$106,924Average Value$80Average Price per Sq Ft8Homes For Sale
A community working to build a brighter future
Highland Crest, known by locals as Hi-Crest, is an urban, single-family neighborhood about 3 miles south of downtown Topeka. Following World War II, Forbes Field, now Topeka Regional Airport, developed Highland Crest to house military members. By the 1960s, the base had scaled down, causing a decline in the neighborhood. But with a strong community of neighbors and local organizations, Highland Crest is off to a brighter future. "We have some new neighbors, and a lot of us, like myself, have been here 30-plus years," says Mack McClendon, a longtime resident and owner of Rainbow Dragon Mobile DJ. "It's quiet. We don't have parties in the middle of the street, but we make sure we keep an eye on each other's property and wave at each other when we go by." Non-profits like Habitat for Humanity help the community with unique programs like the Tool Bus. "They'll pack the bus with tools and stop by the neighborhood," says Greg Pert, broker of TopCityRealty and a Topeka resident since 2000. "People can borrow the tools to fix up their homes, and it's all free." SENT Topeka has also made it a mission to improve Highland Crest by refurbishing dilapidated properties. Its goal is to renovate and then sell or rent 15% of Highland Crest's nearly 2,000 homes by 2045, all at an affordable rate.
Homes in the Highland Crest area are shaded by large oak trees.
Highland Crest offers modest suburban lifestyle outside a busy intersection of shops & eateries.
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1950s ranch-style houses
Side-by-side ranch-style houses from the 1950s are predominant in Highland Crest. Most houses are situated about 10 to 20 feet apart on approximately 0.15-acre lots with leafy, fenced-in backyards. These two- to three-bedroom houses range from around 700 to 1,300 square feet, with the larger homes featuring attached garages. Depending on the size and condition, they can range anywhere from $35,000 to $150,000. While rare, there are some newer houses that sell for around $150,000 to $175,000.
Residents of Highland Crest come home to ranch-style homes built in the 1950s.
Homes in Highland Crest have fenced backyards and 1 car garages.
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Local parks and quick access to Lake Shawnee
Betty Phillips Park is located on the west side of the neighborhood. The park features a tropical-themed playground, a picnic pavilion and two basketball courts. One of the basketball courts has a brightly painted mural, hopscotch and four square games created by local artists through the Topeka Mural Project and inspired by kids in the neighborhood. A few smaller pocket parks with playgrounds are also close to homes, such as Betty Dunn Park, Nellie Hogan Park and Nanas Park. There's also an access point to the 38-mile Landon Nature Trail on Southeast 37th Street, which connects to an extensive system of trails. It runs along the former Missouri-Pacific Railroad, stretching about 2 miles north to the Shunga Trail near downtown Topeka and 36 miles south through the rural countryside to the Flint Hills Nature Trail in Quenemo. Highland Crest is also home to Shawnee Country Club. And Lake Shawnee, the largest lake in Topeka, is just 3 miles east. "They've built up the west side of town, put in a water park and all that," says McClendon, "But we got the lake. You can go boating, fishing, water skiing. It's a big draw out here."
Enjoy some kickball at Gage Park in Ellenwand.
The tropical playground at Betty Phillips Park is fun for all ages.
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Education through Topeka Public Schools
Students attend Ross Elementary School and Eisenhower Middle School, which are located right next to each other on the southeast side of Highland Crest. Each school earns a C grade from Niche. Students go on to Highland Park High School, about 2 miles away. Highland Park earns a C-plus grade and is ranked the seventh-most diverse public high school in the state.
The administration at Ross Elementary welcomes all students and parents.
Administration welcomes all students and parents to Eisenhower Middle School.
Highland Park High School is a popular school in the area.
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Public buses through Topeka Metro
Topeka Metro buses operate routes along Southeast 29th Street and SE 37th Street. To get downtown, it's about a 3-mile drive north. That's where the closest access point to Interstate 70 is, which runs west throughout Kansas and about 65 miles east. Though the Topeka Regional Airport is about 6 miles south, there are no commercial flights. The closest airport to fly out of is Kansas City International Airport, about 74 miles away.
Convenience is jumping on the Topeka Metro to get around town.
While waiting for a bus in Topeka, just text the number and they will be there promptly.
I-70 can take residents to Kansas City or Manhattan and beyond.
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Big box retailers and local restaurants
The closest shopping and dining options depend on where one lives in the neighborhood. Those on the south side have easy access to Walmart and some local restaurants on Southwest 37th Street. Blind Tiger Brewery & Restaurant won Brewery of the Year at the Great American Beer Festival in 2022, and has been a staple brewpub since opening in 1995. Abigail's Grill & Bar is also just down the street, offering a more rustic scene where people can watch sports and play pool. Those on the north side live closer to stores and restaurants on Southwest California Avenue. There's another Walmart along with a Dillons for everyday shopping needs. The corridor also has several fast-food restaurants and local establishments. Residents can start their day by going through the drive-thru at Milk & Honey Coffee Co. or heading inside for coffee and breakfast while surrounded by local art. For lunch and dinner, there's Soul Fire Food Company, known for its barbecue.
Early birds can go through the drive-thru at Milk & Honey Coffee Company in Highland Crest.
Prime rib, burnt ends and brews are some favorites at Blind Tiger.
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 area?
Reach out to
Niki Barber,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Lake Shawnee
Dornwood Park
Brown v. Board of Education National Historic Site
Yager Stadium
Huntoon Park
Gage Park
Betty Phillips Park
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Highland Crest
US
Homicide
4
4
Sexual Assault
4
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
3
4
Burglary
4
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
4
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
4
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Highland Crest Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Highland Crest, Topeka sell after 22 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Highland Crest, Topeka over the last 12 months is $70,000, down 7% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
This lot is ready for a new home. Previous building was demolished in 2023. Driveway is still intact. Affordable lot to build a rental property or primary residence.
Nice two bedroom, one bath home on a fenced lot with storage shed and double parking driveway. Large living room connects to the kitchen and also host to the laundry. Nice closets and extra storage in the untility room, this smaller home is great for all kinds of buyers, and also makes a great investment property! Ready for you to move right in!
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Niki Barber,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
5,408
Median Age
35
Population Density
6 ppl/acre
Population under 18
30%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
14.6%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$42,192
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$47,633
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
83.9%
College Graduates
4.6%
Significantly below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
1.3%
Below the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
64.5%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
37''
Average Winter Low Temperature
21°F
Average Summer High Temperature
90°F
Annual Snowfall
12''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
48/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
20/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
25/ 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.
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.
