Named for beauty that remains radiant 160 years later
When the Shawnee people named Olathe, they nailed its essence. Olathe is still celebrated for its rolling hills, expansive park space and community celebrations, all summed up in the Shawnee word for "beautiful." Established as a trading post in the mid-19th century, Olathe gradually grew into a small agricultural community. What was once verdant farmland south and west of Overland Park is now a thriving city center that still lives up to its name's original meaning. Shawnee Chief Black Bob devoted his life to preserving Olathe's beauty for the whole community. He supported communal land ownership instead of individual allotments that many other Shawnee groups agreed to. Since then, Olathe has preserved and enhanced the natural beauty Chief Black Bob fought to maintain.
Located 25 miles outside of Kansas City, Olathe is often overlooked by those looking for constant urban access. But in turn, this suburban city offers an appealing price point that can be hard to find closer to KC. “It’s considered a far-out suburb of Kansas City, and as time has passed, it’s been swallowed up,” says Ken Rosberg, broker and owner of Rosberg Realty, who has been selling homes in Kansas City for 40 years. “You give up location but being that we’re a little bit south of downtown, we’ll generally get a better value.” Even with its distant location, Olathe has plenty to offer on its own. Olathe is home to the corporate office for the tech company Garmin, which is a major employer in the area, and has its own unique art scene, from the 25 permanent sculptures displayed around town to the annual Olathe Arts Festival.
Abundant subdivisions feature housing options from townhomes to resort-style estates a
Olathe offers a wide range of housing prices and styles, making it accessible to anyone from renters to first-time buyers to people seeking a first-class luxury lifestyle without big-city pretensions. By the 1970s and 1980s, Olathe had begun its transformation into a premier suburban city. Folks came to Olathe for a quiet, almost rural lifestyle close enough to jobs and entertainment available in nearby Overland Park and Kansas City, Missouri. Before the new millennium, Olathe had transformed into a booming residential city with excellent schools, expansive green spaces and a robust economy.
Residences often rest along curving residential streets with shaded sidewalks. Many properties have sizable backyards that are accentuated with fire pits, patios, and even koi ponds. “The great thing about Olathe is the home prices are typically a little bit lower than in most areas in Johnson County,” Rosberg said. “Houses sell quickly, but buyers can still find a little better value in Olathe versus other cities because its location is a little further south.”
The median housing price is around $430,000, and Olathe offers a surprising diversity of home price ranges and styles. Townhouses may sell for as low as $250,000. Mid-range traditional and contemporary homes in subdivisions like Regency Place, Knightsbrook at Nottingham and Asbury sell for between the high $400,000s and the low $600,000s. Home prices in the west and south Olathe can range from under $1 million to more than $3 million in subdivisions like Willows, Wolf Run, Chapel Hill and South Point.
Newly developed communities can be found throughout Olathe.
Local dining from barbecue to Farm-to-Table
Residents can choose from several shopping and dining areas, including the packed commercial corridor along Santa Fe Street and downtown Olathe. Restaurants can include anything from barbecue to Asian cuisine. In a city known for its barbeque, both Joe's Kansas City BBQ and Johnny's BBQ were featured on an episode of Guy Fieri's "Diners, Drive-Ins, & Dives." While Olathe isn't much of a hotspot for nightlife, nearby Overland Park and K.C. districts like the Country Club Plaza, Waldo and Westport are all within 20 miles of Olathe.
Downtown Olathe, Olathe Station Shopping Center and big-box stores, including Costco and Sam's Club, are right in town, offering anything from boutique gift items to discount bulk shopping. Shopping centers with grocery and retail options can be found throughout the city.
The Plaza has a great selection of retailers and eateries to choose from.
Take the kids to the Museum at Prairiefire for learning and fun.
Old Westport is right around the corner and has some great local retailers.
Locals can play games like bowling and bocce ball at Pinstripes at Prairiefire.
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Old Settlers Parade held annually on Labor Day Weekend
Gone are the days when the only thing for high schoolers to do in Olathe was "cruise the 'Fe,'" aka Santa Fe Street. These days residents of any age can choose from dozens of indoor activities, including Misson Bowl, two movie theaters and multiple museums. The Mahaffie Stagecoach Stop & Farm and the Ensor Park & Museum are options to learn about the area's history.
There are also plenty of weekly and annual events in Olathe, such as Fourth Fridays, where folks can enjoy live music and food trucks downtown. Other favorite events include the Olathe Farmers Market, which offers fresh produce and a variety of food and craft vendors from April through October. Olathe Summer Concert Series and the Olathe Arts Festival are other regular events. The Johnson County Old Settlers Days Festival is super fun held each Labor Day weekend and includes a pioneer-themed parade. The Johnson County Old Settlers Days Festival is super fun held each Labor Day weekend and includes a pioneer-themed parade.
A Chief's or Royals Game or a world-class concert at the Kauffman Center for the Performing Arts is just a 30-minute drive. At the same time, midtown favorites like the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art or the posh Country Club Plaza are a 20-minute drive. Residents can also enjoy plenty of activities and events at home, including farmer's markets and special events like the Johnson County Old Settler's Days and Parade.
The Nelson-Atkins Museum with water view from the building in Southmoreland.
Stop and smell the flowers at the Relex by the water at the Kauffman Legacy Memorial Park.
Visitors submerge in to the life of 18th century walking through the historic site.
Arrowhead Stadium
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More than 40 city-wide parks
Olathe has 42 neighborhood and community parks and nearly 50 miles of scenic park trails. Ernie Miller Park & Nature Center offers educational programs about the area's flora and fauna. Black Bob Park features a fishing pond, a swimming pool and a playground, while Lake Olathe Park has a 170-acre lake, walking trails and picnic areas. Even downtown Olathe offers spacious community gardens.
The lawn at the Nelson Art Museum is a great place to get some sun.
Boats 2 and 3 are it tight quarters here at the KC International Dragon Boat Festival.
Black Bob Park has a nice greens space so you can play fetch with you furry one.
Arrowhead Park has a great playground for the little one to run around on.
Olathe Lake Park is abundant with natural beauty.
The KC Pet Project cares for over 16,000 animals a year.
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Highly rated Olathe Public Schools
Niche ranks Olathe Public Schools as Kansas's No. 3 best school district, giving it an A grade. The district serves around 29,000 students at its 36 elementary schools, 10 middle schools and five high schools. It’s the second-largest school district in the state, and its student population can come from Olathe, Lenexa and Overland Park.
Under a new state law allowing open enrollment, non-Olathe resident students may apply to attend Olathe Schools or any other public school district in Kansas. Acceptance is based on available space in the district. Some students who live in northeast Johnson County may attend Shawnee Mission School District schools, depending on their address. "Olathe Public Schools are top public schools that are nationally ranked, drawing people from out of town,” says Dunman. “You can see your tax dollars at work here, with improvement projects like turf athletic fields at some high schools.”
Crime
According to the FBI’s Crime Data Explorer, Olathe’s crime has remained steady year over year. However, the violent crime rate dipped by 7% from 2021 to 2022. In addition to its regular police units, the Olathe Police Department has a Community Outreach Unit designed to maintain strong ties between residents and law enforcement.
Driving, biking and flying around Olathe
Its location, 20 miles southwest of Kansas City, Missouri, buffers Olathe from urban frenzy. Yet anytime residents are in the mood for some metro vibes, they're just minutes away from midtown or downtown K.C. and Overland Park. The city has easy access to Interstates 35 and 435, Highways 56 and 169, and State Highways K-7, K-10 and K-150. Olathe includes 27 miles of bike lanes, giving cyclists all-over accessibility. The nearest major airport is Kansas City International Airport, which is located 40 miles away.
Written By
Anne Amoury
Photography Contributed By
Anya Ivantseva
Video By
Matt Pangman
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
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GreatSchools:
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On average, homes in Olathe, KS sell after 56 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Olathe, KS over the last 12 months is $430,000, down 1% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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