Versailles sits in Woodford County, west of Lexington along Versailles Road (US-60), and it’s one of the places buyers most often pair with Lexington when they start asking about horse country. The two are close enough to compare, but the lifestyle and the land are different.
Here’s how I break it down.
The Short Version
Lexington is the city: more neighbourhoods, more restaurants, more of everything. Versailles is a small town with a historic downtown, surrounded by the farmland and horse farms Central Kentucky is known for. If you want city convenience, start in Lexington. If you picture rolling fields outside your window, Versailles and Woodford County belong on your list.
| Versailles | Lexington-Fayette | |
|---|---|---|
| Population (2025 est.) | 10,734 | 329,751 |
| Growth since 2020 | about +4% | about +2% |
| Median household income | $62,368 | $69,479 |
| Owner-occupied homes | 59.9% | 53.8% |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 36.7% | 48.3% |
| Average commute to work | 24.5 min | 20.9 min |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts. Income and housing figures are 2020–2024 five-year estimates; population is the July 2025 estimate. Growth is calculated from the 2020 Census count.¹ ²
Size and Feel
Lexington has about 30 times as many people as Versailles. That gets you variety: the walkable, tree-lined streets of Chevy Chase, family neighbourhoods like Hartland and Masterson Station, and the revitalized Distillery District.
Versailles is the opposite. It’s a small town with local shops, cafés and historic architecture downtown, and the county around it is known for its horse farms and rolling countryside. Woodford Reserve Distillery is in the county, too.
Commute and Work
From downtown Versailles, it’s roughly a 15 to 20 minute drive into Lexington along Versailles Road, which many people consider one of the most scenic drives in Central Kentucky. The Census figure is a little higher: the average worker living in Versailles spends about 24.5 minutes getting to work, compared with 20.9 for Lexington-Fayette.¹ ² That includes everyone, whether they head to Lexington, Frankfort or somewhere else, so test the drive you’d actually make at the time of day you’d make it.
Schools
Versailles is served by Woodford County Public Schools, and Lexington by Fayette County Public Schools. School quality varies school by school, so I won’t tell you one is “better.” Look up the specific schools for any address on the Kentucky School Report Card, and tell me what matters to your family so we can narrow the search.
Home Prices
Based on Redfin data for August 2026:
- Lexington: median sale price of about $364,800, up 4.2% year over year. Homes took a median of 34 days to sell, and about 23% sold above list price.³
- Woodford County (which includes Versailles): median sale price of about $378,700, up 3.1%. Median days on market were 39, homes sold for about 99.2% of list price, and 43 homes sold in August, up from 28 a year ago.⁴
So Woodford County’s median runs about $14,000 higher than Lexington’s. Keep in mind that the county figure covers the whole county, including farms and larger properties, not just homes in town, and a median can move a lot when only a few dozen homes sell. In-town Versailles homes will be priced differently from a farm outside it. The best way to compare is to look at actual listings side by side.
Land and Zoning: Where Versailles Is Different
This is the part that surprises people. If you’re drawn to Woodford County for acreage, know that the county works hard to protect its farmland. Under the Versailles-Midway-Woodford County Zoning Ordinance, land in the A-1 Agricultural district has a 30-acre minimum lot area, with limited exceptions, like in-family conveyance lots that need a special permit.⁵
That applies to land zoned agricultural, not to a house in town. But it means you can’t assume you can carve a few acres off a farm or build anywhere you like. Always have the specific parcel’s zoning confirmed with the planning office before you make an offer. My guide to fencing, water and zoning walks through what to check, and How Much Land Does a Horse Actually Need? covers the other side of the question.
Lifestyle and Local Character
Lexington gives you year-round UK athletics, a strong dining and arts scene, bourbon culture and plenty of parks and trails. It’s the “Horse Capital of the World” for a reason.
Versailles is quieter and more rural. Think farmers markets, community events, historic downtown and scenic drives, with a lot of open land close to town. If you’re weighing the horse-country lifestyle, my Farm & Horse Property guide is a good place to start.
So Which One Is Right for You?
Lexington may be your fit if you want walkability, the widest choice of neighbourhoods and the most dining, shopping and entertainment close by.
Versailles may be your fit if you want a small-town feel and easy access to horse country, and you’re comfortable with a smaller market and, if you’re shopping for land, stricter zoning.
Not sure yet? That’s a great problem to have. If you’re also weighing the south side, my Nicholasville vs. Lexington comparison covers that one.
Frequently Asked Questions
How far is Versailles, KY from Lexington? Downtown Versailles is roughly a 15 to 20 minute drive from downtown Lexington along Versailles Road (US-60). The average commute for Versailles workers is about 24.5 minutes, versus 20.9 for Lexington-Fayette.
Is Versailles more expensive than Lexington? At the county level, slightly. Redfin’s August 2026 median sale price was about $378,700 for Woodford County and about $364,800 for Lexington, but the county figure includes farms and larger properties.
What is the minimum acreage to build in Woodford County, KY? In the A-1 Agricultural district, the minimum lot area is 30 acres, with limited exceptions. Zoning varies by parcel, so confirm with the planning office before buying.
Let’s Find Your Fit. Whether it’s Versailles, Lexington or somewhere in between, reach out and let’s talk through what matters most to you. You can also browse the Versailles and Lexington community pages.
Sources: ¹ U.S. Census Bureau, QuickFacts: Versailles city, KY ² U.S. Census Bureau, QuickFacts: Lexington-Fayette urban county, KY ³ Redfin, Lexington housing market ⁴ Redfin, Woodford County housing market ⁵ Versailles-Midway-Woodford County Zoning Ordinance, Article VII (Ord. 2026-02), §701
