The Highlands

History of The Highlands

The Highlands was not developed until just before the Civil War, making it one of the later parts of Louisville to see settlement. While several German and English family plantations existed, much of the large-scale development didn’t occur until the streetcar line arrived in the 1890s. The Highlands was pretty well set up by the 1930s and thrived until the sixties, when wealthy residents began moving to farther out suburbs. The business corridor and Mid-City Mall became desolate and neglected. Yet, a citizen boycott and community sentiment led to the vast improvement of the shopping center over the past few decades and old eye sores have since been replaced by modern fast food restaurants, drive-thru banks, antique shops, and public parks. By the nineties, the area was a hit for live music and the club scene. Today The Highlands is a completely gentrified, upscale neighborhood that is barely recognizable from its darker days.

Neighborhood Statistics: Will You Fit In Here?

Like most other places in Kentucky, The Highlands are ranked high for safety and walkability. Compared to other communities in the US, there is a higher percentage of people from Swiss (1.5 percent) and British (1.4 percent) descent, not to mention Germans (26.2 percent), Irish (17.2 percent) and Scots-Irish (3.6 percent). People here largely work in executive/managerial/professional positions, with a good chunk who also work in sales/service and clerical jobs. Average commutes range between 15 and 30 minutes. Fair rent in The Highlands is around $570, while median house prices are still fairly high for Kentucky at around $180,522. You can choose to liv in a working class part of town or reside on one of the most expensive streets in Louisville (like Spring Drive).

Attractions & Amenities: What To Do

The Highlands area is known for its surprisingly high density of nightclubs, unique shops, and upscale restaurants, dubbed “Restaurant Row.” The famous Barnstable Brown Kentucky Derby Party is held on Spring Drive. The “heart” of The Highlands is considered Bardstown Road and Bonnycastle, where landmark Tudor style buildings are reminiscent of the community’s German heritage. Schools are in the Jefferson County, which boasts better schools than 41.1 percent of Kentucky districts.

What People Are Saying About The Highlands

According to one resident from City-Data.com, “If you would have moved into the Highlands you would have thought you landed in a mini Portland, OR. Saying that The Highlands is liberal and/or diverse would be the understatement of the century. Every business is a coffee shop, micro-brew, locally owned shop, music store, etc.” This local resident went on to say that the youth culture of open-mindedness, tattoos, piercings, art-supporting, and bar-hopping is strong in The Highlands and Crescent Hill.