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Ridgeway

Ridgeway

Neighborhood in Columbia, Missouri

Boone County 65203

$158,580 Average Value
$161 Average Price per Sq Ft
1 Home For Sale

A tight-knit and mixed-use community near the heart of Columbia

In 2017, in partnership with local organizations, Ridgeway students designed and painted a mural at the neighborhood's Downtown Optimist Park. They asked community members what they'd like to see on the mural, and the result was an illustration of people biking, the sun as a peace sign and even a local family's dog. Tying the mural together is a banner reading 'A Beautiful Community Together,' a nod to the neighborhood's tight-knit feel and multigenerations of families. Most residents here live on the community's south side, which is primarily residential, with the exception of the presence of a local church and a local coffee shop. On the north side, homes are intermingled with car dealerships, and small stores like Mary Smith's Beauty Salon, which has served the community for many years. These establishments and Ridgeway's location along Interstate 70 facilitates easy access to nearby amenities, including the city's largest green space, Cosmo Park; while also offering lower-than-average home prices, an active neighborhood association and a convenient location.

Ridgeway is a neighborhood located near central Columbia.
Ridgeway is a neighborhood located near central Columbia.
Practice your tennis skills at Cosmopolitan Park near Ridgeway.
Practice your tennis skills at Cosmopolitan Park near Ridgeway.
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Bungalows and ranch-style homes

In Ridgeway, homes sit side by side along sidewalk-lined streets laid out in a grid formation. Most were built between the 1920s and '60s and reflect bungalow designs. However, ranch-style homes and Cape Cods are also available here. Many of these properties feature small front porches and detached garages, but it's also common to see residents parking on the street. Before going on the market, a number of homes here receive updated appliances, new paint jobs and remodeled kitchens. Prices typically range from $100,000 to $180,000, depending on the property's size and condition. This range reflects lower-than-average home prices compared to the city's median of around $305,000. As such, homes sell after an average of 12 days on the market, much faster than the national average of 44 days. It's not uncommon for investors to purchase these homes and then rent them out to tenants.

Many of the Ridgeway homes have small front porches.
Many of the Ridgeway homes have small front porches.
Ranch homes are also very common throughout Ridgeway.
Ranch homes are also very common throughout Ridgeway.
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STEM electives at Jefferson Middle and Hickman High

Most Ridgeway students enroll in Columbia Public Schools. They can start out by attending Benton Elementary School, which receives a C-plus rating from Niche and is best known for its STEM curriculum. The school integrates engineering concepts throughout students' coursework and boasts design challenges in science classes. From there, many students progress to the A-minus-rated Jefferson Middle, a STEAM school home to electives like 'shark tank' and 'apocalyptic survival.' The school also includes a small zoo featuring everything from fish to snakes that student volunteers care for. Most students complete their secondary education by attending Hickman High, which Niche ranks as the area's No. 2 public high school and rates with an A-minus. The school also offers electives like woodworking and engineering coursework.

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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Downtown Optimist Park and Cosmo Park

Homes here are within walking distance of Downtown Optimist Park, the neighborhood's only park. "We want to make sure that folks have access to green space, so we have a goal to have a park or trail within a half mile of everyone in Columbia," says Gabe Huffington, the city's parks and recreation director. "You hear people say all the time that they like having a neighborhood park close to them, especially families with young kids." The park features a playground and a half basketball court. For other options, Cosmo Park is less than 2 miles away and is the epicenter for sports in the city. Cosmo Park offers nearly 20 soccer fields, the 18-hole L.A. Nickell Golf Course and a multiuse fitness trail for bikers and joggers alike. "When you talk to people in the community who have lived here all their lives, they have memories of playing sports in Cosmo Park," Huffington says. "Now, as they're older, they're either taking their children or their grandkids there."

Play some bocce ball at Cosmopolitan Park near Ridgeway.
Play some bocce ball at Cosmopolitan Park near Ridgeway.
Kids can run around at the playground at Downtown Optimist Park in Ridgeway.
Kids can run around at the playground at Downtown Optimist Park in Ridgeway.
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Cajun Crab House Seafood Restaurant, Aroma Coffee House and more

Ridgeway is home to a few local establishments, including the Cajun Crab House Seafood Restaurant. Inside, there is a light-up 'boiled crawfish' sign and framed pictures of seafood, a nod to what the restaurant is best known for serving. The menu ranges from fried catfish with sides of coleslaw and fries to seafood boils that are complete with everything from crawfish to clams. Nearby, Aroma Coffee House features freshly brewed lattes and kombucha on tap. It also serves sandwiches, flatbreads and scones. Just east of the community, The Syrian Restaurant offers falafels, kebabs and mint tea. South of the restaurant, the seasonal Mugs-Up has been serving locals for 70 years. With chili dogs, burgers and root beer floats, this cash-only drive-in eatery has solidified itself as a Columbia staple. For groceries, Aldi is less than a mile away.

Cajun Crab House is a popular restaurant, not too far from Ridgeway.
Cajun Crab House is a popular restaurant, not too far from Ridgeway.
For an elevated dining experience, head to Glenn's Cafe in Ridgeway.
For an elevated dining experience, head to Glenn's Cafe in Ridgeway.
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The Ridgeway Neighborhood Association

Ridgeway is home to an active neighborhood association that hosts monthly meetings. It also organizes the Ridgeway Clean Up Day, where residents gather to plant native flowers and properly dispose of everything from old furniture to fallen tree branches. The association has become instrumental in promoting the Kinney Point Project, a small neighborhood rain garden and forest located at the intersection of North Garth Avenue and Sexton Road. The neighborhood met with city arborists to create a 'micro forest' of native trees that the Columbia Tree Board funded. The association also helps organize invasive honeysuckle removal and attends city events to advocate for fair housing and promote involvement from the parks and recreation department.

Just about a mile from The District

Downtown Columbia, known as The District, is just over a mile walk or drive away via North Providence Road and East Broadway; and North Garth Avenue and East Ash Street offer bike connections to the city center. By bus, The District is just over a 5-minute ride away on Go COMO's Gold Route. Major employers like the University of Missouri and the Boone Hospital Center are both within a 2-mile radius of the community. MU Health Care is just over 2 miles away. However, residents may also work closer to the community. There are a number of car dealerships and industrial employers like Medley Equipment Company, situated along Interstate 70, which forms the community's northern border. About 3 miles east via I-70, U.S. Route 63 offers connections to Columbia Regional Airport, which is about 15 miles south and to Jefferson City, Missouri's capital, located 33 miles south.

Marianna Dionysiou
Written By
Marianna Dionysiou
Zach Manwell
Photography Contributed By
Zach Manwell
Zoe Sarris
Video By
Zoe Sarris

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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 Carl Plummer, 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 Ridgeway US
Homicide 7 4
Sexual Assault 8 4
Assault with Weapon 6 4
Robbery 7 4
Burglary 6 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 5 4
Larceny 5 4
Crime Score 6 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$152,450
Median Single Family Price
$150,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$161
Number of Homes for Sale
1
Last 12 months Home Sales
6
Months of Supply
2.00
Median List Price
$149,900
Median Discount From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
33%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
232
Median Year Built
1937
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
999
Significantly below the national average
1,936
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,744
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
7,623

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

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

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
600
Median Age
36
Population under 18
22%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
14.8%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$33,823
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$45,908

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
85.4%
College Graduates
23.3%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
12.7%
% Population in Labor Force
78%
Above 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

Bikeable

Bike Score®

68 / 100

Somewhat Walkable

Walk Score®

69 / 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
Ridgeway
Carl Plummer
House of Brokers Realty, Inc.
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