$159,086Average Value$177Average Price per Sq Ft1Home 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.
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.
Ranch homes are also very common throughout Ridgeway.
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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.
Kids can run around at the playground at Downtown Optimist Park in 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.
David H. Hickman High School is home to 2,044 students.
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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.
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.
For an elevated dining experience, head to Glenn's Cafe in Ridgeway.
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
Downtown Optimist Park
Clary-Shy Community Park
Indian Hills Park
Flat Branch Park
Columbia Cosmopolitan Rec 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
Ridgeway Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Ridgeway, Columbia sell after 21 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Ridgeway, Columbia over the last 12 months is $172,000, up 50% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Great 3 bedroom, 2.-bath house - close to the heart of Columbia. This beauty underwent a complete remodel in 2018 when the kitchen, floors, and baths were redone. One of the bedrooms does not have a closet. Nice large floor plan with private backyard. W/D hookups. Currently leased through July 9, 2025. Min 24-hr notice need for showings.
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®
67/ 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.
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.
