Why Live in Great Bend
Great Bend, Kansas, a city of about 14,700 residents, has evolved from its 1870s cattle depot origins into a community supported by agriculture and manufacturing. Located along the Arkansas River, it offers a quieter lifestyle compared to Wichita. The housing market features single-family homes, townhouses, condominiums, and manufactured homes, with prices generally below the national median. Historic homes from the late 1800s and early 1900s are found downtown, while mid-1900s and contemporary homes are located in subdivisions and on the outskirts. Many homes include basements for extra living space and storm shelter, particularly useful during tornado season from March to June.
Great Bend’s downtown Main Street and 10th Street (U.S. Route 56) provide diverse shopping and dining experiences, with local businesses and national chains. The city maintains over 2,000 acres of parks, including Veterans Memorial Park and Brit Spaugh Park, which features the Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo and Wetlands Waterpark. The Arkansas River, though often low in summer, adds historical significance with a monument marking the Santa Fe Trail.
The Great Bend Unified School District 428 serves the city and nearby rural areas, with students attending five elementary schools, Great Bend Middle, and Great Bend High. Barton Community College offers various associate degrees and certifications. Community events are frequent, with Veterans Memorial Park hosting popular annual gatherings like Party in the Park and the Home for the Holiday Festival. The Barton County Fair is held at the Great Bend Municipal Airport. U.S. Routes 56 and 281 are the main thoroughfares, and while the city lacks public bus routes, the Commission on Aging provides transportation services. For air travel, residents can drive 65 miles to Hays Regional Airport or 110 miles to Wichita National Airport.
