Paynes Depot
Rural Neighborhood in Lexington, Kentucky
Fayette County 40324, 40347, 40511
The Kentucky bluegrass is the best grass in the country
When Davis moved from California to Kentucky, it was for the health of her newly purchased horse. “I had a horse from Ireland and he couldn’t handle California,” Davis says. “I moved here, and within six months, he was back to his healthy self.” Through her work on the farm Davis has also noticed how the area's bluegrass improves the overall health of the horses. “We literally have the best grass in the country right where we’re at,” Davis says. “Our horses thrive here, eating their natural grass. Moving horses from other states, you can just see how their health changes once they live here for a little bit. I’ve had many horses come in from New York, Florida and California. They come in not looking so good, but once they get through a spring here, they've completely changed.”
Horse farms, Walter Bradley Park and the University Club of Kentucky
Paynes Depot’s horse farms are its primary sources of outdoor recreation, providing locals with basic riding lessons and competitive training for kids and adults alike. “We have several different levels of riders here, from real beginners to people that are competing,” Davis says. “A lot of the kids in the neighborhood ride here. They’re basically learning how to ride in the arena, learning to jump, those kinds of things.” Five miles west, Midway’s Walter Bradley Park is the neighborhood’s nearest public green space. Spanning 28 acres, Walter Bradley Park has five trails, a dog park and several picnic areas. Three miles east, the public University Club of Kentucky golf course has 36 holes between its two courses: the Wildcat Course and the Arthur Hills-designed Big Blue Course.Land listings, ranch-style homes and custom mansions in luxury subdivisions
Buyers in Paynes Depot have several options, but most involve the purchase of multiple acre lots. Land listings abound here, allowing buyers to select properties that meet their needs. Some build their own farms, while others might opt for an older ranch-style home on several acres. Paynes Depot also has several different luxury subdivisions that have developed in recent years, like Fishers Mill Landing. “The Fishers Mill Landing subdivision is basically mini-mansions everywhere,” Davis says. “Nothing is on top of each other. Everyone has land, 5- to 30-acres roughly. It’s quite impressive when you drive around the corner into this place. They’re big houses. You’ll see little barns behind a lot of the houses. A lot of people do have horses on their property, or they’ll keep them here [at Three Day Farm] or somewhere else.” Houses in Paynes Depot are far more expensive than in other parts of Lexington, with the average home value costing $250,000 more than the average home in the metro area. Land listings here can range from $200,000 for 2 acres to $500,000 for 10 acres. Housing costs can vary here, depending on size, condition and acreage. For example, on the low end, homes will go for around $400,000 to $500,000 for an older home on less than 2 acres of land. While on the high-end, brand-new custom-designed homes on 10 acres can go for $1 to $3 million. “Things have gone up quite a bit, but you can still sell a condo in California and buy my farm,” Davis says. “It’s all relative, really.” Paynes Depot has a 1 out of 10 CAP Index crime score, which is slightly below the national average of 4.Great Crossing High School’s $90-million campus
Students in Paynes Depot attend Western Elementary, which earns a B-plus rating and was named Scott County’s second best public elementary school by Niche. Scott County Middle School, which also gets a B-plus, is ranked by Niche as the 10th best public middle school in the Lexington area. The B-rated Great Crossing High School is considered the 9th best public high school in the Lexington area. Great Crossing High School opened in August 2019 with a new $90-million campus including state-of-the-art academic and athletic facilities.Living 15 minutes from Lexington, Frankfort and Georgetown
Paynes Depot is centrally located between Frankfort, Georgetown and Lexington, making it an ideal spot for people looking for easy access to those communities. “I’m 15 minutes from Frankfort, 15 minutes from Lexington and 15 minutes from the Kentucky Horse Park,” Davis says. Interstate 64 and Paynes Depot Road intersect in Paynes Depot, making it easy to get around the metro area. Davis warns those moving from out of state: “We have country roads. That’s the main thing I see people coming from cities struggling with. We’ve got smaller roads here and people drive slower in Kentucky,” she adds. With no public transit in the neighborhood, residents rely entirely on cars to get around. The nearest medical center is Georgetown Community Hospital, 6 miles north and the Blue Grass Airport is 10 miles south.Bourbon, horses and Wildcat basketball
“The biggest attractions in Paynes Depot are bourbon, horses and Wildcat's basketball,” Davis says. “That’s what everyone loves to do.” The closest distilleries to Payne's Depot are the Saddlestone Distillery and Bluegrass Distillers in Midway, both of which have tasting rooms where patrons can sample their house-distilled spirits. To learn more about Kentucky horse culture, residents can visit the Kentucky Horse Park, a 1,000-acre horse farm and equine education center home to the International Museum of the Horse. The park hosts events throughout the year, including its signature holiday lights display. “You can park and go in the tents, and the kids can have pony rides and have hot chocolate, make s'mores and just have a fun shopping experience as well,” says Realtor Robin Owens. Horse racing is another cornerstone of Paynes Depot’s culture. “It’s a huge racing community, with Keeneland and Churchill Downs being so close,” Davis says. “Keeneland is literally 15 minutes away.” Keeneland has racing seasons in October and April, and Churchill Downs hosts meets from May through June, and in September and November. The Kentucky Wildcats play home basketball games each November through March 10 miles southeast at downtown Lexington’s Rupp Arena.Midway dining and Hymer Feed Company
For a bite to eat near Paynes Depot, Davis recommends Heirloom or Holly Hill Inn in Midway, 5 miles west. “Both are absolutely amazing,” she says. Heirloom offers artfully plated French-inspired cuisine in a cozy dining room. Holly Hill Inn is a rural 1800s inn transformed into an upscale American restaurant featuring flights of wine and meals cooked with ingredients grown on the property’s gardens. J & N Grocery is a small country store in Paynes Depot where residents can enjoy a homemade breakfast or lunch or pick up some shelf-stable groceries. Hymer Feed Company is a neighborhood feed store where residents can pick up hay and other supplies for horses and livestock. The nearest supermarket is Kroger, 6 miles north in Georgetown.


Agents Specializing in this Area
-
David Humes
Christie's Intl. RE Bluegrass
(859) 800-6365
143 Total Sales
1 in Paynes Depot
$161,000 Price
-
Clay Thomas
Keller Williams Legacy Group
(859) 413-3707
293 Total Sales
3 in Paynes Depot
$180K - $610K Price Range
-
Tina Neal
RE/MAX Elite Realty
(859) 328-2180
83 Total Sales
1 in Paynes Depot
$425,000 Price
-
Hill Parker
Responds QuicklyTurf Town Properties
(859) 554-3723
130 Total Sales
5 in Paynes Depot
$475K - $1.8M Price Range
-
Zach Davis
Responds QuicklyKirkpatrick & Company
(859) 710-6401
98 Total Sales
3 in Paynes Depot
$1.7M - $2.7M Price Range
-
Jack Woodruff
Responds QuicklyWoodruff Properties, LLC
(859) 710-5580
18 Total Sales
1 in Paynes Depot
$935,000 Price
Schools
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to
, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.Parks in this Area
Transit
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Paynes Depot | US |
---|---|---|
Homicide | 1 | 4 |
Sexual Assault | 1 | 4 |
Assault with Weapon | 1 | 4 |
Robbery | 1 | 4 |
Burglary | 1 | 4 |
Motor Vehicle Theft | 1 | 4 |
Larceny | 1 | 4 |
Crime Score | 1 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Paynes Depot Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Paynes Depot, Lexington sell after 37 days on the market compared to the national average of 48 days. The median sale price for homes in Paynes Depot, Lexington over the last 12 months is $750,000, up 23% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Neighborhood Facts
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to
, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Finances
Education and Workforce
Weather
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
Car-Dependent
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.
Nearby Neighborhoods

Charming rural township in the Kentucky countryside with a lot of history

Big-city benefits while living in Lexington horse country

A serene, family-friendly neighborhood close to America's horse racing capital

An established neighborhood in the growing community of Georgetown

Rural living, recreation and commuter convenience

A Georgetown neighborhood appealing to first-time homebuyers