Fayette County

Here are recent, high-level demographics for Fayette County, KY (Lexington–Fayette Urban County). Figures are rounded; latest Census/ACS releases may vary slightly by dataset.

Population

• Total population (2023 estimate): ~324,000
• 2020 Census: 322,570

Age

• Median age: ~34 years
• Under 18: ~21%
• 18 to 64: ~65%
• 65 and over: ~14%

Gender

• Female: ~51%
• Male: ~49%

Race/ethnicity (ACS, shares of total)

• White, non-Hispanic: ~64%
• Black or African American: ~15–16%
• Asian: ~6%
• Hispanic/Latino (any race): ~9–10%
• Two or more races: ~5%
• Other races: ~1–2%

Households

• Total households: ~137,000
• Average household size: ~2.3
• Family households: ~55%
• Married-couple families: ~38%
• Households with children under 18: ~26–28%
• One-person households: ~32%

Primary sources: U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (2023) and American Community Survey 2019–2023 (5-year).

Fayette County (Lexington), KY snapshot

• Population/density: ≈325,000 residents; ~1,100 people per sq. mi. (urban core around University of Kentucky).
• Estimated email users: ~260,000–285,000 (about 88–92% of residents age 15+).
• Age mix of email users (approx.):
  • 18–29: 70–80k users (≈95% adoption) ~27%
  • 30–49: 90–100k (≈94–96%) ~35%
  • 50–64: 55–60k (≈88–90%) ~21%
  • 65+: 35–40k (≈80–85%) ~15%
• Gender split: ~51% women, 49% men among users (mirrors county population; adoption is similar by gender).
• Digital access trends:
  • Household broadband subscription ~90–93%, up several points since 2019 (ACS trend).
  • Strong connectivity in the city: Spectrum (cable), AT&T Fiber, and MetroNet fiber pass large portions of the county; dense campus and library Wi‑Fi.
  • Smartphone‑only internet households ≈12–18%, concentrated in lower‑income tracts.
  • Urban core enjoys high fixed speeds and reliability; outer/rural edges see more variability.

Notes: Email adoption rates benchmarked to recent U.S. Pew/industry measures applied to Fayette’s age mix; broadband figures reflect ACS/FCC urban-county averages.

Summary Fayette County (Lexington) is Kentucky’s most urban wireless market. Mobile adoption, 5G coverage, speeds, and app-centric behaviors are higher than the state average, while dependence on mobile as a primary home internet solution is lower thanks to strong fiber and cable availability. The University of Kentucky (UK) and a younger, more educated, higher-income population tilt usage toward premium unlimited plans, iPhone ownership, and mobile payments—patterns that diverge from much of rural Kentucky.

User estimates

• Population and households
  • Residents: roughly 320,000–330,000; households: about 125,000–135,000.
• Phone and smartphone users
  • Adults (18+): ~250,000–260,000.
  • Adults with any mobile phone: 95–97% → about 240,000–252,000.
  • Adult smartphone users: 90–94% → about 225,000–244,000.
  • Teens (13–17): ~22,000–26,000; smartphone penetration commonly 90–95% → ~20,000–24,000.
  • Combined smartphone users (adults + teens): approximately 245,000–268,000.
• Mobile-only voice and internet
  • Wireless-only voice (no landline): roughly two-thirds of adults, similar to or slightly above national urban levels; near or slightly below Kentucky’s overall rate (which is elevated by rural households dropping landlines).
  • Mobile-only internet households (cellular data but no fixed home internet): lower than the Kentucky average due to widespread fiber/cable in Fayette—think mid–single-digit to low–double-digit percent in Fayette vs higher double digits in some rural counties.

Demographic breakdown (and how it differs from Kentucky overall)

• Age and students
  • Larger share of 18–34-year-olds due to UK; heavier app usage (ride-hail, food delivery, campus apps), higher iPhone share, and faster device upgrade cycles than the state average.
• Education and income
  • Higher educational attainment and household incomes correlate with:
    • More postpaid family plans with premium unlimited data.
    • Greater use of mobile banking, wallets, and 2FA/security apps.
    • Higher uptake of wearables and connected devices.
• Race/ethnicity and language
  • More diverse than Kentucky overall, including sizable Black, Hispanic/Latino, Asian, and international student communities.
  • Messaging apps (WhatsApp, WeChat, Telegram) and multi-line family/MVNO plans see stronger uptake in these groups than in rural parts of the state.
• Work patterns
  • Knowledge, healthcare, education, and services sectors dominate; mobile use skews toward collaboration, telehealth, and campus/workplace Wi‑Fi offload. Gig work (delivery/ride-hail) is more prevalent than in many rural counties.

Usage and plan trends that diverge from state-level

• Higher smartphone penetration and iPhone share than the Kentucky average.
• More postpaid and bundled family plans; prepaid remains present (students, MVNOs) but represents a smaller share than in lower-income rural areas.
• Less reliance on mobile data as a primary home connection (thanks to fiber/cable); more Wi‑Fi offload at home, work, and on campus.
• Heavier use of mobile payments, parking/transit, and university/event apps.
• Event-driven surges (UK home games, Rupp Arena, Keeneland) shape network capacity planning more than in most counties.

Digital infrastructure highlights

• 5G coverage and performance
  • All three national carriers (AT&T, Verizon, T‑Mobile) provide countywide 5G, with dense mid-band deployments in urban Lexington:
    • T‑Mobile n41 mid‑band widely blankets the city/core corridors.
    • Verizon and AT&T C‑band active since 2022–2023, with continued densification.
  • Median 5G speeds and capacity in Lexington are typically well above Kentucky’s statewide average, reflecting more small cells and better spectrum depth.
• Capacity and densification
  • Small-cell nodes and upgraded macro sites are concentrated downtown, around UK’s campus, major venues, New Circle Rd, and key commercial corridors.
  • Temporary capacity (COWs/COLTs) appears during large events (football, basketball, Keeneland), a pattern less common in rural counties.
• Backhaul and fiber
  • Strong fiber footprint (AT&T Fiber, Metronet) and cable broadband (Spectrum) provide robust backhaul and reduce mobile network strain via Wi‑Fi offload—contrasts with many Kentucky counties where limited wireline pushes more traffic onto cellular or fixed wireless access (FWA).
• Fixed wireless access (FWA)
  • Available from multiple carriers but plays a complementary role in Fayette (choice/price) rather than a primary gap-filler; statewide, FWA adoption is higher in areas lacking fiber/cable.
• Coverage gaps
  • Minimal within the county; edge pockets near agricultural fringes may see low-band 5G/4G fallback. State-level gaps are more prominent in Appalachian and sparsely populated counties.

What this means

• Fayette County users experience more consistent 5G performance, higher data consumption on premium plans, and greater app-centric and cashless behaviors than the Kentucky average.
• The county’s wireline strength and campus/urban density reduce mobile-only home internet reliance, a notable contrast with rural Kentucky where cellular and FWA often substitute for fiber/cable.

Below is a concise, best-available picture of social media usage in Fayette County, KY (Lexington). Exact county-level platform stats aren’t publicly reported; figures are modeled from Pew Research Center’s 2023–2024 U.S. platform usage by age, adjusted to Fayette’s urban/college profile (University of Kentucky) and ACS demographics. Treat percentages as reasonable ranges.

Population context and overall users

• Population: ~330,000; large 18–34 cohort due to UK.
• Estimated monthly social media users (13+): ~230,000–270,000 (roughly 70–80% of total population; 85–95% of 18–34s).

Age group usage patterns (share using at least one platform)

• 13–17: ~95%+; heavy on YouTube, TikTok, Snapchat.
• 18–24: ~95–99%; TikTok, Instagram, Snapchat dominant; Facebook for events/groups.
• 25–44: ~90–95%; Facebook, Instagram, YouTube; TikTok growing; LinkedIn for jobs.
• 45–64: ~80–90%; Facebook and YouTube core; Pinterest and Nextdoor meaningful.
• 65+: ~60–70%; Facebook and YouTube; lower use of short‑form apps.

Gender breakdown

• Overall social users: ~52–54% women, ~46–48% men (reflects county mix).
• Platform skews: Women over-index on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, TikTok; men over-index on YouTube, Reddit, X (Twitter). Differences are modest except Pinterest (more female) and Reddit/X (more male).

Most-used platforms in Fayette County (estimated penetration of 13+)

• YouTube: ~80–85%. Universal utility (how‑to, sports highlights, Connected TV viewing).
• Facebook: ~62–68%. Daily driver for 30+; groups, Marketplace, events.
• Instagram: ~45–55%. Strong 18–34; Stories/Reels for local food, nightlife, campus life.
• TikTok: ~35–45% overall; 18–24 at ~65–75%. Short‑form local culture; cross‑posted to Reels.
• Snapchat: ~30–40% overall; 13–24 at ~65–75%. Messaging- and event-centric for students.
• Pinterest: ~30–35% (women 25–44); home, DIY, weddings.
• LinkedIn: ~28–35% of adults (higher in 25–44); recruiting, healthcare/higher‑ed/professional services.
• X (Twitter): ~18–25%; niche for local news, UK sports chatter, emergencies.
• Reddit: ~18–22%; r/lexington for recommendations, renter/landlord talk.
• Nextdoor: ~10–18% of households; stronger in suburban homeowner areas for services, safety.

Behavioral trends and local nuances

• Community-first usage: Facebook Groups (neighborhoods, yard sale, UK sports) and Nextdoor drive recommendations, lost/found, and local alerts. Marketplace is a top buying/selling channel.
• Event discovery: Facebook Events and Instagram Stories power awareness for concerts, bars, campus activities, and Keeneland; RSVPs and last‑minute plans skew mobile.
• Short-form video wins: Reels/TikTok clips of restaurants, coffee, campus, horse country perform best; authenticity and UGC outperform polished ads.
• Student-centric habits: Snapchat for coordination; TikTok/IG for where to go tonight; late-night engagement spikes during terms.
• Sports-driven spikes: UK Wildcats and Keeneland meetups fuel bursts on X, Facebook, and YouTube; timely posts around game days outperform.
• Customer service in DMs: Small businesses handle inquiries via Facebook/IG messages; quick replies impact conversions.
• Professional use: LinkedIn active for healthcare, equine industry, tech/startups, and higher‑ed recruiting.
• Timing: Peaks around 7–9 a.m., lunch, and 7–10 p.m.; students show late-night scroll (10 p.m.–1 a.m.) midweek and Thu–Sat.
• Creative cues: Local hashtags (#ShareTheLex), geotags (UK campus, Chevy Chase, Distillery District), and creator collabs drive reach.

Notes and validation

• Sources: Pew Research Center 2023–2024 platform adoption by age; U.S. Census/ACS for age mix; local behavioral signals from observed urban college markets.
• For campaign planning, validate audience sizes with platform ad tools filtered to “Fayette County” or Lexington DMA; platform tools will provide the most current reachable-user estimates.