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West Ash

West Ash

Neighborhood in Columbia, Missouri

Boone County 65203

$200,516 Average Value
$176 Average Price per Sq Ft
2 Homes For Sale

A West Central Columbia community

Every June, West Ash residents host Plemmons Pollinator Day, where they tour local gardens, host a native plant exchange and relax while listening to live music. This perhaps best showcases how "Columbia is full of really engaged people who have specific interests and follow those passions, often in group settings," says Megan McConachie, the city's communications and outreach specialist. In this neighborhood, residents can often be found walking their dogs, biking along maple-lined roads or spending time with family at nearby green spaces like Again Street Park. Located a little over a mile from the city center and the University of Missouri, West Ash offers a laid-back suburban environment where residents can bike or walk to restaurants, grocery stores and work. While the location is a significant draw, lower-than-average home prices and a tight-knit community spirit fueled by an active neighborhood association also add to the appeal.

West Ash is a neighborhood located near downtown Columbia.
West Ash is a neighborhood located near downtown Columbia.
Several of the West Ash homes are surrounded by trees, providing privacy.
Several of the West Ash homes are surrounded by trees, providing privacy.
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Ranch-style homes, bungalows and mor

Homes in West Ash sit on modest lots, flanking wide, tree-lined streets where residents often park. Most properties here were built any time from the 1920s to the '60s, reflecting ranch-style and bungalow designs. Before going on the market, many of these properties receive small updates, including paint refreshes, but local Realtor Dara Williams with Weichert Realtors says most do not receive significant renovations. Depending on size and condition, home prices typically range from $100,000 to upwards of $250,000. The median sales price settles at just under $200,000, significantly lower than the city's median of $305,000. "We also have a lot of investors and people renting in the area," Williams says.

Nearby restaurants: Glenn's Cafe, Cafe Poland and Flat Branch Pub & Brewing

"Any of the restaurants downtown are going to be very popular," Williams says. She suggests Glenn's Cafe, which features a New Orleans-inspired menu, with dishes ranging from shrimp and grits to jambalaya. The cafe is also a go-to spot for brunch, serving classics like chicken and waffles as well as omelets. Nearby, Cafe Poland's menu features pierogies and Polish crepes with raspberry and sweet farmer's cheese. Inside, yellow walls and tightly packed tables create a cozy ambiance. For drinks out, Flat Branch Pub & Brewing offers a revolving list of beers brewed on-site. Opened in 1994, Flat Branch was once Columbia's only brewery and the city's first one post-Prohibition. For groceries, Aldi is less than a mile away, and Schnucks is about a mile away.

Again Street Park, Clary-Shy Community Park and Cosmo Park

Less than a mile east, the 10-acre Again Street Park offers a basketball court and baseball field. It also boasts a nearly half-mile paved trail that passes through 20 exercise amenities. "Most of the time, these small parks are not places that people are going to drive their cars to," says Gabe Huffington, the city's parks and recreation director. "They are mainly parks that serve areas of the community that are within walking and biking distance." About a mile east, Clary-Shy Community Park hosts the year-round Columbia Farmers Market, which offers seasonal produce and an array of local goods, while Cosmo Park is about 2 miles northwest and has become Columbia's go-to spot for sports. The park covers nearly 550 acres, from the public-use L. A. Nickell Golf Course to nearly 20 soccer fields.

Enjoy a game of tennis at Cosmopolitan Park near West Ash.
Enjoy a game of tennis at Cosmopolitan Park near West Ash.
Again Street Park is another popular park in West Ash.
Again Street Park is another popular park in West Ash.
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Columbia Public Schools: West Boulevard Elementary and more

Children can enroll in Columbia Public Schools and attend West Boulevard Elementary, which receives a B-minus rating from Niche and is within walking distance of many homes here. The school's PTO hosts a number of events throughout the year, including the WBE Writing Celebration, which promotes a published book of students' writing. From there, students can head to B-minus-rated West Middle, home to extracurriculars that range from a yearly musical to a book club that meets once a month during lunch. To finish their secondary education, students attend Hickman High, which receives an A-minus rating. Niche ranks it as the No. 2 public high school in the area. Hickman offers a range of electives, including conservation, veterinary and sports medicine classes.

The West Ash Neighborhood Association

West Ash is home to an involved neighborhood association that regularly meets to discuss upcoming events and community improvements. Association leaders also attend meetings with adjacent communities, inputting their feedback on everything from affordable housing to pedestrian safety. The association is also instrumental in planning and promoting neighborhood events ranging from potlucks to movie nights. In early summer, the neighborhood hosts the Plemmons Pollinator Day, where residents host a native plant exchange and enjoy live music. They also tour local gardens and have face painting for the little ones.

Just a mile from The District

Downtown Columbia, known as The District, is just over a mile away via East Ash Street and is accessible by bike, foot and car. Go COMO's Gold Bus Route offers 8-minute rides to and from the city center. Major employers are also within 3 miles of the community — West Ash Street provides connections to the University of Missouri, which is about a mile away, and to MU Health Care and Boone Hospital Center, both of which are nearly 3 miles away. For other commutes, Interstate 70 is about a mile to the north, while U.S. Route 63 is around 4 miles east. The latter offers connections to Missouri's capital, Jefferson City, which is approximately 30 miles south. It's also the route most take to the Columbia Regional Airport, about 13 miles south of the community.

Marianna Dionysiou
Written By
Marianna Dionysiou
Zach Manwell
Photography Contributed By
Zach Manwell
Aiyshanti Green
Video By
Aiyshanti Green

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 neighborhood? Reach out to Alice Leeper, an experienced agent in this area.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Columbia Regional

21 min drive

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime West Ash US
Homicide 5 4
Sexual Assault 5 4
Assault with Weapon 5 4
Robbery 5 4
Burglary 5 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 5 4
Larceny 5 4
Crime Score 5 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$219,000
Median Single Family Price
$219,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$176
Number of Homes for Sale
2
Last 12 months Home Sales
12
Months of Supply
2.00
Median List Price
$204,500
Median Discount From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
13%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
511
Median Year Built
1940
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,133
Significantly below the national average
1,937
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,930
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
8,276

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

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

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
1,730
Median Age
38
Population under 18
20.5%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
14.6%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$39,374
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$52,996

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
91.6%
College Graduates
59.5%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
20.5%
% Population in Labor Force
72.9%
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®

66 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

45 / 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
West Ash