The Lexington metro is home to 517,378 people (up 2.1% over five years), with a median household income of $70,717. Typical rent of $1,599/month works out to 27.1% of the median household income — near the 30% affordability threshold (Census ACS + Zillow, September 2026).
The share of Lexington's workforce by sector — the base of tenant demand:
| Sector | % of workforce |
|---|---|
| Education & health care | 27.6% |
| Retail trade | 12.0% |
| Manufacturing | 11.7% |
| Professional & management | 11.2% |
| Arts, food & hospitality | 8.5% |
Education & health care is the metro's largest employment base — sectors like education and health care are recession-resilient anchors for rental demand.
Rents at 27.1% of median income leave moderate headroom; underwrite rent growth conservatively. Market pricing, yields and the Star Score live on the Lexington market page; run a deal in the calculator.
At the 30%-of-income affordability rule, typical rent of $1,599/month suggests a household income around $64,000/year. The metro's median household income is $70,717.
By workforce share: Education & health care (27.6%), Retail trade (12.0%), Manufacturing (11.7%) (Census ACS 5-year).