Barker
Neighborhood in Lawrence, Kansas
Douglas County 66044, 66046
Cottages and other charming and established styles
Houses near groups of mature oaks line Barker’s streets. Although sidewalks don’t exist in certain parts of the neighborhood, their absence hardly prevents leisurely strolls or walks to destinations like the University of Kansas. The neighborhood has an above average Walk Score and a Very Bikeable Bike Score. Colorful clapboard and single-story cottages make up much of the housing across Barker, and their footprints typically range between 1,000 and 2,000 square feet. “They’re good, comfortable, solid houses,” says Thomas Howe, an associate broker with McGrew Real Estate, who’s made 10 sales in Barker.Some of the houses come with distinct features like saltbox style, gambrel and half-hipped roofs. A few Craftsman bungalows and ranch-style houses also exist, and some homes blend these styles with other builds. Harris-Frydman, for instance, affectionately calls her house a “bungaloid.” The house has the columns and woodwork commonly seen with bungalows, but has a full second story — bungalows are distinctly one or one and a half stories. A few foursquares and Italianates from the 1800s add to the mix of housing. Trimmed plantings in front of the houses further enhance their character. Houses run roughly between $200,000 and $500,000, depending on size and age.
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Burroughs Creek Park and trail rides through East Lawrence
Barker sits within reach of a few small green spaces. North of the neighborhood is Burroughs Creek Park. A favorite of children in the community, the park features colorful and creatively designed climbing sets and a recently added splash pad. A few stone blocks add to the park’s decor, and one has a fish carved into its side. Further adding to the park’s creative design is a picnic pavilion with wood columns attached to panels of old street signs. The Burroughs Creek Trail — which forms a roughly 3-mile path with the Haskell Rail Trail — allows for bike rides and jogs across East Lawrence and connects Barker to sites like the Haskell Indian Nations University campus to the south. Chief Jim McSwain Park offers another green space with a playground and basketball court.
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STEAM focus at Liberty Memorial Central Middle School
Younger students here can start at either New York or Cordley elementary schools, which receive a B-minus and B-plus respectively from ratings site Niche. They can then go on to Liberty Memorial Central Middle School, which receives a B from Niche. Liberty Memorial has a STEAM initiative and offers courses in subjects like coding, app creation and flight and space. Students then go on to Lawrence High School, which receives an A-minus from Niche. The high school’s extra curricular activities include improv and film clubs. The school’s alumni includes Brian McClendon, who’s credited with being the creator of groundbreaking digital tool, Google Earth.Concert series at Vintage Church and Sunrise Project’s talent showcases
In partnership with Harris-Frydman and her husband, the Vintage Church on the far northwestern corner of the neighborhood hosts a series of concerts throughout the year. While they don’t occur every month, the church will sometimes put on as many as three shows in a month. “It depends on who’s coming through town,” Harris-Frydman says. The acts are typically smaller bands that are starting out and on the road to other shows in larger cities like Kansas City and St. Louis. “It’s a perfect partnership,” Harris-Frydman says about the collaboration with the church. The Sunrise Project’s lineup of events includes Talent Time on the first Sunday of each month. The nonprofit invites goers to take part in expressive activities like sharing artwork, reading a poem or singing a song they wrote.Close to I-70 commute and Lawrence Memorial
Barker lies about 4 miles south of Interstate 70, which provides a direct route to Kansas City to the east and state capital Topeka to the west. Lawrence sits about 27 miles and 40 miles, respectively, from Topeka and Kansas City. Located about 3 miles north of the neighborhood, the Lawrence Memorial Hospital provides the nearest major medical facility. While the city operates its own airport, many here travel to the Kansas City International Airport for out-of-state flights.
Pastries and coffee at 1900 bakery and community cafe at Sunrise Project
Located in the heart of the neighborhood is the 1900 Barker - Bakery and Cafe, the owner of which is a multiple James Beard award semi-finalist. A go-to for locally made breads and a variety of coffees, the cafe is also known for pastries ranging from scones and chocolate chip cookies to almond croissants. Down the street from the bakery is the Taqueria La Pasadita, a staple for authentic Mexican street food. The Taqueria’s menu includes soft shell corn tortilla tacos and tortas. Guests can pair their meal with one of the many Jarritos sodas lining the restaurant’s wooden shelves. Those looking to mingle with other residents over coffee and snacks can stop by the Sunrise Project on the weekends. Each Sunday afternoon, the nonprofit hosts a free community cafe — although donations are welcomed. Visitors can also grab a book, play some board games or use the Wi-Fi to do some work on their laptops. More than a neighborhood stop for tools and landscaping equipment, the Cottin’s Hardware & Rental hosts the community’s weekly farmers market. Every Thursday, many flock to the store’s parking lot to browse a range of items that include farm fresh produce, plantings, local grass fed beef and homemade barbecue sauce. The market moves inside the store during the winters. The store, which runs under the True Value brand, also allows dog owners to bring their pets inside while shopping. “They have just gone out of their way to create a community,” Harris-Frydman says. The business neighbors a Dillons, which provides a grocery shopping option.Additional Barker facts
Barker has CAP Index crime score of four out of 10, which puts it on par with the national average.
Written By
Yann Ranaivo
Photography Contributed By
John Collins
Video By
Taylor Gilbert
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Agents Specializing in this Area
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Crystal Swearingen
Crystal Swearingen
CRYSTAL CLEAR REALTY
(785) 453-3864
94 Total Sales
3 in Barker
$103K - $450K Price Range
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Renee Barrett
Renee Barrett
PLATINUM REALTY
(424) 488-1598
49 Total Sales
1 in Barker
$399,000 Price
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Debbie White
Debbie White
Responds QuicklyReeceNichols - Lees Summit
(816) 656-2780
180 Total Sales
1 in Barker
$333,000 Price
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Sarah Dreiling
Sarah Dreiling
Responds QuicklyKW INTEGRITY
(785) 453-7053
155 Total Sales
4 in Barker
$183K - $515K Price Range
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LUCY HARRIS
LUCY HARRIS
Responds QuicklyMCGREW REAL ESTATE
(785) 384-6696
131 Total Sales
1 in Barker
$199,900 Price
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Carson Levine
Carson Levine
Responds QuicklyKW INTEGRITY
(913) 675-1217
156 Total Sales
2 in Barker
$389K - $570K Price Range
Schools
Source:
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.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- 6th to 8th
- Public
- K to 5th
- Public
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Broken Arrow Park
Centennial Park
Prairie Park Nature Center
- Fishing
- Picnic Area
- Trails
Prairie Park
Chaparrel Park
South Park
Burroughs Creek Park
Veterans Park
Buford M. Watson Jr. Park
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Barker | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 3 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 5 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 3 | 4 |
| Robbery | 4 | 4 |
| Burglary | 5 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 4 | 4 |
| Larceny | 5 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 4 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Barker Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Barker, Lawrence sell after 20 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Barker, Lawrence over the last 12 months is $300,000, up 14% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$310,000
Median Sale Price
$300,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$300,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
33
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
14%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$204
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
672
Number of Homes for Sale
3
Median Year Built
1935
Months of Supply
1.10
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,415
Significantly below the national average
1,933
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,101
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
7,840
Open Houses
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Tuesday, Jun 173:30 - 5:30pm
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
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Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
1,682
Median Age
41
Population Density
6 ppl/acre
Population under 18
20.3%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
19.9%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$66,170
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$76,174
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
98.9%
Above the national average
89.1%
College Graduates
41.1%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
13.4%
% Population in Labor Force
71.5%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
40''
Average Winter Low Temperature
20°F
Average Summer High Temperature
88°F
Annual Snowfall
11''
Area Factors
Very Bikeable
Bike Score®
83
/ 100
Somewhat Walkable
Walk Score®
65
/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Nearby Neighborhoods
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Park Hill
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Brook Creek
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East Lawrence
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