At one point in time, McPherson, Kansas, was in a competition to be the state's capital city. Although it lost the battle—Topeka eventually claimed the title—McPherson still became a hub for trade, arts, and culture thanks to railroad lines like the Union Pacific and Rock Island. Late 19th-century attractions like the McPherson Opera House still stand on Main Street today, and residents continue to learn about local history at the McPherson Museum, where exhibits celebrate everything from the invention of the automobile to the early days of the Globe Oil & Refining. Now home to nearly 14,000 residents, many of whom still work in the oil industry, the area also has a significant student population thanks to McPherson College and Central Christian College. Quaint residential neighborhoods border Main Street shopping, and it takes about an hour to drive to Wichita, the nearest major city. Overall, local Sheets-Adams Realtor and longtime resident Julie Wenthe says McPherson is a "giving" community, a place where families tend to stick around for generations. "If there's someone in need, we help them out. It's a city where people really take care of their own," she says.
Quaint residential neighborhoods border Main Street shopping in McPherson.
McPherson residents continue to learn about local history at the McPherson Museum.
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Early 20th-century bungalows and mid-century homes for below the national median
In McPherson, homes span decades. The city's oldest properties date back to the late 1800s, and prospective buyers will also find 1920s and '30s-era bungalows on gridded streets branching off from Main Street and Kansas Avenue. Lots are relatively compact, and detached garages are the standard. In outlying neighborhoods, mid-century homes have larger front yards, and there are also pockets of 2000s-era New Traditionals in planned subdivisions. According to Wenthe, however, "There's not a ton of new builds in town." The median price for a single-family home in McPherson is less than half of the national median, hovering around $180,000.
Prospective buyers in McPherson will find 1920s and '30s-era bungalows on gridded streets.
There are a few new home developments throughout McPherson.
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Oil refineries, big pharma and Witchita 60 miles away
CHS Refinery, once known as Globe Oil & Refining Company, brought hundreds of jobs to McPherson in the early 1930s. It saved the city from experiencing the worst of the Great Depression and even sponsored an amateur basketball team; the McPherson Globe Refiners sent six players to the Berlin Olympics in 1936. The oil industry still thrives in McPherson today, and other major employers include Pfizer and Viega. Industrial parks border Interstate 135, and there's also McPherson Center for Health, a nonprofit facility with a few hundred employees. The nearest major city is Witchita, about 60 miles—or an hour—south via the I-135, and Salina is home to a regional airport about 30 miles north.
McPherson Hospital is a major employer in the city.
Oil industries thrive in McPherson, providing for much of the city's economy.
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McPherson Unified School District and two four-year colleges
Families can enroll their children in the McPherson Unified School District, which earns an overall B-minus grade from Niche and includes four elementary options, one middle school and one high school. Hutchinson Community College offers adult education opportunities, and the city is also home to two four-year colleges: McPherson College and Central Christian College. The former is famous for its automotive restoration program, the largest of its kind in the country. "Jay Leno frequently comes to visit because he's a big car fan," says Wenthe, and every year in May, the college's C.A.R.S. Club welcomes hundreds of vintage automobiles from around the country for the Car & Motoring Festival.
McPherson High school is one of six public schools in the city.
McPherson college is famous for its automotive restoration program, the largest of its kind in the country.
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Main street shopping and a historic opera house
The majority of McPherson's retail and entertainment is found along Main Street, where cars park diagonally and occasionally stop for passing trains. Historic buildings house an eclectic mix of restaurants—everything from casual Mexican joints to pizza parlors—and store windows display antiques and hardware. New movies are screened at McPherson Theater, and the McPherson Opera House—which first opened its doors in the late 1880s—shows classics. Shoppers will also find a Walmart Supercenter and chain restaurants near Hutchinson Community College.
The majority of McPherson's retail and entertainment is found along Main Street.
The McPherson Opera House, which first opened its doors in the late 1880s, shows classic movies.
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Fishing, playgrounds and waterslides in local parks
According to Wenthe, one of McPherson's best qualities is its outdoor recreation. The city manages 16 public parks, many of which feature playgrounds for children of different age groups and covered picnic shelters. Fishermen can cast their lines for trout in Lakeside Park, where paved trails border lagoons and the bandshell hosts family movie nights throughout the summer months. Nearby, McPherson Water Park opens on Memorial Day weekend and features a lazy river, a splash pad, and a spiraling water slide. Grant Sports Complex on North Main has space for soccer and baseball tournaments. Summertime temperatures typically average in the 80s in McPherson, and snow can collect on the ground several inches at a time during the winter season.
Enjoy a round of disc golf at Lakeside Park in McPherson.
There are several lakes and ponds for McPherson residents to enjoy some fishing.
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All Schools Day festivities in May
May Day— known locally as "All Schools Day"—has been going strong in McPherson for more than 100 years. "Thousands of people travel here from surrounding areas," says Wenthe, adding, "We have a parade with all sorts of floats and bands." A May Queen and King are crowned during the festival, and a carnival sets up shop for several days in Wickersham Park. Residents can look forward to other annual events like trolley tours past Christmas lights during the holiday season, fireworks on Independence Day and the Kansas Barn Sale in October, when more than 100 vendors set up in Lakeside Park to sell vintage and handmade goods.
Decreasing crime rates
According to FBI data, overall crime in McPherson has decreased in the last few years. Violent crime experienced a slight surge in 2021, but rates have since fallen. Property crime, in particular, is at an all-time low; there were 196 reported incidents in 2023, compared to 508 in 2015.
Written By
Sara Caskey
Photography Contributed By
Zach Manwell
Video By
Joshua Kassabian
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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an experienced agent in this area.
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