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.
Pig statues painted by local artists dot the city as part of a public art initiative called “Pigs in the City.”
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 52 days on the market compared to the national average of 58 days. The median sale price for homes in Lexington, NC over the last 12 months is $285,990, down 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to 240 Waylon Court in Lexington, NC, featuring the popular Jasmine floor plan. This thoughtfully designed home offers a main-level primary suite, along with an additional main-level bedroom and full bath, ideal for guests or flexible living. Upstairs includes three additional bedrooms and a full bathroom, providing ample space for everyone. Enjoy outdoor living on the covered patio,
Welcome to Linwood Estates, conveniently located just 1 mile from I-85 for quick access to Kannapolis, Salisbury, Winston-Salem and surrounding areas. Only 7 minutes from Downtown Lexington, residents enjoy close proximity to shopping, dining, grocery stores, healthcare facilities, and everyday essentials. Outdoor recreation at High Rock Lake, Finch Park, and local golf courses adds to the appeal
Welcome to Linwood Estates, a thoughtfully planned community in Lexington located just 1 mile from I-85, providing convenient access to Kannapolis, Salisbury, Winston-Salem, and surrounding areas. Only 7 minutes from Downtown Lexington, residents enjoy proximity to shopping, dining, healthcare, Walmart, Lowe’s, and everyday essentials. Outdoor recreation is easily accessible with High Rock Lake,
Motivated seller! Renovated down to the studs, this totally reinvented home boasts new flooring, fresh paint, new bathroom fixtures, new Kitchen, new windows, lots of natural light, new roof and new Heat pump! Upon entry is a cozy room good for office, gaming or a private sitting area just for you! Enter into the next room to an open concept area suitable for dining or living room/kitchen. This
Builder says, " Bring your requests. I will consider all." Main level primary ensuite and secondary bedrooms with bonus upstairs. Covered back porch and grilling patio. No steps into house from garage. Great big flat (approx 1 acre) lot! Concrete parking/turn around pad. Sought after Davidson county schools! NO HOA or restrictions regarding parking those big outdoor toys or having that detached
You looking for THAT Million Dollar VIEW on High Rock Lake on Abbotts creek section? Here it is 2 Bedroom 2 Bath Cottage with gas logs. Beautiful view, Comes completely furnished. What you see in the home stays. Water front with boat ramp & pier. Deck with retractable awning, fire pit to set the mood for those nights with friends.
Wake up to breathtaking waterfront views in this beautifully updated 3-bed, 2-bath lakefront retreat. Designed for relaxation & entertaining, the home features cathedral ceilings, open-concept layout, & wall of windows filling the space with natural light while showcasing the lake from nearly every angle. Set on .87 acres, the outdoor space offers a level beach area, private dock, & expansive
Great Home for the money and negotiable! Awesome floor plan. New kitchen appliances with acceptable offer. This inviting, clean, spacious brick home located in a lovely neighborhood is convenient to many local amenities. It sits on a nice large lot and backs up to a rustic wooded setting creating a natural privacy buffer. Upon entry is the living room space with several large windows offering
Escape to the peace of country living in this beautifully updated 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom brick home. Modern upgrades seamlessly blend style and comfort across a spacious layout. The stunning kitchen features premium quartz countertops and sleek stainless steel appliances. Durable, contemporary luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring flows throughout the entire home. Both bathrooms boast fresh, modern
Discover this 1913 gem tucked at the end of a quiet dead-end street-just minutes from highways, shopping, and restaurants! This 2-bed, 1-bath beauty includes two bonus rooms upstairs, giving you a potential 4-1 layout perfect for guests, an office, or hobbies. Updates include HVAC(2025). A perfect blend of historic character and modern convenience-ready for you to make it your own!
This country estate sits on over 17 acres in Davidson County. At more than 5500 sq/ft., this move in ready home offers an abundance of space with unlimited possibilities to make it your own. The interior boasts a large, main level primary suite as well as a large laundry room. The kitchen showcases an extra large refrigerator with top shelf appliances. Upstairs you’ll find 2 bedrooms and a loft
This recently updated home offers surprising space and comfort. Originally a singlewide, it has been enhanced with thoughtful additions and features an internally accessed deck, perfect for relaxing or entertaining year-round. Conveniently situated in a central location, this property combines affordability with functionality- ideal as a primary home or investment opportunity.
Step into a timeless, stunning Colonial Revival home that blends historic charm with modern comfort, showcasing classic brick, beautiful dormer windows, and exceptional curb appeal.Inside, you'll find spacious living areas filled with natural light, original character, and thoughtful updates throughout. The home features generously sized bedrooms, inviting gathering spaces, and architectural
Enjoy breathtaking lake views from multiple vantage points throughout this stunning custom-built home in Tarawood. The welcoming entryway features rich wood floors and opens into a spacious living area with soaring cathedral ceilings finished in beautiful pickled wood. A cozy gas-log fireplace enhances the warm, inviting ambiance. The Gourmet kitchen is a chef's dream, boasting granite
Great opportunity to build here or possibly rehab burned home. Burned home on property of no value, please do not enter. Also, nice Detached Garage & storage shed on property. 3 parcels see agent only. Tons of road frontage and new development nearby.
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!!
Welcome home to Lexington Park Apartments in Lexington, NC. Our community offers spacious, freshly updated apartments featuring modern finishes, upgraded flooring, and refreshed kitchens designed for everyday comfort.Step outside and enjoy beautifully maintained green spaces, perfect for relaxing, walking your pets, or spending time outdoors. With plenty of open areas and a peaceful
NORTH POINT APARTMENTS:Discover Lexington's best-kept secret! North Point Apartments in Lexington, NC. Newly remodeled. Tucked away in a peaceful neighborhood setting-North Point offers beautiful and exceptional quality at an affordable price. HALLMARK APARTMENTS: Newly remodeled - Hallmark Townhouse Apartments are located close to interstate 85 with easy access to
Luxury Living in the Heart of Lexington Welcome to The Colony on 3rd: a beautifully renovated gated community offering modern 2-bedroom, 1-bath luxury apartments just minutes from historic Uptown Lexington. Enjoy walking-distance access to Main Street dining, shopping, and a fantastic YMCA, with membership INCLUDED in your rent! Each thoughtfully designed apartment features: -Porcelain tile
Welcome to The Reserve at Regents Center – a higher quality of living, because there’s no place like home. Located in the heart of Lexington, our luxury apartment community offers a unique living experience that combines comfort, style, and convenience.Choose from our thoughtfully designed 1, 2, and 3-bedroom floor plans, each crafted to provide spacious layouts, modern finishes, and a homey
Located in a secluded neighborhood in Lexington, NC, Lexington Station offers one, two, and three-bedroom apartments guaranteed to meet your needs. In addition to the fabulous features in our apartment homes, Lexington Station offers an impressive list of community amenities including a swimming pool, gas grilling patio, 24/7 fitness center, 24/7 laundry facility, and much more! As we are
Discover your new home at Grimes School Apartments, ideally located next to Grimes Park and less than half a mile from downtown Lexington. This community combines historic charm with modern comfort in a peaceful setting.Our newly renovated one-bedroom, studio, and two-bedroom apartments feature:- 9-foot and 13-foot ceilings- Oversized 6-foot windows that fill your home with
High Rock Lake Retreat: The Ultimate NC Mid-Term RentalWelcome to your serene escape at **395 Lake Dr, Lexington, NC**, a delightful residence perfectly designed for groups, families, **traveling nurses**, and **digital nomads** seeking a balance of productive living and recreational freedom.Tranquil Lakeside Living & Property FeaturesNestled in a quiet community near
Welcome to your dream home! Step inside this pet-friendly home featuring modern finishings and a layout designed with functionality in mind. Enjoy the storage space found in the kitchen and closets as well as the spacious living areas and natural light throughout. Enjoy outdoor living in your yard, perfect for gathering, relaxing, or gardening!Take advantage of the incredible location,
Property Id: 1498359Welcome to this well-maintained second-floor 1-bedroom, 1-bath apartment nestled in a quiet and friendly 6-unit complex. This inviting unit offers modern stainless steel appliances, comfortable living space, and convenient onsite parking. Ideally located just minutes from Downtown Lexington, you’ll enjoy easy access to local parks, shopping, dining, and all the charm
Beautiful, pet-friendly home coming soon! Apply now, Move-In is available on or after the listed date. Upon approval, $500 reservation deposit to reserve (applied to security deposit and/or refundable). Application fee: $50 per adult. Security Deposit: one month?s rent. Pet fees: $250 + $40/mo per pet. Some homes may include pool ($150/mo), septic ($15/mo), and/or HOA fees; other fees may apply.
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