Is Ellerslie safe?
Lexington, Kentucky · safety score updated nightly
Yes — it is one of the safer places in the metro to walk around.
VibeLoco rates Ellerslie as “Go”.
Gogo's take on Ellerslie
“Go. Ellerslie is an exceptionally safe, affluent residential neighborhood on the southeastern edge of Lexington. Visitors will find peaceful suburban streets and convenient access to adjacent parks and rural horse country, with virtually no safety concerns.”
About the area
Ellerslie is a quiet, upscale master-planned residential community characterized by manicured lawns, spacious single-family homes, and tree-lined streets. Positioned near the Richmond Road corridor and Jacobson Park, it offers a tranquil retreat from the city center.
- Affluent Suburban
- Family-Friendly
- Peaceful & Green
- Car-Dependent
Walking and biking in Ellerslie
Walk score: 18/100 · Bike score: 28/100
There is no municipal bike-share system in the area, but the quiet neighborhood streets provide easy cycling access to nearby multi-use paths at Jacobson Park.
Reasons to go, and reasons to think twice
Pros
- Exceptionally low rates of both violent and property crime relative to state and national benchmarks
- High median household income well above $100,000 and homeownership rates exceeding 85%
- Well-lit, clean, and meticulously maintained residential infrastructure
Cons
- Almost completely car-dependent with no retail or dining located directly within the residential tract
- Minimal pedestrian connections across high-speed arterial roads like Richmond Road
- Virtually no immediate public transit access
Homelessness: Visible homelessness is not a notable presence in Ellerslie, as the area is strictly residential and situated far from urban shelters and service centers.
What Ellerslie is like at each time of day
- Morning · 5a – 11a
- Very calm and safe, with early morning joggers and dog walkers navigating quiet residential streets.
- Afternoon · 11a – 5p
- Pleasant and quiet, with minimal vehicle traffic and safe conditions for pedestrians.
- Evening · 5p – 10p
- Quiet residential winding down with low traffic and high perceived safety throughout the neighborhood.
- Late night · 10p – 5a
- Extremely peaceful and dark with minimal activity, presenting negligible crime risk to visitors.
Transit, parking and getting around
Lextran provides public transit across Lexington, but fixed-route buses do not penetrate the interior of the subdivision; the nearest bus connection is Route 10 along Richmond Road.
Parking is exceptionally easy, consisting of ample private driveways and unrestricted, free residential street parking.
Things to do in Ellerslie
- Take a quiet morning walk or run along the neighborhood's paved residential loops
- Rent a pedal boat, visit the dog park, or walk the lake trails at neighboring Jacobson Park
- Book a tee time at the adjacent Lakeside Golf Course along Richmond Road
Local favorites
- Papi's Mexican Restaurant & Bar · Mexican Restaurant · 4.4★ (750)Lively nearby spot serving authentic Mexican dishes, street tacos, and margaritas with patio seating.
- Proud Mary BBQ · Barbecue Restaurant · 4.3★ (1150)Rustic riverside BBQ destination offering Southern comfort sides, smoked meats, and live music nearby.
- Talon Winery & Vineyards · Winery · 4.6★ (620)Scenic farm winery offering tastings, vineyard views, and live weekend entertainment just a short drive away.
Scores are safety-driven — recent reported crime and local news plus Census income, poverty, housing, education, household and access data — refreshed nightly. Walk and bike scores are shown separately and do not affect the safety score. A guide, not a guarantee — conditions change street to street.