Pewee Valley
RANK #864 / 996 NAT · #17 / 19 KY · POP 67,997
1YR FORECAST: +0.7%
5YR OUTLOOK: +13%
Oldham County, Kentucky, distinguishes itself with La Grange, its county seat, where an active freight train runs directly down Main Street, sharing the roadway with pedestrians and vehicles. Located about 25 miles northeast of Louisville on I-71, the county offers a blend of quiet, residential living with access to urban amenities. Its landscape features rolling hills and horse farms, contributing to a scenic environment. Residents have access to numerous parks and nature preserves, such as Creasy Mahan Nature Preserve and Yew Dell Botanical Gardens, providing miles of trails for outdoor recreation.
Life in Oldham County often appeals to families, drawn by its highly-rated public school system. The community maintains a suburban feel with a focus on quality of life, including local restaurants and shopping. Commuting to Louisville is a common practice for many residents. The local economy is seeing growth, partly driven by investment in technology infrastructure, including data centers. While these developments bring economic activity, they have also prompted community discussions regarding their scale and impact.
Overvalued relative to economy
Below-average climate & terrain
Speculative pricing
Housing looks overvalued at 10.4x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Project Lincoln: OC Data Center
Western Hospitality Partners - Kentucky LLC
|
$6,000M | Proposed |
|
Oldham Reserve
Hollenbach-Oakley
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Oldham County Schools Capital Projects (various campus improvements, new high school site, athletic/site enhancements)
Oldham County Schools
|
$50M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Oldham County scores just 12/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #864 of 996 counties. Job growth at +3.1% and median household income of $117,334 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Housing in Oldham County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $357,500 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.33, with rents averaging $1,113/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Oldham County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +0.6% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +3.1% clip. Home values shifted +2.4% in the past year.
In significant numbers — 5.16% of Oldham County's current population relocated from another state, well above the national norm. That level of in-migration usually signals a county where jobs, affordability, or quality of life are pulling people in from elsewhere.