Ridgecrest vs Wilford Preserve
Two Clay communities, compared on the numbers that decide it — price, pace, and supply — from live MLS data as of 2026-09-19.
| Metric | Ridgecrest | Wilford Preserve |
|---|---|---|
| Median sale price | $362K | $439K |
| Price per sq ft | $192 | $155 |
| Avg days on market | 52 days | 114 days |
| Months of supply | 2.0 mo | 4.5 mo |
| Market | Seller's Market | Buyer-Leaning Market |
| 1-year price change | +2% | -2% |
| Recent closings | 24 | 74 |
The verdict
Wilford Preserve carries the higher median price — about 21% above Ridgecrest. Homes in Ridgecrest sell faster (52 days on market vs 114). Ridgecrest is the tighter market on inventory (2.0 months of supply).
Where each one is
Ridgecrest and Wilford Preserve are about 2 miles apart (straight-line, center to center) and share Clay County.
| Ridgecrest | Wilford Preserve | |
|---|---|---|
| County | Clay County, FL | Clay County, FL |
| City / area | Orange Park | Orange Park |
| ZIP | 32065, 32207 | 32065, 32073 |
| Straight-line to downtown Jacksonville | 15 mi | 14 mi |
| Nearest Atlantic beach | 24 mi, Ponte Vedra Beach | 25 mi, Ponte Vedra Beach |
| FEMA flood zones (sampled parcels) | all 16 sampled homes outside a flood zone | 94% of 49 homes outside a flood zone (Zone X) |
Distances are straight-line; driving distance is usually 15 to 30 percent more. Flood-zone shares come from FEMA flood maps matched to sampled parcels; always check the exact address before you close.
What is for sale today
| Ridgecrest | Wilford Preserve | |
|---|---|---|
| Homes for sale now | 4 | 28 |
| Under contract | 2 | 15 |
| Asking prices today | $345K to $390K | $315K to $580K |
| Listed in the last 7 days | 0 | 14 |
| Property types listed | Single Family Residence | Single Family Residence |
Live MLS counts, refreshed with every listing pull. Browse them: Ridgecrest homes for sale · Wilford Preserve homes for sale.
The homes themselves
| Ridgecrest | Wilford Preserve | |
|---|---|---|
| Homes (parcels) | 84 | 390 |
| Built | 1977–1994 (median 1980) | 2019–2024 (median 2022) |
| Typical living area | 1,837 sq ft | 2,330 sq ft |
| Homesteaded (owner-occupied) share | 75% | 40% |
| Vacant lots | 0 | 183 |
Housing-stock figures from the Florida Department of Revenue 2025 assessment roll (public records).
Price history, year by year
| Year | Ridgecrest median | Wilford Preserve median |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | $232K (24 sales) | $261K (65 sales) |
| 2021 | $253K (49 sales) | $358K (20 sales) |
| 2022 | $340K (38 sales) | $418K (59 sales) |
| 2023 | $365K (25 sales) | $408K (114 sales) |
| 2024 | $346K (20 sales) | $404K (46 sales) |
| 2025 | $346K (17 sales) | $403K (76 sales) |
| 2026 | $354K (25 sales) | $428K (76 sales) |
Since 2020, Ridgecrest's median sale price is +53% and Wilford Preserve's is +64% — Wilford Preserve has appreciated faster over that stretch.
How each one trades
| Ridgecrest | Wilford Preserve | |
|---|---|---|
| Sale-to-original-list | 97.7% | 98.3% |
| New-construction share of sales | 0% | 82% |
| Typical sold home | 1,804 sq ft | 2,634 sq ft |
| Momentum market-heat score | 48 (normal) | 61 (hot) |
Last 12 months of recorded closings; sale-to-original-list is the share of the first asking price sellers actually got.
Schools the listings are zoned for
| Ridgecrest | Wilford Preserve | |
|---|---|---|
| Elementary | Ridgeview | Argyle |
| Middle | Orange Park | Orange Park |
| High school | Ridgeview | Orange Park |
The school most often recorded on each community's MLS listings. Always confirm a specific address with the district.
Which one fits
On budget alone, Ridgecrest is the lower entry point (median $362K vs $439K). Buyers who want newer construction (fewer near-term roof, HVAC and re-plumb items, and easier insurance quotes in Florida) will find it in Wilford Preserve; Ridgecrest trades that for a more established street and, typically, larger lots. Sellers get a faster sale in Ridgecrest (52 days on market on average); buyers get more negotiating room where homes sit longer.
Neither number set decides it: drive both on a weekday evening, check the HOA documents and the flood zone for the exact street, and price the insurance before you write an offer. A Momentum agent who works both communities can pull the comparable sales for any two specific homes.
Questions people ask
Is Wilford Preserve more expensive than Ridgecrest?
Yes, on recent sales: the median sale price in Wilford Preserve is $439,000 versus $362,000 in Ridgecrest, about 21% higher.
How far apart are Ridgecrest and Wilford Preserve?
About 2 miles straight-line, center to center, both in Clay County; driving distance is usually 15 to 30 percent more.
Which has newer homes, Ridgecrest or Wilford Preserve?
Wilford Preserve: its homes were built 2019–2024 with a median year of 2022, versus a median of 1980 in Ridgecrest (Florida DOR assessment roll).
Which has bigger homes?
Wilford Preserve. The typical home there is 2,330 sq ft of living area, versus 1,837 sq ft in Ridgecrest.
Which has appreciated more, Ridgecrest or Wilford Preserve?
From 2020 to 2026 the median sale price rose 53% in Ridgecrest and 64% in Wilford Preserve (recorded MLS closings by calendar year).
Where do sellers get closer to asking price?
Wilford Preserve — sellers there received 98.3% of the original list price over the last 12 months versus 97.7% in Ridgecrest.
What high schools serve Ridgecrest and Wilford Preserve?
Listings in Ridgecrest most often report Ridgeview; listings in Wilford Preserve report Orange Park. Zoning is set by the district and can change - verify by address.
Go deeper on each: Ridgecrest homes, photos & schools · Wilford Preserve homes, photos & schools
Figures are aggregates from realMLS / DBAAR, updated regularly. Thinking about either? Talk to Momentum Realty.