Gardner is a small, historic city about 35 miles southwest of Kansas City. Founded by settlers from the East Coast along the Santa Fe and Oregon trails in 1857, it has become the 62nd fastest-growing city in the United States. Rural land is quickly being converted into developments, with a burgeoning housing market and easy commute along Interstate 35 attracting more residents from Kansas City's metropolitan area.
"I grew up doing the Johnson County Fair there with 4-H. People token Gardner as the gem of Kansas City for its country vibe and smalltown atmosphere. It's really a one-road-in, one-road-out kind of place," says Paul Galbrecht, a Realtor with Keller Williams who has been selling throughout Kansas and Missouri for nine years.
Gardner is a small, historic city about 35 miles southwest of Kansas City and is the 62nd fastest-growing city in the United States.
With a rural setting in Johnson County, Gardner balances new homes and access to the big city with a small-town atmosphere.
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New homes in Johnson County amidst a growing market
With a population of 25,300 as of 2023, Gardner has grown more than five times as large as it was in 1993. This boom has been driven by a wealth of new construction that's valued for its relative affordability and spaciousness. "The Kansas part of the metro is growing really quickly. You run out of space in more central locations, so Gardner has definitely taken off recently and there are deals to be had there," Galbrecht says.
With a median sales price of $425,000, homes in Gardner are more expensive than the Kansas City average, but in line with national norms. Ranch-styles and split-level homes from the 1950s through '70s are common in older parts of the city. New development from the 2000s and onward often features two-story construction, with 2,500-square-foot floorplans and between a fifth and half-acre lot being typical.
New development from the 2000s and onward focus on modern construction and 2 to 3 car garages.
Split-level homes can be found in older parts of Gardner, a city that has grown 5 times its size in the last 30 years.
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Gardner public schools and Trailblazers football
Gardner Edgerton Unified School District receives a B-plus rating from Niche. With 11 schools and nearly 6,000 students, the district's only high school is Gardner Edgerton High. The school boasts a stand-alone Advanced Technical Center to help students with trade programs and a TRAILS Facility that transitions college-age students with special needs. The school is also known for its competitive football program. "It's the kind of place where you can go to the local high school on a Friday night and the whole town is there watching the Trailblazers play," Galbrecht says.
Gardner Edgerton High School is a fully accredited high school located in Gardner, Kansas.
Trail Ridge Middle School is well loved by students in Gardner, Kansas.
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Commuting on I-35 and Kansas City International Airport
Gardner is 30 miles southwest of Kansas City, but Interstate 35 makes it possible to get downtown in 35 minutes. The closest hospital, Olathe Medical Center, is also about 8 miles northeast along Interstate 35. For flights around the U.S., Canada and Mexico, Kansas City International Airport is about 46 miles north with service from 10 airlines.
Main Street shopping with a smalltown feel
Main Street has a majority of the shopping and dining options within Gardner, with locally owned staples such as A Cup Above Coffee House, Goodcents Sandwiches and Full Draw Bar & Grill lining the thoroughfare. Blazers Restaurant is named after the high school football team and is an old-fashioned burger joint that has been open since 1976. Groceries and errands can be completed at the local Walgreens and Cosentino’s Price Chopper, as well as Scott's One Stop Shop, a thrift store that opened in 1906.
Blazers Restaurant, an old-fashioned burger joint, is named after Gardner Edgerton High School's football team.
Goodcents offers Gardner cold and hot subs, salad and pasta.
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Gardner parks and a moderate climate
Gardner Parks and Recreation oversees 18 parks throughout the city, ranging from a senior center and public golf course to the Gardner Aquatic Center, complete with water slides and a kiddie pool. In addition to a skate park and playground at Glendell Acres Park, Gardner is known for its proximity to nearby boating and fishing lakes such as Edgerton City Lake and Bridgewater Lake.
Gardner goes through four seasons throughout the year, with cold winters and hot summers, as is typical of the Midwest. According to WeatherSpark.com, the city has a moderate risk for severe storms, and average snowfall is about a foot.
Edgerton City Lake is a peaceful place that locals go to fish, picnic and use small non-gasoline powered boats.
Glendell Acres Skate Park is the perfect place to sharpen your skills in Gardner.
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The Johnson County Fair and other community events
The Johnson County Fair is a main event in Gardner, hosted by the Johnson County Fair Association and 4-H every July and August. The fair has been a tradition since 1939, with carnival rides and stage events ranging from musical acts to poultry showmanship.
The Edgerton Library is also a center for community events, with programs from the Tales for Tots storytelling session to community dances and an escape room put on by Edgerton Parks and Recreation. The Full Draw Bar & Grill is a popular spot for live music throughout the year.
Inspire Dance Academy is located in downtown Gardner and welcomes dancers of all ages.
The Edgerton Library is also a center for community events, with programs from the Tales for Tots storytelling session to community dances.
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Important to know
According to FBI data, Gardner's reported violent and property crime rates are both about half of the national average.
Written By
Bayley Malo
Photography Contributed By
Brooke Wasson
Video By
Jason Jacot
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Misty Froelich,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Gardner, KS sell after 42 days on the market compared to the national average of 56 days. The median sale price for homes in Gardner, KS over the last 12 months is $361,000, up 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
To tour this home please stop by our new model home located at 16364 Baxter Street. Welcome home to Symphony Farms Community! Lifestyle Building & Design's most popular Reverse floor plan, The Austin on lot 40. This fantastic home is stunning from every angle. Your guests will be greeted by an impressive stair case and tall ceilings. Great room is planked with large windows that fills the main
No Cookie Cutter Home Here! Only one of a select few built with this unique floor plan in the community. From the moment you step inside, you'll be welcomed by expansive windows that fill the home with natural light and showcase views of the beautiful water feature behind the home!The versatile flex room offers endless possibilities and can easily serve as a home office, playroom, formal
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This beautifully updated two-story home in Gardner is one you won't want to miss.With 1,666 square feet +/- (Converted garage room adds an additional 294 Sq. Ft. +/-) , 3-4 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, NO HOA, and an oversized fenced backyard, this home offers the perfect combination of updates, space, and flexibility. The entire interior has been freshly painted and features all new trim,
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Welcome home to this stunning 2024-built 4-bedroom, 2.5-bath home perfectly situated on a quiet cul-de-sac lot backing to community green space in the desirable Prairie Trace subdivision. Offering nearly 2,200 square feet, a 3-car garage, and quality finishes throughout, this home is truly move-in ready. The open-concept main level features beautiful hardwood floors, a spacious great room with a
#1 Industrial Property in KC. 162.25 Acres. Approximately 1 Mile to I35 - Approximately 2.8 Miles to the BNSF Intermodal. Across the street from Hostess and Kubota Warehouses. Roads were built to support semi traffic - Homestead Bridge on Homestead was built to support Semi Traffic. Information on sewer, water and gas is available. Property can be annexed and rezoned to Industrial - process can
This convenient single-story plan opens to a sprawling family room with shared access to the modern kitchen and dining area, ideal for seamless modern living. A rear covered patio expands the layout for outdoor activities. At the opposite side of the home, all three bedrooms enjoy peace and privacy, including the tranquil owner’s suite with an attached bathroom. A two-car garage rounds out the
This new single-story home offers ample space to live and grow. Three bedrooms boast a private location near the entry, and a luxurious owner’s suite is nestled into a private rear corner, complete with a full bathroom and walk-in closet. An open-concept layout encourages simple transitions and multitasking, with a nearby patio for simple indoor-outdoor living.
This new single-story home offers ample space to live and grow with two bedrooms and a luxurious owner’s suite at the back of the home, complete with a full bathroom and walk-in closet. An open-concept main living area includes a multifunctional kitchen, a spacious family room and a dining room, which enjoys direct access to a covered patio for simple indoor-outdoor living. A two-car garage
Welcome to TALLGRASS. Our modern farmhouse inspired community offers spacious one and two bedroom apartment homes with beautifully crafted modern interiors. Enjoy open floor plans featuring stainless steel appliances, granite countertops, large walk-in closets, and so much more!Enhance your lifestyle with the convenient community amenities offered at Tallgrass. Relax in one of two
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At Nottingham Village, we offer great apartment homes in South Johnson County. We are just minutes from Olathe and about half hour from Kansas City. Our community offers our residences wonderful amenities. Some of our apartment amenities include: aerobic fitness center, full size washer and dryer in every apartment home, refrigerator with ice makers, dishwasher, patio or balcony, built in
SPLIT THE PAYMENT! Reserve your new home by paying 50% of your security deposit now, with the remaining balance due before move-in.Welcome to 31959 West 172nd Street, a comfortable 3-bedroom, 2-bathroom home offering 1,527 square feet of living space. This property features an open layout that begins with a cozy living area and flows into a functional kitchen complete with ample storage
Welcome to 31770 West 171st Street, a comfortable 1,510-square-foot home that features 3 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms. The bright living area flows naturally into the kitchen, which is well-appointed with breakfast bar seating and a full suite of stainless steel appliances. For your convenience, the home includes a dedicated laundry closet equipped with washer and dryer hookups, while an attached
*CURRENTLY OCCUPIED. CANNOT BE VIEWED AT THIS TIME.*WOODSON B FLOOR PLAN*GARAGE FACES SOUTHEASTRemarkable value and an unbeatable location. Welcome to Cottage Park Townhomes. The Cottage Park community is included in the Cottage Park Villas Homes Association which provides all Lawn and Landscape mowing and maintenance as well as snow removal. All of this is
$2,100 per month
Updated 3 Bed 2 Bath Home in Gardner-Available NOW!!
Please call our office to inquire . You cannot apply for or schedule showings to any of our properties through Zillow. You must visit Ad Astra Realty's website. PROSPECTIVE TENANTS WATCH FIRST: WE DO NOT ADVERTISE ON CRAIGSLIST or FACEBOOK MARKETPLACE!! If you see this unit on Craigslist it is a SCAM!! We do not advertise on Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, Letgo, or
Gardner-Edgerton, a historic neighborhood about 35 miles from downtown Kansas City that was originally planned in 1870, maintains a small-town and rural ambiance.<br><br>On this community’s streets, which are arranged in a grid pattern, you’ll find split-level and ranch homes, as well as homes with two-car garages. Many homes were built in the 1970s, with more being developed in the 2000s.<br><br>Martin Creek Park, a 20-acre green space on Gardner-Edgerton east border, includes three baseball fields, a basketball court, a volleyball court and a dog park. <br><br>Edgerton Elementary School serves much of the community and is part of the Gardner Edgerton School District.<br><br>Manor Park, tucked into Gardner-Edgerton's streets, offers a small respite with swings and a slide in the center of the area. Glendell Acres Park, located in one of the neighborhood's subdivisions, has skate equipment and a playground. <br><br>Gardner-Edgerton is also known for its lakes. Residents can fish and boat at Edgerton City Lake and Bridgewater Lake.<br><br>You can grab a sandwich at Goodcents, pick up your coffee at A Cup Above Coffee House, or pick out a new outfit at Scott's One Stop Shop, a local thrift store. Full Draw Bar & Grill serves bar food along with some Tex-Mex dishes.<br><br>The neighborhood puts on regular events. Tales for Tots is a storytelling session hosted at the Edgerton Library, you can enjoy an escape room put on by Edgerton Parks and Recreation, or show your moves at a community dance. You can also stop by Full Draw Bar & Grill for live music.
Property Mix - Square Feet
Gardner Has More Owners
Rental Home Trends
Number of Homes for Rent
8
Median Rent
$1,899
Median Single Family Home Rent
$2,038
Median 3 Bedroom Single Family Home Rent
$2,038
Median Townhouse Rent
$1,675
Median 3 Bedroom Townhouse Rent
$1,795
Demographics
Total Population
25,321
Median Age
35
Population under 18
30.4%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
11%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$82,785
On par with the national average
$79,597
Average Household Income
$95,839
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
95%
Above the national average
89%
College Graduates
31.8%
Advanced Degrees
9%
% Population in Labor Force
81.5%
Above the national average
64.9%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
41''
Average Winter Low Temperature
21°F
Average Summer High Temperature
88°F
Annual Snowfall
9''
Area Factors
Moderately bikeable
Bikeability®
60/ 100
Fairly walkable
Walkability®
40/ 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic
Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.