Unincorporated community less than 15 miles south of St. Louis
Affton is an area that blends rustic and urban. This is an unincorporated community with the footprint of a city — where homes come with sizable lawns shaded by an assortment of mature trees, but also where residents can quickly hop on the highway and reach the center of St. Louis in about 20 minutes. Home to about 20,400 people, Affton still has relatively accessible home prices, and there’s a variety of recreation opportunities in the area. “I think what I like about Affton is that it’s an established community,” says Hayley Tomazic, a Realtor with Keller Williams Realty St. Louis and a St. Louis native. “It’s been very stable for a long time, and has some neat draws to it, including Tower Tee, which is a landmark golf driving range and par-3 course, with batting cages; 9 Mile Garden, which is a food truck park; and Grant’s Farm.
Forman Manor offers modern homes
Most of the area’s housing consists of midcentury bungalows that are priced between the $115,000 to $425,000. Forman Manor and the Arbors of Stonegate have some the newest constructed properties going for $375,000 to $440,000. Listings sell after an average of 22 days on the market, much quicker than the national average of 45 — partly because of the relatively affordable pricing in this community. Affton’s median list price of $230,000 is less than neighboring Crestwood and Sappington as well as the national median, which is in the low $400,000s.
St. Louis region has more than a million jobs
The St. Louis region has a civilian workforce of more than 1.5 million, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Affton’s location in the metro area places residents relatively close to many of the region’s jobs. The community is within about a 20-mile drive from headquarters for each of the region’s seven Fortune 500 companies, including investment firm Edward Jones.
Affton schools are trying to lead the way in STEM instruction
The Affton School District gets a B grade on Niche. In 2024, the district was recognized as a Project Lead The Way Distinguished District for a sixth consecutive year. Project Lead The Way is a nonprofit offering a STEM-related curriculum. Courses at Affton High part of the project include biomedical sciences, engineering and robotics. The A-rated Lindbergh Schools system, A-minus-rated Bayless School District and B-plus-rated Mehlville School District serve areas not covered by the Affton district.
Grant’s Farm is practically next door
Less than 3 miles away, Grant’s Farm is a notable St. Louis attraction. Owned by the Busch family since the early 1900s it offers tours of the property’s mansion, more than 900 animals, a petting zoo and is the home of the Budweiser Clydesdales. “It’s a very unique, iconic St. Louis landmark,” Tomazic says. Mathilda-Welmering Park and Ohlendorf Park offer playgrounds and athletic fields. The Affton Community Center provides indoor recreation with a gymnasium, fitness center and walking track. The community center is available for fee, but it offers free memberships for eligible seniors and free walking from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. Monday through Friday. Tower Tee Golf & Recreation is on the edge of Affton by the Village of Marlborough . The sports facility has a par 3 golf course, driving range and bocce ball courts.
The weather in the region can vary quite a bit. "We get all four season and get them at all the extremes," Tomazik says. Missouri has averaged 55 tornadoes a year since 2010, according to stats compiled by the Springfield News-Leader. St. Louis County, which Affton is part of, tests its tornado siren on the first Monday of every month.
Locals can gravitate to Gravois Road for dining and more
Gravois Road is packed with a mix of local and chain restaurants, local businesses and big-box stores. Among them is 9 Mile Garden, an entertainment hub home to a collection of food trucks and a beer garden. The space hosts events, too, including trivia and concerts at least once a week. Affton Days Parade proceeds down Gravois Road as well. The event is held on the third Saturday in September, and each year has a unique theme.
Sandwiched between Interstates 44 and 55
Affton is between Interstates 44 and 55, both of which connect to St. Louis in less than 15 miles. St. Louis Lambert International Airport is about 16 miles north via Interstate 170. Gravois Road heads the 5 miles to the nearly 460-bed Mercy Hospital South.
Crime
The St. Louis County Police Department serves the community. While Affton-specific data isn’t available, the department's 2023 annual report shows an overall 11% drop in property crimes and a minor drop in crimes against persons from 2022 to 2023.
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