A new chapter for one of central North Carolina’s industry cities
Twenty miles south of Winston-Salem is the small central North Carolina city of Lexington. This diverse community of about 20,000 people is known worldwide for hosting the largest one-day festival in the Southeast, drawing in tens of thousands of tourists seeking a plate of its signature barbecue. This ordinarily quiet city is on an upswing, steadily growing as new employers set up shop, ushering in a wave of investment and opportunities. “We’re in a redefining moment,” says Mayor Jason Hayes, a Lexington native entering his fourth year in office. “There are people who have lived their whole lives here, but more and more, I’m seeing people that I do not know. We have retirees that are coming here. There are folks that are living here because they work remotely, and they like the access and affordability.”
Settled in 1775 and incorporated as the seat of Davidson County in 1847, Lexington flourished as a textile and furniture manufacturing town throughout the 20th century. However, the city would face economic hardships when these major employers shuttered operations in the 1990s and early 2000s. The community has been on a path of revival ever since, recently welcoming new companies like Siemens Mobility, Nucor Rebar Fabrication and U.S. Foods.
The Bar-B-Q Center is one of several barbecue restaurants in Lexington, NC.
There are many companies like Nucor building in Lexington.
There are several warehouses within the Lexington area.
Many businesses are making Lexington their new home.
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Barbecue is big in Lexington
The self-titled “Barbecue Capital of the World,” Lexington knows a thing or two about cooking meats low and slow. In addition to having 13 barbecue restaurants, the city is known for its own style of barbecue, which draws over 100,000 people from around the world for the annual Lexington Barbecue Festival, held every October in Uptown. “There are three components to Lexington-style barbecue,” Mayor Hayes says. “It has to be pork shoulders. It has to be cooked over wood coals and served with a tomato-based sauce.”
The Davidson County Historical Museum, a towering Greek Revival courthouse from the mid-1800s, anchors the Uptown Historic District, the city’s Main Street stretch hosting local businesses, bars and boutiques. “In a time when towns of our size are struggling to keep a vibrancy, we have an interesting mix of shops that have been around for 75 to over 100 years,” Mayor Hayes says.
The growing Depot District is adjacent to Uptown. This small borough is transforming as former warehouses left vacant by the manufacturing downturn of the 1990s are being repurposed into breweries, arcade bars and event venues, such as the Breeden Insurance Amphitheater. The approved Railroad Street Market Project will bring apartments, high-end townhouses, a distillery and a food hall to this district over the next few years.
Lexington Barbecue has it's smoker filled and ready to serve.
You can enjoy a great meal with friends at Speedy's in Lexington, NC.
You can enjoy a brew and play your favorite arcade games in the Depot District in Lexington.
Lexington residents can learn a lot about the history of their town at the local museum.
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Whimsical pigs and the Bob Timberlake Gallery
From concerts at Midway Music Hall to musicals at Lexington Live Community Theater, Lexington’s arts scene is thriving. Colorful fiberglass pig statues painted by local artists dot the city as part of a public art initiative called “Pigs in the City.” An online map helps residents and tourists discover each one. Lexington is also home to Bob Timberlake’s art gallery and museum. Timberlake, who grew up in the city, is a decorated realist painter and furniture designer known for his watercolor depictions of life in North Carolina. His works have been featured in exhibits worldwide.
While not home to any major sports teams, Lexington is about 6 miles away from the Richard Childress Racing Museum, where visitors can explore the history of NASCAR drivers Richard Childress and Dale Earnhardt.
The pigs are dressed and ready for carols in downtown Lexington, NC.
You can find judicial pigs and many more in downtown Lexington, NC.
You can find several pigs throughout the downtown Lexington area.
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City green spaces and Boone’s Cave Park close by
Nearly 30 parks dot Lexington, from quiet neighborhood places for playdates and morning walks like Grimes Park to lively adventure-focused spots, such as Lexington Skate Park. According to the Trust For Public Land, half of the city’s residents can reach one of these green spaces on foot within 10 minutes. The city is a short drive to regional recreation destinations, including the 100-acre Boone’s Cave Park, offering wooded hiking trails and canoeing along the Yadkin River, and the Ridge Cycle Hub, featuring nearly 7 miles of mountain bike trails that pass by City Lake. High Rock Lake, the second-largest lake in the state, is less than 15 miles away.
You can enjoy hours of fun at the Lexington Skate Park in Uptown Lexington, NC.
The Davidson Co. Parks and Rec Center is a popular spot for pickleball enthusiasts.
High Rock Lake is a popular destination for residents of Lexington.
Lake and golf course in the Lexington Golf Club in Uptown Lexington, NC.
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Hundreds of new homes, century-old properties in Uptown Lexington
Lexington is experiencing a housing boom as developers eye available land. According to Mayor Hayes, roughly 800 new homes were built in the city in 2024, with another 450 approved by the city council. The median price for a home in Lexington is about $300,000.
Bungalows and cottages from the early 1900s and renovated condos dot Uptown Lexington. Farther out from the city center, Craftsman-inspired Modern Transitional homes rest in subdivisions like The Vineyards at Lexington. New construction is filling out new developments on the northern and southern ends of town, such as Dolcetto and Glenoaks Community.
Home construction is a big focus for the town as it grows. One project will transform the historic Dunbar High School, built in the 1950s as the town’s all-Black school before integration. “The city was approached by a developer out of Chapel Hill to revitalize the space into workforce housing with about 65 units,” says Mayor Hayes, who adds that the development will include recreation, art and meeting space. Construction is set to begin in 2025.
You can find Dutch Colonial Style homes in Uptown Lexington, NC.
You can find a selection of Bungalow style homes in Uptown Lexington, NC.
There are several Victorian style homes in Uptown Lexington, NC.
You can find a selection of A-Frame style homes in Uptown Lexington, NC.
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Davidson County Schools partners with Davidson-Davie Community College
Davidson County Schools serves all of Lexington and earns a B-plus overall rating from Niche. Nearly 18,000 students attend the district’s 36 schools, which includes the A-minus-rated Yadkin Valley Regional Career Academy in Lexington. The STEM-focused school offers dual enrollment with nearby Davidson-Davie Community College so students can earn college credits. It also provides the option to attend for a fifth year to complete an associate’s degree in applied science. Davidson County Schools does not offer school choice. However, students can apply through a lottery system to attend Yadkin Valley Regional Career Academy.
Lexington residents can send their children to Davidson-Davie Community College.
The mascot of Lexington High School is the Yellow Jackets.
The mascot of Lexington Middle School is the Yellow Jackets.
The entrance of South Lexington School radiates a warm and inviting atmosphere.
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Quick access to Interstate 85, the return of passenger rail
While Uptown is quite walkable, Lexington is a car-dependent community overall. Interstates 85 and 285 hug the city for commutes across the Piedmont Triad. High Point, Winston-Salem and Greensboro are about 18, 20 and 35 miles away, respectively. Davidson County Transportation System operates two bus routes in Lexington, stopping at destinations such as Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist, the city’s full-service hospital, and Davidson-Davie Community College. Piedmont Triad International is the closest airport, about 43 miles away.
By October 2027, the city will have a permanent train station in the Depot District for the first time since 1975, offering passenger service through Amtrak. Lexington received a $25 million grant for the project in 2020, with construction now underway. Historically, Amtrak has provided temporary service during the Lexington Barbecue Festival to help bring tens of thousands of festivalgoers into the city. The new permanent station will offer daily service to cities, including Charlotte, North Carolina and Richmond, Virginia.
Sustainability and the reality of hurricanes
Lexington’s redevelopment includes a focus on sustainability. The city recently welcomed the biogas company Divert, which converts food waste into renewable fuel. It also received $28 million from the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality to upgrade its wastewater treatment plant, making it more efficient.
Lexington experiences all four seasons. Humid and hot summers come with the potential of hurricanes and tropical storms, which can cause flooding and damaging winds. As a city with many creeks and small waterways, Lexington participates in the National Floodplain Insurance Program, meaning it has flood prevention and control ordinances.
Crime data specific to Lexington is not readily available.
Written By
DeeVa Payne
Photography Contributed By
Marc Smith
Video By
Brad Davis
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On average, homes in Lexington, NC sell after 67 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Lexington, NC over the last 12 months is $305,495, up 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Step inside this beautiful 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom manufactured home and be greeted by a spacious entryway leading to 9ft ceilings adorned with crown molding.This stunning farmhouse-style home, set on 1.43 acres, boasts charming details like shiplap accents and barn doors throughout. The kitchen is a highlight, featuring a huge island, stylish white and barnwood cabinetry, a farmhouse sink, and a
Up to $2500 for closing cost when using preferred lender! Welcome to this beautiful front porch sitting cul-de-sac living 3 bedroom, 2.5 bath home. Inside you'll find the primary and laundry on the main level. Primary bath has a stand alone shower and garden tub. Upstairs has 2 additional bedrooms, a bathroom, bonus room with access to 2 walk in attic spaces. Deck over looks backyard. The
The Jasmine is a 1.5 story home with 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms. The main level features an open floorplan, primary suite, and additional bedroom. Built-in drop zone and rail and spindle stair rails are details that set this home apart. An oversized patio provides the perfect outdoor space to relax. Two bedrooms and extra large bonus room upstairs. Great storage space and natural light!
This inviting brick split-level home sits on a roomy 1.58-acre lot in a well-established neighborhood. With 3 bedrooms and 2 fully renovated bathrooms, there’s plenty of space for family, guests, or a home office setup.You’ll love the formal living and dining rooms for get-togethers, plus a comfy den with built-in bookshelves and a gas log fireplace—perfect for relaxing nights in. The lower level
Step inside this beautiful 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom manufactured home and be greeted by a spacious entryway leading to 9ft ceilings adorned with crown molding.This stunning farmhouse-style home, set on 1.43 acres, boasts charming details like shiplap accents and barn doors throughout. The kitchen is a highlight, featuring a huge island, stylish white and barnwood cabinetry, a farmhouse sink, and a
Excellent opportunity for a tastefully upgraded nearly new home in North Davidson County. On one of the largest lots in Kyndall Run, this 2023/2024 build has had many upgrades including a stone fireplace in the living area, wainscot paneling in the foyer, shiplap in the dining area, larger island, extended driveway for extra parking, and extended closet in the primary bedroom. This home has
Located in a secluded neighborhood in Lexington, NC, Fairview Village offers one, two and three-bedroom apartment and townhomes guaranteed to meet your needs. Convenient to dining, shopping and I-85, our professional on-site management and maintenance staffs will be glad to welcome you to your new home!*Cable/Internet included in rent!!
This freshly updated 3-bedroom, 1-bath home is move-in ready and packed with recent upgrades. Enjoy a bright and clean living space featuring new flooring, modern fixtures, and a renovated kitchen and bathroom designed for comfort and convenience.With a functional layout and plenty of natural light, this home is perfect for families, roommates, or anyone looking for a clean, updated space in a
Step into the renovated townhouses and flats that dot Lexington's landscape, and discover a world of modern charm and comfort. With new appliances, including washer and dryer connections in every unit, effortlessly blends with freshly painted silver, blue, or grey walls. Plush carpeting, granite kitchen countertops in select units, and ample closet space create a sanctuary that feels both
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