Located in Clay County
Manchester is a city surrounded by nature, nestled in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains. "It offers a blend of outdoor adventure, rich history and genuine Appalachian hospitality. It’s a community that celebrates its heritage while looking toward the future with exciting new developments downtown and throughout the country," says Steve Collins, mayor of the City of Manchester.
Rawlings & Stinson Park includes a playground, exercise area and picnic pavilion on Goose Creek, a popular kayaking location. “Manchester is known as the ‘City of Swinging Bridges’ for its historic pedestrian bridges stretching across the creeks and rivers. It’s also recognized for its role in Kentucky history, from the Goose Creek Salt Works & Pioneer Village to Civil War landmarks and the unique Redbird River Petroglyphs,” Mayor Collins says, referencing the boulder in Rawlings & Stinson Park’s center. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Park has playground equipment and a basketball hoop nearby. Western Manchester features the Town Branch Splash Pad, open from Memorial Day weekend to the end of Labor Day weekend. Big Hickory Golf Course is a nine-hole public course in the area.
Burchell-Beech Creek Wildlife Management Area spans over 1,200 acres and has a 34-acre lake about 4 miles away. “Outdoor enthusiasts know [Manchester] as a trail town and gateway to some of Kentucky’s best hiking, ATV riding, paddling and fishing,” Mayor Collins says. Daniel Boone National Forest features 600 miles of trails and is about a 30-mile drive away. With proximity to many forested areas, the city has an elevated wildfire risk that increases toward the natural parks.
Not many homes go on the market in Manchester. Only two houses were sold from July 2024 to July 2025. The median sales price is roughly $130,000. Architectural styles in the area include bungalow, ranch-style and multi-story contemporary homes. Many homes are tucked into the slope of hilly terrain, some with properties spanning over an acre.
Pat’s Snack Bar serves American fare in a dining room on Town Branch Road, which intersects downtown Manchester’s Main Street. “Downtown Manchester is experiencing exciting revitalization, with local shops, markets and restaurants that highlight Appalachian flavors and craftsmanship,” Mayor Collins says. “Soon, Blackstone Distilling will add a new destination with a distillery, tasting room and restaurant, expected to draw visitors from across the region. We are also actively working on a new kayak and canoe launch that will allow paddlers to travel directly through downtown Manchester.”
Manchester Square shopping center on state Highway 687 is home to The Market, a regional grocery store, and Walmart. El Dorado Mexican Restaurant is also in the shopping center and is equipped to seat large parties at booths or tables. Clay County Farmers Market is adjacent to Manchester Square and occurs on Saturdays from May through October.
Clay County Public Schools offers school choice and serves Manchester. Paces Creek Elementary School is a kindergarten through sixth-grade school, and Clay County Middle School oversees grades seven and eight. Both earn B-minus grades from Niche. Clay County High School receives a C-plus and offers career and technical education courses such as computer science.
Advent Health Manchester is the local hospital. Hal Rogers Parkway connects the area to London, about 20 miles away, with national retailers and various restaurants. Lexington is over 100 miles away, and Blue Grass Airport is approximately a 105-mile drive. The airport has nonstop flights to 18 domestic destinations.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this area.
Debbie Williams
Sallie Davidson, Realtors
(606) 729-1638
123 Total Sales
11 in Manchester
$90K - $440K Price Range
Tommy Black
RE/MAX On Main, Inc
(606) 404-4888
192 Total Sales
1 in Manchester
$148,000 Price
Robin Jones
Keller Williams Legacy Group
(859) 376-5622
829 Total Sales
1 in Manchester
$135,000 Price
Donna White
Sallie Davidson, Realtors
(606) 731-1426
33 Total Sales
21 in Manchester
$23K - $522K Price Range
Connie Hunt
CENTURY 21 Advantage Realty
(606) 404-4880
61 Total Sales
1 in Manchester
$475,000 Price
Brett Franklin
EXP Realty, LLC
(859) 413-4077
36 Total Sales
1 in Manchester
$55,000 Price
On average, homes in Manchester, KY sell after 31 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Manchester, KY over the last 12 months is $129,000, up 8% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
$606 - $649 per month
Bike Score®
Walk Score®
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
