Paintsville is a mostly rural community in Eastern Kentucky
The small town of Paintsville offers seclusion and natural beauty in Eastern Kentucky. While locals have access to retailers like Walmart and other essentials within town limits, the surrounding region is densely forested with winding roads and opportunities for multiacre farm properties. “Most people are coming to the area in search of a simpler lifestyle,” says Daffiny Trimble, a Paintsville resident and Realtor with Re/Max Legacy Group. “People are going back to their roots, growing their own food, canning or homesteading. It’s bringing a lot of people from out of state who are retiring or wanting to work from home.” Nature enthusiasts also have access to the nearby Paintsville Lake State Park, home to all sorts of waterfront recreation, and the Dawkins Line Rail Trail.
Smaller cottages in the town center, with larger farms farther out
Homes in Paintsville include Craftsman-inspired cottages and farmhouses, along with Cape Cods and ranch-style homes. Most properties were built between 1950 and 1980. Those in the center of town tend to be close-set with views of the surrounding forested hillside, while properties farther out in the countryside offer multiacre parcels with space for small hobby farms. Prices range from $50,000 to $475,000, often depending on size and condition. There is severe a flood risk in low-lying areas, especially along rivers and creeks, and some mortgage lenders may require flood insurance. Densely forested areas on the town’s outskirts have higher risk of wildfires, which may raise insurance rates for some. The Paintsville Fire Department serves the community.
Local parks, lakefront recreation and multiuse trails
Paintsville Recreation Center is a hub for outdoor recreation, with ball fields, a playground and a nearby dog park. Escom Chandler Park has playgrounds and tennis courts. Paintsville Lake State Park, about 5 miles west of town, spans over 1,000 acres with lots of space for boating and fishing on the lakeshore. The park also has three hiking and biking trails and several campsites. North of the state park, Paintsville Lake Wildlife Management Area is popular for deer hunting. The multiuse Dawkins Line Rail Trail starts just south of Paintsville and runs over 35 miles to Magoffin County. “It’s got blacktop for the bikers and goes through several counties,” Trimble says. “ATV riding is huge too. People like to buy a big farm where they can ride their ATVs.”
Two school districts serve area students
Students within Paintsville town limits attend Paintsville Independent School District, which earns a B-minus from Niche. Paintsville Elementary and Paintsville High both earn a B-minus rating as well, the latter serving seventh through 12th grade with varsity sports programs in football, basketball and soccer. All surrounding areas are zoned for the B-plus-rated Johnson County Schools. The district has five elementary schools, followed by Johnson County Middle and Johnson Central High, which both score a B-plus.
Lots of local restaurants and chain retailers along the highway
Businesses are located along major roads, including Broadway Street and state Route 40. Taste of Amish is a popular deli that also sells fresh-baked goods and other Amish products. Tres Hermanos Nunez, a small regional chain, is one of a few Mexican eateries in the area. Shopping plazas along the highway are anchored by chain grocers and major retailers like Food City, Walmart and Lowe’s. Locals can also shop for groceries at the Johnson County Farmers Market, which opens twice a week from June to the end of October.
Annual Kentucky Apple Festival held in October
Every October, Paintsville hosts the Kentucky Apple Festival, a three-day celebration with many food vendors and a parade down Broadway Street. A community tradition for over 60 years, the festival crowns a new Miss Apple Blossom and a Junior Miss Apple Blossom every year.
Located on U.S. Route 23
Prestonsburg is less than 15 miles away on U.S. Route 23, Ashland is about 60 miles away and Lexington is about 120 miles away. Paintsville Appalachian Regional Healthcare serves the community, and Huntington Tri-State Airport is about 55 miles away.
