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About Jeffersontown, KY

About Jeffersontown, KY

Smalltown living with big city amenities

Jeffersontown, known locally as J-Town, is a city 15 miles east of Louisville where the government really cares for its community. One example of this is a city program that lets residents notify the local police before they travel out of town, and a squad car will be sent three times a day to check in on the property. Another example is The Gaslight Festival, where small businesses work with the city’s Chamber of Commerce to host a 50-year-old celebration that brings together people from all over the area. "We're big on economic development, and we welcome all walks of life," says Carol Pike, the first female mayor of Jeffersontown and a local Realtor who has been selling homes in the area for more than 40 years. Pike explains that the city is home to Bluegrass Commerce Park, which is one of the largest industrial parks in Kentucky. With 1500 businesses and over 35,000 jobs, the commerce park is home to "International organizations and workers from all over the globe," says Pike. The park also helps J-Town grow by providing tax revenue. “The industrial park is how the city of J-Town makes money,” says Michael Horstman, a longtime resident of J-Town and real estate agent with At Home Louisville. "The brand-new J-Town police, waste management, and public works are just a few of the city benefits you don’t get in Jefferson County,” says Horstman. With "One of the lowest tax rates of any city in Kentucky, frequent celebrations and a great selection of parks, events and services," J-Town offers the community and comfort of a small town, paired with the business opportunities and public amenities usually found in bigger cities.

Celebrating the annual Gaslight Festival

Commemorating Jeffersontown's title as the first town in Kentucky to have gas streetlights, the Gaslight Festival is a weeklong series of events that have been happening every fall for over 50 years. What started as a street party celebrating the discovery and replication of historic gaslights has evolved into a defining feature of the city. Residents can participate in fun events like a 5k race or the Golf Scramble, while local restaurants create specialty dishes for the festival. Every year, about 200,000 people flock to J-Town, and there's nowhere this can be seen better than at the annual parade. "Lots of people who grew up here come back to visit; it's like a big reunion," says Mayor Pike. Another highlight of the celebration is the Gaslight Balloon Glow, which takes place in Skyview Park. Hot air balloons glow against the dusky night sky, while visitors enjoy food trucks, vendors and lots of activities for children. Everything ends on the third weekend of September in Gaslight Square, where small businesses, nonprofits and civic organizations can rent vendor space.

Leafy Kentucky lots at diverse price points

Although Jeffersontown's long history can still be seen in some of the historic homes lining its city center, most J-town homes have been built since the 1950s as part of the area's suburban development. Beneath tall, leafy oaks, shady lawns and quiet streets form the backdrop to life at home. Kids can often be seen playing out in peaceful cul-de-sacs, while residents take care of their properties, mowing lawns and or getting their hands dirty with some gardening. Generous, grassy lots as well as spacious floor plans "Keep the housing market in J-Town really hot," says Pike, explaining that "If I put a house on the market, it'll be sold before I get home." And, even though the average sales price in Jeffersontown is about $290,000, brand-new homes are hard to come by for under $400,000 dollars. From about $180,000 to $350,000 dollars, homebuyers can find midcentury bungalows, cottages and ranch-styles. More contemporary homes sell for higher price points, with new construction starting around $400,000 and ranging to over $1 million.

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Cape Cod influences are see all throughout the Jeffersontown neighborhood.
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Smaller ranch-style home are also a common in the Jeffersontown neighborhood.
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D.A.R.E. education in Jeffersontown schools

Most J-Town students start their education at Jeffersontown Elementary, which earns a C score from Niche. Fifth graders at Jeffersontown go through the D.A.R.E. program, which, led by a local police officer, teaches students how to identify and say no to drugs. Carrithers Middle also receives a C from Niche, while Jeffersontown High scores a C-plus. Students at Jeffersontown High can choose to be part of dedicated learning communities by joining the school's Build and Design Academy or the Business and Health Science Academy. Private schools are also a popular choice in the area, including what locals call “The Big Four” - four private Catholic high schools, all with an A rating from Niche. Saint Xavier High School and Trinity High School are for boys, and Assumption High School and Sacred Heart Academy are for girls.

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Jeffersontown Elementary is the oldest school complex in the neighborhood.
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Carrithers Middle School has a great educational program for its students in Jeffersontown.
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Heading outdoors in Jeffersontown

To get outside in J-Town, one of the easiest spots to visit is Jeffersontown Veterans Memorial Park. Just east of the downtown area, this 25-acre park is a popular place to play baseball, softball or basketball, while parents and kids can often be seen playing on the playground. For something more competitive, J-Town Beach is a collection of sand volleyball courts where residents can join a league and start learning the game, or just have fun with friends. Those looking for something more laid-back can also take a walk through the park's memorials while looking for the names of loved ones or admiring retired military equipment like a Huey helicopter, tank and naval guns. "We also have Shakespeare in the Park here," says Pike. For another place to get outside, Charlie Vettiner Park is a great option with fun activities like golf, a dog park, and all kinds of athletic fields and courts. Residents can pack some frisbees for a round of disc golf, some paddles for pickleball, or some ingredients for a nice outdoor barbecue at the park's outdoor grill. League sports often meet at Skyview Park, which offers a football field and baseball fields, as well as a splash pad and playground for kids to play in.

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Jeffersontown's Veterans Memorial is a proud piece of the local community.
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Charley Wettiner Park has a disc golf course where locals can play a quick game.
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Shopping and dining along Taylorsville Road

Just like its housing selection, shopping and dining is also quite diverse in Jeffersontown, with "a healthy mixture of chains and local, homegrown restaurants that we take a lot of pride in," says Pike. Residents can head along Taylorsville Road and Watterson Trail to find a walkable downtown area, buzzing with fun establishments like 3rd Turn Brewing and Recbar. Recbar offers filling dishes like burgers, salads and sandwiches alongside an array of retro arcade games, which are open to all ages until 10:00 p.m. J-Town is also known for its flavorful, locally-owned eateries like the Barcelona Bistro Bar. “Sometimes the owner, who is originally from Spain, will go back for two or three weeks, and the restaurant is closed, but it’s authentic Spanish food and a local favorite,” says Horstman. One popular dish is Bomba de Carne, which is minced veal and chorizo covered by potato breading. For groceries, Walmart is often the closest option, though Target, Meijer and Kroger are all just a short drive away along Hurstbourne Parkway. "There's also a great farmer's market that happens right by city hall every Saturday," says Pike. People from all over the area come to look at the market's selection of local produce, artisan crafts and baked goods. Started as a way to bring more business to the city, the Night Market is another event that takes place right in the farmer's market pavilion. Residents can eat at food trucks or tour local businesses at their booths while kids participate in activities like arts and crafts.

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Recbar is a unique restaurant and game room where locals can play games and enjoy a meal.
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J-Town Beach is a bar and restaurant with imported sand in the backyard.
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Getting around J-Town

For most businesses and major events, including the Gaslight Festival, residents can head down to Taylorsville Road, which is J-Town's main thoroughfare. Things are also kept close with Interstate 64 running right through the top of the city. A commute heading west towards Louisville is only about 14 miles, while a myriad of more rural destinations can be found heading east. When traveling out of state, residents can hop on Interstate 264 to get to the Louisville International Airport in about 12 miles, while, in the case of a medical emergency, Norton Healthcare St. Matthews can be found about 6 miles northwest off of Taylorsville Road.

Hannah Rainey
Written By
Hannah Rainey
Gabor Kovacs
Photography Contributed By
Gabor Kovacs
Tyler Cataldo
Video By
Tyler Cataldo

Neighborhood Map

Jeffersontown by the Numbers

$313K
Average Housing Value
15
Average Days on Market

Average Home Value



Source: Public Records

Top Schools in Jeffersontown, KY

Source:

Best Public Elementary Schools

Greathouse Shryock Traditional Elementary School
#1 Greathouse Shryock Traditional Elementary School
A-
Niche
10
GreatSchools
Farmer Elementary School
#2 Farmer Elementary School
B+
Niche
7
GreatSchools
Lowe Elementary School
#3 Lowe Elementary School
A-
Niche
6
GreatSchools
John J. Audubon Elementary School
#4 John J. Audubon Elementary School
B
Niche
7
GreatSchools
Bowen Elementary School
#5 Bowen Elementary School
B+
Niche
6
GreatSchools
Hite Elementary School
#6 Hite Elementary School
B+
Niche
6
GreatSchools
Stopher Elementary School
#7 Stopher Elementary School
B+
Niche
6
GreatSchools
Tully Elementary School
#8 Tully Elementary School
B+
Niche
6
GreatSchools
Field Elementary School
#9 Field Elementary School
B
Niche
6
GreatSchools

Best Public Middle Schools

Barret Traditional Middle School
#1 Barret Traditional Middle School
A-
Niche
7
GreatSchools
Jefferson County Traditional Middle School
#2 Jefferson County Traditional Middle School
B+
Niche
6
GreatSchools
Crosby Middle School
#3 Crosby Middle School
B
Niche
4
GreatSchools
Westport Middle School
#4 Westport Middle School
C
Niche
4
GreatSchools
Carrithers Middle School
#5 Carrithers Middle School
C
Niche
2
GreatSchools

Best Public High Schools

Louisville Male High School
#1 Louisville Male High School
A
Niche
9
GreatSchools
Eastern High School
#2 Eastern High School
A-
Niche
6
GreatSchools
Jeffersontown High School
#3 Jeffersontown High School
B-
Niche
2
GreatSchools
Waggener High School
#4 Waggener High School
C
Niche
1
GreatSchools

Best Private School

Academy For Individual Excellence
#1 Academy For Individual Excellence
C+
Niche

Agents Specializing in this Area

Agent Spotlight

George Green
(502) 586-5440
George Green is a leading real estate professional in the Louisville and Southern Indiana areas, renowned for his extensive experience, impressive sales record, and high transaction volume. His exceptional performance has earned him the prestigious "Agent of the Year" title for Kentucky for seven consecutive years (2016-2022), along with numerous first-place awards in sales volume, commissions earned, and closed deals across the state.

With over 17 years of real estate experience, George's expertise spans a wide range of specialties. He excels in working with sellers, seasoned buyers, first-time homeowners, investors, and commercial real estate clients. His proficiency extends to short sales and the REO (foreclosure) market, having collaborated with over 19 asset companies and banks throughout his career. George takes pride in his keen ability to accurately assess property values, a skill that greatly benefits his clients.

As a third-generation real estate broker, George's passion for the industry runs deep. In 2009, he and his wife, Julie Green, embarked on their entrepreneurial journey by opening their own real estate company. Their success led to significant growth, and by 2015, they had formed a high-performing real estate team. Today, George and Julie lead Green Team Real Estate Services, a full-service brokerage that combines their years of experience with a dedicated team of professionals.

George's commitment to his clients and agents is unwavering. His work ethic and dedication set him apart in the industry, ensuring that every client receives top-notch service. As a bonus, George holds dual licenses in both Kentucky and Indiana, allowing him to serve clients seamlessly on both sides of the Ohio River.

At Green Team Real Estate Services, George continues to build on his impressive track record, bringing his wealth of knowledge, extensive network, and passion for real estate to benefit clients throughout the region. Whether you're buying, selling, or investing, George and his team are ready to provide expert guidance and exceptional results.


Outside of real estate, he loves spending time in “Dad Mode”. George and Julie have 4 children and George loves spending time with them doing homework, scouts, the “sport of the month”, church functions, or hanging out with their four kids. He and his wife have also found a passion for leading Financial Peace University classes and making a change in the lives of others through their volunteer efforts.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.