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Old Southwest

Old Southwest

Neighborhood in Columbia, Missouri

Boone County 65203

$442,152 Average Value
$174 Average Price per Sq Ft
4 Homes For Sale

A Columbia neighborhood known for its homes

At the turn of the 20th century and into the 1920s, Columbia developer John A. Stewart would host Fourth of July barbeques, where prospective residents could tour model homes while also enjoying something to eat. Stewart shaped much of the early housing market in downtown Columbia (also known as The District) and its surrounding communities. He even helped build the roads. Signs of this bygone era are preserved throughout the Old Southwest neighborhood — homes retain their historic facades, and Glenwood Avenue is still a red-brick road despite other streets being paved over. "The red bricks were hand-laid. Back then, it was along that road where Columbia's millionaires lived," says David Harbour, who has lived in the neighborhood for over 20 years. "It's common to see people riding bikes down the roads here — even the brick road, but it will be a little bumpy." In addition to the convenient location and diverse housing market, Harbour points to the community's quiet nature as another draw. "Southwest has a lot of pet owners, lots of trees and a whole lot of gardeners," he says. "We don't grow groceries; we grow plants to look at. I've seen more wildlife here than anywhere else — deer, squirrels, even bats."

Red brick siding is very common among Old Southwest homes.
Red brick siding is very common among Old Southwest homes.
Colonial designs are common among Old Southwest homes.
Colonial designs are common among Old Southwest homes.
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Spacious yards and historic homes

In Old Southwest, chestnut, bur oak and catalpa trees grow along wide, sidewalk-lined streets laid out in a grid formation. Many homes occupy nearly half-acre lots and sit back from the curb. Most were built sometime in the early-to-mid 20th century, reflecting American Foursquare or Colonial Revival styles. Craftsman bungalows and Tudor Revivals are also common designs found in this community. "A lot of my clients will do updates on them if they haven't already been renovated," says local Realtor Sharon Bennett with Re/Max; however, a number of these properties have also been placed on the National Register of Historic Places, so potential buyers should be aware that the restoration of a historic home follows its own set of regulations. Prices largely depend on the property's size, with many of the community's smaller floorplans selling for between $350,000 and $600,000, while the larger more sprawling estates can range in price from $600,000 to upwards of a million dollars.

Old Southwest is a neighborhood located in central Columbia.
Old Southwest is a neighborhood located in central Columbia.
There are several Tudor styled homes in Old Southwest as well.
There are several Tudor styled homes in Old Southwest as well.
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Grant Elementary and other public schools

Most children here enroll in Columbia Public Schools and start at Grant Elementary, which serves nearly 300 students and receives a B rating from Niche. The school is the only one in the district to offer before-school language clubs, allowing students to learn Chinese, French, Spanish, German or Greek. Then it's on to A-minus-rated Jefferson Middle. In 2021, the school opened the JMS Zoo, which features fish and reptiles that students can take care of. From there, most students continue on to Hickman High, which Niche ranks as the area's No. 2 public high school. It receives an A-minus rating from Niche and borrows its name from David Henry Hickman, a prominent 19th-century businessman who donated the land of a former horse track to the city to build the school. Today, Hickman High features electives like marketing, sewing and conservation coursework.

Grant Elementary School is the 8th best elementary school in the county.
Grant Elementary School is the 8th best elementary school in the county.
Jefferson Middle School is the third best middle school in Columbia.
Jefferson Middle School is the third best middle school in Columbia.
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John A. Stewart Park, the MKT Trail and Cosmo Park

Harbour says many Old Southwest residents walk to the nearby John A. Stewart Park, a small stretch of green dotted with mature maple and red oak trees. Dog owners also come here to enjoy the creekside path during their daily walks. Just south of the community, the MKT Trail stretches east to west for nearly 10 miles. "It really has become kind of a backbone of Columbia," says Gabe Huffington, the city's parks and recreation director. "People can walk or ride their bicycles; some even commute—to work, the University of Missouri, or to their favorite grocery store." For other outdoor options, the over 500-acre Cosmo Park is just under 3 miles northwest of this community. Huffington says it's the city's go-to spot for sports—and it’s home to 20 soccer fields, 10 horseshoe pits and four sand volleyball courts.

John A. Stewart Park is a popular park to take your dog for a walk in Old Southwest.
John A. Stewart Park is a popular park to take your dog for a walk in Old Southwest.
Take a bikeride along the MKT Trail in Old Southwest.
Take a bikeride along the MKT Trail in Old Southwest.
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Jazz music at Murry's, American fare at Addison's and more

About 3 miles south, Murry’s offers an elevated dining experience with dim mood lighting and live jazz music five nights a week. The menu here ranges from frog legs and calamari for appetizers to sandwiches and steaks for entrees. The restaurant won the 2024 'Best of Columbia' bronze honor for their steaks. With a no-reservation policy, patrons should expect to wait 20 minutes or more on most nights and even on weekdays. For other options, many of The District's restaurants, including Addison's, are about a mile away. Addison’s serves up American fare and offers happy hour specials; while next door, The Candy Factory features a selection of sweet treats, including gummy snacks and University of Missouri-themed chocolates. For groceries, Aldi, Gerbes and Schnucks are all within 2 miles of the community.

An annual neighborhood party

The Southwest Neighborhood Association hosts an annual party every spring, often in May. A resident's backyard serves as the backdrop to the event and most walk over to the house with drinks and a dish to share in hand. During this gathering, outdoor games, like corn hole, entertain both adults and children alike. While the event is free, the association does suggest donations. This party also gives residents a chance to vote for the following year's association officers.

Less than 2 miles to The District and the University of Missouri

Accessible by foot and by car, The District is just over a mile away via West Broadway. West Stewart Road offers 2-mile connections to the city center for cyclists. Public transit options are anchored by Go COMO's Red Route, which offers 10-minute bus rides to and from downtown. Major employers are also located nearby — the University of Missouri is less than a mile away; MU Health Care is about 2 miles away; and The Boone Hospital Center is also around 2 miles away. U.S. Route 64 offers connections to the Columbia Regional Airport (nearly 14 miles away) and Missouri's capital, Jefferson City, about 30 miles south. For other commutes, Interstate 70 is accessible to the north.

Marianna Dionysiou
Written By
Marianna Dionysiou
Zach Manwell
Photography Contributed By
Zach Manwell
Joey Kaigler
Video By
Joey Kaigler

Agents Specializing in this Area

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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

20 min drive

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Old Southwest US
Homicide 4 4
Sexual Assault 4 4
Assault with Weapon 4 4
Robbery 4 4
Burglary 4 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 4 4
Larceny 4 4
Crime Score 4 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$475,000
Median Single Family Price
$475,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$174
Number of Homes for Sale
4
Last 12 months Home Sales
13
Months of Supply
3.70
Median List Price
$525,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
6%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-5%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
302
Median Year Built
1940
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,500
Above the national average
1,937
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
2,263
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
16,552

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 Owners

Demographics

Total Population
1,174
Median Age
46
Population under 18
21%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
26.1%
Above the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$115,116
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$138,595

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
99.8%
College Graduates
91.8%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
60.6%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
69.3%

Weather

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

Area Factors

Bikeable

Bike Score®

50 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

37 / 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.

Reviews

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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
Old Southwest