Named after one of this area’s rivers, Arkansas City, Kansas’ name has a twist. It’s pronounced ar-KAN-zizz – like the state of Kansas, not ar-KAN-saw, but most locals just call it Ark City. A town of nearly 12,000 residents, this area began development in the 1890s when the Cherokee turned over land to the U.S. government, resulting in the largest land rush in American history. The city’s Cherokee Strip Land Museum tells the whole story in detail and is open to the public for tours four days a week. Ark City is also known for its affordable housing rates, annual community events like the Arkalalah Festival and its ample job opportunities. Located within 5 miles of the Oklahoma border and about 60 miles southeast of Wichita, "[Ark City also] has a lot of Wichita commuters, and they just head directly west to I-35 to get there,” says Jennifer Owen, Realtor with Summit Realty. “We’re about 20 miles from the highway.”
Arkansas City is named after the Arkansas River that runs along the city's edge.
Learn some local history at the Cherokee Strip Land Rush Museum in Arkansas City.
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Kansas taxes vs. Oklahoma
Most of the homes in Arkansas City are from the early 1900s, but a few new construction options are scheduled to be built in the coming years near the Spring Hill Golf Course. “You’ll be able to get a 19-hundred square foot house with three bedrooms for $325,000,” Owen says. The median price for a single-family home in Arkansas City is $125,000, which is the same as in neighboring Winfield, about 15 miles north. However, “The cost of living is cheaper here,” Owen says. “We have higher taxes in Kansas than they do in Oklahoma. The joke is that we may pay more taxes, but they pay more to align their cars. The roads here are in better shape.” The housing stock is mainly single-family homes, but some multi-family dwellings and apartment options can be found close to downtown.
Craftsman and bungalow styled homes are very common throughout Arkansas City.
Most homes in Arkansas City were built in the 1900's.
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Museums, the Arkalalah Festival and casinos
Ark City features several Native American history museums, including the Cherokee Strip Land Rush Museum and the Etzanoa conservation site, which can be toured by appointment.
Every year, around the last weekend of October, the population of Arkansas City almost doubles during the Arkalalah Festival, which attracts more than 20,000 people annually. The festival’s name comes from the Native American word for “good times,” and its origins date back to the Great Depression, when the city found it necessary to hold events to lift the community’s spirits. Nearly 90 years later, this four-day festival continues and includes a carnival, food vendors and multiple parades. Just across the border are two large casinos that are big attractions for Kansas residents: the 7 Clans First Council Casino Hotel and the Native Lights Casino. Both offer gaming and music performances and are located on U.S. Highway 77 in neighboring Oklahoma.
The Cherokee Strip Land Rush Museum has several different attractions to enjoy.
There are several museums and attractions near Arkansas City.
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Downtown Arkansas City
Over the past few years, deteriorating buildings from the 1800s have been brought back to life, as the city has worked to revitalize its downtown. Today, locally owned businesses line Summit Street and range from boutiques selling jewelry, handmade gifts and antiques. The historic Burford Theatre, which dates back to 1924, is also located here and hosts movies, live music performances and comedy shows. Big-box retailers, like Walmart Supercenter, are more prominent on the north side of town. For groceries, there’s also a Dillons and an Aldi. Fast-food restaurants and locally owned spots also line Summit Street.
Arkansas City is a small city with a population of around 12,000 people.
The historic Burford Theatre, which dates back to 1924, is also located in Arkansas City.
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Warm weather and Wilson Park’s train
This area enjoys a warmer climate than those in Kansas's central and northern parts. “Folks in Topeka and Kansas City get much more snow than we do,” Owen says. Despite the weather, residents can still get outside at Wilson Park. Located north of downtown on Summit Street, "We call it the train park,” says Owen. That’s because it contains an authentic steam locomotive that’s parked there. “Kids can climb on it. It’s very popular.” The park also has tennis and pickleball courts and during the summer months, the park also holds concerts featuring the Arkansas City Community Band under the park’s rotunda. Wilson Park is also the site of the Ark City Farm and Art Market, which runs from early May through late September. Nearby, Paris Park features play equipment, a skate park and the Paris Park Pool. Wilson Park also hosts the Last Run Car Show in late September, where classic cars are displayed after a popular downtown parade.
There is an authentic steam locomotive that’s parked at Wilson Park in Arkansas City.
Kids can enjoy the playground at Paris Park in Arkansas City.
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Home of Arkansas City USD 470 and Cowley College
The Arkansas City Unified School District 470 serves this community’s students from kindergarten through twelfth grade and receives an overall C-rating from Niche. It comprises six elementary schools, one middle school and one high school, Arkansas City High. The high school offers a career pathways program designed to help teens with the transition from high school to postsecondary education. Cowley College, a two-year community college is also located here and has an enrollment of just over 2,100.
Cowley College offers a two year degree in Arkansas City.
Lowell Elementary School is a great option for younger students in the area.
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Major Employers in Ark City, transit and crime
This city’s job market is fueled by major area employers like Creekstone Farms Premium Beef, GE Aerospace and Newell Rubbermaid, which together provide more than 2,400 jobs to this community’s economy. Other area employers range from assorted manufacturing, milling and engineering organizations, as well as the local education systems. For local transit, residents can take North Summit Street to get where they need to be, or they can hop on U.S. Route 77 or Interstate 35 when traveling to neighboring areas. Strother Field is a small private airport, while commercial flights are available at Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport in Wichita, 65 miles to the northwest. South Central Kansas Health is the closest hospital, a few miles north of downtown.
According to the FBI, some violent crimes were above the national and state averages in part of 2023, and some property crimes, like larceny, were well above both averages.
Written By
Jeff Stapleton
Photography Contributed By
Zach Manwell
Video By
Amon Parson
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Seth Burkhardt,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Arkansas City, KS sell after 67 days on the market compared to the national average of 50 days. The median sale price for homes in Arkansas City, KS over the last 12 months is $63,000, down 43% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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