$224,523Average Value$162Average Price per Sq Ft64Homes For Sale
A small city with a college-town vibe and a quaint downtown
The city of Ottawa was originally home to the Ottawa Native American tribe who lived along the Marais Des Cygnes River. Through a treaty signed in the mid-1800s, tribal lands were ceded and an agreement to establish a college led to the development of Ottawa University. Today, the university continues to serve as a major area institution, partnering with the Ottawa people to provide free tuition to certified tribal members. Despite its small enrollment size — the school's student body is only around 930 undergraduates — the university's presence does evoke a college-town vibe. “On game day, the downtown picks up,” says Vance Finch, a real estate agent with Prestige Real Estate, who has lived in Ottawa since he was born there in 1969. “The restaurants get full, then everyone heads to the game.” Along with football games, this city of around 12,700 residents hosts downtown events, bringing the community together year-round. And in 2025, Ottawa was named one of Kansas’ most eccentric towns by WorldAtlas, crediting the city’s historic downtown scene.
Despite its small enrollment size Ottawa University's student body is only around 930 undergraduates its presence evokes a college-town vibe.
The Flint Hills Nature Trail stretches 118 miles and crosses over the Marais Des Cygnes River in Ottawa, Kansas.
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Eclectic housing options and tax incentives
The median home price in Ottawa is $210,000, with modest fixer-uppers selling as low as the $20,000s and upscale properties on multiple acres of land selling in the $700,000s. Single-family homes are predominant throughout the city, coming in many different ages, shapes and sizes. Houses here date as far back as the late 1800s, some of which are listed in the National Register of Historic Places. “The city has invested in what we call revitalization areas,” says Finch. “There are tax incentives for people who buy older homes and restore them. If they build a newer home in those districts, there’s an even larger tax credit.” Homes sell after an average of about 30 days on the market, which is faster than the national average. They have also increased in value by an average of 9% each year since 2020.
The Marais Des Cygnes River used to cause a lot of flooding. That was until the 1960s when the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers constructed levees and pumping stations. Now, it’s not so much of an issue. The city is, however, located in Tornado Alley, a Midwest region known for seasonally high tornado activity between March and June. There have been no significant tornados in Ottawa since the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration began tracking tornadoes in 1950. All four seasons are experienced throughout the year, with hot summers and winters that can get below freezing.
Modern homes in Ottawa are scattered throughout the city sitting on various sizes of land.
Older 1900s Victorian homes can be found near Ottawa's city center.
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Shops and restaurants in Historic Downtown Ottawa
Historic Downtown Ottawa has local businesses lining its Main Street. Many small shops, restaurants and bars do business from these century-old Italianate-style buildings in this very walkable area of town. Street parking is made easy with diagonal spots. “The downtown area is pretty quaint,” says Finch. “It has some really neat coffee shops, eateries and some unique shops.” While many of the local stores typically close around 5 p.m., the restaurants and bars stay open throughout the evening. About 2 miles south of Main Street are some big- box retailers for everyday shopping needs. The city has a variety of job opportunities, with some of the biggest employers being the American Eagle Distribution Center, Ottawa University and AdventHealth.
The Corner Market has coffee and lunch options in downtown Ottawa.
American Eagle Distribution Center is one of Ottawa's largest employers.
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Two state biking trails and fishing in the Marais Des Cygnes River
Ottawa’s Parks Division maintains 10 municipal parks throughout the city. Ottawa is also a popular destination for cyclists, as it has two intersecting state bike trails: The Flint Hills Trail and Prairie Spirit Trail. “It’s the only town in Kansas with two state bike trails,” says Finch, “So we get a lot of biking tourism.” The Marais Des Cygnes River isn’t typically used for boating, but the river’s Second Street Dam is a common spot for fishing.
The Prairie Spirit Trail runs 51 miles from Iola to Ottawa and locals love riding, running and walking it.
The Second Street Dam in Ottawa is a popular spot for fishing, relaxing and enjoying the views.
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Ladies Night and other annual events
Ottawa holds several events throughout the year, many of which are sponsored by the Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce and the Ottawa Main Street Association. One of the most highly anticipated events is Ladies Night. “Ladies Night is a big deal,” says Finch. “All the shops open up, the women come out and they have drawings and prizes.” Summer is full of different music festivals, such as CityFolk Fest, O-Town Hoedown and Ottawa Bluesfest. There are also several holiday celebrations, including the Boo Bash Candy Parade for Halloween, a Veteran’s Day parade and winter holiday celebrations that involve a parade and the mayor’s tree lighting ceremony.
Locals flock to the downtown movie theater - Plaza Cinema in Ottawa.
Ottawa holds several events throughout the year, many of which are sponsored by the Ottawa Area Chamber of Commerce and the Ottawa Main Street Association.
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Education through Ottawa USD 290 and Ottawa University
Ottawa Unified School District earns a B grade from Niche and serves kids in the city and the surrounding rural communities. Students are split between three elementary schools before they all merge into one student body at Ottawa Middle and Ottawa High. Post-secondary students may opt to stay in the city by attending Ottawa University, a private Baptist institution. It offers dozens of undergraduate and graduate degree programs, and the school's teams compete in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics.
Students are split between three elementary schools before they all merge into one student body at Ottawa Middle and Ottawa High.
Ottawa Unified School District earns a B grade from Niche and serves kids in the city and the surrounding rural communities.
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Commuting to Kansas City and Topeka
Ottawa is a mostly car-dependent city. While there are no public bus routes, residents can schedule shuttle rides through the Franklin County Public Transportation system. Kansas City is about 1 hour away via Interstate 35, and travelers can take U.S. Route 59 for an approximately 45-minute drive to Topeka. The closest airport with commercial flights is Kansas City International Airport.
Crime
Crime statistics for Ottawa are not readily available.
Written By
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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 Ottawa, KS sell after 44 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Ottawa, KS over the last 12 months is $218,750, up 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Space, comfort, and a floor plan that simply works. 1607 Bluestem Drive offers a bright, inviting interior with spacious rooms and a layout designed for both everyday living and entertaining.The main living areas flow naturally together, with the kitchen positioned at the heart of the home and convenient to the surrounding spaces. Generously sized rooms provide flexibility for family,
Welcome to your sweet abode, complete with SOLAR PANELS & 7 YEARS OF TAX ABATEMENT to make your bills a breeze! Perfect starter home or if you want to enjoy your later years on one level. Enter from the cool, covered patio to an open living area where everything is like brand-new: Luxury vinyl floors throughout, a kitchen with stainless appliances & plenty of beautiful cabinets. Step out back to
Welcome home to 1324 South Oak in Ottawa! This charming 3-bedroom, 1 1/2-bath home offers the perfect blend of comfort, convenience, and space for everyday living. From the moment you arrive, you'll appreciate the inviting curb appeal and the attached garage that adds both functionality and ease.Inside, you'll find a comfortable living space designed for relaxing, entertaining, and making
Escape to the peace and privacy of country living with the beautifully updated ranch homes situated on 47 acres. This property offers a perfect blend of modern comfort, functionality, and wide open spaces. Inside, you'll find numerous updates including refreshed kitchen featuring quartz countertops, freshly painted cabinetry, and an induction stove, along with remodeled bathrooms, new flooring
4 AC industrial Lot with 3,472 Sq Ft shop with offices. Shop is full concrete floor pull through 12' doors, car lift, wash bay, fence bull pen behind the shop. Full 4 Acres fenced for security. Graveled lot for storage. Shop has retail space, finished offices and a tool room. Property has multiple uses. Don't miss out!!
Beautifully rolling Franklin County Kansas 196-acre farm just off of a paved road. This farm is a mixture of cool seasonand native prairie pasture that is fenced with some cross fencing. There is approximately 80 acres of land, 52 of which isprime Class 2 soils, that has been farmed in the past that could be broken back out and farmed. The farm has 4 niceponds and some trees for shade
Beautifully rolling Franklin County Kansas 157-acre farm just off of a paved road. This farm is a mixture of cool seasonand native prairie pasture that is mostly fenced with some cross fencing. There is approximately 52 acres land that isprime Class 2 soils that has been farmed in the past that could be broken back out and farmed. The farm has 3 nice ponds and some trees for shade for
A beautiful park like setting for this Ranch Style home on 8 acres, 3 Bedrooms, 2 Full Baths, 1 Half Bath, full finished basement, 3 car attached garage. Large composite deck overlooking the setting and in ground pool (pool has not been in use for awhile), large 40x50 shop/storage building with full concrete floor and 4 overhead doors. The property has may mature trees and a creek that runs
Excellent Location: near Interstate I-35, adjacent to Commercial Property, close to Industrial Park, paved roads on two sides, Kingman Rd and US-59 Hwy, near I-35 interchange, mostly level ground with a small area of flood plain in the back. Entrance is off Kingman Rd. Currently zoned Agriculture, 2026 the cropland is planted in soybeans. Check with Franklin County regarding process for rezoning.
This one hits all the marks. Quality construction, Brick Ranch, 3 car side load garage, large rooms, screened in porch, Trex deck, brick lower patio wired for a hot tub. Backs up to treed lot. Asphalt drive in a great subdivision. AI Lighting and Staging are used in this Listing
Situated adjacent to the 310+ acre Proximity Park industrial development at Ottawa. This 119 acres more or less is in a prime location for industrial/warehouse development. Paved Montana Road is along the west side of the property and Labette Road on the north side is gravel. There is paved access to I-35 from either Exit 185 or 187 at Ottawa and US 59 Highway. The property also has easy access
Discover the convenience and comfort of brand-new living in the heart of Ottawa. Located near neighborhood schools and the south-end amenities Franklin County residents love, this newly built ranch-style home offers modern finishes, functional design, and move-in-ready simplicity without the wait of a custom build. Inside, you’ll find 3 bedrooms, 2 full bathrooms, and an open-concept layout
Prime 12 acre land for sale! Welcome to a rare opportunity to own 12 acres in a highly desirable location! This exceptional property features highway frontage on Highway 59 and road frontage on Rock Creek Road and makes it ideal for a wide range of uses. Sitting on a corner lot it is perfect for commercial potential, a new home site, a hobby farm, or future development. This property also sits
Welcome to Ottawa Plains Apartments in Ottawa, KS! Our community offers convenient amenities such as laundry on site, a dishwasher, washer/dryer hookups, a patio/balcony, and a clubhouse for residents to enjoy. Located in a prime location, our apartments provide easy access to shopping, dining, and entertainment options. Whether you're looking to relax on your private balcony or socialize in the
Welcome to The Oaks at Canterbury in Ottawa, KS! Our pet-friendly community offers a variety of amenities to enhance your living experience. Enjoy the convenience of walk-in closets, central heat and air conditioning, and 24/7 emergency maintenance. Our onsite management and maintenance team is here to ensure your needs are met promptly. Stay active with our basketball court and playground,
Property Id: 884579 Welcome to your new home at 802 S Cedar St in Ottawa! This charming 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom apartment is perfect for a single unit. With amenities like a dishwasher, washer/dryer in unit, and central heat/air, you'll love calling this place home. Enjoy the convenience of included utilities and designated parking. Available for rent starting June 25th at $1400/month. Don't
OPEN HOUSE 8/22 10:00 - 12:00 Call 8-17 through 8-21 for evening tour.Call Tammy to see - seven 85-four18-88 four zero OPEN FLOOR PLAN—PLENTY OF STORAGE2 Bedroom Duplex-Ottawa, KS Newly Remodeled New Faucets - New Carpet – New Planking - Recent Heat & Air System- New paint throughoutWe keep our
OPEN HOUSE 8/22 10:00 - 12:00 Call for tour 8-17 through 8-21 for evening tourCall Tammy to see - seven 85-four18-88 four zero OPEN FLOOR PLAN—PLENTY OF STORAGE (2 blocks North of Golf Course)We keep our apartments Pet Free for those with allergies. (no exceptions) No smoking on premises. (insurance
Spacious four-bedroom, two-bath residence located near Ottawa University and downtown Ottawa. The home offers an open-concept kitchen and living room, walk-in closets, and off-street parking. For rental information or to schedule a showing, please contact Tamara at or Sam at . Tenant responsible for Gas, Electric, Water and Internet
Large 1-Bedroom Apartment – Downtown Ottawa, KSVery spacious 1-bedroom, 1-bath apartment located in the center of downtown Ottawa. This unit features a generous living room, full kitchen with ample storage, and oversized windows providing great natural light. The bedroom comfortably fits a king-size bed with additional space for furniture or a desk.Convenient location within
Looking for a clean, affordable place close to campus? This spacious 3-bedroom, 1-bath lower-level duplex is just a short walk from Ottawa University, making it a great option for college students, roommates, or anyone who wants to be close to everything.The home offers three comfortable bedrooms, a functional kitchen with the essential appliances, and plenty of cabinet and counter space
Large 1-Bedroom Apartment – Downtown Ottawa, KS Very spacious 1-bedroom, 1-bath apartment located in the center of downtown Ottawa. This unit features a generous living room, full kitchen with ample storage, and oversized windows providing great natural light. The bedroom comfortably fits a king-size bed with additional space for furniture or a desk. Convenient location within walking
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