Chill suburban lifestyle with abundant parks and lakes close to major metro-area amenities
Lee's Summit is a lush, hilly suburban oasis located 20 miles southeast of downtown Kansas City, Missouri. With a population of 106,000, it attracts families and working professionals seeking abundant natural beauty — including expansive green spaces and lakes — an outstanding public school district and a mix of lifestyle options. Residents can choose from Lee’s Summit’s many tranquil suburban neighborhoods or opt to live in its bustling downtown area. The city’s proximity to Interstate 470 and U.S. Highway 50, also makes for easy commutes.
Lee's Summit began as the Town of Strother, with a population of only 100 people in 1865. Three years later, it became the Town of Lee's Summit and was named after a prominent local physician and for being the highest point between Kansas City and St. Louis. Today, Lee's Summit has become one of the fastest-growing communities in the state, with a population that's grown 13 times larger since 1960, and is now known as the sixth most populous city in Missouri. Nowhere is that growth more evident than in the city's vibrant and charming downtown district where revitalization efforts that began in the 1990s continue. New projects such as Green Street, a new mixed-use development with a year-round market and indoor and outdoor event venues, is forthcoming. "They're very good at designing neighborhoods and coordinating that with the commercial efforts to ensure that it is the place people want to go," says Joey Zarrillo, board member for Lee’s Summit’s Chamber of Commerce and a Realtor with Re/Max Heritage." People from cities all around will now go to downtown Lee's Summit for the restaurants and shops because it's just a really cool place to go," And thanks to a relatively wide availability of land, Lee's Summit is poised for continued growth. "There's room to add more neighborhoods, including single-family and multi-family housing and some commercial stuff," Zarrillo says.
"It's definitely a growing, thriving city,” Zarrillo continues. “The economy downtown is one of the best, if not the best, in the area.” The city enjoys a solid employment base, with many public-sector and healthcare jobs. Major employers include the city government, the Lee's Summit R-7 School District, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and healthcare sector employers such as the Lee's Summit Medical Center, Truman Medical Center-Lakewood and Saint Luke's Health Systems. The Lee's Summit Medical Center provides 24/7 emergency care. Saint Luke's East Hospital is another top-rated medical facility that offers primary care and specialty services, including 24-hour on-call service for non-emergency needs.
Lee's Summit is located around 20 miles southeast of downtown Kansas City, Missouri.
Lee's Summit attracts families and working professionals seeking abundant natural beauty.
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Neighborhoods of every stripe, from downtown charm to Winterset luxury
Residents can choose from various lifestyle feels, from the walkable, urban vibe in the downtown district to spacious, lake-filled neighborhoods with lots of green space. At $375,000, the median home price is lower than the national median price of $416,700.
Entry-level homes here start at around $250,000. "Starting prices used to be around $150,000, but in the last few years, it's just gone crazy. Prices can go up to the millions if you're going to areas like Lakewood or Park Ridge Summit," Zarrillo says. The city offers a variety of architectural styles and price ranges, and its neighborhoods cater to everyone from single professionals to empty-nesters to young families.
Downtown is one of the most desirable areas for those seeking a walkable lifestyle with easy access to shopping, dining and entertainment options. Professionals and first-time buyers tend to look here, where options include bungalows and split-levels, as well as ranch-styles and Craftsman homes. Many of these properties are located near revitalized public spaces that help to retain the area's historic charm.
West of downtown, the Winterset area features six family-friendly neighborhoods with many parks and trails and home prices ranging from $500,000 to $1 million.
East of downtown, Summit Square offers a suburban lifestyle with urban convenience. At the same time, Raintree Lake and Lakewood are popular with those who enjoy waterfront living. Townhouses and single-family homes in Raintree Lake sell for between $350,000 to $650,000. While those in Lakewood, which also has its own golf course and multiple swimming pools, can sell for over $1 million. Longview Farms is within walking distance of coffee shops, restaurants and the Longview Community College, and homes here sell for between $500,000 and $1 million.
Downtown is one of the most desirable areas for those seeking a walkable lifestyle in Lee's Summit.
Home prices can go up to the millions if you're looking in areas like Lakewood.
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Longview Lake and Legacy Park offer splendid locations for water sports and lakeside views
Lee's Summit is home to 31 well-maintained parks that offer everything from fishing to disc golf and pickleball. Lakes are prominently featured in the city's many green spaces and popular spots, like the 700-acre Legacy Park includes a 22-acre lake with a fishing dock at its center. The park also offers a scenic overlook, expansive play areas, trails and sports fields. Longview Lake is another large public lake where people like to squeeze in some Midwestern "beach time," while others opt to boat, fish or swim. Another beach-like option that is especially popular in the summer months is the Summit Waves water park.
One of Zarrillo's favorite spots in Lee's Summit is downtown's Lea McKeegan Park, which features "a really cool skate park," volleyball courts and picnic areas. As with other areas of the city, officials are working to renovate and expand park areas, including the 178-acre Shamrock Hills Golf Club and property to its south. The City Council is also considering a proposal for a $418 million mixed-use recreation and residential project here in the coming years.
Lee's Summit has lake-filled neighborhoods with lots of green space.
Howard Station Park is a popular outdoor space for residents in Lee's Summit.
Lee's Summit residents ride their bikes to the park and take in the views.
Lee's Summit includes a 178-acre Shamrock Hills Golf Club.
Legacy Park includes play areas, trails and sports fields for residents in Lee's Summit.
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Niche ranks Lee's Summit R-7 top school district in Jackson County
Niche rates Lee's Summit R-7 School District as the top school district in Jackson County. Serving nearly 18,000 students from kindergarten through 12th grade, this A-rated district includes three high schools, four middle schools and 18 elementary schools. In addition, the district also offers an alternative secondary school, a secondary technology academy, an early education center and a special education day treatment center.
Private school options here include the Summit Christian Academy, known for its rigorous academic curriculum based on Christian principles. Longview Community College is also nearby and the school recently added a diesel automotive program to prepare students for jobs expected to remain in demand. “They're very innovative," Zarrillo says.
Niche rates Lee's Summit R-7 School District as the top school district in Jackson County.
Lee's Summit school district serves thousands of students in the area.
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Growing downtown district offers unique retail and dining options
In 2023, the city opened Downtown Marketplace Plaza, which it expects to become a major regional hub for commerce and community. The plaza has an event space, a farmers' market, and an outdoor performance and event space. The city's vibrant downtown district features a variety of stores, antique shops, restaurants and breweries.
"There's this really cool place, a gourmet coffee shop called Hand in Glove in the morning that turns into a speakeasy called The W at night," Zarrillo says.
Lee's Summit has a bustling downtown area.
Growing downtown district offers Lee's Summit locals many unique retail and dining options.
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A 15-minute drive to where Super Bowl champs the Chiefs play
Lee's Summit offers plenty of activities for residents to enjoy, from farmers' markets to art walks to performances by the Lee's Summit Symphony. Popular seasonal events include Oktoberfest, Shamrock the Block, the Gold Coin Hunt kids' scavenger hunt, father-daughter dances and even Super Smash Bros. video game tournaments.
"We also have great sports teams," Zarrillo says. "You can be at a Chief's game in 10 to 15 minutes." Lee’s Summit is only 13 miles from the Truman Sports Complex, where the 2024 Super Bowl champions — the Kansas City Chiefs — regularly play. Residents can catch a game at GEHA Stadium amidst a sea of red and gold. The 2015 World Series Champions, the Kansas City Royals, also play nearby at Kauffman Stadium. About 20 miles away in Independence, the Kansas City Current, Kansas City's National Women's Soccer League plays at CPKC Stadium. CPKC, which opened in 2024, is the world's only sports stadium designed for professional women athletes.
Lee's Summit residents will often times be found proudly rooting for the home team.
Lee's Summit offers activities from farmer's markets to art walks.
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Crime
Lee's Summit officials are proud of the city's standing in terms of public safety. "You aren't going to find a community that's much better as far as the incidence of violent crime is concerned," Lee's Summit Police Department’s public information officer, Sgt. Chris Depue says. "We enjoy a tremendously low incidence of crime. Violent crime is almost non-existent with zero to two homicides a year, if at all." Property crime and retail theft are the department's biggest challenges. According to the FBI Crime Data Explorer, Lee's Summit's crime rate is slightly below the national average, with 2,236 incidents per 100,000 people compared to the national average of 2,324. In 2023, the city reported 176 violent crimes per 100,000 people, compared to the national average of 376 per 100,000 people. Property crimes for that period were 2,098 per 100,000 people, compared to the national average of 1954 per 100,000.
Interstate 470 and U.S. Highway 50 make for easy commute
Interconnected highways and transportation hubs in Lee’s Summit include the downtown Amtrak station and a municipal airport for non-commercial flights. Lee's Summit is close to major highways like Interstate 470 and U.S. Highway 50, both of which connect to downtown Kansas City and beyond.
Written By
Anne Amoury
Photography Contributed By
Anya Ivantseva
Video By
Matt Pangman
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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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 Lee's Summit, MO sell after 47 days on the market compared to the national average of 57 days. The median sale price for homes in Lee's Summit, MO over the last 12 months is $400,000, up 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Gorgeous Two-Story built by Award Winning Builder, First Choice Custom Homes. Unique floor plan boasts main floor flex room and full bathroom making an idea fifth bedroom, home office or Mother-in-Law quarters - you decide! Primary Ensuite, 3 additional bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms and laundry room complete the upper level. Home backs to trees with a covered patio. Napa Valley is a Family friendly
The McKinley Cottage is a beautiful and striking home designed with functional excellence to promote easymanageability. It offers intelligent features including a conveniently located laundry room off Master suite, generousstorage space, and the added versatility of a bonus suite perfect for a guest room on the main floor. All things considered,the McKinley Cottage provides a
Welcome to the WhiteTail model built by Kevin Higdon Construction. This is a show-stopping model in "The Vineyards" of Napa Valley. The home is showcasing top-tier design, layout, and craftsmanship. This reverse 1.5-story plan features a open concept as you enter through the 8 ft doors into the naturally lighted main floor with hardwood floors, high ceilings, and elegant finishes. As you peruse
3 bedroom raised ranch is located in this very desirable Raintree Lake community. Home offers a wonderful main level living floor plan with a cozy fireplace in the great room. Luxury vinyl flooring elevates in entry, great room & kitchen/dining areas. The master bathroom is getting new vanity soon. Lower level has partly finished basement with sauna and potential half bath. On same level is extra
Gorgeous Two-Story built by Award Winning Builder, First Choice Custom Homes. Unique floor plan boasts main floor flex room and full bathroom making an idea fifth bedroom, home office or Mother-in-Law quarters - you decide! Primary Ensuite, 3 additional bedrooms, 3 full bathrooms and laundry room complete the upper level. Home backs to trees with a covered patio. Napa Valley is a Family friendly
This beautifully maintained split-entry residence in Lee’s Summit offers a perfect balance of modern updates and functional design. The exterior makes a lasting first impression with crisp landscaping, a lush lawn, and a charming front porch. Transitions between levels are seamless, leading you into a sun-drenched living area featuring soaring vaulted ceilings and durable wood-look flooring. The
The McKinley Cottage is a beautiful and striking home designed with functional excellence to promote easymanageability. It offers intelligent features including a conveniently located laundry room off Master suite, generousstorage space, and the added versatility of a bonus suite perfect for a guest room on the main floor. All things considered,the McKinley Cottage provides a
Simplify your life with an ALL NEW CUSTOM home, in Napa Valley of Lee's Summit. This Beautiful New Construction Ranch/Reverse Plan, The Ashton II, has a 3 Car Garage with 4 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms. Large Open floor plan with 11 ft ceilings, custom cabinets in kitchen and bathrooms, Along with granite counter-tops and walk-in pantry. Amazing Primary Suite & Bath with walk-in closet & laundry room on
Simplify your life with an ALL NEW MAINTENANCE PROVIDED CUSTOM TOWNHOME, in Chapel Ridge at Lakewood "The Woods"! With Beautiful New Construction Townhome, The Benjamin, 1 Story IN-GROUND, 2 Car Garage with 3 Bedrooms, 3 Bathrooms, Open floor plan with custom cabinets in kitchen and bathrooms. Along with granite counter-tops and walk-in pantry. Amazing Master Suite & Bath with walk-in closet &
Welcome to the WhiteTail model built by Kevin Higdon Construction. This is a show-stopping model in "The Vineyards" of Napa Valley. The home is showcasing top-tier design, layout, and craftsmanship. This reverse 1.5-story plan features a open concept as you enter through the 8 ft doors into the naturally lighted main floor with hardwood floors, high ceilings, and elegant finishes. As you peruse
Simplify your life with an ALL NEW MAINTENANCE PROVIDED CUSTOM TOWNHOME, in Chapel Ridge at Lakewood "The Woods"! With Beautiful New Construction Townhome, The Benjamin, 1 Story INGROUND , 2 Car Garage with 3 Bedrooms, 2 Bathrooms, Open floor plan with custom cabinets in kitchen and bathrooms. Along with granite counter-tops and step-in pantry. Amazing Master Suite & Bath with walk-in closet &
ON THE WATER - RARE OPPORTUNITY for under $1M!! Tucked on nearly half an acre this beautifully remodeled lake front home blends timeless character with modern luxury. Inside, dark distressed engineered hardwoods flow seamlessly across the main level, guiding you through the open dining and living area to a cozy gas fireplace. Sliding glass doors open to a new Trex deck where you can soak in
Experience the sought-after lake lifestyle in this thoughtfully updated ranch, situated on a 0.3-acre lot with a park-like atmosphere created by towering mature trees. This home offers a warm, functional layout with inviting spaces throughout. The heart of the residence is the updated kitchen, which features a deep farmhouse sink, granite countertops, custom cabinetry, and a stainless steel
Move-In Ready Condo/Townhome in Sought-After Oaks Ridge Meadows! Don’t miss your chance to own this bright and beautifully maintained home in the desirable Oaks Ridge Meadows neighborhood! Step inside and immediately feel at home with the abundant natural sunlight. The main living level features an open living room with a beautiful fireplace, a well-equipped kitchen (all appliances stay) and a
Chapel Oaks is a community of luxury townhomes, nestled between Independence and Lee's Summit, Missouri. The development features extra large two and three bedroom townhomes of 1,200 to 2,300 square feet, with private decks or patios, surrounded by ultra clean grounds and beautifully manicured lawns. Some have unfinished or finished basements and one or two car garages with openers. There are
Welcome to this beautifully maintained townhouse in Lee’s Summit! Offering 4 bedrooms and 2.5 bathrooms, this home features an open-concept main level with a spacious living area, dining space, and modern kitchen—perfect for everyday living and entertaining. Upstairs, the primary suite includes a walk-in closet and private bath, along with three additional bedrooms, a second full bathroom, and
Welcome to the brand new Alura Luxury Apartments, where resort-style living meets effortless convenience in the heart of Lee's Summit. Designed with intention and inspired by the calming movement of water, Alura offers a refined lifestyle with thoughtfully crafted 1-, and 2-bedroom homes. Every detail-quartz countertops, stainless steel appliances, sleek modern finishes, and spacious layouts-was
Live well at Blackwell, where exceptional living options meet unmatched convenience.The thoughtfully designed apartments at the Residences boast high-end finishes and expansive amenities. At Reserve, private rental homes offer the space and comfort of a luxurious home. For active adults, Reunion is a lively 55+ villa community that fosters a vibrant and active adult lifestyle. At Blackwell, its
Welcome to Residences at Echelon Apartments, the premier apartments for rent in Lees Summit! As a resident, you'll enjoy modern interior design in our one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments, along with an extensive selection of unparalleled amenities. All our floorplans offer high-end features and sleek finishes, such as stainless-steel appliances, hardwood-style plank flooring, French door
Effortless elegance meets hyper-modern living at Sloan at Douglas Station. Beyond the floor-to-ceiling vistas and bespoke finishes lies a lifestyle crafted for the discerning. Whether you choose a sophisticated one-bedroom retreat or a spacious two-bedroom floor plan, you will experience a home where every detail is a statement and every convenience is seamless. Sloan represents a refined
Experience the lifestyle you've always dreamed of in a pet-friendly apartment at The Fairways Apartment Homes, located near Fleming Park. Our garden-style apartments blend modern features with exceptional community amenities, providing the perfect balance of convenience and suburban tranquility. When you are on the go, you’ll appreciate our location being just minutes to major employers, Summit
Evren Apartments: Where Every Home Tells a Story Now open and welcoming immediate move-ins, Evren Apartments in Lee’s Summit, MO introduces a brand-new luxury apartment community designed to inspire your next chapter. Ideally located just minutes from Kansas City, Evren offers the perfect balance of small-town charm and urban convenience, with easy access to top-rated dining, shopping,
Welcome Home to Windsong Townhomes! Beautiful renovated 3-bedroom townhomes that boast a gorgeous kitchen with sparkling quartz countertops, fireplaces, walk in closets, and garages. Our homes have full size washers and dryers included. This property gives you a quiet small town feel in Lee's Summit along with being in the center of Raintree Lake residency, daycares, stores, and top-tier schools.
Many a modern suburban neighborhood may at first appear to lack the panache of its more established urban counterparts. It’s a tradeoff between modern amenities in your home or mature trees and diverse architecture: Often, you can have one but not the other. Chapel Ridge puts an end to your need to make that difficult choice. With newly constructed homes lining winding, quiet streets shaded by native hardwoods, Chapel Ridge is definitely not your stereotypical suburb community. Roger Deines, an agent with Compass Realty says, “It’s mostly new construction, but there is a diversity of building styles in the area.”<br><br>American suburbs are frequently characterized by a sense of monotony, with houses that look almost identical, lined up next to each other like so many siding-covered paper dolls holding hands. Homebuyers in Chapel Ridge will quickly discover that the neighborhood bucks this tendency. Not only will you find houses ranging from compact ranches to sprawling contemporaries, but you’ll also find a wide range of exteriors. Siding, brick and even cedar shingles can be found on the outside of homes here.<br><br>Depending on location, buyers can expect to pay $375,000 for a 2 bedroom/2 bathroom up to over $1 million for a 6 bedroom/6 bathroom. Price-per-square foot averages have an equally extensive range, from $120 to $250. Homes fronting the Lakewood Lakes in the area command a higher price than those without lake views. And residents have access to all of the recreational opportunities that the neighborhood has to offer, including two swimming pools, a clubhouse and acres of green space for exploring, just to name a few. “That's one of the real selling points of Chapel Ridge. You get access to all of the amenities,” says Deines. “Pools, walking trails, just about any amenity you can think of. And the HOA takes care of lawncare and landscaping. All you have to do is live there.”<br><br>Students in the neighborhood can attend Chapel Lakes Elementary, Delta Woods Middle, and Lee’s Summit North High School, what Deines describes as “some of the best schools in the state.” All three schools have an A rating with Niche. Students at Lee’s Summit North can participate in extracurricular activities running the gamut from the Anime Club to Girls Who Code to the Youth Neuroscience Society. <br><br>Fitness buffs can get their sweat on at Better Bodies Pilates or Burn Boot Camp, and tennis players can jump the net at The Cove tennis courts. Nearby Howard Park welcomes nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts to enjoy 20 acres of open space, with a playground, walking trail, splash pad, 9-hole disc golf course and restroom facilities. <br><br>Grocery shopping is a breeze with Price Chopper conveniently located in the neighborhood. However, because this is almost exclusively a residential neighborhood, those needing a little retail therapy will have to drive to their appointments. Dining options are limited, too, but area residents can get their caffeine fix at Scooter’s Coffee or an afternoon refreshment at Jungle Juice Smoothie Bar. Local dining options include El Sazon Mexican Grill, Tiff N Jay’s and Young’s Chinese. “If you head north, you’re only about four miles from Lee’s Summit, which has a lot of retail and restaurants,” says Deines, “and two miles in the other direction from a shopping mall and warehouse stores. It’s a really convenient location.”<br><br>It's misleading to call Chapel Ridge a suburb because it has all the character you’d expect to find in an established urban neighborhood. But at the same time, you can’t call it urban because it is far enough away from downtown to ensure peace and quiet. It finds that elusive sweet spot between the two. There’s no need to choose between the feel of a city neighborhood or the tranquility of suburbia. You can find both in Chapel Ridge.
Property Mix - Square Feet
Lee's Summit Has More Owners
Rental Home Trends
Number of Homes for Rent
74
Median Rent
$2,135
Median Single Family Home Rent
$2,148
Median 4 Bedroom Single Family Home Rent
$2,524
Median Townhouse Rent
$3,000
Median 3 Bedroom Townhouse Rent
$1,745
Median Condo Rent
$1,173
Median 2 Bedroom Condo Rent
$1,173
Demographics
Total Population
98,959
Median Age
41
Population under 18
25.9%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
19%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$104,278
Above the national average
$79,597
Average Household Income
$124,590
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
97.2%
College Graduates
48.8%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
19%
% Population in Labor Force
73.6%
Above the national average
64.9%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
42''
Average Winter Low Temperature
20°F
Average Summer High Temperature
88°F
Annual Snowfall
34''
Area Factors
Fairly friendly
Bike Score®®
50/ 100
Moderately friendly
Walk Score®®
60/ 100
Not friendly
Transit Score®®
0/ 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.
