In the shadow of a protected mountain range, Berea is a valley town set against a vast pastoral backdrop. “It’s a neat little community, and people are pretty friendly there,” says Realtor Wesley Graves of Rare Earth Realty. “It’s a nice place to raise a family.” The city’s roughly 16,000 residents enjoy a quiet life within commuting distance of Richmond and Lexington. Many homebuyers are drawn to Berea for its moderately rated public school district and access to Berea College, a private liberal arts work college with about 1,450 undergraduates and 140 academic staff members. For recreation, residents have access to a national forest to hike up mountains and catch a glimpse of the city below.
Beyond the college, Berea’s economy is bolstered by its manufacturing base, with two industrial parks employing about 3,500 people. Top employers include Middletown Metalworks, Kentucky Steel Corporation and Vitro/Pittsburgh Glass Works. The city has some room to grow when it comes to shopping and dining. “Berea needs more restaurants,” Graves says. “It’s also probably the largest town in Kentucky without a Kroger, so most people come to Richmond to shop for groceries.” Berea’s commerce has been shaped by its “dry” policy, which banned the sale of alcohol until 2023. “The lack of alcohol has hindered the restaurant scene,” Graves says. “They are hoping for more restaurants, but they don’t have them yet.”
Residents go to Saint Joseph Berea, a 25-bed critical care hospital, for healthcare.
The population of Berea is 16,000.
Berea College opened in 1855.
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A wide selection of mid-century homes
Berea has a median single-family home price of roughly $260,000, which is above the state median and below the national median of around $400,000. Prices generally range from $115,000 for early-20th-century fixer-uppers to $355,000 for contemporary styles from the early 2000s. The city’s population more than quadrupled between the 1930s and the ‘80s, so most homes reflect that period's ranch-style architecture.
Homebuyers looking in Berea can expect to spend around $165 per square foot.
The median single-family home in Berea is $259,900.
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Access to Daniel Boone National Forest
Several walking and biking trails connect to the city, but outdoor options are mainly limited to a campground west of the highway and a public golf course on Berea’s east end. Many residents also spend weekends at Daniel Boone National Forest, which has over 700,000 acres of mountainous terrain.
The Berea Golf Club is a 9-hole course.
Danville nature lovers join 2 million other visitors at Daniel Boone National Forest each year.
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The moderately rated Berea City School District
The Berea City School District has a B-minus Niche rating and an 84% graduation rate. The district’s math and reading proficiencies are higher than state and national averages. One of the school district’s major draws is its sole high school, Berea-Midpark, which was built in 2020.
Farristown Middle School in Berea serves students in grades 6 through 8.
Madison Southern High School in Berea has an enrollment of approximately 1,230 students.
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Limited access to shopping and dining along Chestnut Street
Chestnut Street is lined with fast-food places as well as local Mexican and Italian spots. The bulk of the dining and big-box retail options are clustered along Chestnut Street, just off Interstate 75.
Berea residents enjoy a variety of quick-service and fast-casual restaurants.
Residents in Berea pick up home goods and groceries at Walmart.
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Shows at the Spotlight Playhouse
There are several small entertainment venues within the city. In 2021, Berea opened a Pavillion on Chestnut Street. The space hosts folk and bluegrass jam sessions. The Bluegrass Players stages local performances at the Spotlight Playhouse. Locals also enjoy evenings at the Berea College's planetarium, which hosts shows twice a week.
Commuting to Richmond
There are no public transportation options, so residents are reliant on cars. Interstate 75 runs directly through the city and allows direct access to larger urban centers. Most commuters travel 15 miles north to Richmond via I-75. Residents can also commute 43 miles north to Lexington via I-75. Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport is 115 miles north of the city via I-75. According to the FBI database, Berea’s violent and property crime rates have fallen precipitously over the past decade and are well below state and national averages.
Written By
William Palicia
Photography Contributed By
Ryan Minion
Video By
Brad Davis
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Cassie Beach,
an experienced agent in this area.
On average, homes in Berea, KY sell after 43 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Berea, KY over the last 12 months is $269,000, up 6% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Meticulously maintained 4-bedroom, 2-bath brick ranch with an attached 2-car garage in the desirable Oaks subdivision of Berea. No detail has been overlooked—major updates include the roof, windows, HVAC, garage door, and water heater, with some warranties conveying. Step inside to an inviting open-concept layout featuring soaring ceilings, hardwood floors, and a spacious dining area that flows
Well cared for one level/ranch home with .25 acres, privacy fence backyard plus 2 very nice storage building and view of a pond from backyard. Three bedrooms, 2 full baths (one with walk-in shower). Vaulted ceilings in living room and trey ceilings in master bath, eat in kitchen with upgraded appliances, laminate flooring throughout, laundry room off the 2 car garage plus a pretty sun-room on the
No need to pay rent if you can own this cute townhouse at this affordable price! Cool 1 level townhouses available now to purchase. New construction 2 bedroom 2 bathroom, open floor plan including a kitchen, den, and utility room with nice and new appliances, granite countertops and finishes. Conveniently located just off I-75 exit 77 which is near shopping, dining, bike trail, parks, schools,
Meticulously maintained 4-bedroom, 2-bath brick ranch with an attached 2-car garage in the desirable Oaks subdivision of Berea. No detail has been overlooked—major updates include the roof, windows, HVAC, garage door, and water heater, with some warranties conveying. Step inside to an inviting open-concept layout featuring soaring ceilings, hardwood floors, and a spacious dining area that flows
Well cared for one level/ranch home with .25 acres, privacy fence backyard plus 2 very nice storage building and view of a pond from backyard. Three bedrooms, 2 full baths (one with walk-in shower). Vaulted ceilings in living room and trey ceilings in master bath, eat in kitchen with upgraded appliances, laminate flooring throughout, laundry room off the 2 car garage plus a pretty sun-room on the
Build your dream home in Berea's sought-after Berkley Hall subdivision! This 1.65-acre lot is perfectly tucked away in a quiet cul-de-sac setting, offering both privacy and community charm. With **all utilities available—including natural gas and high-speed internet—**you'll have everything you need to bring your vision to life. A rare opportunity in one of Berea's most desirable neighborhoods!
Property Id: 2181104New and modern duplex for rent. 3bed/2 bath/1 car garage attached. New stainless steel appliances (whirlpool), LG washing machine and dryer, quartz countertops, and vinyl flooring. Near Walmart, near Elementary, Mid- and high Schools, fast food, gas stations, downtown Berea, and Berea College. Tenant pays electricity, water and sewer, cable/internet all other
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