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Waldo

Waldo

$307,685 Average Value
$216 Average Price per Sq Ft
38 Homes For Sale

What life is like in Waldo

Waldo feels like a laid-back small town, even though it’s a neighborhood in the middle of South Kansas City. Kids walk and ride bikes along the Trolley Trail to get to local schools, and on weekends, people head out to Wornall Road to barhop from breweries to cozy dives. Neighbors here tend to spend a lot of time together, whether they’re having backyard barbecues or sitting side by side at Little League games. That strong sense of community is what keeps longtime residents around and continues to draw new people in, making Waldo one of the most sought-after neighborhoods in the city.

Waldo is a family-friendly neighborhood at the heart of South Kansas City.
Waldo is a family-friendly neighborhood at the heart of South Kansas City.
The Trolley Trail runs through Waldo.
The Trolley Trail runs through Waldo.
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Houses at lower prices than nearby neighborhoods

Waldo has a mix of Craftsman bungalows, Tudor cottages and Colonial Revivals along its sidewalk-lined streets. These houses typically sit on small lots, sometimes with shared driveways leading back to two-car, detached garages. “Everything is really close together, so neighbors kind of have to get to know each other,” says Nick Gadwood, a Realtor with NextHome who has sold several homes in the neighborhood. “A lot of people move here thinking it’ll be a starter home, but being able to easily pop over to a neighbor’s house for happy hour or to borrow a lawn mower ends up keeping them around for good.” The median sale price here is around $290,000, which is similar to the citywide median of $280,000. However, that’s significantly lower than what you’ll find in the nearby Country Club District and in Brookside neighborhoods like Armour Fields and Armour Hills. Prices here typically range from the lower $100,000s to the upper $600,000s, depending on the home’s size and condition.

Waldo's housing stock includes Tudor Revivals, Craftsman bungalows and Colonial Revivals.
Waldo's housing stock includes Tudor Revivals, Craftsman bungalows and Colonial Revivals.
Cottages are one of the most common house styles in the neighborhood.
Cottages are one of the most common house styles in the neighborhood.
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St. Elizabeth School is a local private option.
St. Elizabeth School is a local private option.

How community efforts helped reopen a local public school

Waldo is zoned for Kansas City Public Schools, and kids can attend Hale Cook Elementary School, which closed in 2009 due to low enrollment but reopened in 2014 after community efforts. “A group of parents got together and recruited other families in the neighborhood to enroll their kids,” Gadwood says. “Once enough people signed on, the district ended up reopening it.” The neighborhood is also home to St. Elizabeth School, which serves prekindergarten through eighth grade.

Places to shop and eat along Wornall Road

Wornall Road is a major shopping and dining corridor at the center of Waldo that’s known for its longstanding spots. “You’ll walk into almost any place on Wornall and see the same bartender or cashier who has worked there for over a decade,” Gadwood says. Within the neighborhood, the street is home to:

  • Grocery stores, including Aldi and Price Chopper
  • Everyday Produce, a fruit, flower and veggie stand set up outside a vacant laundromat every day from April through October
  • Restaurants like Waldo Pizza, which has been around since 1987, and Chelly’s Café, a Mexican spot that has been here since 2002
  • Kansas City Bier Company, a German-style brewery with an outdoor space and regular live polka music
  • Dive bars like Bobby Baker’s Lounge, Patrick’s Bar & No Grill and Walsh’s Corner Cocktails

Wornall Road is the place to shop and dine.
Wornall Road is the place to shop and dine.
You'll find several stores and restaurants along Wornall Road.
You'll find several stores and restaurants along Wornall Road.
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The Trolley Trail and other community spaces

The 6-mile Trolley Trail stretches across Waldo and continues into Brookside and the Country Club Plaza. Most days, the trail is busy with run clubs, families walking their dogs and people biking to work. “It’s kind of the heart of the neighborhood, so you’ll always run into someone you know when you’re on it,” Gadwood says. Aside from the trail, the neighborhood has a few other community spaces, including:

  • Tower Park, where a former water tower sits on a wide-open lawn that’s popular for flag football games
  • South Oak Park, which has a small playground
  • Sunnyside Park, where Little League teams hold games and practices
  • The Kansas City Public Library Waldo Branch, which offers activities like family story times and craft nights

The Trolley Trail connects neighborhoods across South Kansas City.
The Trolley Trail connects neighborhoods across South Kansas City.
The Trolley Trail is popular with walkers, joggers and bikers.
The Trolley Trail is popular with walkers, joggers and bikers.
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Annual events include a fall festival and a barbecue contest

The neighborhood celebrates a handful of events every year, including the Waldo Fall Festival, held in the parking lot outside of Aldi since 1992. Families come out for things like face painting, food trucks and bounce houses. There’s also live music on the main stage, where the honorary mayor of Waldo is eventually announced. “People nominate their friends who do a lot for the community, then everybody votes on it and the winner basically becomes like a local celebrity,” Gadwood says. Another well-known event is Smoking ’N Waldo, a barbecue contest hosted by St. Elizabeth School. All weekend, people wander from tent to tent trying ribs and chicken thighs, and at night, participants sleep in the parish’s parking lot to keep an eye on their smokers.

RideKC buses run through the neighborhood.
RideKC buses run through the neighborhood.

Driving to downtown Kansas City

Ward Parkway is on Waldo’s west side and connects with Southwest Trafficway to reach downtown Kansas City, about 8 miles north. The drive typically takes 15 to 40 minutes, depending on traffic. You can also get around by hopping on a RideKC bus.

Meghan Baker
Written By
Meghan Baker
Anya Ivantseva
Photography Contributed By
Anya Ivantseva
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Grace Kim

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

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Kansas City International

45 min drive

Bus

On Wornall & 73rd St Sb

Bus

On Wornall & 81st Northbound Nearside

Bus

On Wornall & 84th Terr Northbound

Bus

On Wornall & 83rd Terrace Northbound

Bus

On 75th & Oak Westbound

Bus

On Wornall & 85th Northbound

Bus

On Wornall & 84th Terr Southbound

Reviews

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Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Waldo 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 5 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes
6,580
Number of Homes for Sale
38
Median Year Built
1940
Months of Supply
1.30
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,366
Significantly below the national average
1,932
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,051
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
701
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
7,405

Open Houses

  • Sunday, May 24
    1 - 3pm

    7637 Jefferson St, Kansas City, MO 64114

    $247,500

    • 3 Beds
    • 1 Bath
    • 1,806 Sq Ft
    • 7637 Jefferson St
    • New 2 days ago

    Beautiful move in ready 3 bedroom, 1 bath home in the heart of Waldo! This charming home features beautiful dark hardwood floors, neutral paint colors throughout, and an inviting covered front porch. The bright updated kitchen offers white modern cabinetry, granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, and plenty of natural light. Updated bathroom includes stylish tilework and a shower/tub

    Agent Photo
    Executive Asset Properties Group
    Keller Williams Realty Partners Inc.
    (816) 451-3014
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  • Saturday, May 23
    12 - 2pm

    915 E 76th Terrace, Kansas City, MO 64131

    $235,000

    • 2 Beds
    • 1.5 Baths
    • 1,328 Sq Ft
    • 915 E 76th Terrace
    • New 8 days ago

    Just Listed in Waldo! Welcome to 915 E 76th Ter, a timeless Waldo charmer nestled in a tree-lined neighborhood in the heart of the city. This 1.5 story home offers a warm, inviting atmosphere with functional spaces throughout. From the hardwood floors to the charming architectural details, this home embodies the best of classic Kansas City living. A spacious main level bedroom with ample closet

    Rachel Baer Keller Williams KC North

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  • Saturday, May 23
    1 - 3pm

    701 E 77th St, Kansas City, MO 64131

    $279,950

    • 3 Beds
    • 1 Bath
    • 1,212 Sq Ft
    • 701 E 77th St
    • New 2 days ago

    Charming Waldo Ranch on a spacious corner lot! Welcome home to this beautifully updated 3-bedroom, 1-bathroom, 2-car garage ranch sitting on a generous corner lot in the highly desirable Waldo area. From the moment you step inside, you'll love the seamless blend of classic character and modern upgrades, highlighted by gorgeous hardwood floors that flow throughout the main living spaces. The heart

    Zach Horn ReeceNichols - Country Club Plaza

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Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Rental Home Trends

Number of Homes for Rent
12
Median Rent
$1,672
Median Single Family Home Rent
$1,950
Median 3 Bedroom Single Family Home Rent
$2,055
Median Townhouse Rent
$1,525
Median 2 Bedroom Townhouse Rent
$1,525
Median Condo Rent
$1,350
Median 2 Bedroom Condo Rent
$1,350

Demographics

Total Population
14,867
Median Age
39
Population Density
7 ppl/acre
Population under 18
20.6%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
15.8%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$83,958
Above the national average
$79,597
Average Household Income
$97,430

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
96.3%
College Graduates
56.9%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
19.7%
% Population in Labor Force
79.6%
Above the national average
64.9%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
38''
Average Winter Low Temperature
23°F
Average Summer High Temperature
90°F
Annual Snowfall
24''

Area Factors

Fairly friendly

Bikeability®

50 / 100

Fairly friendly

Walkability®

50 / 100

Somewhat friendly

Transit®

30 / 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic

Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

Nearby Neighborhoods

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
Waldo