This week, the 30by30 Campaign’s Every Day We Delay is raising the alarm that Lexington is losing its future.
Here are several statistics that drive home that concern:
- Lexington had a 1 percent decline in its under-30 population in the last 5 years. All the surrounding counties saw an increase – with Scott County leading the way at 8 percent, according to Census data.
- Lexington is aging 3.5 times faster than Louisville, according to Census data. By 2030, Lexington will have more people over age 65 than under 18 for the first time in its history.
- Homeownership rate for Lexingtonians ages 25-44 is 47 percent, which is notably lower than Louisville and Cincinnati. It is 17 percent lower than the national average, according to a 2024 study from the National Association of Realtors.
- Lexington was named the third most difficult place for Gen Z to buy a home, making the list along with seven cities in California, according to a study published in The New York Times in 2024.
“We are losing our future workforce,” said Ray Daniels, board chair of Lexington for Everyone. “Lexington is reaching a crisis point that will negatively impact economic development, our tax base and our schools. Together, we must redouble our efforts with a sense of urgency, creativity and collaboration to turn these troubling trends around.”
Lexington residents can learn more and sign up to join Lexington For Everyone’s 30by30 Campaign at www.lexingtonforeveryone.com. They also can email council members and ask them to support these common-sense, balanced proposals by looking up individual council members here or emailing all council members at CouncilMembers-Email@lexingtonky.gov.
About Lexington For Everyone:
We are your neighbors — united in our belief in creating a Lexington for Everyone, where families can find homes at a variety of prices, where everyone who wants a job can find one, where a vibrant quality of life reaches every zip code and neighborhood. Homes. Jobs. Equity. They are the foundation of strong families and successful communities.
Common-sense, balanced local land policies will provide access and opportunity that will lift up our neighbors at every stage of life and every segment of our community.
Together, we will not only preserve Lexington’s unique brand but positively build its future. Learn more and get involved. Together, we can build a Lexington for Everyone. Visit https://lexingtonforeveryone.com/ for more information.