Entertainment and cultural center in Eastern Kentucky
Ashland is a small city with a thriving downtown, offering proximity to rural settings along the Ohio River. Despite seeing a 10% population decrease since 1990, the city’s population of 21,000 makes it the largest in Boyd County. The city was built around the pig iron industry, but now its major employers are King's Daughters Hospital and Ashland Oil and Refining Company. Amenities like the Paramount Arts Center, the Camayo Arcade and The Highlands Museum & Discovery Center have also helped to revitalize the city's downtown. As more walkable businesses and entertainment options come to town, Ashland balances small-town amenities with access throughout the Tri-State region.
There are lots of amenities for residents downtown Ashland.
Ashland City Center is a great place to invest in real estate.
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Boyd County homes from vintage to new
Original home inventory here dates back to the 1800s. Known for their vintage character and handmade designs, these homes have been preserved through the years with style restrictions. "Historic Classical Revivals and American Foursquares are a great feature in older areas like Central Park,” says Gennie Craigmiles, a local and real estate agent with Geneva Properties. “The restrictions are the reason you won't find newer styles until you get to the outskirts of the city.” Outlying suburban areas like Valley View feature more contemporary designs. The median sales price for homes in Ashland has risen to $222,000, which is still lower than the Huntington or U.S. median prices. Properties range from historic townhouses selling for as low as $75,000 to larger, newly constructed homes selling for over $500,000.
Normal was named after the Eastern Kentucky Normal School that opened in 1867.
The median real estate price in Ashland City Center is approximately $187,000-$190,000.
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Ashland Independent Schools in the community
Ashland Independent Schools earns a B-plus rating and is named the second-best district in the Huntington area on Niche. The system serves over 3,200 students, with eight schools. Paul G. Blazer High is the district's only high school and offers dual enrollment classes and AP courses.
Ashland Community & Technical College also has two campuses in the city. The Roberts Drive Campus offers nursing and automotive technology, while College Drive has business administration, an associate arts program and specialty courses.
Ashland Middle School is ranked #187 in Kentucky Middle Schools.
Paul G. Blazer High School is a public high school in Ashland, Kentucky.
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Shopping and dining along Winchester Avenue
For a city of its size, Ashland still packs a punch when it comes to shopping. The city has two of the region’s only shopping malls, Midtown Mall and Ashland Town Center. Downtown Winchester Avenue has walkable storefronts, hotels and the Camayo Arcade, Kentucky's first indoor mall that still looks like it did when built in 1926. "The Camayo Arcade is a must-see. They have little cute shops, and it just feels like you're in a different time," says Allison Goble, who lives in the area and is an agent with RE/MAX Realty Connection.
Camp Landing Entertainment District is the newest addition to Ashland, 7 miles south. The space has indoor entertainment options and an amusement park. Sandy's Racing and Gaming is next door with a 4,000-square-foot gaming facility and a horse-racing track that's soon to come.
The Camaro Arcade was the first indoor shopping mall built in the state of Kentucky in 1926.
The Mill is a unique dining experience in a casual setting located in Ashland, KY.
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Community-wide events and the Paramount Arts Center
In the midst of a rural region, Ashland is a local destination for events and entertainment. "As Ashland's downtown has been coming back to life, the Paramount Arts Center has really been a staple and a great place for families. They have great shows, Goble says.
The Highlands Museum & Discovery Center is another popular attraction, with child-friendly exhibits and displays on the history of Boyd County. Summer Motion is one of Ashland's largest festivals. The event celebrates Independence Day in the Port of Ashland with food trucks, carnival rides and live music.
The Highlands Museum & Discovery Center exhibits local history and science for residents.
Theater performances, concerts, and private events are what visitors to the Paramount see.
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Heading outdoors near the Ohio River
Ashland's Parks and Recreation Department maintains eight parks. Oliverio Park is a small neighborhood playground, while Central Park features sports fields and walking trails. The Port of Ashland is a scenic location that's used as an event venue. Heavy industry on the Ohio River prevents most people from swimming, but fishing is still popular. In colder weather, the Ashland Area YMCA is an at-cost option with indoor basketball courts, swimming pools and a fully equipped fitness center.
Ashland experiences the four seasons, with cold winters that bring lots of snow. Flood damage from the Ohio River is considered unlikely, with a 3-mile system of concrete floodwall and earthen levees guarding against it. FEMA may require various levels of flood insurance for properties close to water.
Ashland City Center combines a close proximity to amenities with a small-town vibe.
Central Park in the Winslow community is one of the largest park in all of Kentucky.
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Getting around the Ashland area
Interstate 64 and the Ohio River Scenic Byway connect Ashland to the great Tri-State region. The Ashland Bus System, the city’s public transportation, has five routes around downtown. "Most people don't use the bus too much,” Craigmiles says. “Our highways are really great, there's hardly ever traffic and you can go from one state to the next in minutes." Huntington is 15 miles east of Ashland and is home to the Huntington Tri-State Airport. King's Daughters Hospital is one of the city's largest employers and downtown Ashland.
Important to know
According to the FBI Crime Data Explorer, Huntington's violent and property crime rates are both less than the national average. Rates for violent and property crimes have decreased in the last decade by more than 50%. The Ashland Police Department has worked in the community by setting up neighborhood watches and celebrating National Night Out.
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.
