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Donerail

Donerail

Suburban Neighborhood in Lexington, Kentucky

Fayette County 40511
$764,007 Average Value
$245 Average Price per Sq Ft
6 Homes For Sale

How horses shape life in Donerail

The thoroughbred who pulled off the biggest upset in Kentucky Derby history was named for Donerail, so it should come as no surprise that this rural community on Lexington 's northern edge is firmly rooted in equestrian culture. Horse farms sprawl across the Bluegrass landscape, and the area’s biggest attraction is Kentucky Horse Park, an educational center and event space that draws over a million visitors a year. Donerail may be in the heart of horse country, but convenient interstate access and a 6-mile drive to Downtown Lexington keep it well connected to the city.

Ranch-style homes are common in Donerail.
Ranch-style homes are common in Donerail.

Active horse farms and scenic rural properties

Donerail's countryside homes include grand gated estates on several acres that sit across from working thoroughbred operations. Farmhouses on smaller, scenic lots round out the mix. Ranch-style and Colonial Revival architecture are common, and some properties have a long history dating back to the late 1700s. Undeveloped land is also available. The median home sale price in Donerail is in the lower $600,000s, below Lexington’s overall median and that of other rural areas like Loradale, Paynes Depot and Bonita. Homes here typically cost between the lower $500,000s and upper $600,000s. Established farm properties can range from $1.3 million to $3 million, depending on acreage.

The community has been able to maintain its rural vibe because it’s outside of Lexington’s Urban Service Boundary. The USB was created in 1958 to set limits on the city’s urban sprawl and protect horse farms, which are a major part of the city's economy. “All kinds of politics come up about developing land,” says Bob Sophiea, a Realtor with eXp Realty.

Getting around Lexington and the surrounding area

Donerail is a car-dependent area that sits at the junction of Interstate 75 and Interstate 64, making it well connected to the rest of the region. Newtown Pike and Russell Cave Road lead into downtown Lexington, which is roughly 15 minutes away. Georgetown is about 12 miles away, and Paris is a 14-mile drive. For longer trips, Blue Grass Airport is 12 miles away.

Kids can attend Fayette County schools like Russell Cave Elementary

Families are served by the Fayette County Public Schools district. Kids can start at Russell Cave Elementary School, then go to Winburn Middle School. Older students can attend Bryan Station High School, which gets a B rating from Niche. The school is organized into career-themed academies, including engineering, information technology and medical sciences, and it’s home to the district's only Air Force JROTC program.

Winburn Middle School serves the area.
Winburn Middle School serves the area.
Older students attend Bryan Station High School.
Older students attend Bryan Station High School.
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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.

Events and competitions at Kentucky Horse Park

Kentucky Horse Park is Donerail’s top attraction. This equine education center is home to the International Museum of the Horse and the Hall of Champions, where retired world-champion racehorses live. The park also hosts several events and equestrian competitions throughout the year. Here are some popular ones:

  • Defender Kentucky Three-Day Event, an international equestrian competition held each April featuring dressage, cross-country and show jumping
  • BreyerFest, a three-day July festival celebrating model horses with live demonstrations and workshops
  • Battle in the Saddle, an August team penning competition where riders on horseback sort and pen cattle against the clock
  • Southern Lights Holiday Festival, a drive-thru holiday light display running from late November through December

Golf, country clubs and the Legacy Trail for recreation

There are several parks, trails and other recreational spots in and around Donerail. You can get outside at these spots:

  • The Legacy Trail, a 12-mile paved greenway leading from Kentucky Horse Park to downtown Lexington
  • The Club at UK's Spindletop Hall, a private country club with swimming pools, tennis courts and pickleball courts
  • Coldstream Park, an over 200-acre park best known for its off-leash dog areas
  • Kearney Hill Golf Links, a public 18-hole course with a driving range
  • Lexington Country Club, a private club with a golf course and swimming pool

Donerail dog owners enjoy the off-leash areas at Coldstream Park.
Donerail dog owners enjoy the off-leash areas at Coldstream Park.
The Club at UK's Spindletop Hall has a lot to offer members.
The Club at UK's Spindletop Hall has a lot to offer members.
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A short drive from grocery stores and restaurants like Red State BBQ

Donerail's dining options are a short drive away. Red State BBQ is a popular barbecue restaurant known for its smoked meats, specialty sauces and bread pudding. The Barn Door Grill & Bar is located on the grounds of the Blue Grass Stockyards, and it serves breakfast dishes and sandwiches. Familiar chains like Cracker Barrel are also nearby. For groceries, The Jot ‘Em Down Store is a small, family-owned country store with snacks and deli sandwiches. You’ll have to head into Lexington for stores like Publix, Kroger and Walmart.

Residents of Donerail and neighboring communities travel for some good barbecue at Red State BBQ.
Residents of Donerail and neighboring communities travel for some good barbecue 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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Annie Franklin
Written By
Annie Franklin
Ryan Minion
Photography Contributed By
Ryan Minion
Taylor Gilbert
Video By
Taylor Gilbert

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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

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Blue Grass

25 min drive

Bus

Stanton Way

Bus

Hackney

Bus

Hackney & Stanton

Bus

Stanton Way & Shell Service Station

Reviews

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Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes
216
Number of Homes for Sale
6
Median Year Built
1967
Months of Supply
14.40
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,936
Significantly above the national average
1,935
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,200
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
33,105

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

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
$79,597
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%
Above the national average
64.9%

Weather

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

Area Factors

Somewhat bikeable

Bikeability®

30 / 100

Not walkable

Walkability®

10 / 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic

Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

Nearby Neighborhoods

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