Aviation & Aerospace
The Carolina Core is a launchpad for careers in aviation & aerospace. Join one of over 200 aircraft manufacturing and avionics companies and put your career into full throttle.
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Healthcare & Life Sciences
With major employers like Atrium, Bethany Medical, Cone Health and Novant Health investing in the Core, there are ample jobs for medical professionals in North Carolina.
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Manufacturing & Engineering
We're not called the Home Furnishings Capital of the World without good reason. In the Carolina Core, tens of thousands are employed in everything from furniture manufacturing to battery and semiconductor engineering roles.
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Technology & Professional Services
From the 75+ professional services and tech companies doing business at Winston-Salem's Innovation Quarter to multinational financial institutions like Truist and Wells Fargo, the Carolina Core doesn't just provide jobs — it offers options.
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Transportation & Logistics
Home to two of the largest global delivery service providers and the world's biggest wholesale hot sauce distributor, the Carolina Core offers supply chain and logistics careers with upward potential.
Find Your Place
Your Communities
From the friendly porch culture of Paris, Kentucky to the unmatched hospitality of Midway, Greater LEX is filled with modern-day Southern charm. The region offers a cost of living 8% lower than the national average, with abundant communities allowing families the space to spread out while keeping Lexington's vibrant cultural core within reach. Plus, with world-class healthcare, thriving career opportunities and top-tier education at every level, Greater LEX is where life's best moments unfold.
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WilmoreOn the Steps of History
Historical | Community Focuses | OutdoorsKnown for its serene small-town charm and strong sense of community, Wilmore is home to both Asbury University and Asbury Theological Seminary, institutions that help shape its vibrant and diverse culture. Founded in 1876, the town has a rich history, with several sites proudly listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Visitors can enjoy the natural beauty of the Kentucky River and take in the scenic surroundings while exploring one of Wilmore’s many inviting parks.
Population 6,031 Extra something underneathMedian Home Value $306,925Average Commute Time 21.2 minutesAverage 1 Bed Apartment Rent $1,071 -
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MidwayWhere Everybody Knows Your Name
Small-Town | Quality Schools | VineyardsStep foot in a charming small town with a rich thoroughbred history, top-rated schools and some of Central Kentucky’s best dining. Midway's historic downtown offers unique boutique shopping and a true sense of community. Visit Equus Run Vineyards or take a peaceful walk across Walter Bradley Park's 28 acres of scenic trails. With a population just under 2,000, Midway is truly a place where everyone knows your name.
Population 1,755Median Home Value $311,465Average Commute Time to Work 22 MinutesAverage 1-Bed Apartment Rent $1,015 -
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VersaillesHome of Champions, Heart of the Bluegrass
Small-Town | Quality Schools | VineyardsVersailles, Kentucky, offers the perfect blend of small-town charm and scenic countryside, with dry-stacked limestone fences and rolling pastures creating a picture-perfect backdrop. Enjoy a highly walkable community with safe neighborhoods, top-rated schools, quality healthcare and a cost of living that makes life even sweeter. From lively theatrical performances to vibrant downtown events, Versailles is where community and culture thrive.
Population 10,491Median Home Value $324,868Average Commute Time to Work 24.7 MinutesAverage 1-Bed Apartment Rent $1,015 -
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GeorgetownKentucky's Horse Headquarters
Career Opportunity | Sports | OutdoorsAs Greater LEX’s closest city to Cincinnati, Georgetown offers seamless connectivity. The city is home to the first barrel-aged whiskey, Georgetown College’s nationally competitive athletic program, off-the-beaten-path adventures and the world’s only equine park and competition facility of its kind: Kentucky Horse Park. Toyota Motor Manufacturing has operated in Georgetown for 40+ years, offering abundant career opportunities as the company's largest facility worldwide.
Population 39,462Median Home Value $307,141Average Commute Time to Work 20.1 MinutesAverage 1-Bed Apartment Rent $880 -
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Mount SterlingWhere Whimsy Meets Wonderful
Art & Culture | Career Opportunity | Community EventsSay hello to small-town charm with growing opportunity, friendly communities and low traffic. Mount Sterling's revitalized, historic downtown is alive with artistic flair - from whimsical murals to theatrical performances and community events. And with over 30 manufacturers and strong schools partnering with regional colleges, the city is a great place to build both a career and a home.
Population 7,571Median Home Value $193,902Average Commute Time to Work 28.5 MinutesAverage 1-Bed Apartment Rent $857 -
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FrankfortThe Capital City
History | Nightlife | OutdoorsDistilling down everything that makes the Bluegrass State special — from its scenic beauty to its world-renowned bourbon - Frankfort is rich in history and culture. The city is home to the historically black Kentucky State University and offers a vibrant downtown with exciting nightlife. And with its short commute times, low cost of living and genuine value, Frankfort blends livability with true Kentucky charm.
Population 28,285Median Home Value $233,981Average Commute Time to Work 17.2 MinutesAverage 1-Bed Apartment Rent $948 -
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NicholasvilleSip and Savor
History | Vineyards | Community EventsKentucky's 10th largest city blends rich history with modern charm, and features a cost of living nearly 13% below the national average. Home to the first commercial winery in the U.S., Nicholasville is home to a thriving wine industry and hosts the annual Kentucky Wine & Vine Fest. The city's vibrant downtown features striking murals, historic sites and unique artisanal shops, while events like the annual Juneteenth Festival and Camp Nelson National Monument honor the fight for African American freedom.
Population 32,425Median Home Value $293,656Average Commute Time to Work 24.8 MinutesAverage 1-Bed Apartment Rent $1,242 -
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LexingtonThe Horse Capital of the World
Nightlife | Sports | Career OpportunityAs the hub of Greater LEX, Lexington blends thrilling nightlife, sports and a vibrant creative culture with the charm of rolling horse farms and legendary racetracks. Enjoy dozens of art galleries, iconic bourbon distilleries and the electrifying energy of UK Wildcat basketball in what has been dubbed as the "Athens of the West."
Population 320,154Median Home Value $309,021Average Commute Time to Work 20.8 MinutesAverage 1-Bed Apartment Rent $1,025 -
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WinchesterForts and Festivals
Community Events | Outdoors | CulinaryPioneering Kentucky favorites like Beer Cheese and Ale-8-One, Winchester is every bit as unique as you are. Celebrate community pride with festivals that highlight the city's rich heritage. Enjoy fresh, locally grown produce and a welcoming, one-of-a-kind shopping experience. Whether you're looking for quality K-12 schools or an affordable cost of living, Winchester has it all.
Population 19,254Median Home Value $242,575Average Commute Time to Work 24.9 MinutesAverage 1-Bed Apartment Rent $1,121 -
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ParisDown to Earth Ideals
Art & Culture | Small-Town | CulinaryExperience the charm of Paris, Kentucky, where historic downtown homes line "Kentucky’s longest and most beautiful Main Street." Stroll past quaint shops, enjoy delicious local dining and explore Claiborne Farm, one of the most iconic Thoroughbred breeding farms in Horse Country. With good schools, accessible healthcare and a welcoming small-town feel, Paris is a great place to call home.
Population 10,089Median Home Value $234,642Average Commute Time to Work 29 MinutesAverage 1-Bed Apartment Rent $1,122 -
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BereaKentucky's Folk Art Capital
Eclectic | Small-Town | OutdoorsCelebrated for its deep-rooted Appalachian heritage and thriving artisan community, Berea boasts eclectic small-town culture and growing career opportunities. Find quality schools from K-12 to post-secondary here while enjoying the natural beauty of some of the best hiking terrain in the Bluegrass.
Population 15,998Media Home Value $232,418Average Commute Time to Work 23.8 MinutesAverage 1-Bed Apartment Rent $769 -
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RichmondWhere Culture and Community Coalesce
Sports | Performing ArtsFind opportunity, affordability and family-friendly living in this thriving city of 37,000. Home to Eastern Kentucky University, Richmond offers top-ranked schools, high-quality healthcare and exciting entertainment, from legendary performances at EKU’s Center for the Arts to thrilling Colonels games at Baptist Health Arena. Enjoy local brews, Southern comfort food and a welcoming community that has something for everyone.
Population 37,206Median Home Value $280,101Average Commute Time to Work 22.3 MinutesAverage 1-Bed Apartment Rent $731
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