What to know when moving to Lexington, KY
Crime & Safety: What the Numbers Say
In Kentucky, the state-level crime rates show some positive trends. Property crime has decreased by 19.5% from 2022 to 2025, with a state annual rate of 1,212 offenses per 100,000 residents, which is 21.6% lower than the national rate. Violent crime also saw an 11% drop, standing at 198.5 per 100,000, 39% below the national average.
- Violent crime: 198.5 per 100k vs. 325.3 national rate, down 11% since 2022
- Property crime: 1,212 per 100k vs. 1,546.9 national rate, down 19.5% since 2022
- Notable trend: Homicides decreased by 63.8% since 2022, with a rate of 2.7 per 100k
Source: FBI Crime Data Explorer (CDE)
Schools & Higher Ed
Lexington provides access to a number of educational institutions in the surrounding areas. There are 11 postsecondary institutions available nearby, including the University of Kentucky and Transylvania University, both prominent options for higher education.
- Total postsecondary institutions: 11
- Institutions with College Scorecard data: 10
- Notable schools: University of Kentucky, Transylvania University, Bluegrass Community and Technical College
Source: ArcGIS Postsecondary School Locations (NCES) + College Scorecard (ED)
Weather & Getting Outside
Fayette County experiences an average annual precipitation of about 43.3 inches, which includes approximately 86 rainy days. Summers are warm, with highs around 87°F, while winters are mild with lows averaging 25°F. Snow is infrequent, averaging only 0.2 inches annually.
- Parks & outdoor spots worth checking out:
- Kentucky Horse Park (4.7 stars, 5,965 reviews)
- Jacobson Park (4.6 stars, 2,801 reviews)
- Masterson Station Park (4.6 stars, 1,941 reviews)
- McConnell Springs Park (4.7 stars, 1,516 reviews)
Sources: NOAA Climate Data Online (CDO), Google Places API (New)
Jobs & the Local Economy
Fayette County has a robust job market with an unemployment rate of just 2.9% as of December 2025. The total labor force consists of about 177,764 individuals, with 172,598 employed.
- Unemployment rate: 2.9% (December 2025)
- Employment: 172,598
- Labor force: 177,764
Source: BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics (LAUS)