Campus quads, brick libraries and lecture halls represent the heart of Columbia, Missouri’s fourth most populous city. Founded in the mid-1800s near the Missouri River, the University of Missouri—or Mizzou, for short—has grown into the state’s largest research institution. Today, approximately 30,000 students call Mizzou home. “We’re often thought of as a ‘College Town,’ but we’re more than that,” says a representative from the city’s Convention and Visitors Bureau. Thanks to non-profits like REDI—the Regional Economic Development INC—Boone County has seen an influx of new businesses in The Arcade District, and families have flocked to outlying subdivisions for their quiet cul-de-sacs, proximity to nature preserves and access to Interstate 70, which connects Columbia to larger cities like St. Louis. “One thing you should know about Columbia,” adds the bureau’s representative, “is that it’s got the hospitality and feel of a small town, but it has those bigger city amenities. Our slogan is ‘What You Unexpect.’ People come here, and they say, ‘whoa,’ I didn’t think I’d find this in Columbia.”
Mizzou students can walk or bike to school from East Campus.
The Missouri River is an important economic and recreational resource for the regions it flows through, including Chesterfield and Columbia.
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Major employers, Go COMO public transit and crime data
Although MU and its affiliated hospital are by far the city’s largest employers in the city, it’s also common for residents to work for the Columbia Public School District, Veterans United Home Loans or the local government. There are six bus routes throughout the city—part of the Go COMO public transit system—and special routes are offered on Mizzou game days when the Tigers play at Faurot Field. The stadium has the capacity to seat more than 60,000 fans, which means residents can anticipate football season traffic. University students also have access to The Tiger Line, a free downtown shuttle service, and it’s common to see electric scooters zipping up and down 9th Street. Traveling athletic teams fly into the Columbia Regional Airport, which is approximately 12 miles from the city’s downtown via U.S. Route 63. Domestic destinations include Dallas/Fort Worth and Chicago O’Hare. According to Travis Kempf of Weichert, Realtors, one of Columbia’s most attractive characteristics is its comparatively small size. “You can drive across the whole town of Columbia in 20 minutes,” he says.
Although crime rates in Columbia are around 33% higher than national averages, the Boone County Sheriff’s Office reports that violent crime, specifically, has been on the decline in recent years. It dropped by more than 30% between 2022 and 2023, with most incidents concentrated in the central part of the city.
Boarded by two hospitals, Benton-Stephens is home to many local healthcare workers.
Downtown Columbia is 20-minute ride from Mexico Gravel on Go COMO’s Blue Route.
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Over 300 programs at Mizzou, the Columbia School District and adult education
The University of Missouri has more than 300 programs to choose from and has long been at the forefront of fields like nuclear medicine and journalism. Columbia residents can attend lecture series on everything from ancient architecture to American politics in Jesse Hall, buy tickets to watch student performances at the Rhynsburger Theatre or cheer on NCAA Division I athletic teams; the Tigers have historically performed well in football and are currently ranked 24th best in the nation according to CBS statistics.
Columbia’s public school district, home to approximately 19,000 students and 36 schools, has an overall A-minus Niche grade. The Columbia Area Career Center and the Daniel Boone Regional Library offer adult education opportunities.
Residents of Green Meadows frequently attend the always exciting Mizzou Tigers games.
Take a walk through the University of Missouri campus near Meadowvale.
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Decade-spanning architecture and lower-than-average housing prices
“Columbia’s a little bit recession-proof because we have major hospitals in town and the Univeristy,” says Kempf. “That keeps us going.” Single-family homes in Columbia span architectural styles and decades, from pre-World War II Bungalows and Tudor-style housing in neighborhoods like Douglas Park to vinyl-sided New Traditionals in the Bellwood Subdivision. Investment properties, often century-old cottages close to the city’s downtown, are sometimes listed under $100,000, but median sale prices hover around $315,000. Although housing costs are rising steadily in Columbia—they increased by about 5% between 2023 and 2024—they’re still significantly lower than the national average of $420,000, per recent data from the Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. “The inventory is still very low. Prices have gone up astronomically in the last few years since COVID,” says Realtor Adam Rau, who adds that some of the city’s most popular neighborhoods are Legacy Farms and Thornbrook, both in the Southwest corner of the city. “Really everything on the South Side is really doing well,” he says.
Homes in Benton-Stephens often have large front porches to enjoy the sunset.
There are several Tudor styled homes in Old Southwest as well.
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75 public parks, large and small
There are 75 public parks throughout Columbia; some span upwards of 500 acres, whereas others, like Downtown Optimist Park, are around half an acre. Cosmo Park, the city’s largest, features several miles of nature trails, athletic facilities and a large, dinosaur-themed playground. It’s common to spot deer and other wildlife grazing in the Grindstone Nature Area to the south, and the MKT Nature and Fitness Trail—once part of the Missouri-Kansas-Texas Railroad until it was redeveloped by the city—is ranked high among the best urban trails in the nation. “If you’re into biking, hiking and nature, Missouri is a really good spot, especially Columbia,” says Kempf. Other popular outdoor destinations include Shelter Gardens, where koi fish swim in reflecting ponds, and field trip groups visit a replica of a one-room schoolhouse. During especially cold winters, Stephens Lake becomes an ice skating destination, and there are two municipal golf courses in the city: L.A. Nickell and Lake of the Woods. Once used by the National Guard and now part of the National Register of Historic Places, the Armory Sports and Recreation Center is one of the more than 10 indoor facilities owned by the city’s Parks and Recreation Department.
The unpaved section of the MKT Trail provides a scenic ride in the morning.
Kids can run around at the playground at Downtown Optimist Park in Ridgeway.
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A growing arts scene in the North Village Arts District
Columbia’s growing arts scene is centered around The District, the city’s downtown. Performance venues like Rose Music Hall have previously hosted Indie artists like Arcade Fire, and galleries open their doors after hours for the North Village Art Walk on the first Friday of every month. There’s also MU’s Museum of Art and Archaeology, where artifacts span millenia. Annual events in the Columbia include the Heritage Festival & Craft Show, which includes a schedule of cultural dance performances, as well as Art in the Park, the city’s oldest festival dating back to the 1950s. The Convention and Visitors Bureau also highlights the internationally-recognized True/False Documentary Film Festival and the Show-Me State Games, both of which bring thousands of out-of-towners to the city every year.
A diverse downtown culinary scene and national chains at the Columbia Mall
The majority of shopping and dining is concentrated in Columbia’s downtown, referred to as “The District” by locals. Coffee shops crowd with study groups during the academic year, and students head to the pool tables at Booches on the weekends, a cash-only establishment where burgers are served on wax paper. The city’s cultural diversity is reflected in its culinary scene; fast-casual Mexican restaurants sit next to late-night pizza joints, bubble tea cafes and Asian fusion restaurants. The Columbia Farmers Market is held on Saturday mornings in the aptly named Agriculture Park, and residents can also look forward to annual events like the Great Muslim Food Fest at the Islamic Center of Central Missouri. Other shopping destinations in the city include the Columbia Mall, where locals will find dozens of national chains, and Broadway Market Place, a business center home to big box retailers like Sam’s Club and Walmart.
Downtown Columbia is well within reach via Route 163 from Bedford Walk.
Enjoy the year round Columbia Farmers Market near Shepard Boulevard.
On average, homes in Columbia, MO sell after 30 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Columbia, MO over the last 12 months is $315,000, up 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Carl Plummer is a Missouri Licensed REALTOR® at House of Brokers Realty, Inc. Carl specializes as our Buyer's Agent and Listing agent. With a successful career in the business and transportation sectors, Carl brings extensive experience in management, sales and customer relations. He is known for being the one to get things done, with care and effectiveness, and there is no task or job that he can't handle.
Carl was born in Springfield, Ohio and moved frequently, as the son of an Air Force Sergeant, so understands the challenges people face with relocation. He eventually settled in Columbia, MO in 2000 from Austin, TX, and is married with five children. Carl has a diverse background, having served in various professional roles, including General Manager of Fry Wagner Moving & Storage, Insurance Agent for Aflac, Account Manager for MBS Textbook Exchange, Department Manager for Walmart, and Supervisor for the City of Columbia’s Transportation Department. Carl earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology Management from American Public University. He is a 3rd Degree Black Belt, and Certified Instructor of Taekwondo. Carl has also owned and operated two Taekwondo schools.
Carl’s knowledge and experience have helped to prepare him to serve clients. He especially looks forward to assisting them reach their goals, whether they are looking to buy, sell or invest in real estate.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
