Earth Day Network
 Urban Environment Report: How Does Your City Perform?
 
CITY ENVIRONMENT DATA
Lexington, Kentucky
State Kentucky
City Lexington
County1 Fayette
City Population (2005)2 255,389 6.3% of state population
City Population Rank in United States, largest 50 Cities (2005) (Not Available)
City Population Rank in Urban Environment Report (2005) 53 (of 72 in EDN study)
City Population Rank in State (2005) 2
City Size Classification - Population Mid
City Size Classification - Population Density Medium Low Density
State Capitol City Frankfort
State Population (2005)2 4,058,633
 
 
CIVIC LEADERSHIP INFORMATION
Mayor Name (as of 1/1/2007) Jim Newberry
Mayor/City Website (as of 1/1/2007) http://www.lfucg.com/
Mayor/City Contact (as of 1/1/2007) 859-258-3100
Mayor Political Affiliation (as of 1/1/2007) Democrat
Next General Mayoral Election Tuesday, November 2, 2010
US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement as of 10/18/06  Yes
State Governor Name Ernie Fletcher
State/Governor Website http://kentucky.gov/
State/Governor Contact Information 502-564-2611
State/Governor Party Affiliation Republican
State Governor Current Term Ends December 9, 2007
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Note: All rank information is out of 72 cities, though not all may have reported in every category.
1 is the 'best' (least polluting, most tree cover, etc) and 72 is the 'worst'.
 

(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
 
EDN VULNERABLE POPULATION INDEX (EDN VPI) 1.19    
Vulnerable Population Estimate 13.8%    
     Disability Status 13.4% 25  
     Emphysema 1.14% 27  
     Cardiovascular Disease 23.86% 35  
     Diabetes 4.97% 34  
     Pediatric Asthma 8.98% 72  
     Adult Asthma 8.66% 45  
     Adult Obesity 24.2%   48
     People Without Health Insurance 13.5%   22
     Age: Children under 5 years 6.5% 11  
     Age: 65 years and over 9.1% 15  
     Not Literate (Adult Level 1 Literacy) 15.0% 14  
     Adults without High School Degree (or higher) 13.2% 54  
     High School Drop-Out Rate 38.5% 48  
     Unemployed (Civilian Labor Force) 5.8% 8  
     Individuals Below Poverty 18.1% 40  
     Children (under 18 years old) Below Poverty 14.3% 14  
     Free or Reduced Lunch 35.6% 13  
     Other Languages Spoken at Home (primary language is not English) 7.6% 12  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
1 • TOXICS & WASTE     (metadata) (score) 2.9    
Overall Toxics Rank Average 28.4 (of 51) 30  
Cumulative Cancer-Causing Chemical Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 63,145,032 pounds   34
Cumulative Developmental Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 95,189,927 pounds 38
Cumulative Reproductive Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 5,320,911 pounds 32
Cumulative Suspected Neurological Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 504,150,679 pounds 33
Cumulative Suspected Respiratory Toxicant Releases by State (pounds, 1987 - 2000) 606,535,218 pounds 34
Dioxin Releases by State (grams in 2000) 40.3 grams 27
Number of Superfund Sites in County 0 sites 1  
Municipal Solid Waste Generation, tons per person (1997) 0.982 tons per person 20
Recycling Rate (1997) 28.0% 21
Tons Municipal Solid Waste Generated by State (2004) 5,748,162 tons 28
Municipal Solid Waste Generated Per Capita by State, tons/person (2004) 1.4 tons/person 32
Tons Municipal Solid Waste Recycled by State (2004) 1,285,753 tons 22
% Municipal Solid Waste Recycled by State (2004) 22.4% 25
% Municipal Solid Waste to Waste-to-Energy (2004) 0.2% 32
% Change in Municipal Solid Waste Generated (1997 to 2004) 42.6% 34
% Change in State Recycling Rate (1997 to 2004) -20.0% 31
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
2 • AIR QUALITY     (metadata) (score)    2.8***    
Sulfur Dioxide (SO2) Released, Tons in 2002 482,700 tons   42
Nitrogen Oxides (NOx) Released, Tons in 2002 198,500 tons   42
Carbon Dioxide (CO2) Released, Tons in 2002 98,037,500 tons   42
Mercury Released, Pounds in 2002 4,410.0 pounds   41
High Ozone Days (annual # of, Weighted Average) (2001-2003) 1.3 days 17  
Short-term Particle Pollution Weighted Average, 24 Hour (2001 - 2003) 2.0 PM2.5 35  
Year-Round Particle Pollution - Design Value (Annual PM2.5) (2001 - 2003) 15.6 PM2.5 45  
High Ozone Days (annual # of, Weighted Average) (2002 - 2004) 1.0 days 15  
Short-term Particle Pollution Weighted Average, 24 Hour (2002 - 2004) 1.3 PM2.5 32  
Year-Round Particle Pollution - Design Value (Annual PM2.5) (2002 - 2004) 14.1 PM2.5 43  
EPA Ambient Carbon Monoxide (CO) (8-hr ppm) 1 ppm 1  
EPA Ambient Lead (PB) Q Max (ug/m3) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
EPA Mean Ambient Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2 ppm) 0.012 ppm 10  
EPA Larger Particle (PM10) 24-hr (ug/m3) 23 ug/m3 17  
EPA Mean Ambient Sulfur Dioxide (SO2 ppm) 0.004 ppm 27  
EPA Days over 100 AQI (Warning Level) 13 days 30  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
3 • DRINKING & SURFACE WATER     (metadata) (score)    1.3***    
DRINKING WATER QUALITY
Tap Water Quality & Compliance Grade (Not Available) ---  
Right to Know Report, What's in your Tap Water Grade (Not Available) ---  
Drinking Water Source Protection Grade (Not Available) ---  
WATERSHED & RESOURCES
Watershed Name Lower Kentucky ---  
# of Units in Watershed 17 units 50  
# of Assessed Watershed Units 14 units 45  
# of Threatened & Impaired Watershed Units 8 units 19  
% of Watershed Units Assessed as Impaired or Threatened 57.1% 25  
% of Watershed Units Not Assessed 17.6% 34  
U.S. Census Annual Rainfall, inches (1961-1990) 44.55 inches 15  
Water Area Total, square miles 679 square miles 54  
Water Area Inland, square miles 679 square miles 48  
Water Area Coastal, square miles 0 square miles 35  
Water Area Great Lakes, square miles 0 square miles 10  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Station (Not Available) ---  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Length of record in years (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Average # of Days with Precipitation of .01 Inch or More to 1998, Annual (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Snow & Ice Pellets (thru 1998), Station (Not Available) ---  
Snow & Ice Pellets (thru 1998), Length of record in years (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Snow & Ice Pellets, Annual inches (thru 1998) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
WATER WITHDRAWN
Water Withdrawn - Total, gallons/day 4,420,000,000 gallons/day 54  
Fresh Water Withdrawn - Per capita, gallons/day 1,150,000,000 gallons/day 36  
Ground water, gallons/day 226,000,000 gallons/day 59  
Surface water, gallons/day 4,190,000,000 gallons/day 48  
Irrigation, gallons/day 12,000,000 gallons/day 66  
Public Supply, gallons/day 521,000,000 gallons/day 48  
Industrial, gallons/day 375,000,000 gallons/day 38  
Thermo-Electric, gallons/day 3,450,000,000 gallons/day 38  
Fresh Water Consumption, gallons/day 318,000,000 gallons/day 54  
WATER POLLUTION
Water Supplier Kentucky - American Water Company ---  
Number of People Served by Water Supplier 344,164 people 53  
Year(s) Included in Summary 1998-2002 ---  
Total Contaminants Detected 7 contaminants 7  
Contaminants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 0 contaminants 1  
Agricultural Pollutants Detected 2 contaminants 14  
Agricultural Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 0 contaminants 1  
Sprawl and Urban Pollutants Detected 3 contaminants 21  
Sprawl and Urban Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 0 contaminants 1  
Industrial Pollutants Detected 4 contaminants 10  
Industrial Pollutants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 0 contaminants 1  
Water Treatment & Distribution By-Products Detected 2 contaminants 6  
Water Treatment & Distribution By-Products Detected, Over Health Based Limits 0 contaminants 1  
Naturally Occurring Contaminants Detected 3 contaminants 9  
Naturally Occurring Contaminants Detected, Over Health Based Limits 0 contaminants 1  
WATER HEALTH & TESTING SUMMARY
Contaminants in Tap Water 7 contaminants 7  
Contaminants in Tap Water, Over Health Based Limits 0 contaminants 1  
Contaminants Reported as Tested by this Water Supplier 77 contaminants 47  
Contaminants with Federal Legal Limit in Tap Water 73 contaminants ---  
Regulated Contaminants Tested 68 contaminants 47  
Unregulated Contaminants Tested 9 contaminants 50  
WATER VIOLATION SUMMARY
Total Violations 0 violations 1  
Health Violations 0 violations 1  
Monitoring Violations 0 violations 1  
Reporting Violations 0 violations 1  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
4 • QUALITY OF LIFE (SITES4)     (metadata) (score)    2.7***    
DENSITY & SPRAWL
Population Density, people per square mile of land area 915.6 people per square mile 70  
Housing Density, units per square mile of land area 408.3 housing units per square mile 68  
TRANSPORTATION
Mean Travel Time to Work, minutes (2000) 19.3 minutes 15  
Mean Travel Time to Work, minutes (2004) 21.3 minutes 30  
Means of Transportation - % Carpool (2000) 11.2% 59  
Means of Transportation - % Public (2000) 1.3% 60  
Means of Transportation - % Walk or Bike (2000) 4.6% 23  
Means of Transportation - % Work @ Home (2000) 2.5% 45  
Cost of Living: Transportation, % of National Average 96.8 13  
Motor Vehicle Registrations per 100 Residents (2003) 83.5 MV registrations   23
% Change in Motor Vehicle Registrations (1980 to 2003) 30.7%   11
Motor Vehicle Registrations - Autos Only per 100 Residents (2003) 48.3 MV registrations   32
Motor Vehicle Registrations per Licensed Driver (2003) 1.21 MV registrations   32
Total State Highway Mileage (2003) 77,011 miles   26
Total State Highway Mileage, Estimated % of Land Area (2003) 0.441%   31
Urban Highway Mileage, % of Total State Highway Mileage (2003) 15.6%   33
Total Highway Mileage per Licensed Driver (2003) 0.03 miles   32
Total Highway Mileage per Motor Vehicle Registration (2003) 22.72 miles   32
State $ Disbursements for Highways (2003) $2,152,000,000   36
State $ Disbursements for Highways, per highway mile (2003) $27,944 per mile   31
% Change in State Disbursements for Highways (1995 to 2003) 54.0%   25
Annual Person Hours of Delay, per person (2003) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Annual Congestion Cost, $ per person (2003) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Annual Congestion Delay and Fuel Cost (2003) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Fuel Wasted, gallons per person (2003) (Not Available) (Not Available)  
INCOME & EMPLOYMENT
Median Household Income (2004) $38,322 39  
Median Household Income (2000) $39,813 25  
Per capita income (2004) $29,549 7  
Per capita Personal Income (2000) $23,109 15  
% of Families Below Poverty Level (2004) 15.6% 43  
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level (1999) 12.9% 23  
% of Individuals Below Poverty Level (2004) 18.1% 40  
% of Households with Public Assistance Income (2000) 2.1% 4  
% of Children Under 18 Years Old Below Poverty Level (1999) 14.3% 14  
People In the Labor Force, Unemployed (2005) 8,259 people 15  
% In the Labor Force: Unemployed (2005) 4.0% 12  
% of the Civilian Labor Force: Unemployed (2005) 5.8% 8  
% In the Labor Force: Unemployed (2000) 3.7% 26  
% of the Civilian Labor Force Unemployed (2000) 5.4% 22  
% Change in the Labor Force Unemployed (2000 to 2005) 8.6% 20  
% Change in the Civilian Labor Force Unemployed (2000 to 2005) 6.9% 23  
State Minimum Wage Laws (2006) Same as Federal ---  
State Minimum Wage Rates (2006) $5.15 per hour 28  
EDUCATION
# of School Age Kids K-12 (ages 5 to 17) 37,380 kids (0.9% of total pop.) 56  
Largest School District Enrollment 33,130 kids (0.8% of total pop.) 52  
% on Free or Reduced Lunch 35.6% 13  
Cumulative Promotion Index (CPI) Graduation Rate 61.5% 22  
Level of Education: % with High School Degree or Higher (2004) 86.8% 19  
Level of Education: % with Bachelor's Degree or Higher (2004) 39.2% 9  
Adult Level 1 Literacy Rate 15% 14  
State School Bus Efficiency (2002) Middle of the Road   ---
State School Bus Soot Pollution Grade C   ---
State School Bus Cleanup Program Rank (2006) Poor   ---
State School Bus Smog Pollution Rank (2006) Average   ---
HOUSING & COST OF LIVING
Occupied Housing Units (2004) 113,249 units 51  
% of Owner Occupied Housing 40.8% 51  
Cost of Living: Housing 71.0 28  
Cost of Living: Utilities 98.6 29  
Cost of Living: Miscellaneous 98.0 23  
Cost of Living: Overall 89.4 26  
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Voter Turnout in the Election of November 2004 59.71%   33
State Voter Turnout Rate: 2002 Election 45.20%   13
State Voter Turnout Rate: 2004 Election 63.70%   27
State Volunteering Rate: 2002-2005 Combined 29.7%   26
SAFETY/SECURITY
Total Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 4,284.9 incidents per 100,000 people 12  
Violent Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 486.2 incidents per 100,000 people 14  
Property Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2004) 3,798.7 incidents per 100,000 people 14  
Total Crime Rate, Incidents per 100,000 people (2003) 4,828.8 incidents per 100,000 people 15  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
5 • PARKS & RECREATION OPPORTUNITIES     (metadata) (score)    3.0***    
Average # of Parks, per square mile (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Average Area Dedicated to Parks, per city square mile (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Park Area per 1000 Residents, acres (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Parkland as % of City Area (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Adjusted Park Spending, per resident (Not Available) (Not Available)  
Total City Tree Canopy % 16.4% 21  
Total City Urbanized Area % 57.9% 34  
Park Programs to Assist Low-Income Park Users (Not Available) ---  
Disability Advisory Committees (Not Available) ---  
Collection of Data on Crime in Parks (Not Available) ---  
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
6 • HUMAN & PUBLIC HEALTH     (metadata) (score) 3.2    
Pediatric Asthma, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 8.98% 72
Adult Asthma, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 8.66% 45
Chronic Bronchitis, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 3.19% 53
Emphysema, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 1.14% 27
Cardiovascular Disease, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 23.86% 35
Diabetes, rate (%) (ALA 2006) 4.97% 34  
% of Adults with Obesity (2001) 24.2% 48
Change in % of Adults with Obesity (1991-2001) 11.5% 47
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 1992 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (1992) 15%-19% ---
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 1997 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (1997) 0.2 ---
CDC Obesity Trends U.S. Adults 2003 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Prevalence Rate (2003) 20%-24% ---
% of Adults Lacking Healthcare Insurance, ages 18 - 65 (2001) 15.0% 36
Infant Mortality Rate (2002) 7.2% 28
Number of Cancer Deaths per 100,000 people (2002) 228.0 50
Cost of Living: Health 99.4 23  
% of People without Health Insurance Coverage by State (2003-04 Average) 14.1% 25
% of People without Health Insurance Coverage by State (2004-05 Average) 13.5% 22
Rate of Change in People without Health Insurance Coverage, between 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 -4.3% 13
Change in People without Health Insurance Coverage, between 2003-2004 and 2004-2005 -0.6% 10
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Farms 16 farms 16
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Farmers' Markets 9 markets 35
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Restaurants 1 restaurant 28
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Groceries 1 grocery store 40
Number of small, local, sustainable food sources: Other 4 other sources 16
Cost of Living: Food 104.7 41
Lung Cancer Deaths/100,000 Men (1999-2003) 93.0% 65
Lung Cancer Deaths/100,000 Women (1999-2003) 53.8% 68
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
7 • GLOBAL WARMING CLIMATE CHANGE     (metadata) (score)    3.5***    
Mini-Kyoto Participant, US Mayors Climate Protection Agreement (as of 10/18/06) Yes ---
Number of State and Local Net Greenhouse Gas Emissions Reduction Programs 0 programs   32
Net Metering Net Metering Offered by only one or more Individual Utilities   ---
Net Metering Residential Size Limit 15 kW   32
Net Metering Commercial Size Limit 15 kW   35
Completed Climate Action Plans Completed State Climate Action Plan   ---
Regional Initiatives No   ---
States with Greenhouse Gas Inventories Yes   ---
States with Greenhouse Gas Reporting & Registries No   ---
States with Public Benefit Funds None   ---
States with Renewable Portfolio Standards 0%   20
Date set for Renewable Portfolio Standards (Not Available)   (Not Available)
States with Green Pricing Programs Optional   ---
States with Renewable Energy Credit Tracking Systems No   ---
States with Mandates and Incentives Promoting Ethanol None   ---
States with Residential Energy Codes State Codes with ECPA Compliance   ---
States with Commercial Energy Codes 1999 ASHRAE or Later (ECPA Compliant)   ---
Green Building Standards for State Buildings None   ---
ICLEI's Cities for Climate Protection Participant (US CCP) No ---
% of State Generation that is from Renewable sources (2003) 4.7%   28
Average percentage of possible sunshine thru 1998: Length of record (years) 47 years 32
Average percentage of Possible Sunshine: Annual 53% 46
Annual Average wind speed, m.p.h. 8.3 mph 41
January Average wind speed, m.p.h. 9.5 mph 33
July Average wind speed, m.p.h. 6.8 mph 50
Heating Degree Days 4,514 days 25
Cooling Degree Days 1,288 days 38
Average Relative Humidity (%), Length of record (years) (Not Available) (Not Available)
Annual Morning Average Relative Humidity (%) (Not Available) (Not Available)
Annual Afternoon Average Relative Humidity (%) (Not Available) (Not Available)
Elevation, feet 968 feet 55
 
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(1 is best, 5 is worst) (1 is best, 72 is worst)
Detail Information Data City Rank State Rank
BACKGROUND INFORMATION      
SIZE & CLASSIFICATION
City Population (2005)2 255,389 53 (of 72 in EDN study) 6.3% of state population
City Population (2000) 260,512 52 (of 72 in EDN study)  
State Population (2005)2 4,058,633 26 (of 51 in EDN study)  
General Region South ---  
EPA Region 4 ---  
PHYSICAL QUALITIES
City Land Area, square miles 285.0 square miles 15 0.7% of state land area
State Land Area, square miles 39,732 square miles 36  
Watershed Name Lower Kentucky ---  
Elevation, feet 968 ft. (294.4 m) 35  
Average Daily Temperature - January 32.0°F (0.0°C) 44
Average Daily Temperature - July 76.1°F (24.5°C) 32  
DEMOGRAPHIC SUMMARY
Median Age 33.3 years 29  
18 years and older, % of population (2004) 78.7% 11  
65 years and older, % of population (2004) 9.1% 58  
Under 5 years of age 16,410 kids (6.5% of total pop.) 55  
One Race-White % (2005) 80.5% 12  
One Race - Non-white % (2005) 19.5% 61  
Hispanic or Latino, of any race % (2005) 4.8% 55  
% of Population who Speak a non-English Language at Home (2004) 7.6% 61  
Largest School District Name Fayette Co. ---  
 
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1 Use of the * within the County field indicates the city is in multiple counties. Typically the county for which the city serves as a county seat was selected.
2 Use of the * within the Population Rank Indicates year 2000 data was used since year 2004 data was not available.
3 Scores in parenthesis indicate partial scores, e.g. at least one scored indicator was not available or reported for this city.
4 SITES is an acronym developed by EDN as a summary for the 'Safety, Income, Transportation, Education and Sprawl' Topic.
 
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© 2006 Earth Day Network