Ballwin

About Ballwin

Ballwin is a midsize suburb of St. Louis, occupying about 10 square miles of west St. Louis County. Just 40 miles from St. Louis, Ballwin has a convenient location that puts big-city amenities within easy reach. It's been named on three separate occasions as one of Money magazine's top places to live in America, thanks to its offerings of a quiet suburban lifestyle, welcoming community and desirable residential neighborhoods.

The History of Ballwin

Ballwin was named for its founder, John Ball, who received a military land grant and claimed the area as his own in 1804. After the Louisiana Purchase, he fought for his land in court and ultimately won. After a mail route was established adjacent to Ball's property, he decided to establish a town on his acreage.

Although Ballwin began with only a few buildings and residents, it incorporated in 1950 with a population of about 750. Over the decades, the community grew steadily, experiencing population booms in the 1960s and 1990s.

Living in Ballwin

Ballwin has a number of attractive features that draw a mix of families, married couples and young singles to the area. The extremely low crime rate makes it an excellent place to raise a family or live alone, and the local schools are highly-rated and boast high graduation rates. A low unemployment rate brings job-seekers to Ballwin with the promise of excellent prospects and a reliable local economy. The cost of living is average for the state of Missouri, with some necessities costing less than they would in other U.S. cities.

Although you can easily make a day trip to St. Louis for shopping, dining and entertainment, you don't have to leave Ballwin to find everything you need. Grocery stores, restaurants, fitness centers and local entertainment venues are plentiful and conveniently located, and there are also plenty of parks and open green spaces.

Ballwin Schools

Students in Ballwin attend schools in the Parkway or Rockwood school districts. Both have received recognition for high student achievement. You'll also find Montessori, secular and parochial private schools in Ballwin and its neighboring communities.

Resources for Moving to Ballwin

Here are a few helpful resources to make your move to Ballwin as easy as possible:

• Utilities: Major utilities providers serving Ballwin include Ameren Missouri, Laclede Gas Company, the Metropolitan Sewer District and the Missouri American Water Company.
• Garbage and Recycling: The residential areas of Ballwin are divided into several collection zones, each one assigned a specific pick-up schedule for trash and recycling.
• Transportation: St. Louis' public transit agency is called the Metro, and it offers a range of commuter transportation options.
  

Ballwin Housing

Homes of all types can be found in Ballwin, ranging from apartments and condominiums to single-family homes of all sizes. There are also many price points to choose from, with options such as budget-friendly cozy townhouses and more expensive new-construction homes. Many single-family homes in Ballwin are situated on spacious lots, with grassy yards and large shade trees.