Slavery opponents from Massachusetts settled the Lawrence area in the 1850s as part of a greater effort to try to prevent the then-Kansas territory from becoming a slave state. Lawrence — which would briefly serve as one of Kansas’ two capitals — was front and center during Bleeding Kansas, a violent period that many in the state consider to be the actual start of the American Civil War. While those turbulent days are long gone, the city still honors its progressive roots. “It’s a really progressive town. It’s very inclusive,” says Maren Bradley, president of the Old West Lawrence Neighborhood Association. “There are a lot of different people with alternate lifestyles who come here because they feel safe.”
Lawrence is home to Kansas University (KU), the state’s flagship institution and the city’s primary draw. The university boasts a total student body of approximately 26,700, which makes up nearly a third of Lawrence’s population. Many alums either stay here after graduation or return years later to settle down. KU has a massive influence on everything in Lawrence, from local entertainment to the neighborhoods’ architecture.
The 2020 census shows Lawrence has a population of nearly 95,000 which is about an 8% increase from 2010. The city is located in Douglas County, which comprises the entire metropolitan area and the county’s population of around 119,000 is about a 7% increase from the 2010 census count.
Lawrence also boasts a vibrant arts and dining scene. “We have a very local mindset. Lots of local businesses, local artists, local chefs and the community’s really great about rallying behind those people to help support local businesses and showcase talent in town,” says Victoria Perdue, leader of Keller Williams Integrity’s Complete Home Advisors team.
Lawrence is home to Kansas University, the state’s flagship institution and primary draw.
Locals enjoy experiencing, critiquing and leaning art at the Lawrence Art Center.
Lawrence is filled with local businesses, large employers, top schools, colleges, & parks.
Lawrence boasts a vibrant arts scene with galleries like the Phoenix Gallery on Mass St.
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Architecture spanning the Victorian, Atomic and contemporary eras
Lawrence’s architecture spans across generations from the Victorian era to today. The city’s most historic homes are located close to downtown and KU, and consist primarily of ornate Queen Anne cottages, Italianates, American Foursquares and Craftsman bungalows. In neighborhoods like Old West Lawrence, many buyers have been drawn to the historic character of the homes that survived the Lawrence Massacre, the infamous Civil War attack carried out by William Quantrill’s pro-Confederate fighters.
Communities farther from downtown often feature many mid-20th-century styles, and some of these neighborhoods reflect the architectural quirks of that era. For instance, the renowned Dean House in the Centennial neighborhood stands out for its double hyperbolic paraboloid roof, a product of Atomic Age design.
Contemporary Colonial Revivals and Traditionals exist throughout West Lawrence, a vast community of suburban neighborhoods on the newer and growing side of the city. Residents here enjoy more spacious and upscale houses on lots larger than the ones in the heart of the city.
KU also contributes to local housing through Studio 804, an architecture program that each year tasks its students to design homes to be built in select neighborhoods. The homes stand out with their simplicity and contemporary 21st-century traits like prominent metal exteriors, large front windows and slanted skillion roofs. The Brook Creek neighborhood features a rectangular-shaped home with an all-glass exterior that reflects the surrounding trees and streetscape. “They are putting in some really interesting houses that are unique and eco-friendly,” Perdue says about Studio 804. “They’re really different from the homes that are currently in existence, and they’re getting opportunities to test out and try new things that may not at the moment be sustainable for builders to do.”
Most single-family homes across the city cost roughly between $200,000 and $500,000, but a few more upscale ones in areas like West Lawrence can surpass the $1 million mark. Lawrence’s most recent median price is $315,000. By contrast, the median prices in neighbors Kansas City, Kansas, and Topeka are $216,000 and $186,375, respectively. However, Lawrence’s median price remains about $100,000 below the national median, which went up by about 3% in the past year.
Lawrence's most historic homes are located near downtown, some with Italianate architecture.
In neighborhoods like Old West Lawrence, many buyers are drawn to historic cottages.
Contemporary homes are popping up near Lawrence Country Club and throughout West Lawrence.
Lawrence’s architecture spans across generations from the Victorian era to today.
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Dining and bar scenes around KU and Mass Street
Lawrence has unique dining staples across the entire city, but most are concentrated around KU and downtown. Massachusetts Street, or “Mass Street,” anchors the downtown and features rows of brick buildings with vintage glass storefronts. Notable places here include Merchants Pub & Plate, which serves traditional American comfort meals and runs out of an old bank initially opened in the late 19th century. The building’s claim to fame was being robbed in 1932 by outlaw Clyde Barrow — one half of the Bonnie and Clyde duo. Other institutions include Limestone Pizza Kitchen Bar and the Free State Brewing Company. Opened in 1989, Free State began serving craft beers decades before the national brewery boom.
The Jayhawk Cafe bar and nightclub, or “The Hawk,” is the KU campus’ oldest nightlife establishment. Owned by a multiple James Beard award nominee, the 1900 Barker - Bakery and Cafe is popular for its freshly baked artisan breads. The cafe has two sister businesses, one of which is Taylor’s Donuts.
Johnny’s Tavern is one of several local staples located away from downtown and KU. The regional chain has two locations in the city, one in North Lawrence and another in West Lawrence. During the year, the sports bar hosts a series called “Hawk Talk,” which sees local figures like KU men’s basketball coach Bill Self come in for Q&A sessions.
Grocery chain Dillons has several stores in Lawrence.
Lawrence's Merchants Pub & Plate, serves traditional American comfort meals.
Mass Street in Lawrence anchors downtown featuring restaurants like Free State Brewery.
1900 Barker Cafe on Mass is popular in Lawrence for its freshly baked artisan breads.
For home-cooked meals, grocery chain Dillons has several stores throughout Lawrence.
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Arts, culture and Jayhawks basketball
Street murals exist from the downtown to the nature area near the Baker Univerity Wetlands. Themes depicted included farm, Indigenous and nature scenery. Several former warehouses in East Lawrence have also been turned into art gallery spaces and studios. Entertainment venues include KU’s Lied Center of Kansas, which hosts plays and shows by renowned recording artists. Plays also occur at Theatre Lawrence and the Lawrence Arts Center, the latter of which houses other activities like ceramic classes.
The city has several museums, too. The university’s Spencer Museum of Art and Natural History Museum have various art and wildlife exhibits. The nearby Watkins Museum of History has numerous artifacts showcasing Douglas County’s history. The Watkins and Natural History museums stand out with their impressive Romanesque architecture.
One of the city’s notable celebrations is the Lawrence Arts Center’s Free State Festival, which occurs over several days in late June. With indie film showings, the event draws local film buffs. The event also features live music and comedic performances. Those attending the Old-Fashioned Christmas Parade will see authentic horse-drawn carriages on Massachusetts Street.
One of the city’s biggest attractions is Jayhawks basketball. KU’s entire athletics program has won numerous NCAA Division I titles, four of which belong to the men’s basketball team. The Jayhawks play at the Allen Fieldhouse, and the games create a festive atmosphere across the city. “It’s in the air. Everyone represents the team with their clothing,” Perdue says, adding the Fieldhouse on game days is “always sold out. It’s by far the best place to watch college basketball in the country. It’s electric in there.”
The Jayhawks football team currently plays at the Kansas City Chiefs’ Arrowhead Stadium as it awaits the reconstruction of David Booth Kansas Memorial Stadium. In addition to a new football venue, the massive project will lead to improvements immediately around the stadium. “It will be great. It was due for an upgrade, especially with the new influx of supporters. They’re bringing more businesses to lift that whole area up, and there’s going to be other things we haven’t had before,” Perdue says.
Lawrence has several museums like the Natural History Museum on KU campus.
Watkins Museum of History has numerous artifacts showcasing Douglas County’s history.
Lawrence Arts Center offers events, classes, art exhibitions and performances.
One of Lawrence's biggest attractions is Jayhawks basketball that play at Allen Fieldhouse.
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Kayaking on the Kansas River and skating at Centennial Park
The city has 54 parks, more than 100 miles of trails and quick access to the Kansas River—or the “Kaw”—for kayaking. It is also several miles north of the Santa Fe National Historic Trail, which runs all the way to New Mexico.
Popular outdoor sites include Centennial Park, one of Lawrence’s largest green spaces. The 35-acre park’s landscape includes terraced limestone cliffs. The site’s attractions include an 18-hole disc golf course and skate park with one of the few public 30-foot ramps in this part of the country. Clinton Lake and the 1,400-acre state park of the same name border Lawrence to the west. The 7,000-acre lake draws water sports enthusiasts, anglers and campers who enjoy spending nights near its shores.
The city has two private golf clubs with 18-hole courses: the Lawrence Country Club and the Jayhawks Club.
Lawrence has 54 parks, more than 100 miles of trails and quick access to the Kansas River.
Lawrence's Centennial Park has an amazing skatepark & disc golf course for all skill levels.
Clinton Lake is southwest of Lawrence and boasts a sports complex, camping, and golf course.
Lawrence offers private golf clubs with 18-hole courses like the Lawrence Country Club.
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Lawrence USD’s STEM focus, KU and Haskell Indian Nations University
The Lawrence Unified School District 497 is the city’s primary public school system. Ratings site Niche gives Lawrence USD 497 an A-minus and ranks it among the top 20 best districts in the entire state. Notable schools include Lawrence Free State and Lawrence High Schools, which both receive A-minus grades from Niche. The district places special emphasis on STEM curricula and activities like robotics and coding through several schools. Private schools include the St. John Catholic School and Bishop Seabury Academy.
KU offers majors typical of other full-fledged research universities. Recent figures show that its psychology and journalism programs had some of the highest shares of graduates. KU also has a medical school and hospital in Kansas City, Kansas. Located on the southern end of Lawrence, the Haskell Indian Nations University is the only four-year institution in the world serving an entirely Native American population. Haskell brings out unique events like the Native American art markets and annual powwows.
St. John Catholic School in Lawrence has great after school programs the kids will enjoy.
West Middle School serves the Hillcrest community in Lawrence, Kansas.
Free State High School is one of two high school in Lawrence.
Lawrence High School receives an A-minus grade from Niche.
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Largest employer in KU and I-70, K-10 commuter routes
KU is Lawrence’s biggest employer, with about 8,850 employees. The Lawrence Memorial Hospital has about 1,950 employees, making it the city’s second-largest employer. The hospital is also the city’s primary inpatient care facility. Other major employers include a Hallmark Cards warehouse, which employs just under 900 people.
Electronics giant Panasonic is also building an electric car battery plant in the De Soto area, about 20 miles east of Lawrence. While not in Lawrence, the Panasonic plant is expected to create jobs for many here. For instance, Perdue says one of her tenants in Lawrence is a lineman working on the Panasonic project.
Lawrence is a bike-friendly city with miles of pathways running through the town. The Lawrence Transit keeps bus stops across the entire city, and the Amtrak has a stop near downtown. The Amtrak station is a stop on the service’s Southwest Chief Train, which has a stop in neighboring Kansas City and goes as far west as Los Angeles. For those who drive, Interstate 70 and the K-10 provide commuter routes to the Kansas City area to the east. I-70 also goes directly to state capital Topeka to the west. Although the city is home to the Lawrence Regional Airport, travelers going on out-of-state flights typically go to the Kansas City International Airport.
Important to know
Weather forecasters consider Lawrence to have four true seasons, but their transitions will vary annually. There have been times when the snowfall period didn’t end until May or started as early as mid-October. “But that’s very rare,” says Brandon Drake, a forecaster with the local National Weather Service office in Topeka and a Lawrence resident himself. Since the National Weather Service has tracked climate data, annual snowfall in the region has ranged from just a fraction of an inch to 20 inches — an amount recorded in 1912. The area sees an average annual high temperature of about 65 degrees, putting it on par with the country’s average.
Located in the Great Plains, the region experiences tornadoes. From the 1950s to 2024, a little more than 40 tornadoes passed through Douglas County. However, only a couple of EF4 and EF5 tornadoes — the levels considered destructive — touched down in the area between 2014 and 2024.
The most recent and complete FBI data show that Lawrence’s property and violent crime rates are slightly higher than the state averages in those two categories. In 2022, Lawrence reported a property crime rate of 22.1 per 1,000 people, two points above the Kansas Average. The city that year also reported a violent crime rate of 20.2 per 1,000 people, four points above the state average. However, some of the city’s crime fell between 2021 and 2022. In 2021, Lawrence reported a property crime rate of 25 per 1,000 people.
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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.
