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Berea

Berea

Located in Madison County

$163 Average Price per Sq Ft
29 Homes For Sale

Mountain views not far from Richmond, Kentucky

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.
The population of Berea is 16,000.
Berea College opened in 1855.
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.
Homebuyers looking in Berea can expect to spend around $165 per square foot.
The median single-family home in Berea is $259,900.
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.
The Berea Golf Club is a 9-hole course.
Danville nature lovers join 2 million other visitors at Daniel Boone National Forest each year.
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.
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.
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.
Berea residents enjoy a variety of quick-service and fast-casual restaurants.
Residents in Berea pick up home goods and groceries at Walmart.
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.

William Palicia
Written By
William Palicia
Ryan Minion
Photography Contributed By
Ryan Minion
Brad Davis
Video By
Brad Davis

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Lisa Scully, an experienced agent in this area.

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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

Berea Housing Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$279,000
Median Sale Price
$269,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$273,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$189,900
Median Change From 1st List Price
2%
Last 12 months Home Sales
534
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
6%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$163

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes for Sale
29
Months of Supply
0.70

Open Houses

  • Saturday, Aug 2
    2 - 4pm

    116 Vanwinkle Grove, Berea, KY 40403

    $279,900

    • 4 Beds
    • 3 Baths
    • 2,950 Sq Ft
    • 116 Vanwinkle Grove
    • New 3 days ago

    Welcome to 116 Van Winkle Grove, an original mid-century modern Pease Home featuring an owner customized ''Shorewood'' floor plan, nestled in a peaceful cul-de-sac just minutes from downtown Berea. Built in 1959 & lovingly maintained by one family ever since, this 4-bedroom (possible 5th), 3-bath home blends timeless character with solid craftsmanship. Inside, you'll find hardwood floors, a

    Daphne Freeman Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Foster Realtors

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  • Thursday, Jul 31
    2 - 4pm

    235 Owsley Fork Rd, Berea, KY 40403

    $250,000

    • 5 Beds
    • 1 Bath
    • 2,288 Sq Ft
    • 235 Owsley Fork Rd
    • New 9 days ago

    Discover Peaceful Country Living in Beautiful Berea, KYNestled in the tranquil Owsley Fork area, this charming 5-bedroom, 1-bath home offers the ideal blend of rural serenity and modern convenience. Situated on 3.49 picturesque acres, the property showcases stunning views and boundless potential for a peaceful, self-sustained lifestyle.Inside, the home features a spacious and

    John Fitzwater WEICHERT REALTORS - Ford Brothers

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  • Sunday, Aug 10
    2 - 4pm

    196 Herndon Ln, Berea, KY 40403

    $575,000

    • 3 Beds
    • 2 Baths
    • 2,027 Sq Ft
    • 196 Herndon Ln

    The property has three bedrooms, two baths, with a brand new garage and a brand new asphalt driveway leading to the garage. It has a 10 foot overhang so you can park another car underneath it or you could sit with chairs on the back and look out at the beautiful pond behind you. It has a brand-new composite deck that with a 7-foot overhang so you can stay shaded during those hot summer days. If

    Kenneth DeGrant High Point Realty & Auction

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Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®®

26 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®®

31 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

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.
Berea