$170,134Average Value$120Average Price per Sq Ft5Homes For Sale
Downtown Independence continues to make history
The Heart of Independence, or historic downtown Independence, is seeing a renaissance. The area is rich in small businesses, and annual events draw thousands. “When I was little, I came here all the time for bowling league, my mom got her hair done, we came to go shopping,” says Jeff Rogers, executive director of the Independence Square Association, a historic preservation and local business organization. “I watched the exodus of that as malls were built and things shifted to the interstate areas. It’s been nice to watch the return of this historic downtown.”
Residents here are surrounded by historical markers and landmarks, museums and other reminders of the generations who have called this place home. Preservation is a value here, though locals are eager to make their own mark on history.
Take the kids on a horse-pulled wagon along Main Street in the Heart of Independence.
The Harry S. Truman monument stands tall in the Heart of Independence.
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Museums and landmarks on every corner
Independence has several historical claims to fame, which locals can explore through downtown museums and historic sites. The National Frontier Trails Museum exhibits the city’s role as a popular starting place for the Oregon, California and Santa Fe Trails. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints runs a visitors’ center chronicling its own local history, and the Community of Christ offers tours of its headquarters, a bold architectural presence within the neighborhood.
Independence is perhaps best known as the birthplace and longtime residence of President Harry Truman. The National Park Service preserves the home Truman and Bess Wallace Truman lived in before and after his presidency.
“We’re really blessed with a lot of history,” Rogers says. He and his wife were also raised in Independence. “We both love the city that we grew up in and really find value in trying to preserve historic buildings, though more so the stories that come from those historic buildings.”
The Harry S. Truman Presidential Library and Museum is located in Heart of Independence.
Heart of Independence has lots of historic buildings that residents can visit.
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Preserving turn-of-the-century homes
Buyers here can find historic charm at a lower median price than in Kansas City. “Independence would be a good place for a first-time homebuyer,” says Robert Riojas, a Realtor with the Kansas City Real Estate Team. Riojas has worked extensively in the area. “There are a lot of historic homes, and home prices are extremely fair for what you’re getting — the area and the overall value.” Fixer-uppers start around $80,000, while remodeled builds sell between $140,000 and $290,000. Some multi-family properties can sell just above that. The architectural landscape is varied, with Craftsman bungalows and Foursquares, Colonials and Kansas City Shirtwaist homes primarily built in the 1910s and 20s. The southern part of the neighborhood has National-style homes and a few New Traditional builds.
You can find several vintage homes, historic & vintage estates in Independence, MO.
Historic homes line the streets of the Heart of Independence.
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Small businesses in Independence Square
In downtown Independence, even the restaurants are historic. Since 1899, The Courthouse Exchange has served burgers to locals and travelers in a laid-back atmosphere. Menu items like “The Oregon Trail” nod to the area’s roots. In the warmer months, this basement bar and restaurant opens its outdoor patio, which locals flock to for live music on summer Saturdays. The dining and shopping scene of Independence Square is also home to gift shops, cafes and other small businesses.
Though the neighborhood has small markets and convenience stores, residents may choose to head east to shop at the Hy-Vee or Aldi on 23rd Street.
Gilbert Whitney & Co is the place for that special culinary tool in the Heart of Independence.
Step back in time at Clinton's Soda Fountain located in the Heart of Independence.
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Holiday events straight out of a Hallmark movie
People from across the Kansas City metro pour into Independence for annual events. “We have a program called Living Windows where our storefronts come to life,” Rogers says. Dozens of store windows light up with local actors, musicians and dancers recreating scenes from holiday stories. The tradition draws crowds of nearly 10,000. “We call it our Hallmark movie moment. It ups the ante for what the holidays could be.”
Outdoor play at McCoy Park
Local historic sites offer plenty of weekend entertainment, though the neighborhood is short on playgrounds and green space. Mcoy Park sits just north of the neighborhood, and offers ball fields, a splash park, tennis courts and accessible playgrounds. It’s also the former site of The Neck, a historic Black community displaced by the Truman Presidential Library.
McCoy Park has many activities for your children to enjoy on the playground.
Kids flock to the McCoy Park Splash Park in the summer time.
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Independence students get explore career paths early
Kids can attend Santa Fe Trail Elementary, a B-rated school, then B-minus-rated Bridger Middle for sixth grade. Bingham Middle has a C, and William Chrisman High has a B-minus. Teens can choose from one of five career academies, which include industrial technology and public service.
William Chrisman High School preps students for college and further education.
Santa Fe Trail Elementary has a B rating on Niche for younger students.
Bridger Middle School is a public elementary & middle school in Independence, Missouri.
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A short commute to downtown Kansas City
The Heart of Independence is only 9 miles from downtown Kansas City, accessible via Truman Road. Ride KC and IndeBus routes stop throughout the neighborhood.
Heart of Independence is a short drive to downtown Kansas City.
Truman Road connects Downtown Kansas City to the Heart of Independence neighborhood.
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Heart of Independence Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Heart of Independence, Independence sell after 48 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Heart of Independence, Independence over the last 12 months is $164,500, up 21% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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