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Douglass Park

Douglass Park

$171,289 Average Value
$187 Average Price per Sq Ft
1 Home For Sale

A historic Black community

From the turn of the century into the early 1960s, Douglass Park residents strolled in and out of local barber shops, met up at pool halls and gathered at neighborhood bars after work. These establishments made up Sharp End, a now-defunct commercial district that flourished during the time of segregation and defined daily life for residents in nearby communities like Douglass Park. While once known as "the cultural heart of the Black community," the district faced redevelopment and many of the businesses shut down. Today, locals are trying to honor the area's rich Black history with new projects like the African American Heritage Trail. "We have a committee that gets together and points out important places to the Black community, and we add those on to the trail," says Megan McConachie, the city's communications and outreach supervisor. "We also recently did a radio series with our local NPR station, where we had a number of Black residents who grew up here talk about what life was like." Many of the neighborhood’s residents have lived here for years, continuing to celebrate its rich history; however, newer residents often point to Douglass Park’s lower-than-average home prices and its proximity to the city center, known as The District, as additional reasons to buy here.

A less expensive-than-average housing market

In Douglass Park, ranch-style homes and bungalows sit side by side, flanking sidewalk-lined streets laid out in a grid formation. Most properties do not feature garages, so street parking is common here. These homes typically sit on modest lots and were built between the 1930s and '60s. While a number of them have received updates, many have not. Depending on their size and condition, homes can range in price from $100,000 to $180,000. The median sales price for a single-family home here is $120,000. This is significantly lower than the city's median price of $305,000, making Douglass Park one of the more affordable neighborhoods in the area and attractive to first-time home buyers. Douglass Park is also home to multiple apartment complexes, including Oak Towers, which features renovated units designated for residents 55 years of age and older. Buyers should be aware that some homes around Flat Branch Creek receive higher-than-average Flood Factor Scores.
Douglass Park is a neighborhood located in central Columbia.
Douglass Park is a neighborhood located in central Columbia.
Homes in Douglass Park are surrounded by tall trees.
Homes in Douglass Park are surrounded by tall trees.
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The African American Heritage Trail and Douglass Park

"Most of the African American Heritage Trail's stops are not on an actual trail — they’re on city sidewalks. As you're walking, you'll pass through important buildings and historic places in our city," says Gabe Huffington, Columbia’s parks and recreation director. There are over 25 stops on the trail, including former cafes, markets and medical clinics. The trail also highlights the city’s first Black church — Fifth Street Christian Church — which is still in operation today. Each of these stops is designated by an informational placard curated by the African American Heritage Trail Committee and funded in-part by the city’s parks and recreation department. Huffington says this project is important to many Douglass Park residents. "Some current residents can tell you every single marker and everything about each marker, but what happens in 20 years? Who tells those stories, and who designates those spaces?" he asks. The most visited location on the trail is Douglass Park. Built in 1939, the park served as a place where Black residents could enjoy recreational activities during a time of segregation. Today, locals still frequent the park, its outdoor pool, basketball courts and baseball fields. There's also a skate park.
The African American Heritage Trail runs throughout Douglass Park.
The African American Heritage Trail runs throughout Douglass Park.
Douglass Park also has a small playground
Douglass Park also has a small playground
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Shiloah, Flat Branch Pub & Brewing and The Shops at Sharp End

Douglass Park's location offers easy access to The District's many restaurants, including Shiloah, a sports bar serving up American fare. It's popular during the warmer months when the patio is open for dining. Also offering American cuisine is the Flat Branch Pub & Brewing restaurant, which serves everything from burgers to brick oven pizzas. It also features over 50 beers on tap to choose from. For groceries, Douglass Park is conveniently less than 2 miles from Gerbes, Schnucks and an Aldi location. The community is also near The Shops at Sharp End. "The Shops at Sharp End is a retail incubator — it's like a startup where people can sell their products before they get to the point where they can have brick-and-mortar locations," says Tanisha Simpson, the shops' retail manager. Inside, the wall painted with the slogan "Honor the past, shop the future" showcases how patrons can learn about Sharp End's history while supporting local businesses, including the Black Tea Bookshop and Designs by Neisha.
The Shops at Sharp End is just one of many local shops in Douglass Park.
The Shops at Sharp End is just one of many local shops in Douglass Park.
Flat Branch Pub & Brewery is a popular restaurant in Douglass Park.
Flat Branch Pub & Brewery is a popular restaurant in Douglass Park.
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Juneteenth celebrations at Douglass Park

Each year, Columbia hosts a couple of celebrations at Douglass Park to commemorate Juneteenth and honor the city's rich African American history. In the past, there was a DJ in Douglass Park event, which featured a curated selection of tunes, including R&B and Reggae classics. Douglass Park also hosted 'Break the Chains,' an event where locals brought out their lawn chairs and enjoyed everything from a fashion show to a dance performance. There were also food trucks and live music offerings. In addition, the annual Juneteenth parade culminates at Douglass Park, where participants then gather to enjoy lunch.

A-minus-rated Hickman High and other public schools

Most children here enroll in Columbia Public Schools. They can start at Grant Elementary, which receives a B rating from Niche, and because many students live under a mile away, they often walk to and from school. The school also features several extracurriculars, including a book club and a language club. From there, students head to A-minus-rated Jefferson Middle, the No. 3 public middle school in the area, as rated by Niche. The school is known for its STEAM programs and is also home to the JMS Zoo, where students can volunteer to take care of lizards, fish and snakes. Then, it’s on to A-minus-rated Hickman High, which Niche ranks as the No. 2 public high school in the area. The school is home to the Hickman Review, an art and literary magazine that students curate and publish.
Jefferson Middle School is the third best middle school in Columbia.
Jefferson Middle School is the third best middle school in Columbia.
David H. Hickman High School is home to 2,044 students.
David H. Hickman High School is home to 2,044 students.
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Commutes to The District, University of Missouri and more

By car or by foot, The District is about a mile away via North Providence Road and East Broadway. By bike, locals can take East Ash Street to get downtown. The Go COMO's Gold Route is a public transit option that offers 5-minute bus rides to and from the city center. North Providence Road bisects the neighborhood and provides connections to major employers like the University of Missouri (less than a mile away) and MU Health Care, about 2 miles away. Many residents here also work in the industrial or hospitality sectors — with multiple employers, including Weaver Manufacturing Inc. and more than 10 hotels, also less than 5 miles east, along U.S. Route 63. This route also offers connections to the Columbia Regional Airport, about 15 miles south; while Interstate 70 and Route 63 connect the community to the state capital of Jefferson City, which is about 33 miles south.

Crime

Buyers should be aware that Douglass Park receives a CAP Index Crime Score of 7 out of 10, compared to the national average of 4.
Marianna Dionysiou
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Marianna Dionysiou
Zach Manwell
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Zach Manwell
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Jahlil Harris

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Alice Leeper, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Columbia Regional

19 min drive

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Douglass Park US
Homicide 7 4
Sexual Assault 8 4
Assault with Weapon 6 4
Robbery 7 4
Burglary 9 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 6 4
Larceny 7 4
Crime Score 7 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Douglass Park Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$359,900
Median Sale Price
$372,950
Median Single Family Sale Price
$354,900
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
10
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-40%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$187

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
329
Number of Homes for Sale
1
Median Year Built
1940
Months of Supply
1.20
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,058
Significantly below the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,522
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
7,405

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Alice Leeper, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
2,072
Median Age
29
Population under 18
24.9%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
11.1%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$22,727
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$30,087

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
89%
College Graduates
27.3%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
15.8%
% Population in Labor Force
59.1%
Below the national average
65.1%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
41''
Average Winter Low Temperature
23°F
Average Summer High Temperature
88°F
Annual Snowfall
5''

Area Factors

Very Bikeable

Bike Score®

70 / 100

Very Walkable

Walk Score®

81 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

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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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Douglass Park