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Donerail

Donerail

Suburban Neighborhood in Lexington, Kentucky

Fayette County 40511
$671,643 Average Value
$320 Average Price per Sq Ft
3 Homes For Sale

Say hello to Lexington’s horse country

Outside the Kentucky Horse Park's visitor center, a life-size horse statue is painted blue and inscribed: "Horses Provide 60,494 Jobs in Kentucky." It's safe to say that horses employ the 1,500 residents of Donerail, a rural region of independent horse farms anchored by the Kentucky Horse Park, an equine center and tourist attraction. “Lexington is the Thoroughbred breeding capital of the world, and the Thoroughbred industry’s getting bigger and bigger,” says Lexington resident Judy Stuber. Donerail sits beyond Lexington's Urban Services Boundary, meaning the city has designated that this land cannot be developed and must remain rural or agricultural. Due to this designation, Donerail's real estate listings are all large horse farms on dozens of acres selling for millions of dollars. The horse country surrounding the city is invaluable and anchors the city's economy and gives it a distinct culture and a sense of serenity. "Lexington's one of the most beautiful places to fly into because of the aerial views of the horse farms," says Realtor Bob Sophiea.

Kentucky Horse Park and Alltech Arena

Donerail's top attraction is the Kentucky Horse Park, a 1,000-plus-acre equine education center. Visitors can take a trolley tour of the park, go for a trail ride on horseback or explore the International Museum of the Horse, an extensive collection of history about the roles horses played across the world and their impact in the development of human civilization. The park is also home to the Hall of Champions, where retired world-champion racehorses, including two current Triple Crown winners, live. Visitors can attend the park's daily Hall of Champions Show to learn more about each horse's success. The Kentucky Horse Park is also home to the Alltech Arena, which hosts events of all kinds, like concerts, craft markets, dog shows, and monster truck rallies.
Park of the Kentucky Horse Park in Donerail, is the American Saddlebred Muesum.
Park of the Kentucky Horse Park in Donerail, is the American Saddlebred Muesum.
Horse lovers from all over the country visit the Kentucky Horse Park every year in Donerail.
Horse lovers from all over the country visit the Kentucky Horse Park every year in Donerail.
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Protected farmland thanks to the Urban Service Boundary

In 1958, Lexington became the first U.S. city to create an Urban Services Boundary (USB), a designated line that dictates where new development can occur. Donerail sits just beyond this boundary, meaning its protected farmland. "All kinds of politics come up about developing land," Sophiea says. Because of the USB, "They can't subdivide the land, and there are no places to develop." In 2023, Lexington's city council voted to add 2,800 acres to the USB in various spots throughout Fayette County, however, Donerail was not affected by this expansion. "They're trying to increase the Urban Service Boundary, but the horse farms are like, 'These are our farms,'" Stuber says. "When the horse industry knows about something, they will fight it because this is their livelihood, and they need space." Due to the USB, Donerail is mostly large, rural plots – often ranging from 10 to 60 acres that list for $2.5 to $16.5 million. These estates are typically working horse farms, with sprawling single-family homes and equine facilities, including feed and tack rooms and barns with 20 to 30 stalls. A few smaller cottage and rambler-style homes can be found in the outer reaches of this community, with price points ranging from the mid $200,000s to $400,000s.
The Spindletop Subdivision is part of the Donerail community and features ranch style homes.
The Spindletop Subdivision is part of the Donerail community and features ranch style homes.
Just minutes away from Lexington is a small subdivision with affordable homes in Donerail.
Just minutes away from Lexington is a small subdivision with affordable homes in Donerail.
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Spanish immersion and Air Force JROTC at Bryan Station High School

Students in Donerail attend Fayette County Public Schools (FCPS), a district that receives an A-minus rating from Niche. Students here can start at Russell Cave Elementary School, which receives a C-plus rating, before continuing on to Winburn Middle School, which earns a B-minus. They may then attend the B-rated Bryan Station High School. Bryan Station is home to FCPS's only Air Force JROTC program and is the high school campus for the district's Spanish Immersion Program. In 2007, the Embassy of Spain and the Spanish Ministry of Education recognized Bryan Station as an International Spanish Academy (ISA). In 2012, it won the "School of the Year" award from the ISA Network. All Bryan Station students start out in the school's freshman academy before choosing one of four academies to attend for 10th through 12th grades. Options include The Academy of Engineering, Manufacturing, and Robotics; The Academy of Leadership and Professional Services; The Academy of Information Technology; and The Academy of Medical Sciences.
Winburn Middle School pursues academic excellence & a multicultural experience.
Winburn Middle School pursues academic excellence & a multicultural experience.
Bryan Station High School has a 17-1 student teacher ratio & is an above average school.
Bryan Station High School has a 17-1 student teacher ratio & is an above average school.
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Car dependency and Lextran bus access

Donerail is a car-dependent neighborhood 8 miles north of downtown Lexington. The neighborhood's only bus stop can be found on the northeast corner of Newton Pike and Interstate 64 outside of the Shell station. The Route 4 bus heads into downtown Lexington and stops at destinations including the BCTC Newton campus, the Lexington-Fayette County Health Department and the Hope Center for Men. The closest hospitals to Donerail are the Lexington VA Medical Center, 7 miles south and the UK Good Samaritan Hospital, 9 miles south. The Blue Grass Airport is 12 miles southwest via Interstate 75 to New Circle Road.

Trails, golf and The Club at UK's Spindletop Hall

Across Iron Works Pike from the Kentucky Horse Park, the North Legacy Trailhead provides access to the Legacy Trail, an 8-mile paved path for walking, jogging and biking. Nearby, The Club at UK's Spindletop Hall offers members access to recreational amenities like swimming pools and tennis, pickleball and volleyball courts. Golf is a popular activity in the area, and residents can choose to join the Lexington Country Club or check out a public course like the Griffin Gate Golf Club or Kearney Hill Golf Links. Just south of Interstate 64, Coldstream Dog Park is a 225-acre green space with walking and biking trails and a fenced-in area for dogs to play.
Donerail dogowners enjoy a local amenity at Coldstream Dog Park.
Donerail dogowners enjoy a local amenity at Coldstream Dog Park.
The Club at UK's Spindletop Hall has a lot to offer members of the Donerail Community.
The Club at UK's Spindletop Hall has a lot to offer members of the Donerail Community.
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Farm-to-table restaurants and award-winning barbecue

Just across Interstate 75 from the Kentucky Horse Park, Red State BBQ is an award-winning barbecue joint serving satisfying slabs of tender meats perfect for filling up after a long day at the horse park. The restaurant has a wide selection of specialty sauces and sides like beer cheese grits, corn muffins and peach bread pudding. Two miles north, The Barn Door Grill & Bar is located on the grounds of the Blue Grass Stockyards and offers a Kentuckian menu of Appalachian- and southern-influenced cuisines. All foods are made with cage-free eggs and local meat, bread and vegetables; their most popular menu items are their burgers and Kentucky hot browns. The intersection of Newtown Pike and Interstate 64 offers additional dining options, including a Cracker Barrel and McDonald's. Donerail's only grocery store is the Jot ‘Em Down Store, a small, family-owned country store with shelf groceries and sandwiches made in their deli. Just south of Interstate 64, Winburn Fruit Supermarket offers a complete selection of produce, meat and shelf groceries.
Residents of Donerail and neighboring communities travel for some good BBQ at Red State BBQ.
Residents of Donerail and neighboring communities travel for some good BBQ at Red State BBQ.
Donerail touches the north side of Lexington, where residents will find a Cracker Barrel.
Donerail touches the north side of Lexington, where residents will find a Cracker Barrel.
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Crime

Donerail has a 1 out of 10 CAP Index crime score, the safest rating possible, which is well below the national average of 4.
Ellen Daly
Written By
Ellen Daly
Ryan Minion
Photography Contributed By
Ryan Minion
Taylor Gilbert
Video By
Taylor Gilbert

Agents Specializing 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

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

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Blue Grass

25 min drive

Bus

Hackney & Stanton

Bus

Stanton Way & Shell Service Station

Donerail Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$335,000
Median Sale Price
$595,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$335,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
1%
Last 12 months Home Sales
11
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-52%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$320

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
222
Number of Homes for Sale
3
Median Year Built
1968
Months of Supply
3.30
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,765
Significantly above the national average
1,924
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,200
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
10,454

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

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

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
1,379
Median Age
40
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
23.3%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
16.5%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$85,000
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$114,430

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
89.2%
College Graduates
41.3%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
15.6%
% Population in Labor Force
70%
On par with the national average
65.1%

Weather

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

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

23 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

0 / 100

Minimal Transit

Transit Score®

0 / 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.

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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
Donerail