Lawson is a growing bedroom community north of Liberty
With a population of around 2,500, Lawson is a city where families stay for generations, and farming is still a significant industry. The quiet area has a CAP Index Crime Score of 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4. But as suburbs like Kearney and Liberty boom with development, more and more buyers are looking this far north, hoping to escape higher prices and city busyness while staying within an hour of Kansas City .
"It's just a good place to slow down and call home," says Sterling Spicer, a local resident and broker with Spicer Real Estate Team at ReeceNichols Real Estate. Lawson is small enough that it doesn't have large stores or a hospital, but with renovated parks and a brand-new subdivision moving in, the city is evolving to meet homebuyer interest. "The prices have been rising, and demand has also been rising, with no end in sight," Spicer says.
Newer homes on rustic country roads
According to Spicer, Lawson has newer housing options than other small towns in the area, like Richmond or Lexington . Although some properties were built before 1950, the majority of homes are from the 1960s to the 2000s. In 2025, construction began on Salem Estates, an upscale subdivision that will add more than 100 new houses to the city. Currently, most of Lawson feels rustic, with no sidewalks or street curbs. In the surrounding farmland, homebuyers can still find enough space to raise chickens.
Depending on size and renovations, older ranch-style homes and split-levels range from $150,000 to $300,000. From $300,000 to $600,000, buyers can typically find modern New Traditional houses or renovated properties with several acres.
Standout schools and sports teams within Lawson
Kids can attend Southwest Elementary School before heading north to Lawson Middle and Lawson High, which are located within the same building complex. All three schools receive a B grade from Niche. In addition to being named a National Blue Ribbon School in 2012, Lawson High is known for its strong sports, with a boys' track and field team that took home the state championship trophy in 2022.
Learning Lighthouse Preschool is a local, faith-based option for kids aged three to five, located at the Lawson United Methodist Church.
Years of investment have updated parks and recreation
For the city of Lawson, updates to parks and recreation are a priority. In the past few years, the renovated Lawson Swimming Pool opened to the public, and Lawson Lake got a new disc golf course. The city's lake is bordered by a campground, making it a go-to spot for fishing or kayaking with locals and visitors alike. At the center of town, Lawson City Park opened a splash pad in 2020, with plans to completely redo the playground to be ADA accessible by the end of 2025. "Lawson has its own public golf course as well," Spicer says. "A full 18-hole golf course that's very popular."
The city is less than 5 miles from the sprawling Watkins Mill State Park and Watkins Woolen Mill State Historic Site. In addition to hiking trails around a lake, visitors to this state park can step back into the 1870s by touring a historic woolen mill and watching sheep get sheared.
Farmers markets and festivals at a central green space
Under the shadow of the city's water tower, Lawson City Park is a central community point for family movies, farmers markets and children's art classes. When the trees turn orange, it's time for the Fall Festival, and in December, the pavilions are adorned with holiday lights for Christmas in the Park.
City Park is also the site of the town's biggest event — the Lawson Picnic. An ongoing tradition since 1902, the festival spans three days and includes live music, food trucks and late-night carnival rides. "It's always something that everybody looks forward to," Spicer says.
A few businesses in town, with more options in Excelsior Springs
Lawson is home to a few staples, including a post office, a gas station and a doctor's office. The locally owned Catrick's Café has served the town for many years, offering comforting dishes like chicken fried steak or biscuits with gravy. But there aren't many other places to eat in town, and a DG Market is the only option for picking up groceries. "There's not a ton when it comes to restaurants and food," Spicer says. "It's pretty slim pickings." However, he says most residents don't mind the drive to Excelsior Springs, less than 10 miles south. The larger city has retailers like Walmart and Aldi, as well as the Excelsior Springs Hospital.
Small town life within reach of Kansas City and Liberty
By connecting with Interstate 35, residents can travel the 40 miles into downtown Kansas City in about 40 minutes. The city of Liberty is about 25 miles away, typically less than 30 minutes by car. The closest airport to Lawson is Kansas City International Airport, about 40 miles away.
Written By
Catherine Lashley
