Maize was founded in 1886, just outside of Northwest Wichita and was the first stop along the former Wichita & Colorado Railway. The city has left its railroad days far behind and is one of the fastest-growing communities near Wichita, with more than 6,000 residents, up by 77% from 2010. “Maize is definitely picking up,” says Caleb Claussen, a Realtor with Reece Nichols South Central Kansas. “On Maize Road, there used to be nothing, but now there are a ton of restaurants.” The city owes much of its popularity to its cost of living, which is 7% lower than the national average, along with the highly ranked Maize Unified School District. “People identify themselves as west siders and east siders,” says Claussen. “Andover is going to be the premium schools on the east side, and Maize is the desirable school district on the west side.” As Maize grows in popularity, it continues to maintain a sense of community with a close-knit vibe. “The community events and friendly neighbors give the city small-town charm, even though it’s close to everything in Wichita,” says Natasha Anderson, team leader and Realtor with Elite Real Estate Experts.
Maize, named for the Native American word for corn, is surrounded by the farmland of Sedgwick County, which is being purchased more and more to build housing developments. Manufacturing businesses have also taken up a lot of farmland and provide most of the jobs in Maize. Some include Shuttle Aerospace and Aero-Tech Engineering, two plants that manufacture aerospace parts and partner with major aircraft companies in Wichita, known as the “Air Capital of the World.”
Many of the houses in Maize sell for over $600,000.
This water tower stands tall to proclaim the city of Maize.
Homes in Maize come in a wide variety of styles.
Many homes in Maize are new-traditional homes.
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Modern houses and lakeside mansions
The median home price is around $308,000, higher than that of Wichita but lower than the United States median. While there are a few homes from the 1970s in the city’s center, its modern styles are what most potential homebuyers crave. “The majority of houses here are huge custom builds on quarter-acre lots,” says Anderson. “You get a ton of space and privacy.” Single-family homes are most common, but there are some townhouse developments on the southwest side of the city. Some of the city’s most expensive homes offer lakeside views with private beaches. According to Claussen, the area has several pits from which gravel is extracted, leaving behind sand, which is then filled with water to create these unique beach-style developments that seem quite unexpected for a Midwest town. Depending on the size, these waterfront homes can range anywhere from $400,000 to more than $1 million.
Maize is in Tornado Alley, a Midwest region susceptible to tornadoes from April to June. Because of this, many homes are built with basements, one of the safest areas in a house during severe weather. There are also two public storm shelters at Maize City Park and City Hall. According to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, it’s been about 60 years since Maize was directly hit. The last two to touch down in the city were in 1960 and 1965. The one in 1960 was a category F3, causing six injuries and $25,000 in property damage. The 1965 tornado was also an F3, injuring 10 people and causing $250,000 in property damage. Despite the risk of tornadoes, locals experience all four seasons in Maize, with summer highs averaging in the low 90s and winters in the low 20s.
In 1886, Maize was founded as the first stop along the Wichita and Colorado Railway.
Several of the Maize homes back up to water.
There are several new-communities being developed throughout Maize.
It is common for Maize homes to be located along small lakes.
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Highly sought-after Maize Unified School District
One of the biggest draws for the city is the Maize Unified School District, which gets an A-minus grade from Niche. Students are split between four elementary schools, three middle schools and two high schools. Most students go to Maize High School, while some on the southeast side attend Maize South High School. In addition to high test scores, they also have strong athletics programs. Maize High won a wrestling state title in 2023 and a boys basketball championship in 2021. Maize South won the boys soccer and boys tennis state championships in 2022. Once a year, the schools’ football teams face off in a rivalry game that draws students and families from across the city and surrounding Wichita metro. Wichita State University's West Campus is also in Maize.
This is the main entrance to Maize Elementary School.
This is the main entrance to Maize Middle School.
Older kids have the option to attend Maize Sr High School.
Maize South High School is another popular option for kids after middle school.
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Fun times at Maize City Park and Kansas International Dragway
Children can climb the brand-new rope playground or cool off in the spray park at Maize City Park. The 5-acre park even has an amphitheater used for community events throughout the year. Residents also enjoy year-round indoor activities at the Maize Recreation Commission's community center. Adults can join indoor pickleball leagues or take sewing classes, and kids learn and play at STEM-themed camps or hang out and watch a film during movie night. Part of the quiet farmland on the north side of Maize erupts with the sound of engines at Kansas International Dragway. Locals have been racing there since 1963, with events held from April through November.
Kids love to play at the Maize City Park.
Watch a local race at the Kansas International Dragway in Maize.
The Kansas International Dragway is a popular attraction in Maize.
Cool off during the summer heat at Maize Splash Park.
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Shopping and dining on Maize Road
Most shopping and dining options can be found on the south side of the city and into Wichita on Maize Road. There are a few familiar big box retailers and a growing number of restaurants, including national chains and local establishments. Maize residents also benefit from their proximity to NewMarket Square, Wichita’s biggest outdoor shopping center, less than 4 miles away.
Get your grocery needs at Walmart, located near Maize.
Homegrown is one of many local eateries along Maize road.
Stop by Meddy's for lunch in Maize.
New Market Square is a short drive from Maize, offering several retail and eatery options.
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Summer farmers market, annual fall festival and holiday tree lighting
Maize City Park hosts the Maize Farm & Art Market every Thursday during the summer, where local vendors sell handmade goods and home-grown produce. The city also celebrates the beginning of autumn in the park with a Fall Festival. The weekend of family-friendly activities kicks off with a parade through the heart of the town and ends with a fireworks show. Between the parade and fireworks, residents can grab something to eat from the food trucks, jam out to live music and play carnival-style games. During the holiday season, Kansas International Dragway hosts a drive-thru light display, and a tree-lighting ceremony is held at Maize City Park.
13-mile drive to Downtown Wichita
Most residents drive to get around because there is no public transportation. Kansas Highway 96 runs directly through Maize to Interstate 135, about 8 miles east. From there, it’s a 5-mile drive south to Downtown Wichita. Travelers can also drive 9 miles south to fly out of Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower Airport, which offers flights to 14 U.S. cities.
Crime rates lower than Wichita
According to 2023 FBI statistics, rates of property crime and violent crime are lower than that of Wichita. While Maize’s violent and property crime rates rose from 2020 through 2022, they both dropped in 2023. The city is served by the Maize Police Department and the Sedwick County Sheriff’s Office, with Maize police officers being commissioned by both.
Seth Burkhardt is a licensed agent working out of Wichita. Seth works for Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty and is a member of the local MLS. Seth can provide clients with exclusive access to local MLS data and can help determine if the current market conditions are right for them to buy or sell in their local market.
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.
