Section Image

Downtown Lexington

Downtown Lexington

Suburban Neighborhood in Lexington, Kentucky

Fayette County 40507

$619,682 Average Value
$497 Average Price per Sq Ft
5 Homes For Sale

Beating heart of the Horse Capital

Downtown Lexington is the beating heart at the center of the "horse capital of the world." Boasting blocks of vintage and modern buildings, a blend of trendy eateries and bars, and plenty of offices and luxury condominiums, on any given week, residents of Downtown are within a quick walk of an array of entertainment options. Common Lexington activities range from bourbon and craft beer tastings to art gallery visits to packed Kentucky Wildcats games or concerts held at Rupp Arena. “Downtown Lexington is a popular place to live because of its diversity, walkability to great restaurants and entertainment and proximity to two universities, the University of Kentucky and Transylvania University. It combines historic neighborhoods and homes with newer lofts and condos, providing a range of style and price ranges,” explains Becky Reinhold, managing broker at Bluegrass Sotheby’s International Realty, who’s made over a dozen sales downtown. “Downtown Lexington is the ideal place to ‘live, work and play.’”

Thoroughbred Park defines Lexington’s devotion to and dominance in the equine world.
Thoroughbred Park defines Lexington’s devotion to and dominance in the equine world.
Downtown Lexington is filled with horse-related art and household items.
Downtown Lexington is filled with horse-related art and household items.
1/2

Condos in both refurbished and sleek, new properties

Although the downtown mostly consists of condos, a small group of townhouses and single-family homes do exist on its outskirts. The condos themselves can be found in a mix of high-rise modern glass and steel buildings, and “Each one has their own little nuances and differences,” says Phillip Neeley-Morrison, a Realtor with the Bluegrass Home Group. The newer projects here include luxury condo options like The Vine Lex, The Nunn Lofts and The City Center, the last of which also includes hotel spaces. With parts of it still under construction, The Vine will offer amenities like a rooftop pool complete with outdoor seating and a bar. The latest condo units can run roughly between $1 million and $4 million dollars depending on size and amenities, while smaller condo units in older properties can run between $120,000 and $260,000. Several small single-family homes are dispersed around downtown and range in style from Victorian-era cottages to contemporary designs with slanted skillion roofs. These homes tend to cost between $120,000 and $260,000.

The Vine is going to be a newly renovated condo building in Downtown Lexington.
The Vine is going to be a newly renovated condo building in Downtown Lexington.
The Nunn Lofts are a great choice of condos in Downtown Lexington.
The Nunn Lofts are a great choice of condos in Downtown Lexington.
Buyers looking for a view can opt for a condo at City Center in Downtown Lexington.
Buyers looking for a view can opt for a condo at City Center in Downtown Lexington.
1/3

An eclectic mix of restaurants and a few blocks from Distillery District

Downtown Lexington is home to an eclectic mix of cafes, restaurants, bars and entertainment venues. Doodles Breakfast and Lunch serves a variety of southern dishes made with organic ingredients. While Zim's Cafe operates out of a retro-style space and serves comfort meals like po’boy sandwiches, catfish and fried shrimp. The dining options at the Square business center include Pies & Pints, which serves cold beers and an array of artisan pizzas. Dudley’s on Short is a steakhouse and upscale dining establishment complete with an outdoor patio. Patrons of the LexLive entertainment complex can bowl, play arcade games or enjoy a drink at the bar while catching the latest game. Downtown is also only a few blocks from the city’s Distillery District, which consists of breweries and trendy eateries located in a group of repurposed buildings. Fans of Kentucky’s bourbon whiskey can make stops at Barrel House Distilling and RD1 Spirits. Kroger is one of the nearest grocery shopping options.

Doodles Breakfast & Lunch, in Downtown Lexington, serves southern comfort food.
Doodles Breakfast & Lunch, in Downtown Lexington, serves southern comfort food.
Dudley’s On Short has been a dining pleasure since 1981 in Downtown Lexington.
Dudley’s On Short has been a dining pleasure since 1981 in Downtown Lexington.
1/2

Cheering on the Kentucky Wildcats and Thursday Night Live

Rupp Arena is one of downtown’s main event destinations. The sports venue is best known as the home of the Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team, a perennial NCAA powerhouse. Rupp also hosts many concerts and stage shows throughout the year, and performers have included recording artists and standup comedians. Between April and October, many flock to the Fifth Third Bank Pavilion at Tandy Park for Thursday Night Live, a series of weekly nighttime events featuring food, art and live music.

Rupp Arena in Downtown Lexington can hold a capacity of over 20,000 people.
Rupp Arena in Downtown Lexington can hold a capacity of over 20,000 people.
Thursday Night Live brings large crowds to Downtown Lexington each week.
Thursday Night Live brings large crowds to Downtown Lexington each week.
1/2

Highly rated Layfatte High and close to UK

Students here may start their education at Harrison Elementary School, which receives a C-plus from ratings site Niche. Originally opened in the late 1840s, Harrison carries the distinction of being the oldest existing school in the Fayette County Public Schools district. Students can then continue on to Lexington Traditional Magnet School and Lafayette High School, which receive C-plus and A grades, respectively. Lexington Traditional houses a visual and performing arts hub that involves a more advanced curriculum. While Lafayette High, which Niche ranks as the second-best public high school in the state, boasts over 30 AP courses and a pre-engineering program. Also nearby is the University of Kentucky (UK) and the private Transylvania University, the latter of which is the oldest college-level institution in the state. UK is Kentucky’s flagship school and its alum include Hollywood actors, professional athletes and national politicians.

Lafayette High School enrolls around 2,400 students every year in Lexington.
Lafayette High School enrolls around 2,400 students every year in Lexington.
Harrison Elementary School serves K-5th grade in Lexington.
Harrison Elementary School serves K-5th grade in Lexington.
1/2

Frisbees, picnics and winter time skating at Triangle Park

Although it doesn’t have the largest green spaces in the Lexington area, several neighborhood parks exist around downtown, and many feature a collection of sculptures and monuments. Triangle Park features stylish landscaping and water fountains, and many come there to toss frisbees or have picnics. The site occasionally hosts outdoor shows during the summer and has an ice rink during the winter. Thoroughbred Park features statues and plaques that pay homage to local horse breeders, trainers and thoroughbred racers. Other outdoor sites include Gratz Park, which sits within view of the Neoclassical building that houses the Carnegie Center for Literacy and features a brick path that loops around a centralized fountain.

Triangle park is centered in Downtown Lexington.
Triangle park is centered in Downtown Lexington.
Triangle Park has multi-colored lit up trees in Downtown Lexington.
Triangle Park has multi-colored lit up trees in Downtown Lexington.
1/2

Walkable and close to UK HealthCare campus

Downtown Lexington is easily walkable, and the Lextran has numerous bus stops in this part of the city. Main Street runs to New Circle Road, which loops around the city’s core and provides a connection to numerous Lexington neighborhoods. Downtown is also about 5 miles from the Blue Grass Airport. Both the UK Good Samaritan Hospital and the Albert B. Chandler Hospital provide major health care services. Bordering the university itself, Albert B. Chandler anchors a larger campus that includes the Shriners Children’s Lexington Hospital and the UK College of Medicine.

The art forms at this bus stop makes Downtown Lexington really a unique place.
The art forms at this bus stop makes Downtown Lexington really a unique place.
Downtown Lexington is a safe and cultural place to spend time.
Downtown Lexington is a safe and cultural place to spend time.
1/2

Important to know

Downtown Lexington has an overall CAP Index crime score of 9 out of 10, more than double the national average of 4. Theft crimes heavily impact that figure. A city community crime map shows several of those crimes occurred downtown in the summer of 2024.

Yann Ranaivo
Written By
Yann Ranaivo
Ryan Minion
Photography Contributed By
Ryan Minion
Timothy Cerva
Video By
Timothy Cerva

Agents Specializing in this Area

See All Agents

Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Quanisha Gilmore, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Blue Grass

16 min drive

Bus

North Martin Luther King & Short Inbound

Bus

Transit Center

Bus

East Main & Esplanade

Bus

Vine & Mill

Bus

Lextran Transit Center

Bus

East Main & 137 (Fayette Cigar Store)

Bus

North Martin Luther King & Corral Outbou

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Downtown Lexington US
Homicide 5 4
Sexual Assault 8 4
Assault with Weapon 6 4
Robbery 9 4
Burglary 10 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 9 4
Larceny 9 4
Crime Score 9 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$695,000
Median Single Family Price
$855,000
Median Townhouse Price
$480,000
Median 2 Bedroom Price
$795,000
Median 1 Bedroom Price
$695,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$497
Number of Homes for Sale
5
Last 12 months Home Sales
12
Months of Supply
5.00
Median List Price
$745,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
2%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
74%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
130
Median Year Built
1982
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
4,067
Significantly above the national average
1,935
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,651
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,553
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,082
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
5,662

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Quanisha Gilmore, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
1,330
Median Age
37
Population Density
10 ppl/acre
Population under 18
14.2%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
19.3%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$22,974
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$51,339

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
86.8%
College Graduates
48.6%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
17.5%
On par with the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
67.3%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
50''
Average Winter Low Temperature
26°F
Average Summer High Temperature
87°F
Annual Snowfall
26''

Area Factors

Very Bikeable

Bike Score®

84 / 100

Walker's Paradise

Walk Score®

95 / 100

Excellent Transit

Transit Score®

75 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

Nearby Neighborhoods

Reviews

Are you familiar with the Downtown Lexington neighborhood? to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Downtown Lexington
Quanisha Gilmore
Commonwealth Real Estate Professionals
Section Image