Kansas Real Estate & Relocation Guide

Olathe, Kansas

Population: 111,334

Located in Johnson County

Olathe is the county seat and governmental hub of Johnson County, the most populous county in Kansas. Once separated from the suburban communities of Kansas City, Olathe has grown into one of the largest and most significant satellite cities in the Kansas City metropolitan area. With a population of approximately 125,000, Olathe has been one of the fastest growing cities in the nation for many years, according to the U.S. Census Bureau.

Despite the sluggish economy across the United States, Olathe is still thriving. In 2008, Olathe grew by 1.8 million square feet of new commercial space. Growth has come in the form of small specialty stores, national retailers, business parks, and light industrial facilities. This new commercial growth resulted in 930 new jobs. Development projects underway in 2009 include a major expansion at the Olathe Medical Center campus, the Kansas State Olathe Innovation Campus and Kansas Bioscience Park, a new 12-story Embassy Suites Hotel and Convention Center, and a fourth Farmers Insurance facility,

Thousands of families each year make Olathe their new home. They are attracted by Olathe's quality housing at an affordable price, and by the small-town feel of many of our distinctive neighborhoods. Olathe is an old enough community to offer large tree-lined streets and early-twentieth-century homes, but a majority of the housing stock is found in well-designed newer suburban subdivisions. Olathe prides itself on its safe, friendly, affordable neighborhoods. The National Association of Home Builders ranked Kansas City as one of the most affordable housing areas in the country, and Olathe among the most affordable cities in the Kansas City area and in Johnson County. Residents cite outstanding schools, safe and friendly neighborhoods, and great housing prices as primary reasons for relocating to Olathe.

Olathe District Schools continue to be recognized by educator and national publications, as well as the federal government, as one of the premier districts in the nation. Despite tremendous growth, Olathe District Schools have maintained a low student/teacher ratio. The district has received the prestigious National Gold Metal ranking from Expansion Management Magazine, the elite Excellence Level III in the Malcolm Baldridge national quality program and 15 National Blue Ribbon School Awards from the U.S. Department of Education, more than any other district in the state. Olathe is also home to Kansas School for the Deaf and to MidAmerica Nazerene University.

Olathe leads the state of Kansas in the number of LEED certified and registered buildings. In fact, the City's Municipal Services building was the first municipal building in Kansas and the Kansas City metropolitan area to receive a "Green" certification through the LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) national building rating system. Olathe District Schools has been highly successful in energy savings despite significant growth. It has received no fewer than 15 Energy Star Awards for efficient buildings and over the last 16 years has accrued $14.7 million in decreased energy costs.

The community enjoys an extensive park system with more than 45 neighborhood and community parks, 9 public lakes or ponds, and 15 miles of green-belt biking and walking paths, which connect to 36.5 miles of Johnson County paths. The City maintains 1,809 acres of green space. Parks & Recreation estimates that more than 200,000 people use Olathe trails each year. The City also operates two historic sites: the Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm, the only stagecoach stop on the Santa Fe Trail still open to the public, and the Ensor Park & Museum, a seasonal museum devoted to craftsman and amateur radio operator Marshal Ensor. We have two lively community theaters, the Olathe Community Theater/Buddy Rogers Family Playhouse and the Chestnut Fine Arts. MidAmerica Nazarene University offers another great venue for entertainment in its new Cultural Events Center. The Olathe Arts Alliance is the umbrella organization for performing arts, visual arts, and musical performing groups. Opportunities for another type of indoor recreation—shopping--abound with hubs at the Great Mall of the Great Plains and the 119th Street and Strang Line Complex.

Located only 18 miles southwest on Interstate 35 from downtown Kansas City, Olatheans have great access to all Kansas City has to offer. Residents enjoy amenities such as the Country Club Plaza, a European-inspired, fountain-rich shopping and restaurant district and America's first planned shopping center, Worlds of Fun and Oceans of Fun, the Nelson-Atkins Museum, the Lyric Theatre, Kansas Speedway, and the Kansas City Zoo.

A city where three historic trails once converged, Olathe is still blazing new trails in global positioning, bioscience, medicine, education, and more. As we continue to grow, especially in those targeted industries, our goal is to offer the opportunities and amenities of a big city while we maintain hometown appeal.