Midway's location and commitment to small town life draws residents
Life in Midway is slow-moving and laid-back, as this northern Davidson County town prioritizes staying small instead of expanding into a busy city. “Midway is a pretty neat little area,” says Michele Sawyer, a Realtor and licensed broker with Village Realty. She’s helped clients move across the country and find their home in Midway. “It’s in Davidson County; it’s quiet, and the taxes are really low. It’s a welcoming community.” Residents can live close together in quiet subdivisions or more spread out on larger lots.
Living a quiet life has been the goal of Midway since it was incorporated in 2006. Citizens formed an interim council to officially turn Midway into a town, protecting it from being annexed by growing Winston-Salem. The name “Midway” is literal, as the town is about halfway between Winston-Salem in the north and Lexington in the south. The area has only grown once, expanding from 8 to 9 square miles after citizens requested to be annexed into Midway. While growth isn’t a priority, Midway has a large park for the community to explore and jobs a short commute away.
Older ranch-style homes with new builds close by
Midway is determined to stay small, which means new construction is rare. “You’re finding a mix of homes and home values as you go through Midway,” Sawyer says. “There are definitely some custom builds on larger pieces of land. You’ll find little pockets, but not huge track neighborhoods. It’s smaller, more custom homes that are not cookie-cutter, and that’s what people want in that area.” Most homes were built between the 1960s and early 2000s, though a few in areas like Shoaf Acres were built as recently as 2025. Prices can range from $250,000 to almost $450,000 for New Traditional, ranch-style and colonial-inspired homes. Ranch-style homes that need renovations can sell for around $80,000 to $250,000. Most properties have about a half-acre, but some spread out to an acre. Neighbors are usually within walking distance of each other, as there’s enough yard space to create breathing room between homes.
Davidson County Schools area a major draw for Midway
Some residents move to Midway to stay close to Winston-Salem but have a home zoned for the Davidson County Schools district, which earns a B from Niche. The B-rated Midway Elementary School has been a community landmark since it was built in 1926. The school originally offered first through 11th grade, but due to larger class sizes and district changes, today’s students attend kindergarten through fifth grade. Oak Grove Middle School is across the street from Oak Grove High School, both earning B-plus ratings. Oak Grove High is known for its athletics, and the baseball team has won five consecutive state championships.
Midway is convenient for Winston-Salem and Lexington commuters
Anyone who commutes to Winston-Salem has a less than 15-mile drive up Interstate 285; Lexington is about the same distance away. “Midway is convenient to everything,” Sawyer says. “My clients were shocked. We were at Walmart and a Lowe’s in 12 minutes. They can go south to Lexington in a hop, skip and a jump. They love it.” The public school district is the county's leading employer, but manufacturing jobs at Atrium Windows & Doors are a close second. The plant is 3 miles from Midway, and Lexington has more industry and manufacturing jobs. Winston-Salem has the Atrium Health Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, while the Lexington Medical Center is off I-285. The Piedmont Triad International Airport is about 30 miles away in Greensboro, or a roughly 30-minute drive.
Midtown Town Park has plenty of space for taking a walk or relaxing
Midway Town Park already spans 16 acres, and the town plans to expand the public space into the surrounding 20 acres of undeveloped land. “You go to the town park, and it’s gorgeous,” Sawyer says. “It’s surrounded by a family tree farm that has been there since the ‘60s. That whole park is beautiful. It’s a great community area.” Visitors can explore the large playground or eat at picnic tables under the pavilion. The paved walking trail weaves across a wide-open lawn where dog owners can run with their leashed pups. Members visit the Midway Swim & Racquet Club to use the outdoor pool or paved courts.
Midway Music Hall and Event Center charges an entry fee instead of a membership to see live bands on Friday and Saturday nights. Acts can range from DJs to country rock bands. Midway Methodist Church is one of the places of worship in town, and anyone can visit for the Ignite the Light car show and community day held every September.
Midway Town Center has coffee, burgers and clothing
Dollar General is one of the few retail chains in town, while other businesses are locally owned. Anyone who needs to shop for groceries goes to the Food Lion in Welcome or the Lowes Foods off Peters Creek Parkway. Midway General Store has been in Midway since 1936 and continues to sell hardware, animal feed and flowers. The main shopping plaza is the Midway Town Center, which has the only coffee shop in town: Grind Daily Coffee Shop. Thunder Road Bar and Grill opens for lunch, dinner and happy hour, selling burgers and wings alongside beers and sodas. Madison Jules Boutique is also in the center, a popular women’s clothing store, while Doolations is in the northern part of town, selling clothes and coffee.
