When dust storms and the Great Depression hit what is now Raymore in the 1930s, it wasn’t clear whether the Watkins Family Farm would survive. Instead of closing, the Allen-Watkins family focused their efforts on bringing new milk plants and grain mills to Raymore, eventually establishing the town as a thriving farming hub just outside Kansas City. Today, Raymore is a tight-knit bedroom community and is one of the fastest-growing cities in Missouri.
"I used to live out there, and it's really blown up over the last 20 or 30 years,” says Paul Galbrecht, a Realtor with Keller Williams, who has been selling throughout the KC area for 9 years. “They're still building new homes, opening restaurants and have really good schools. But the big appeal is its family-oriented, wholesome-value-type feel."
Raymore is a tight-knit bedroom community.
Raymore was established as a thriving farming hub.
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Cass County architecture and a growing market
Raymore's population has increased fivefold since 1990 with 25,000 people as of 2023. This boom in population has also correlated to a growing housing market, with Raymore's median home price reaching an all-time high of $375,000 in 2024.
Influences from the original Watkins family prairie home can be seen in the clean, horizontal lines of older homes along Washington Street, where smaller ranch-style and cottage homes date back to the early 1900s. Many homebuyers are attracted to the chance to buy new construction homes that are scattered across the city. Most properties built since 2010 are priced over $350,000 and often exceed 2,300 square feet. “I think most of our residents have lived here their entire life. We have everything from your family-friendly suburb to retirement communities like Foxwood Springs that provide in-home care and maintenance services,” says Melisa Ferrari, Executive Director of the Raymore Chamber of Commerce.
Raymore new construction homes attract young home buyers.
Raymore's population has increased fivefold since 1990 with 25,000 people as of 2023.
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Missouri Highway 58 is a commercial hub
Missouri Highway 58 forms the center of Raymore's shopping and dining district. Cedar Tree Shopping Center and Belton Towne Center line the busy thoroughfare, which features everything from movie theaters to chain grocers and retailers. “Kelli’s 331 Forever is a boutique restaurant here that everyone loves,” Ferrari says. “Johnny’s Tavern is also pretty new, and it’s a popular place to gather with friends and have a drink.”
For fresh produce for nearby farmers and makers, locals and their families peruse Raymore’s Farmers Market at Centerview, the city's main event venue.
Missouri Highway 58 forms the center of Raymore's shopping and dining district.
Belton Towne Center line the busy thoroughfare, which features everything from movie theaters to chain grocers and retailers.
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Raymore has 20 miles of trails
Raymore Parks and Recreation manages over 285 acres of parkland and green space, including 20 miles of trails and walking paths that connect sports fields with the city skate park and the Raymore Activity Center. "We have two interactive, all-inclusive playgrounds that are accessible to anyone. One of them is at T.B. Hanna Station, which transforms into an ice rink in winter,” Ferrari says.
Raymore experiences four seasons throughout the year. Like the rest of the Midwest, the city experiences cold winters and hot summers. According to WeatherSpark.com, Raymore is a very high risk area for tornados. The largest tornado in the area was an F5 that occurred in 1957. The city averages 15 inches of snow in the winter and 43 inches of rain annually, which is slightly higher than the national average.
Raymore Parks and Recreation manages over 285 acres of parkland and green spaces.
Raymore has 20 miles of trails and walking paths that connect sports fields with the city skate park and the Raymore Activity Center.
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Commuter times and Kansas City International Airport
The average commuter time in Raymore is 27 minutes, according to U.S. News and World Report. Interstate 49 passes the westside of the city, connecting with U.S. Route 71 and taking commuters the 25 miles into Downtown Kansas City in just 30 minutes. Kansas City International Airport is about 45 miles northwest. The airport offers nonstop flights across the country, and international flights to Mexico, the Caribbean and Canada. The closest hospital is Saint Luke's South Hospital, 17 miles northwest via Route 58.
U.S. Route 71 and taking commuters the 25 miles into Downtown Kansas City in just 30 minutes.
Raymore is located about 45 miles northwest from Kansas City International Airport.
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Raymore events at T.B. Hanna Station
T.B. Hanna Station, a local park, doubles as the city’s event space. It host various events throughout the year including the Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting and the Summer Scene Arts and Music Fest.
Another of Raymore’s many community spaces is the LEAD Learning Center, which offers high school students real-world working experience. In collaboration with the Chamber of Commerce, students put together a booklet for new residents that contains coupons and suggestions for local services and businesses.
In the winter Raymore's Hanna Station park hosts a Mayor’s Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony.
Raymore Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to support the local community.
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Ray-Pec public schools and student opportunities
The Raymore-Peculiar R-II School District serves around 6,300 students across 11 schools. It rates a B-plus and is the best district in Cass County on Niche. With more than 6,300 students, The district is also one of the city’s largest employers, and its common for teachers often teach the children of their former students, according to Ferrari.
Raymore Elementary School provides a six-week after-school art program and can be seen participating in community events like the Raymore Parade every September. Ray-Pec High School offers scholarship opportunities for students interested in community college or vocational training programs.
Raymore School District rates a B-plus and is the best district in Cass County on Niche.
Middle school students may attend Raymore-Peculiar East Middle School.
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Important to know
According to FBI Crime Data Explorer, Raymore's violent and property crime rates are both under the national average. Since 2018, rates for violent crimes have increased by 300%, while property crimes have decreased by about 35%. KC 360 is a local initiative with the goal of reducing gun violence by 50% in the next five years, and hopefully bringing the annual number of homicides throughout the metro to under 100.
Written By
Bayley Malo
Photography Contributed By
Anya Ivantseva
Video By
Jaried Frogosa
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Jeff Yacos,
an experienced agent in this area.
On average, homes in Raymore, MO sell after 45 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Raymore, MO over the last 12 months is $372,850, up 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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