Raceland has suburban homes and countryside space
Raceland is a residential area 7 miles north of Ashland, Kentucky, on the Ohio River. Decades ago, it was named Raceland to honor a horse track that used to be in town. Today, there’s no track, just streets of 1970s tract homes. “It’s what we would call a suburb in this area. It has a lot of breathing room,” says Alison Christie, an agent with Ross Real Estate Services and a lifelong resident of the Ashland area who’s been selling here for almost 25 years. Compared to the area’s compact town centers, Raceland’s spread-out suburban setting provides much more green living space. “A lot of people who grow up here come back to settle down, which I think says a lot,” Christie says. “We have great roots.” Having a neighborly suburban setting and proximity to schools adds to Raceland’s draw. Plus, local industries are within a short drive, like the river port in Wurtland and a major medical center in Ashland.
Older 1970s ranch-style suburbs and a few options with acreage
Raceland has a sprawling layout of clustered suburban streets and lone drives, but the streetscape is consistent: 1970s ranch-style and 1980s bi-level homes on third-of-an-acre grassy lawns. Also, its residential lots are relatively level, which is a notable feature in the eastern Kentucky hill country. The median price for a single-family home is around $180,000, which is the going rate for three-bedroom ranch-style and bi-level homes. Below the median, smaller ranch-style homes and 1920s cottages built before the town was even named Raceland range from $50,000 to $150,000. Most larger homes, including some new contemporary Craftsman builds, cost between $220,000 and $400,000.
Raceland schools are all rated a B or better
The community is served by Raceland-Worthington Independent Schools, which receives a B-plus overall grade from Niche. Kids begin at Campbell Elementary, rated a B. When the school year ends, the district keeps kids engaged through its weeklong youth summer camp every June. Once they’ve outgrown Campbell, they continue to Raceland-Worthington Middle, given a B, and Raceland-Worthington High, graded a B-plus. All three schools share a campus off Raceland School Road, on the north side of U.S. Route 23.
Green space and a splash pad at Raceland City Park
Raceland City Park is a small recreation area on the north side of U.S. Route 23. It’s Raceland’s only outdoor community space, offering a small lawn with a playground and a covered picnic area for barbecues and birthdays. Kids can also use the splash pad to cool off on summer days. B.F. Crager Community Park is a larger space in Flatwoods, less than 3 miles south. Along with a much larger lawn and playground, Crager Park has a basketball court and multiple Little League fields.
More shopping and dining in Ashland
Raceland is completely residential, but residents can drive less than 3 miles south to Flatwoods for groceries. Most of what Flatwoods has to offer is on Argillite Road, like Pennington’s Food Fair, the local supermarket. Pennington’s plaza has eateries like Pappy’s Cookin’, and Walgreens is nearby. Heading southeast on U.S. Route 23 leads to Kroger and Lowe’s at the Russell Centre, and Ashland is 7 miles away. Ashland is the area’s main town center, with lots of local eateries and shops. Ashland Town Center is also the name of the mall in Ashland, which has retailers like Belk and Hot Topic.
Ohio River shipping and medical centers make up the local industry
The Ohio River isn’t as bustling a trade route as it once was, but it’s still part of the area’s local industry. The CSX Russell Yard borders Raceland to the north, and it’s a significant junction for the region’s coal bounty traveling along the river to the East Coast. There’s also a river port in Wurtland, Raceland’s western neighbor. Health care has become the other significant employer in the Ashland area. The University of Kentucky’s King’s Daughters Medical Center is in downtown Ashland, 7 miles southeast on U.S. Route 23. It’s one of eastern Kentucky’s most comprehensive hospitals.
Commute to Huntington, West Virginia, by train or car
Huntington, West Virginia, is the area’s largest city center. By car, it’s just over 20 miles southeast on U.S. routes 23 and 52. Drivers can also follow Interstate 64 over 70 miles east to Charleston, West Virginia’s capital. Amtrak’s Cardinal route stops in Ashland and offers a half-hour ride to Huntington and a 2-hour ride to Charleston. Charleston is home to West Virginia International Yeager Airport, the closest commercial airport. Finally, the nearest major city is Lexington, which is over 120 miles west on I-64.
