Ellisville Mo one of the best places to live in the entire state
Ellisville, Missouri — Community Guide
One of the most consistently top-ranked small cities in Missouri, Ellisville offers a rare combination of national recognition, AAA-rated schools, generous lot sizes, and some of the most accessible green space of any city in St. Louis County.
National and state recognition
A+ Overall — Niche
Tree City USA — 42 Consecutive Years
#7 Best Places to Retire in Missouri
AAA-Rated Rockwood School District
Real estate snapshot
$427,450
Median sale price
2,037
Avg above grade sq ft
8 days
Median days on market
½ to 3 acres
Typical lot size range
Quick facts
$104,214
Median family income
4.39 sq mi
Total city area
10,546
Estimated population (2026)
4,155
Total households (2024)
25-35 min
Drive to downtown St. Louis
20-25 min
Drive to Clayton, MO
208+ acres
Parkland across 11 parks
1 per 48
Acres of park per resident
Homes in Ellisville sell significantly faster than both the state and national average. With a median of just 8 days on market and a median sale price of $427,450, this is one of the more competitive markets in West County. The combination of top-ranked schools and high income demographics creates sustained demand that keeps inventory tight and values strong year over year.
Ellisville community
Location and Commute
13 miles west of St. Louis, well-connected to the entire metro
Downtown St. Louis
Approximately 25 to 35 minutes by car depending on traffic, primarily via Manchester Road or I-64. The Gateway Arch, Busch Stadium, and the central business district are all within a comfortable commute for daily or occasional trips.
Clayton, MO
Clayton is the St. Louis County seat and one of the most significant business and legal hubs in the region. Drive time from Ellisville is approximately 20 to 25 minutes, making it one of the more accessible suburbs for professionals who work in Clayton.
Interstate Access
Ellisville sits roughly 5 miles south of I-64, 5 miles north of I-44, and about 7 miles west of I-270. This central positioning gives residents access to all three major interstates without living directly on a highway corridor.
A St. Louis Note on I-64
If you are new to the area, one thing to know right away: locals almost universally refer to Interstate 64 as "40," a holdover from when it carried that designation. You will hear it constantly and the signs will say otherwise. Welcome to St. Louis.
Neighboring Communities
Ellisville borders Clarkson Valley to the north, Ballwin to the east and southeast, unincorporated St. Louis County to the south, and Wildwood to the west. This positioning in the heart of West County puts residents close to the amenities of multiple surrounding cities.
Commuter Character
Despite having over 640 businesses including five auto dealerships and a major Cooper Bussmann Industries facility, Ellisville is primarily residential. Most residents commute to other parts of St. Louis for work, contributing to the quiet, neighborhood-first character of the city.
Schools
AAA-rated Rockwood School District, ranked #4 in Missouri
Rockwood School District
Ellisville is served by the AAA-rated Rockwood School District, one of only a few districts in Missouri to hold that distinction. S&P has maintained an AAA credit rating for the district for 16 consecutive years, reflecting academic strength and institutional financial stability.
High Schools
Depending on your address within Ellisville, your home may feed into Marquette High School (Top 15 in Missouri), Lafayette High School (#5 in Missouri), or Eureka High School (#23 in Missouri). Verifying your boundary before purchasing is essential and something Rueben Wuerdeman helps every client navigate.
Crestview Middle School
Located directly in Ellisville, Crestview Middle School is ranked #3 in Missouri by Niche. Math and reading proficiency levels nearly double the state average. A National Blue Ribbon School with a tradition of academic excellence including its famous Amphora Award tradition dating back to 1970.
Gifted Education
Ellisville is home to the district's Center for Creative Learning, which provides advanced enrichment programming for gifted students from throughout all of Rockwood. Students who qualify attend one day per week for specialized inquiry-based curriculum.
Private School Options
Several high-quality private schools operate in and near Ellisville including St. Clare of Assisi School and St. John School, giving families flexibility beyond the public school system.
Why Schools Drive the Market
School quality is the single most cited reason families choose Ellisville over surrounding communities. Homes within top-performing school boundaries sell faster and hold value more consistently than comparable homes in neighboring areas. With a median of just 8 days on market, this dynamic plays out clearly in the data.
Parks and Green Space
208+ acres across 11 parks, Tree City USA for 42 consecutive years
208.65
Total acres of parkland
11
Developed parks
1 per 48
Acres of park per resident
4.3 miles
Multi-use trail network
Bluebird Park
At 167.36 acres, Bluebird Park is the crown jewel of Ellisville's park system and one of the most complete community parks in West County. It features an Aquatic Center, Amphitheater, Disc Golf Course, Tennis Courts, War Memorial, Dog Park (opened October 2012), and a distinctive public art installation called Metamorphosis by Belgian artist Hilde De Bruyne. When the St. Louis Blues won the Stanley Cup in 2019, the park was temporarily renamed Blues(bird) Park in celebration.
EDGE Aquatic Center
A full aquatic facility within Bluebird Park serving residents across all ages. Hosts Night Waves events featuring a live DJ for older youth during evening swim sessions, a community touch that reflects the city's attention to quality of life programming beyond standard park amenities.
Owl Hollow Park
Features a standout treehouse-style playground designed with climbable vines and honeycomb structures meant to mimic a forest canopy. One of the more creatively designed playgrounds in West County and a frequent destination for families with young children.
Zombie Road / Rock Hollow Trail
Officially the Rock Hollow Trail, this paved walking and biking path near Bluebird Park carries one of the most storied urban legends in Missouri. Featured in the 2007 SyFy documentary Children of the Grave, it is strictly closed after dark. During daylight hours it is a popular trail with locals and visitors.
Bird-Named Streets and Parks
Nearly every park and trail in Ellisville is named after a bird — Bluebird, Bobwhite, Cardinal, Hummingbird, Meadowlark, and more. This reflects a city-wide commitment to environmental identity that makes the community feel cohesive and intentional.
Tree City USA
Ellisville has earned the Tree City USA designation from the National Arbor Day Foundation for 42 consecutive years. This requires documented community forestry programs, dedicated funding, and sustained commitment year over year. Very few cities in Missouri hold it for this long.
Community and Lifestyle
Established neighborhood feel with national recognition and unique local character
Midwest Salt Cave
The Salty Spa in Ellisville houses one of the largest salt caves in the Midwest, constructed with tons of imported Himalayan salt. A genuinely unusual local amenity that draws visitors from across the region and adds to the city's character as a place with something a little different to offer.
Chili Cook-Off
Every October, Bluebird Park hosts a popular community Chili Cook-Off combined with family-friendly fall activities. One of several annual events that keep the community engaged and connected throughout the year.
Spring Market Days
Clancy's Irish Pub serves as a community hub for Spring Market Days, featuring local vendors selling everything from handmade goods to antiques. Events like this reflect the local business character of a city that has over 640 businesses in just over 4 square miles.
Charity Events at Bluebird Park
The park amphitheater hosts charity rock concerts and community fundraising events throughout the year, including performances benefiting local causes like Asher's Playground. A reflection of a community that invests in its neighbors.
Daniel Boone Branch Library
The St. Louis County Library Daniel Boone Branch is located in Ellisville, providing full library services for residents across all ages. A practical community resource that reflects the city's investment in public amenities.
Retirement-Friendly
Ranked #7 in Best Places to Retire in Missouri, Ellisville draws buyers for its slower pace, tree-lined streets, medical access, and walkable park trail system. The median age of 44.4 years reflects a community with a strong core of long-term residents.
Local lifestyle and perks
Abundant Parkland
With approximately one acre of parkland for every 40 to 48 residents and over 200 acres spread across 11 developed parks, Ellisville offers a level of green space access that is genuinely uncommon for a city this size. Whether it is a morning walk, a disc golf round, or a weekend picnic, the parks here are a daily part of life for most residents.
Retail and Dining Corridor
Most of the city's dining and shopping options are clustered along Clarkson Road and Manchester Road, which makes errands and meals straightforward. During peak hours both roads can get busy, so morning and evening commute windows are worth factoring in if your home sits near the commercial corridor.
Family-Paced Community
Ellisville is widely regarded as one of the best places in the region for families and those seeking a quieter pace of life. Neighborhoods are established, streets are tree-lined, and the community calendar stays active with events at Bluebird Park throughout the year. Those looking for a vibrant urban nightlife scene will find that downtown St. Louis, about 30 minutes away, is where that energy lives.
The "40" Thing
New residents learn this quickly: Interstate 64 is almost universally called "40" by longtime St. Louis locals, a name carried over from a previous designation. The signs say I-64 but the conversations say 40. Beyond that, several roads in the St. Louis area change names mid-route without much warning. A GPS helps, but knowing the local lingo helps more.
History
Settled before 1837, one of the oldest communities in western St. Louis County
Ellisville's history is layered in ways that are not obvious from the suburban streetscape. The land was first settled by Captain James Harvey Ferris of Kentucky before 1837, making it one of the earliest established communities in what is now western St. Louis County. The Ellis House, built on the original property, was nicknamed The Brick Place and stood until 1969. Clarkson Road, one of the city's two primary arteries, is named after Major Clarkson of Kentucky, one of the property's later owners. Manchester Road follows the original path of the Boone's Lick Trail, one of Missouri's earliest overland routes, and was later designated part of U.S. Route 66 during the 1930s.
Before 1837
Captain James Harvey Ferris of Kentucky settles the land, establishing one of the earliest homesteads in what would become western St. Louis County. The Ellis House, nicknamed The Brick Place, is built on the property and becomes one of the most substantial structures in the region.
1842
Vespasian Ellis, St. Louis newspaper editor and U.S. Consul to Venezuela, acquires the property. The town may bear his name, though historians have never definitively confirmed this.
May 2, 1843
William A. Hereford opens Ellisville's first post office, possibly naming the town after his former post office in Ellisville, Virginia.
1868
Captain Benjamin F. Hutchinson, a Kentucky-born steamboat captain and horse breeder, subdivides his farm into smaller lots, marking the first major residential development in Ellisville's history.
June 14, 1932
Ellisville incorporates as a village, primarily to establish its own public school district — a rare and specific reason for municipal incorporation.
November 12, 1957
Voters approve the transition from village to 4th Class City status.
1993
Ellisville adopts a Home Rule Charter with a Council-Manager form of government, considered one of the most professional and efficient models of municipal governance.
Historical Landmarks
Architecture, history, and hidden gems in and around Ellisville
Frank Lloyd Wright House at Ebsworth Park
One of the most remarkable and least-publicized treasures in the Ellisville area. Built in 1950 in Wright's signature Usonian style for Russell and Ruth Kraus, this 1,900 square foot home on 10.5 acres is one of only a handful of Wright-designed homes in Missouri. The original owner lived in the house for over 50 years. Preserved as a nonprofit since 2001 and open for public tours.
Bacon Log Cabin and Alt School
A two-story log farm cabin dating to 1820, one of the oldest surviving structures in the area. The Alt School, one of Ellisville's original one-room schoolhouses, was physically relocated to Faust Park in 2006 for preservation, an act that reflects the community's commitment to its own history.
Rockwoods Reservation Lime Kiln
A remnant 1800s lime kiln still stands on the Lime Kiln Loop Trail at Rockwoods Reservation. The lime produced here was a key building material used in the construction of early St. Louis, creating a direct link between the Ellisville-area landscape and the physical building of the city itself.
Faust Park and Thornhill
The 900-acre estate of Missouri's 2nd Governor Frederick Bates, on the National Register of Historic Places since 1974. One of the larger historic estates in the region and a frequent destination for those interested in Missouri's early political history.
Daniel Boone Home
A 300-acre historic estate overlooking the Femme Osage Valley within the broader regional area. One of the most significant historical sites in the Missouri portion of the greater St. Louis area and accessible for day trips from Ellisville.
Manchester Road — Boone's Lick Trail to Route 66
The main road through Ellisville has one of the more layered histories of any street in suburban St. Louis. Originally the Boone's Lick Trail, it became part of U.S. Route 66 during the 1930s, serving as a primary migration corridor during the Dust Bowl when families headed west. Today it is the commercial spine of the city.
Demographics
Current estimates and 2020 Census data
Households and Families
Approximately 4,155 households as of 2024, with an average of 2.38 persons per household. Median age of 44.4 years, reflecting a stable, long-term resident base with deep community roots.
Income
Median household income of $78,961 per the 2020 Census. Median family income of $104,214. Current estimates place median household income between $104,360 and $120,372, well above both Missouri and national averages.
Population Growth
Since 2009, Ellisville has grown by an estimated 1,324 residents, reaching a population of approximately 10,546 as of early 2026. That represents total growth of about 14.3% over 17 years. The most significant single-year surge came between 2023 and 2024, when the city added over 500 residents.
Population over time
1940288
1950628
19602,732
19704,681
19806,233
19907,545
20009,104
20099,222
20109,133
20209,985
2026 est.10,546
The growth from 288 residents in 1940 to over 10,500 by 2026 tells the story of post-WWII suburbanization in St. Louis County followed by a maturing, stable community. The steepest growth occurred between 1950 and 1970, mirroring the broader suburban boom across the region. Since 2000 the city has grown steadily rather than explosively, which is typical of built-out suburban communities where home values rise alongside modest population gains. The surge of more than 500 new residents between 2023 and 2024 is the largest single-year increase in recent memory and reflects continued strong demand for homes in the Rockwood School District.
Information on this page was sourced from the City of Ellisville official website, the U.S. Census Bureau, Neilsberg Research, World Population Review, Niche.com, and general research conducted in 2024 and 2025. Real estate data including median sale price, square footage, and days on market reflects recent market conditions and may change. Population figures, income statistics, and rankings may change over time. Contact the City of Ellisville directly to verify current municipal information. Do not rely solely on what you read here for real estate, legal, or financial decisions.
Frequently Asked Questions: Ellisville, MO
The questions Ellisville homebuyers ask most often, updated May 2026
What school district is Ellisville MO in?
Ellisville is served by the Rockwood R-VI School District. Most Ellisville addresses feed into either Crestview Middle School and Lafayette High School, or Selvidge Middle School and Marquette High School depending on which section of the city the home is located in.
How are the schools in Ellisville MO?
Ellisville schools are top tier. Lafayette High School ranks 5th in Missouri per U.S. News 2026 and is a two-time National Blue Ribbon School. Marquette High School ranks 15th in Missouri. Crestview Middle School ranks 3rd among Missouri public middle schools per Niche 2026.
Is Ellisville MO a good place to live?
Yes. Ellisville has been recognized by Money Magazine on its Best Places to Live list and is known for its top-rated Rockwood schools, well-maintained parks including Bluebird Park, and a balance of established neighborhoods and new construction.
What is the average home price in Ellisville MO in 2026?
Per Zillow, the average Ellisville home value as of May 2026 is approximately $391,831, up 3.7 percent year over year. Median list prices in early 2026 have ranged higher because of a strong mix of larger luxury homes hitting the market.
How fast do homes sell in Ellisville MO?
Ellisville is one of the most competitive housing markets in West County. Per recent Redfin data, homes sell in approximately 3 days for the most desirable listings, with average homes selling at or above list price. Hot homes can sell up to 7 percent above asking.
What zip codes does Ellisville MO use?
Ellisville primarily uses zip codes 63011 and 63021. Some boundary areas may share zip codes with neighboring Ballwin or Wildwood, so confirming with the post office or your agent is helpful for new construction or boundary properties.
How big is Ellisville MO?
Ellisville has a population of approximately 9,500 to 10,000 residents and covers about 4.5 square miles, making it one of the smaller cities by area in West County. Despite its size, Ellisville hosts year-round community events at Bluebird Park.
What high schools serve Ellisville MO?
Ellisville is split between two top-rated Rockwood high schools. Western Ellisville feeds into Lafayette Senior High School. Eastern Ellisville feeds into Marquette Senior High School. Always verify the specific address with Rockwood before assuming a feeder pattern.
Is Ellisville in St. Louis County?
Yes. Ellisville is in St. Louis County, Missouri, located in West County between Ballwin to the east and Wildwood to the west. Manchester Road is the main commercial corridor running through the city.
What is there to do in Ellisville MO?
Bluebird Park is the community hub with a dog park, disc golf course, city pool, summer concert series, and trails connecting to Klamberg Woods Conservation Area. The Daniel Boone Branch of the St. Louis County Library is located in Ellisville. Castlewood State Park is just 4 miles south.
Are there new construction homes in Ellisville MO?
Yes. Ellisville has active infill construction adding modern homes alongside its established midcentury and contemporary subdivisions. Most new builds in 2026 have been in the $500,000 to $800,000 range.
Do I need a real estate agent who knows Ellisville MO?
Yes. Ellisville moves fast, especially in the Lafayette and Marquette feeder zones, and the difference between school attendance areas can make a major difference in long-term value. Contact Rueben at 314-250-2596 for help with Ellisville homes.
Sources, updated May 2026: Zillow Home Value Index for Ellisville MO; Redfin Ellisville Housing Market Data; U.S. News & World Report Best High Schools 2026; Niche 2026 Rankings; SchoolDigger Missouri school profiles; GreatSchools.org; Rockwood R-VI School District.
