While there aren’t any obelisks here, the historic neighborhood of Robert Mills, Columbia was named after the South Carolina architect responsible for designing one of the nation’s most iconic landmarks, the Washington Monument. Closer to home, Mills also designed one of this community’s first houses—a distinguished estate with an impressive portico. Built in 1823, this home is now a museum, known as the Robert Mills House.
Today, storied homes sit amongst commercial spaces built in the 1970s and classically designed brick buildings turned into legal and medical offices. The neighborhood is just a few blocks from popular shopping and business areas like the Main Street District, "but still maintains its historic charm," says Eric Friendly, a curator of history at Historic Columbia, adding that "residents can tour homes built in the 1800s" or walk downtown to see the modern city. Whether residents are heading downtown for some nightlife or going to the Congaree River to get out in nature, Robert Mills is a walk away from many of Columbia's main attractions.
Robert Mills, Colonial Revival
Robert Mills has many Craftsman style homes, which have porches with large overhangs.
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Robert Mills offers turn-of-the-century bungalows next to stately historic residences
Bordered by main thoroughfares like Bull and Gervais streets, Robert Mills is home to historic residences, such as former President Woodrow Wilson's childhood home, a Reconstruction-era Italian villa-style residence. With mature willow oaks and southern magnolias towering overhead, this community's streets are lined with housing styles ranging from antebellum-era Colonial and Greek revivals to Queen Annes featuring bay windows and wraparound front porches. “You’re not going to get much land there,” says
Bill Graham, a Realtor with Coldwell Banker, who’s been selling homes in the area for 35 years. “The lots are compact.”
Smaller bungalows typically cost between $250,000 and $350,000, while larger three- to five-bedroom homes range from $350,000 to $650,000. Occasionally, a century-old mansion will come on the market for upwards of $750,000.
Robert Mills has an overall crime score of 10 out of 10, according to the CAP Index Crime Score, significantly higher than the national average of 4.
he side-gabled roof of this Craftsman cottage adds charm to the Robert Mills neighborhood.
Robert Mills Colonial Revival
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Locals can walk to gardens and other attractions by Congaree River
Several house museums, like The Museum of the Reconstruction Era at The Woodrow Wilson Family Home and the Robert Mills House, offer both historic interiors and manicured estate gardens to explore. Just a few blocks away, Page Ellington Park has open green space, a pond and trails to walk on. Two miles to the west, the Columbia Canal and Riverfront Park offer residents views of the Congaree River and an opportunity to learn how Columbia developed as a hub for the textile and cotton industries in the 1800s using the river for transportation. Riverbanks Zoo and Garden features more than 2,000 animals from around the world, an aquarium and a botanical garden, 3 miles west.
Robert Mills House
Robert Mills House
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Spotted Salamander Café and Pitas are popular neighborhood eateries
Robert Mills is right next to popular shopping and dining hotspots like Five Points and Main Street District. Whether picking up groceries from the Five Points Food Lion, perusing a variety of shops, or going out for some nightlife, residents are only a short walk away. For eating out in the neighborhood, Spotted Salamander Cafe on Richland Street specializes in Southern dishes made from scratch. With a menu that changes every day and freshly baked treats like coconut cake and oatmeal cream pie, this cafe is a local favorite for soups, salads and sandwiches- all made with ingredients sourced from local farmers. Pitas, on Taylor Street, is a family-owned restaurant serving up gyros, falafel and other Mediterranean fare.
Pita's in Robert Mills
Spotted Salamander in Robert Mills, has Southern cuisine with a twist in the heart of downtown.
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C.A. Johnson High School preps students for the future
Robert Mills schools are located less than two miles from the neighborhood. Students here are served by Carver-Lyon Elementary, W. A. Perry Middle and C.A. Johnson High School. Part of Richland School District No. 1, the schools earn C-plus, C-minus and C Niche grades, respectively. The high school, locally known as “C.A.J.,” has a health sciences magnet program that prepares students for careers in healthcare.
Both college students and residents of Robert Mills benefit from having the largest public university in the state, the University of South Carolina, just three blocks away. USC offers a broad array of programs as well as plays open to the public at the Koger Center for the Arts.
Robert Mills
Parents and students love C. A. Johnson High School in Columbia.
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Transportation options include Columbia's COMET and Soda Cap Connector
Living near the center of Columbia has its advantages when it comes to transportation. Whether working at a consulting business or legal office, residents can walk to work in one of the many office buildings nearby. To explore exhibits of art made throughout history and see live music, the Columbia Museum of Art is located just a few blocks away. Residents are also well-connected within the city with bus routes like The COMET and the Soda Cap Connector, which they can ride for $2 and $1 respectively. Richland Memorial Hospital is about a mile north of the neighborhood while Columbia Metropolitan Airport is about 8 miles, or a 15-minute drive, away. Residents of Robert Mills can also travel outside the city with Amtrak, which has a station on Pulaski Street.
Residents can use public transportation in Robert Mills.
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
Shannon McNulty,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
M L King Park
Finlay Park
Lake
Picnic Area
Trails
Hampton-Preston Mansion and Gardens
Elmwood/Roy Lynch Park
Picnic Area
Trails
Playground
Segra Park
Baseball/Softball
Events
Page Ellington Park
Dog Park
Picnic Area
Trails
Transit
Airport
Columbia Metro
23 min drive
Bus
Gregg Blanding Eb
Bus
Bull Calhoun Nb
Bus
Gervais Bull Wb
Bus
Taylor Rr Tracks Wb
Bus
Taylor Pickens Wb
Bus
Gervais Henderson Wb
Bus
Laurel Henderson Eb
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Robert Mills
US
Homicide
5
4
Sexual Assault
9
4
Assault with Weapon
4
4
Robbery
7
4
Burglary
8
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
8
4
Larceny
10
4
Crime Score
9
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Robert Mills, Columbia sell after 2 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Robert Mills, Columbia over the last 12 months is $139,166, down 21% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
This beautiful property was designed and built in 1892 by W.B Smith Whaley as his private residence. This property was well known for its unique Queen Anne style architecture in Columbia and still holds some of the original architect to this day. There are a total of 6 units with bedrooms ranging from one to three with one unit that accommodates ADA regulations. Each unit has a room with a view.
Columbia’s Main Street District is a thriving urban neighborhood in the heart of the city. Home to abundant local restaurants and bars, a city park, and a well-known museum, Main Street District is a busy district. Nestled in Downtown Columbia, the neighborhood is lined with mature trees, colorful blooms, and wide sidewalks. The Columbia Museum of Art, Boyd Plaza, and Soda City Market can all be
UofSCrentalsPre-leasing now for a lease for the 2025-2026 school year.Available June 2025 for 1 Year Lease.Brand new USC / Five Points area duplex- 8 Blocks to Five Points- 10 blocks to the USC Horseshoe- 1.9 miles to Greek Village- 11 blocks to the VistaBest of both worlds.2023 construction + downtown location.* Custom built
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Shannon McNulty,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
688
Median Age
29
Population Density
3 ppl/acre
Population under 18
12.9%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
12.8%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$15,985
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$47,410
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
79.7%
Below the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
38.2%
Advanced Degrees
18.6%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
60.8%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
43''
Average Winter Low Temperature
38°F
Average Summer High Temperature
93°F
Annual Snowfall
1''
Area Factors
Bikeable
Bike Score®
56/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
66/ 100
Good Transit
Transit Score®
51/ 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.
