington Art League and the Aviation Museum of Kentucky provide enriching experiences. Each neighborhood brings its own unique charms, making every corner of Lexington-Fayette worth exploring.

What Are Some Things People Might Not Know About These Neighborhoods?

Beyond the well-known attractions and amenities, many Lexington-Fayette neighborhoods have hidden gems. For instance, the East End boasts charming pocket parks and community gardens that are perfect for quiet afternoons. The North Limestone area is gaining recognition for its street art and growing creative spaces, making it a hub for local artists and musicians. Also, several neighborhoods participate in historic preservation efforts, which means you can find beautifully restored homes with stories that date back over a century. Exploring with a Lexington-Fayette neighborhoods map will reveal these lesser-known treasures and give you a fuller picture of what living here truly feels like.

Lexington-Fayette Demographics

Population 321,276
Density (People/sqml.) 1,132
Median Age 35.2
Married Couples
45%
45% of the population of Lexington-Fayette aged 16 years and older are married.
Have Kids
23%
23% of the population aged 16 years or older have children.

Best Neighborhoods

Hood  Med. Age  Have Kids  Home Price  Med. Income  Affordability 
Douglas High School 41.9 16% $83,500 $35,844 2.3
Lexington Cemetery 44.9 14% $135,780 $35,844 2.3
Meadowthorpe 38 21.9% $160,120 $66,766 2.4
Elkhorn Parks-Radcliff 40.1 20% $136,267 $56,422 2.5
McConnells Trace 33.7 22.2% $198,350 $79,084 2.5
Marriott's Griffin Gate Golf Club 41.6 19% $173,250 $69,385 2.5
Castlewood Park 39.6 20.3% $147,086 $50,459 2.9
Eastland 38.3 17.6% $134,750 $41,719 2.9
Kenawood-Rockwood-Hi-Acres-Deep Spring 41.6 22.4% $158,667 $58,533 2.9
Twin Oaks 39.6 20.7% $210,888 $70,613 3.1

Lexington-Fayette neighborhoods bring their own blend of lifestyle, affordability, and long-term appeal, and the data in the table above helps highlight what makes each area stand out. By comparing home prices, median income, average age, families with kids, and housing affordability ratios, you can quickly uncover the best neighborhoods in Lexington-Fayette—those that balance cost, character, and overall livability. For budget-minded buyers, the table also makes it easy to identify the most affordable neighborhoods in Lexington-Fayette, where lower home prices combined with local income levels create meaningful value. Families can use the children-per-household data to pinpoint the best neighborhoods for families, revealing which areas offer strong community connections and a family-friendly atmosphere. Meanwhile, adults looking for quieter, age-friendly surroundings can turn to neighborhoods with higher median ages to find the best neighborhoods for retirees, where comfort, stability, and an easy pace of living tend to define the local experience. This data-driven overview offers a clear starting point for understanding how each neighborhood aligns with the lifestyle you want.

Crime in Lexington-Fayette

Violent Crime 27% Lower than Nat. Avg.
Property Crime 29% Higher than Nat. Avg.
Total Crime 20% Higher than Nat. Avg.
Crime
 
Reported
 
Lexington-Fayette
/100k
KY
/100k
National
/100k
Murder 16 4.9 6.1 5.0
Rape 167 51.7 32.4 37.5
Robbery 257 79.5 35.1 60.6
Assault 407 125.9 139.5 256.1
Total Violent Crime 847 262 213 359
Burglary 856 264.8 193.6 229.2
Theft 5,587 1,728.4 930.2 1,272.1
Vehicle Theft 909 281.2 226.2 258.8
Total Property Crime 7,352 2,274 1,350 1,760
TOTAL CRIME 8,199 2,536 1,563 2,119

Historical Crime Data

Date & Last Updated: This data reflects the 2024 calendar year and was released from the FBI in September, 2025; this is the most current data available.