Lyons is shaped by salt mining and rural charm
The world’s largest salt shaker towers proudly at the center of Lyons, commemorating the city’s prominent role in the salt mining industry. Salt production is still the leading employer, but the area hasn’t seen much growth beyond its mining town roots. With around 3,500 residents, Lyons is known for its slow pace of life, low cost of living and peaceful farmland setting. The closest larger city is Hutchinson , or “Hutch” as the locals call it, 30 miles south.
According to city clerk Bailey Sayler, Lyons is a place where kids ride around on bikes and play outside. “Everybody still feels really safe in this community,” Sayler says. “I wouldn’t let my child go walking around Hutch or Wichita, but here it's still very small-town.” The city’s CAP Index Crime Score is 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
Bungalows and ranch-style homes on vintage streets
Although there is some modern construction, the majority of homes in Lyons were built from the 1890s to the 1970s. One-story bungalows and ranch-style homes are common, often with back-alley access and detached garages. Near the center of town, some brick streets are reminiscent of Lyons’ historic roots. Outside of city limits, it’s possible to find properties with several acres.
Although investment properties can sell for under $75,000, smaller move-in-ready residences go for $75,000 to $200,000. From $200,000 to $325,000, homes tend to be larger with more modern renovations. According to Shelley Peverley, a Realtor with Timber Oaks Realty and local to the area, houses are moving off the market more slowly than she’s seen in the last 10 years. “It’s hard to sell right now in Lyons,” she says.
Career-focused pathways and football games at the high school
Lyons Park Elementary School serves prekindergarten through second grade and gets a B grade from Niche. Lyons Central Elementary is for third through fifth grades and is rated C-plus. Lyons Middle gets a B, and Lyons High receives a B-minus. The high school offers career-focused pathways, including agriculture, biochemistry and graphic design. “The schools are awesome here,” Sayler says. “On Friday nights when football comes around, it is like a community event — they have fireworks.”
From lazy rivers to livestock shows, Lyons stays busy
Lyons Municipal Pool is a center of activity during hot Kansas summers, featuring a waterslide and lazy river. Golfers can play at the nine-hole Lyons Public Golf Course, and Little Leagues practice at local ball fields.
Lyons is also home to the Celebration Centre & Bar K Arena, a multiuse facility for events ranging from rodeos to weddings. The football-sized horse arena is used for 4-H animal shows during the annual Rice County Fair.
Courthouse Square has local restaurants and live music
The central square around the towering Rice County Courthouse includes a local museum, public library and a few restaurants. County Seat Bar & Grill is a favorite for homestyle dishes like cheeseburgers or blackened catfish, and Brew 56 is a coffee shop with occasional community events. One of the most recent additions is The Lumberyard on 56, a brewery with an outdoor live music stage. “They have different artists come in and perform on Saturday nights, and some food trucks come in and set up along the way,” Peverley says. “Those are really fun, and they get really busy.”
A bit farther down Main Street, locals can shop at Dollar General, Ace Hardware and White’s Foodliner, the only grocery store in town.
Standout fireworks and a growing Cinco de Mayo festival
One of Lyons’ headline events is Boomfest, a Fourth of July celebration with a fireworks show. “I don’t think I’ve seen a better fireworks show,” Sayler says. “And that says a lot because I come from Texas, where these things are a big deal.” The annual Fair on the Square brings in a variety of art vendors, and in 2025, the city started a new tradition — a Cinco de Mayo festival. The event included a parade, heritage dancers and live bands, and the first-year turnout was in the thousands. “The parade was so long, and it was just very well done and very well put together,” Sayler says. “I wouldn’t be surprised if that ends up being our number one thing.”
Hutchinson and Wichita offer shopping and an airport
Lyons is located at the intersection of U.S. Route 56 and state Route 14. Hutchinson is about 30 miles away and is the go-to spot for big-box shopping like Walmart. Hutch is also home to the Hutchinson Regional Medical Center, which is significantly larger than Rice Community Hospital in Lyons. Wichita is just under 80 miles away, with the closest airport, Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport.
Shelters for Tornado Alley storm risks
According to First Street, the city has a minor wind risk. However, Lyons is located in Tornado Alley, and Rice County has seen several tornadoes. Many homes in Lyons were built with basements or storm shelters, and several local churches open their basements to the public if needed.
Written By
Catherine Lashley
