$180,985Average Value$126Average Price per Sq Ft4Homes For Sale
Rural living and historic Route 66 pride in Riverton
Riverton is a small community in southeast Kansas, settled along the Spring River just outside of Joplin. With a population under 1,000, Riverton maintains a rural atmosphere, where days are spent fishing on the river and commuting to and from Joplin for work. Its position along historic Route 66 is a point of pride, from the arches of the Rainbow Bridge to a century-old country store. "I think we have a great community out here because people are willing to help. After the tornado disaster, it would have been so much harder to recover if we hadn't come together like we did," says Nicholas Sanders, a Joplin native and Realtor of seven years with Keller Williams. "Besides the community, affordability is a big draw. Lots of people work in Joplin but live in the rural areas for some quiet." While Riverton doesn't have a big retail scene, its proximity to Galena and Joplin means residents have quick access to necessities.
Located near Joplin, Riverton is a small southeast Kansas town on the Spring River.
James Barney Marsh designed the patented Rainbow Arch Bridge in 1912.
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Renovated vintage homes among the sprawling Kansas landscape
Riverton is mainly residential and maintains a quiet atmosphere year-round. Thick tree lines shade neighborhood roads, and from the main community streets there are views of the vast Kansas horizon and sweeping green fields. Most homes in Riverton are on the older side, built in classic ranch and bungalow styles during the early to mid-20th century. Custom homes occasionally popped up throughout the early 2000s, but renovated vintage properties are generally much more common to see in the local market. Single-family homes in Riverton sell between $115,000 and $300,000. The area's CAP Index Crime Score is 1 out of 10, well below the national average of 4. The community is located in Tornado Alley, and properties have suffered tornado damage throughout the years.
Single-story homes with gravel driveways line Riverton’s wooded residential streets.
Bungalow-style homes are a staple of Riverton’s residential architecture.
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Century-old country stores and proximity to shopping in Joplin
Retail is limited in Riverton. Instead of shopping plazas, Route 66 is sparsely lined with convenience stores, outlets like Dollar General and the occasional independent business. Nelson's Old Riverton Store, which opened in 1925, has landed a spot on the National Register of Historic Places. During a research road trip, a team of Pixar animators stopped into the store, using it to draw inspiration for the Route 66 references in the 2006 film "Cars." To this day, it still operates as a grocery, deli and general store. "Between Galena and Joplin, you've got some great shopping and diverse food options," Sanders says. "Most people think nothing of driving 15 minutes out of the way to go to their favorite Mexican restaurant or Walmart."
Route 66 shops in Riverton are known for their charm and welcoming owners.
Route 66 in Riverton features convenience stores and national chains like Dollar General.
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Water activities on the Spring River and the local sports scene
While Riverton has limited maintained green spaces, there is still plenty of recreation for the community. Given Riverton's waterfront location, it's common to see people out on the Spring River, fishing from small motorized boats or kayaking. "We have a big golfing community here, and most people are members of one of the clubs in Joplin," Sanders adds. "Sports are very popular, too, both watching and playing. Everyone goes to the high school games and gets involved with local teams."
The Spring River offers Riverton residents a peaceful escape into nature.
High school games are a big part of Riverton’s community spirit.
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Local education with the Riverton Unified School District
Riverton Unified School District serves the area, and Kansas offers school choice; regardless of home address, parents can apply for their child to go to a specific school if it has open capacity. Most kids living in the area start at Riverton Elementary School, which receives a C-plus rating from Niche. Students can progress to Riverton Middle, which gets a B-minus, before heading to B-rated Riverton High. According to the district, Kansas State Assessments for their schools have greatly improved over recent years, scoring at or above the "Standard of Excellence" on one or more of the reading, math and science assessments in recent years.
According to Niche, Riverton Elementary School has been assigned a C-plus rating.
According to Niche, Riverton Middle School holds a B-minus overall rating.
Riverton High School is recognized with a B grade by Niche, reflecting its steady performance.
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Driving around the area via Route 66
Riverton is one of only three Kansas communities along historic Route 66, which serves as the area's main road. It runs 4 miles into neighboring Galena and 11 miles into the heart of Joplin, Missouri. While Galena has a specialty hospital for surgery and wellness programs, the closest general care center is Mercy Hospital in Joplin, about 18 miles away.
Written By
Kaitie Lamb
Photography Contributed By
Mary Desmond
Video By
Maurice Boone
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Nathan Wagner,
an experienced agent in this area.
On average, homes in Riverton, KS sell after 87 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Riverton, KS over the last 12 months is $84,805, down 45% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
This is a rare opportunity to own a beautiful home on Spring River complete with an in-ground pool! Boasting Riverton Schools, 2,381 sq ft with 4 bedrooms, 2.5 baths, and a 2 car attached garage, this home is everything you've dreamed of with direct river access. This would be a great BnB, vacation home, or a wonderful primary residence.There's plenty of space in this home
Get your kicks on Route 66! Here is your opportunity to live and work in one place, run your own business with rental above, have built i rec. room for all your friends, hobby space, gym or in-laws quarters. Check out the historic Riverton post with 1100 Sf 2-bedroom home above and 1100 SF open concept space on the main level with full kitchen and bath. Located minutes from Downstream Casino with
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
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