Fayette County, Kentucky

Fayette County
Lexington-Fayette Urban County
Robert F. Stephens Courthouse Complex in Lexington
Location within the U.S. state of Kentucky
Kentucky's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 38°02′N 84°28′W / 38.04°N 84.46°W / 38.04; -84.46
Country United States
State Kentucky
Founded1780
Named afterGilbert du Motier, Marquis de Lafayette
SeatLexington
Largest cityLexington
Area
  Total
286 sq mi (740 km2)
  Land284 sq mi (740 km2)
  Water1.9 sq mi (5 km2)  0.7%
Population
 (2020)
  Total
322,570
  Estimate 
(2024)
329,437
  Density1,100/sq mi (440/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
  Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district6th
Websitewww.lexingtonky.gov

Fayette County is a county located in the central part of the U.S. state of Kentucky and is consolidated with the city of Lexington. As of the 2020 census, the population was 322,570, making it the second-most populous county in the commonwealth. Since 1974, its territory, population and government have been shared with Lexington. Fayette County is part of the Lexington-Fayette, KY Metropolitan Statistical Area.