Community-centered and family-friendly living in Louisville, Kentucky
In Shawnee, Kentucky, river breezes and the sweet smells of homestyle cooking guide residents home at the end of each day. Shawnee is a relaxed and family-oriented neighborhood of Louisville, located in the heart of the city's West End. Residents of Shawnee enjoy the neighborhood's "welcoming vibes, abundance of unique architecture and proximity to great parks along the Ohio River," says Delmeshn Booker, the owner and head chef of Soulful Choices, a local restaurant serving Shawnee's community. The neighborhood developed around Shawnee Park, which is one of Frederick Law Olmsted’s flagship designs, contoured by a scenic bend in the Ohio's serene waters. In addition to an abundance of natural resources, Shawnee is also known for its supportive community. At Soulful Choices, "There's a neighbor who sweeps and cleans the lot every morning so that we can start the day with a nice clean area, even though we just moved in under a year ago," says Booker. And, despite living in the big city, Booker says she never worries about her safety because "there's always a neighbor nearby who's right there to check on you- people really look out for each other here." With a strong sense of community that uplifts and helps each other in daily ways, Shawnee combines the best flavors of living in the city with the natural beauty of Kentucky's peaceful landscape.
Soul food favorites for West End neighborhood
Just across Shawnee Expressway (I-264), from the rest of Louisville, Shawnee is surrounded by a selection of local small businesses and mom-and-pop shops. “Soulful Choices has delicious soul food. They have chicken, pot roast, greens and a soul burger with macaroni on it,” says Nicolle Brown, a local librarian who has lived in Shawnee for more than 20 years. With everything from smothered pork chops to Philly cheesesteak eggrolls, Soulful Choices serves fun, quality food that's always made fresh from the best ingredients. “There’s also Mani's Cafe or Southern Hospitality- their steak and eggs breakfast is amazing,” says Brown. When cooking at home, residents can pick up groceries at one of two nearby Kroger grocery stores- both within 1 mile from Shawnee. Downtown Louisville also offers more shopping options, while those looking for nightlife can head to Double Deuce Sports Bar & Grill on West Broadway for fun evenings of live music and karaoke.
Southern Hospitality is a local favorite in Shawnee.
In Shawnee, a vibrant corner store serves as a convenient hub for community essentials.
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Community gatherings year-round in Shawnee
The Shawnee community also shows its warm nature by coming together throughout the year. During cold months, the Winter Wonderland light show is set up in Shawnee Park for Locals to enjoy driving through on the weekends. In summer, Shawnee families head to Chickasaw Park for a large neighborhood reunion. Right before the Kentucky Derby in May, there is a city-wide parade on Broadway with floats and dance teams.
Historic Louisville homes close to the Ohio River
In Shawnee's residential areas, homes feature vintage designs full of individual character, with styles ranging from bungalows and Foursquares to Mission Revival and Tudor homes. Well-connected sidewalks, meanwhile, provide an easy way for residents to stroll through the neighborhood's tree-lined streets. "I wish someone would move so I could move down there," says Booker, stating that, "It's really beautiful along the river, so homes are very in demand." The majority of homes in the area were built before 1950 and the average sales price is about $107,000 dollars, which is less than half of the average for the Greater Louisville area. For around $80,000 to $100,000 dollars, buyers can find a three-bedroom bungalow or Foursquare residence in need of some repairs, while historic houses that have been fully updated may be priced closer to $200,000 dollars. Homes generally rest on less than a quarter acre of land and may have a detached garage or on-street parking.
Historic Tudor Revival-style homes can spotted throughout the Shawnee neighborhood.
Shawnee's housing styles create a vibrant blend of architectural richness.
Shawnee has many Cape Cod-style brick homes.
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Game nights at the library and River access at Shawnee Park
Shawnee Park remains a scenic respite with amenities for locals. “Many families have their kids’ birthday parties there because they have a new playground, a sprayground and picnic areas,” Brown says. In addition to the Shawnee Outdoor Learning Center, which educates locals about their environment, the park is home to a baseball field, open greenspace and an abundance of natural areas. Residents can enjoy walking, playing sports or even fishing in the Ohio River.
For indoor recreation, entertainment and social services, residents can head to the Shawnee Library. “The library is the heart of our community, though. We help people find jobs and have budgeting tip sessions. Mothers can come for parenting skills classes, and teens can join us for game nights.”
The Shawnee Library offers many services and events for locals.
The Shawnee Community Center holds classes so locals can stay active.
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Getting around the greater Shawnee area
The Transit Authority of River City (TARC) buses run throughout the neighborhood, with regular stops between 6:30 a.m. and 10:30 p.m. on weekdays and from about 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. on weekends and holidays. “You can transfer to anywhere in the city from here,” Brown says. Interstate 264 is accessible from the neighborhood as well; residents can take it for about 9 miles to reach Louisville Muhammad Ali International Airport, which has direct flights to Denver and Miami. The Phoenix Hill neighborhood, about 4 miles east, has two major hospitals, the University of Louisville and Norton Hospital.
Jefferson County schools close to home
In Jefferson County, families can select from a list of schools; they are ranked by distance, and there are magnet schools that children can apply to. For elementary-aged students, one choice is King Elementary School, about 1 mile from Shawnee, which is rated C-minus on Niche. Another is Whitney Young Elementary, an International Baccalaureate World School, which is less than 1 mile and gets a score of C-minus. The Academy at Shawnee, which offers a flight and aeronautics career pathway, is the nearest option for middle and high school at about 1 mile away. It is a magnet school that earns a C rating. Dr. J. Blaine Hudson Middle School, about 3 miles from the neighborhood, just opened in 2023. It offers students the opportunity to participate in various electives, including coding, food science and social justice.
Historic issues still shape park usage
“It’s important to note that this area was historically impacted by redlining and segregation,” says Wilson Ethington, project coordinator for the Olmsted Parks Conservancy. Parks in Louisville, including Shawnee Park, were segregated from 1924 to 1954. During this time, Chickasaw Park was designed by the Olmsted firm to serve the Black community. Today, Chickasaw Park is where families who have lived in the community for many years gather for an annual reunion each summer.
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
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to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Shawnee
US
Homicide
9
4
Sexual Assault
5
4
Assault with Weapon
8
4
Robbery
6
4
Burglary
5
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
3
4
Crime Score
5
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Shawnee, Louisville sell after 29 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Shawnee, Louisville over the last 12 months is $122,781, up 10% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
11,461
Median Age
40
Population Density
9 ppl/acre
Population under 18
27.4%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
20.1%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$33,115
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$50,017
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
84.8%
College Graduates
12.4%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
4.1%
% Population in Labor Force
54.7%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
48''
Average Winter Low Temperature
28°F
Average Summer High Temperature
89°F
Annual Snowfall
14''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
57/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
44/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
31/ 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.
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.
