If you plan on moving to Lexington, you’re in good company. Lexington, Kentucky has a population of 321K—most people report high satisfaction rates.
Lexington is the biggest city in Kentucky after Louisville. It is known for its horse racing tracks and gorgeous horse farms. It’s also home to Ashland Estate, one of the most luxurious homes in the United States.
But best of all, Lexington real estate is spread across many lovely neighborhoods, from Liberty Heights to Georgetown. If you’re planning to move to —or visit— Lexington, find yourself a good real estate agent and use this neighborhood guide to find a beautiful settling spot that works for you and your family.
Liberty Heights
Population: 2,585
Median Income: $29,074
Median Home Price: $225K
Liberty Heights is a southeastern Lexington neighborhood with 470 acres of sprawling greenery and gorgeous horse farms. It’s one of those dense suburban towns that is just close enough to the city. It offers excellent restaurants and gorgeous 20th-century homes.
The median sale price for homes in Liberty Heights is $225K, so you can expect a vast array of affordable multi-family and single-family homes.
Liberty Heights is also well-suited for first-time home buyers, with relatively reasonable appreciation rates over the last decade. Lastly, it is home to excellent Lexington private schools and community centers.
Liberty Heights is an excellent choice for first-time home buyers as one of the most affordable neighborhoods on this list, with plenty of affordable opportunities to purchase Lexington real estate.
Kenwick
Population: 1,559
Median Income: $67,778
Median Home Price: $374K
Kenwick is a small neighborhood in East Lexington, Kentucky. It runs from Sherman Avenue to Richmond Avenue.
Kenwick is considered among the most booming neighborhoods in the area, dotted with charming post-war homes and top-quality public schools. Kenwick real estate mainly comprises tiny, single-family homes and apartment buildings.
Kenwick also has an 11.6% vacancy rate, and the demand for housing is low, which is relatively favorable in today’s real estate landscape. This lovely neighborhood is a hub of beautiful parks, including neighboring Woodland Park, and delicious contemporary restaurants. It is the best choice for those seeking community-mindedness and mannered residents.
Southland
Population: 1,410
Median Income: $61,526
Median Home Price: $280K
Southland is a small, quaint neighborhood that encompasses Southland Park. It is a land of green spaces and beautiful horse farms—perfect for families seeking a new place to live.
Southland boasts a diverse population and variable real estate values. The median home price is $280,013, so many affordable housing options exist for people from all walks of life.
Southland is also known for its fresh food and beloved restaurants. It is a tight-knit community with lots of community involvement. This lovely neighborhood is best for affordable housing tenants and those seeking a beautiful, suburban community.
Chevy Chase
Population: 1,026
Median Income: $67,778
Median Home Price: $764K
Chevy Chase is an urban neighborhood located at the heart of Lexington. This area is known for its medium-sized, comfortable, high-end homes and large apartment complexes. It comprises many shopping centers, quaint mom-and-pop shops, and family-run small restaurants.
Chevy Chase is a relatively affluent area, largely unaffected by poverty. The median home price is $764K, so expensive homes are common here. The residences are charming post-war homes built in the second half of the 20th century. Common styles in this area include Cape-style homes and larger Colonial-style homes.
The town’s residents tend to be more affluent and educated than average, with a high percentage boasting a bachelor’s degree.
Ashland Park
Population: 1,933
Median Income: $67,778
Median Home Price: $583.5K
Ashland Park is a historic, early 20th-century neighborhood in southeastern Kentucky. It shares a border with Kenwick to the north and Chevy Chase to the south.
This gorgeous neighborhood is home to Ashland, Henry Clay’s historic manor. It also features plenty of beautiful, larger homes with a median price of $583.5K.
Ashland boasts a vacancy rate of 14.3%, which is significantly above average. Although a relatively large proportion of homes are seasonally occupied, plenty of full-time residents are also here.
This is also a college town, so you can expect a relatively young population, mainly college educated. The city is a walkable neighborhood and relatively crime-free, so it’s a great place to raise children. Most people are young professionals working in executive or management positions.
Ultimately, Ashland Park is an excellent place to live if you want security and plenty of available finest-crafted homes.
Downtown Lexington
Population: 1,907
Median Income: $35,104
Median Home Price: $310K
Downtown Lexington, also known as Gratz Park or ‘Downtown Lex’, is a densely populated urban neighborhood in the city. It is home to many iconic places and attractions such as Lexington Center, Pam Miller Downtown Arts Center, as well as many art galleries, parks, coffee shops, and entertainment and food options. Job opportunities are also plentiful here.
This area is primarily made up of post-war houses, custom homes, and apartment buildings. Most residents are renters, but the median home price is $310,764. Additionally, downtown Lexington has a 10.2% vacancy rate, making it one of the most available neighborhoods on this list.
This is also one of the most walkable neighborhoods, as it is an urban area with well-maintained sidewalks and urban parks. The median income in Downtown Lexington is relatively low, and crime rates are slightly higher than in other neighborhoods.
However, this neighborhood is also home to many college students studying at the nearby University of Kentucky, so it has significantly improved over the last several years.
Beaumont
Population: 2,404
Median Income: $67,773
Median Home Price: $580.7K
Beaumont, Kentucky, is one of the most desirable neighborhoods in Lexington. The median real estate price is $580,771, making it slightly pricier than most other areas in the city.
Beaumont is relatively small and is home to community-minded residents who typically live there part or full-time. Many residents visit during the summer season, so you can expect to find vacancies in the winter.
However, the vacancy rate is 6.7%, which makes it slightly harder to find a place to live—but with the right realtor, you shouldn’t have a problem.
Beaumont is also a central retail park, so that you can expect many shopping centers and small mom-and-pop shops. Additionally, most people in Beaumont are affluent and college-educated, making this one of the more expensive areas to live in.
Ultimately, Beaumont is an excellent choice if you are looking for stability and well-maintained communal areas.
Bell Court
Population: 427
Median Income: $47,151
Median Home Price: $396K
Bell Court is a historic district developed around the turn of the 20th century. It is a highly walkable area and is home to the Clay Villa, the home of Henry Clay’s son, James B. Clay.
Many homes are constructed in the Victorian style and look charmingly at pre-war architecture. There are also many Arts And Crafts-Style homes, Cape-Style single-family homes, and homes in the Queen Anne style.
The average median home price here is $396K, which is more expensive than most nearby areas but cheaper than places like Chevy Chase and Beaumont.
Bell Court is also a highly diverse neighborhood. It has the most Iranian and Scottish people living there than any neighborhood in America.
While the residents of this neighborhood have a slightly higher than average income, it is a humble locale that accommodates many types of people from many different places.
Winchester
Population: 18,368
Median Income: $29,022
Median Home Price: $275K
Winchester is a small home rule-class city in the vicinity of Lexington. It is occasionally considered a city in its own right, though it shares a border with Lexington.
The vast majority of people in Winchester are families with children. As of 2022, the median age was 37, and the average household size was 2.39. It’s a great place to raise kids. Baker Intermediate School is considered one of the best schools.
Winchester homes are relatively affordable at a median price of $275K. It’s a great place to search for cheap and child-friendly housing.
Paris
Population: 10,139
Median Income: $24,937
Median Home Price: $352K
Paris is a relatively small city on the outskirts of Lexington, Kentucky. It is a popular spot for many middle-class families and is an excellent place to raise children.
Bourbon County High School is considered one of the best schools in the area, and Cane Ridge High School is equally renowned.
Paris is a relatively diverse city with a well-educated populace. There are many different ethnic groups represented in this area and a diverse economic landscape.
Paris is known as a vibrant and historic city, with plenty of available historic single-family homes on the market. Since the median home price is $325K, it offers mid-range family home prices for all budgets.
Georgetown
Population: 37,086
Median Income: $66,942
Median Home Price: $294K
Georgetown is a medium-sized city that shares a border with Lexington. It is believed to be the birthplace of Kentucky Bourbon, so it is home to plenty of whiskey distilleries and breweries to visit and enjoy. Georgetown is also known as a horse-racing hub, with plenty of racetracks and horse farms.
This city is ethnically and economically diverse, offering plenty of opportunities for people from all walks of life. The median home price is $369K, making it a mid-range area compared to other neighborhoods in Lexington.
Despite being a large city, Georgetown is also known for its relatively intimate feel. The residents are community-minded, and many have children. The area has plenty of good schools, including Anne Mason Elementary School.
FAQs: Lexington Neighborhoods
Consider the following answers to our most frequently asked questions.
What is the best area to live in Lexington, KY?
There are plenty of excellent choices regarding where to live in Lexington, Kentucky, including Georgetown, Beaumont, and Downtown Lexington. Each offers a different taste of this bustling city.
What is the wealthiest area in Lexington?
The wealthiest area in Lexington is Chevy Chase, with a median home price of $764K. The second most affluent area is Beaumont.
What are the walkable neighborhoods in Lexington, KY?
The most walkable neighborhoods in Lexington are Ashland Park and Downtown Lexington. Ashland Park is a college town that is relatively safe and boasts well-maintained streets. Downtown is a moderately populated area with plenty of sidewalks and roadways.
Is it cheaper to live in Lexington or Louisville?
It is generally cheaper to live in Lexington, as the cost of living in Louisville is 4% below average, while the cost of living in Lexington is roughly 6% below average.
What are the benefits of living in Lexington, KY?
There are many benefits to living in Lexington. This is a land of horse farms and green spaces, but Lexington is still a bustling city with plenty to do, including restaurants, breweries, craft cocktails bars, shops, and attractions like the Ashland Manor.
Is Lexington a fun place to live?
Lexington is a fun place to live. It is a college town, home to the University of Kentucky, with a bustling nightlife scene and plenty of restaurants and shops to frequent.
What is the most affordable city in Kentucky?
The most affordable cities in Kentucky are Middlesboro and Ashland. Other affordable cities include Glasgow and Somerset.
What is the most affluent city in Kentucky?
The most affluent city in Kentucky is Glenview—the second-most rich in Anchorage.
Why is Lexington, KY, famous?
Lexington, Kentucky, is famous for being the “horse capital of the world.” It hosts many of the most world-famous horse races.
Final Thoughts/Conclusion
If you plan on moving to Lexington, feel free to use this guide as your own Lexington neighborhood map. You can start a personalized home search with eXp and sign up for weekly alerts to be the first to know about new listings in the area.
Also, If you are (or plan to be) in Lexington and have a few hours to dedicate to your home hunting efforts, visit open houses in the area! This is a great way to see some properties and neighborhoods for yourself.
Found a home in Lexington, KY, that aligns with your dreams? Contact a local eXp real estate agent to start the homebuying process in good hands.
