"When you say The Highlands, most people know exactly what you're talking about," says Realtor Ryan Martin with Real Broker, who has experience throughout Columbia. "It's where people want to be." The community’s diverse housing scene adds to its popularity. Largely built in the '80s and '90s, the neighborhood now features everything from modest properties to "some of the biggest homes in town," Martin says. The community's location in the city's southwestern pocket also means that students are districted for the highly rated Columbia Public Schools and that residents are just a couple of miles from downtown Columbia — called The District — and the University of Missouri, known as Mizzou. Nearby parks and restaurants only add to the appeal. However, The Highland's homes are what truly solidify it as "an iconic Columbia neighborhood," Martin says.
Ranch-style homes, custom-built estates and more
On the north side, homes sit on quarter-acre lots, flanking wide streets lined with sidewalks and trees. Most reflect brick ranch-style and New Traditional designs, but there are also some contemporary homes here. Properties in the northern half of the community typically range from $350,000 to $600,000, depending on their condition and size. "The homes get larger, or more prestigious, the further south you go," says local Realtor Jessica Simpson with Russell Boyt Real Estate. "Once you get back into the neighborhood, the lots are bigger and some of them have rolling land." Here, some properties sit on multiacre lots situated along wooded streets that lead to cul-de-sacs. Designs include custom-built estates, ranch-style homes and large New Traditional options. Prices here range from $600,000 to upwards of $1 million, depending on the property's size and acreage. Buyers should expect monthly HOA fees for some homes in the community.
The Highlands offers many newer brick ranch homes.
Grand estates dot the landscape in the Highlands neighborhood.
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A-minus ratings or higher for public schooling options
Children in this community can enroll in the Columbia Public Schools District, which serves nearly 20,000 students. Students can start their education at Mill Creek Elementary, which receives an A-minus rating from Niche, and offers a before and after school Adventure Club run by University of Missouri students. The club offers everything from help with homework to foreign language learning. From there, students can attend A-rated John Warner Middle School, which Niche ranks as the county's No. 1 public middle school. Then, it's on to the A-rated Rock Bridge High, where students can learn about astronomy at the school's planetarium, or take advantage of engineering and journalism electives.
Rock Bridge High School serves students in grades 9-12.
Mill Creek Elementary School is home to 575 students.
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Wilson's Beach Club, Cosmo-Bethel Park and other options
The Highlands community has a small recreational area, complete with a soccer field and basketball court. In the summer, Simpson says residents walk to Wilson's Beach Club, where they can cool off by the outdoor pool. She also points to Cosmo-Bethel Park as an alternative option. Anchored by the lake near its center, Cosmo-Bethel’s loop trail offers pleasant lakeside views for joggers and dog-owners alike. While anglers can try their hand at catching a trout or catfish during the summer, and come winter there's also ice fishing here too. Golfers can join the nearby Country Club of Missouri, home to an 18-hole course. While hikers can check out Rock Bridge Memorial State Park, where trails wind past towering oaks and wildflowers.
Cosmo-Bethel Park offers a covered pavilion and picnic tables for almost any use.
Wilson's Swim Club is a favorite summer hangout for families living in the Highlands.
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Nearby restaurants, grocery stores and the Columbia Mall
While The Highlands community is primarily residential, for restaurants and dining out, there are several nearby options. Simpson recommends Addison's, which serves up American fare in a relaxed environment, complete with bar seating and more than a dozen craft beer options. Martin suggests Shakespeare's Pizza, which has three locations in the city. He also recommends Murry's, which was voted as Feast Magazine's best Columbia spot for late-night dining in 2021. According to Martin, the restaurant has solidified itself as a local favorite and offers everything from live jazz tunes to an a la carte menu. For groceries, there are the Hy-Vee and Aldi locations; and the Columbia Mall is about 6 miles north for expansive retail shopping.
Addison's is nearby the Highlands for dining.
Murry's is a favorite restaurant of Highlands residents.
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Commutes to employers, nearby cities and more
Like many other Columbia communities, The Highlands is car-dependent. However, there are nearby bus stops on Go COMO's Black Route that offer 20-minute commutes to The District. By car, the city center is about 5 miles away via state Route 163. This route is one of the city's major thoroughfares, which connects the community to the Columbia Regional Airport, a 13-mile drive away. The University of Missouri, or Mizzou, is 4 miles away, and Boone Hospital Center, is 6 miles away. The state's capital, Jefferson City, is 30 miles south via U.S. Route 63.
Football games, the Columbia Farmers Market and annual festivals
The Highlands' proximity to city center and Mizzou makes events and football games easily accessible. The city puts on the Columbia Farmers Market, which is held all year round. It also boasts festivals like Art in the Park, where local creatives come to sell their art each June. When September rolls around, the city hosts the annual Heritage Festival & Craft Show, which includes live music, crafts for children and food truck offerings.
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
Beth Steele,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Grindstone Nature Area
Cosmo-Bethel Park
Rock Bridge Memorial State Park
Transit
Airport
Columbia Regional
21 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
The Highlands
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
3
4
Assault with Weapon
2
4
Robbery
1
4
Burglary
3
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
2
4
Larceny
4
4
Crime Score
3
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in The Highlands, Columbia sell after 48 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in The Highlands, Columbia over the last 12 months is $535,657, up 14% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Beth Steele,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
1,443
Median Age
42
Population under 18
25.4%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
21%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$114,185
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$139,178
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
97.9%
College Graduates
65.4%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
36%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
76.3%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
41''
Average Winter Low Temperature
23°F
Average Summer High Temperature
88°F
Annual Snowfall
5''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
12/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
1/ 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.
