These 2 Kentucky cities are among America’s ‘most envied suburbs,’ analysis says
U.S. Census Bureau data shows Kentuckians have been lured away to neighboring states in recent years. Still, when it comes to those who choose to make their home in the Bluegrass State and live in its suburbs, there are two in particular that can’t be beat.
That’s according to Moving Feedback, which recently included two Kentucky locations in its list of the 175 “most envied” suburbs in the nation.
To put together its list, the company, which offers relocation services, surveyed 3,000 U.S. adults for their preferences.
Here’s a look at the two Kentucky suburbs that made the list. They number among the richest enclaves in the state and are where many homes sell for upward of $500,000 or more.
Indian Hills, Kentucky
Taking the No. 57 spot on the list is Indian Hills, a Louisville suburb with a small population of about 2,800 people, U.S. Census figures show.
Located on Louisville’s northeast side, Indian Hills is only about a 15-minute drive from downtown. Its population is more than 90% white (non-Hispanic), followed by 5.71% Asian. Hispanic people and Black people make up about 0.7% and 0.5% of the residents, respectively, according to U.S. Census figures.
Tending toward an older population, the median age in Indian Hills is 51, and the median household income is $158,958, both as of 2020. The median property value hit $581,200 that year, and almost all residents owned their home.
The three houses currently for sale in Indian Hills listed on popular housing site Zillow range from $899,900 to $1.3 million.
On Moving Feedback’s list, Indian Hills ranked just below Boca Raton, Fla., and just above Johns Creek, Ga., an Atlanta suburb where celebrities Jeff Foxworthy, Usher and R. Kelly reportedly have homes.
Indian Hills takes its name from the large farm owned by Irish immigrant John Veech, a prominent horse breeder and “Indian fighter” of the late 18th century, according to the town’s website.
Prospect, Kentucky
The city of Prospect ranked 49th on the list America’s “most envied” suburbs, ranking just below Potomac, Md., and above the Phoenix suburb of Cave Creek, Ariz.
Located about 12 miles from downtown Louisville, Prospect is home to about 4,500 residents, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.
As of 2020, more than 87% of its residents were white (non-Hispanic) and 7.8% were Asian. Black residents make up 2.86% of the overall population in Prospect, while Hispanics make up 1.45%, according to U.S. Census figures.
The median age in Prospect is 55, with the median annual household income totaling $152,973. The median property value there was $391,000 in 2020, and the homeownership rate was 95%. Homes listed for sale on Zillow in Prospect range from $375,000 on the low end to $3.5 million.
Mainly a small farming community, Prospect’s population didn’t begin to grow until the early 20th century, when a rail line connected it to Louisville. Prospect’s more modern incarnation as a suburb of Louisville began after the mid-1960s.
According to the city’s website, “Individuals who first pioneered this area were genuinely concerned over being able to control the type of urban sprawl that had been witnessed since the mid-1960s. They wanted an area that continued to maintain the natural beauty that surrounded them and restrict over-commercialization.”
Which suburbs are the most envied in the US?
According to Moving Feedback, the top 10 suburbs in the U.S. envied for their lifestyle are:
Calabasas, Calif.
Ponte Vedra Beach, Fla.
Huntington Bay, N.Y.
Forest Acres, S.C.
Sugar Land, Texas
Alpharetta, Ga.
Alamo Heights, Texas
Mercer Island, Wash.
McLean, Va.
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