Columbia, MO (Benton-Stephens / Stephens College)

When you see a neighborhood for the first time, the most important thing is often the way it looks, like its homes and its setting. Some places look the same, but they only reveal their true character after living in them for a while because they contain a unique mix of occupational or cultural groups. This neighborhood is very unique in some important ways, according to NeighborhoodScout's exclusive exploration and analysis.

People

One of the unique characteristics of the Benton-Stephens / Stephens College neighborhood revealed by analysis is that the per capita income of residents here is lower than that found in 96.1% of the neighborhoods in America. The Benton-Stephens / Stephens College neighborhood also has a greater percentage of children living in poverty (97.3%) than found in 99.9% of all U.S. neighborhoods. Children living in poverty is one of the challenges facing America, and the world, and in this neighborhood in particular, the problem can be considered acute.

In addition, neighborhoodScout's analysis shows that the Benton-Stephens / Stephens College neighborhood has a greater concentration of residents currently enrolled in college than 98.4% of the neighborhoods in the U.S. With 26.9% of the population here attending college, this is very much a college-focused neighborhood.

Also, one of the most interesting things about the Benton-Stephens / Stephens College neighborhood is that it has a greater concentration of residents who live alone than most all neighborhoods in America. With 50.5% of the households here made up of people living alone, NeighborhoodScout's research reveals that this is a larger proportion of people living alone than in 95.5% of the neighborhoods in America.

Finally, the Benton-Stephens / Stephens College neighborhood stands out within Missouri for its college student friendly environment. NeighborhoodScout's analysis reveals that this neighborhood is home to a number of college students, is relatively walkable, and above average in safety. In combination, this makes it stand out for a good place for college students to consider. Because a number of college students live here, this neighborhood may be close to a college campus and offer certain amenities nearby geared towards the student body. While it's not an environment for everyone, ambitious scholars can enjoy seasonal excitement between semesters and school breaks, and parents can rest easy knowing that the area has an above average safety rating. For each of these reasons, the neighborhood is rated among the top 7.3% of college-friendly places to live in MO.

Occupations

From major sales accounts to fast-food workers, sales and service employees are often the backbone of the local economy. In the Benton-Stephens / Stephens College neighborhood, they truly stand out. NeighborhoodScout's exclusive analysis identifies this neighborhood as having a higher percentage of sales and service workers than 97.1% of all American neighborhoods.

Real Estate

Three-deckers, duplexes, old Victorian homes cut up into apartments. Independent stores on the corner selling pizza. These are some of the hallmarks of neighborhoods with lots of small 2, 3, and 4 unit apartment buildings. The Benton-Stephens / Stephens College neighborhood really stands out in this regard, however, as it is dominated by such small apartment buildings more than nearly any other neighborhood in America. This is a stunning visual and lifestyle example of this type of neighborhood. In fact, 37.5% of the real estate here are small 2, 3, or 4 unit apartment buildings, which is a higher proportion than found in 96.7% of America's neighborhoods.

In addition, 87.3% of the real estate in the Benton-Stephens / Stephens College neighborhood is occupied by renters, which is nearly the highest rate of renter occupancy of any neighborhood in America.

Modes of Transportation

In the Benton-Stephens / Stephens College neighborhood, walking to work is a real option for many. In fact, NeighborhoodScout's exclusive research reveals walking to and from work is the chosen way to commute for 12.5% of residents here. This is a higher proportion of walking commuters than we found in 96.4% of American neighborhoods. Get ready to put on your walking shoes if you move here!