Tipton’s location and amenities make it a desirable hometown
Tipton is a city of about 3,000 residents that sits along U.S. Route 50 between Sedalia and Jefferson City . While there are a few local employers, including the Tipton Correctional Center, its location also appeals to some commuters. “The reality is that a lot of people want to live in Tipton — it’s actually very desirable,” says Jill Tobin, owner of Pivotal Real Estate brokered by eXp, who was born and raised in Tipton.
Travelers often recognize Tipton by its eight-ball water tower, which is a tribute to Ewald Fischer, a pool table manufacturer who grew up in the area. Residents enjoy the city’s many other attractions, including parks, small businesses and events. “The school district is probably our diamond. Teachers actually care and provide opportunities for our kids,” Tobin says.
Tipton schools emphasize community service
The city’s private and public schools are located right across from each other. Tipton Elementary School gets a C rating from Niche. Tipton Middle School holds a C-minus, and Tipton High School earns a C-plus. All three schools share a building, and the middle and high schools have the same principal. High schoolers can take dual-credit courses through State Fair Community College. “The teachers really try to prepare kids for the big, outside world,” Tobin says. “They also get kids involved in the community, like helping with yard work at the historic Harrison School.” Some families opt for St. Andrew School, which offers a private, Catholic education for preschool through eighth grade.
A mix of housing and a lower median than Jefferson City
The community's median lot size is approximately a quarter of an acre, and many homeowners have ample space for backyard recreation and outbuildings. Housing includes a few Victorian-era residences, some midcentury bungalows and many ranch-style homes. The median sale price in Tipton is about $180,000 — less than half of Jefferson City’s median price of $400,000. Fixer-uppers sometimes sell for as low as $60,000, but most sales run from around $100,000 to $260,000. Parts of the city are prone to flooding, so lenders may require flood insurance.
Proximity to Manito Lake and Lake of the Ozarks
Tipton City Park is the central recreation spot, with a playground and ball fields, as well as a large fishing lake. Tipton Country Club has a nine-hole course that is open to the public and a pool for members. Tipton Recreation Association hosts youth sports at Dave Wolf Field, and Town Square is a venue for tractor pulls and off-road vehicle rodeos. Manito Lake Conservation Area, roughly 5 miles south, provides opportunities for fishing, hunting and boating. Boaters can also access Lake of the Ozarks about 30 miles south.
Some shopping in Tipton, and Sedalia has more choices
Many of Tipton’s restaurants are located along U.S. Route 50 or state Route 5, which attracts passing travelers as well as local diners. Five & 50 Drive-In is a long-time favorite for ice cream. Bandidos Mexican Restaurant has a colorful dining room and patio seating, and Bobbio’s Eatery offers a pizza buffet.
Brothers Market is the community’s main grocery store. “One of the cool things is if someone needs help taking their groceries out, they still offer that service,” Tobin says. The city is also home to the Dutch Bakery & Bulk Food Store, LLC, which offers bulk snacks, locally raised meat and Missouri-grown produce. Other in-town businesses include The Factory Shoppe at McCall’s Candles and TV & Stereo World — an authorized Radio Shack reseller. “Quick items are here in town, but the bulk of shopping is in Sedalia or Jeff City,” Tobin says.
Annual celebrations include July third fireworks and Septemberfest
Tipton celebrates Independence Day with a fireworks display on July 3, followed by an ice cream social at the historic Maclay Home on July 4. Septemberfest is the community’s fall celebration, a day-long event packed with live music and friendly competitions. In December, First Presbyterian Church, which was built in the late 1800s, hosts a Christmas carol sing.
U.S. Route 50 connects Tipton to nearby cities and services
OATS Transit provides limited bus service to county residents, but the community remains relatively car dependent. One major employer is the Tipton Correctional Center, a minimum-security men’s prison located at the northern end of the city. Some residents work for local businesses like the McCall’s Candles factory or Koechner Manufacturing — owned by the family of actor David Koechner — while others commute to larger cities.
U.S. Route 50 serves as the main thoroughfare, connecting drivers with Sedalia, about 25 miles west, and Jefferson City, roughly 35 miles east. Both cities have hospitals. Columbia Regional Airport is less than 60 miles away. State Route 5 leads toward the popular Lake of the Ozarks, which boasts over 1,000 miles of shoreline. The road tends to be congested on summer weekends due to lake traffic. Freight trains regularly pass through Tipton, creating noise pollution and sometimes causing congestion on Moreau and Auglaize avenues. “We kind of chuckle — it’s just one of those noises that you get used to after a while,” Tobin says.
