South Hutchinson is a family-friendly suburb with a growing economy
Once a cornerstone of Kansas's salt production region, South Hutchinson is now a suburban neighbor of the larger Hutchinson . On the opposite side of the Arkansas River, South Hutchinson is a separate city, with a small-town feel and a slower pace of life. "It's just safe, and a great place to raise a family," says city administrator Jeff Schenk. His favorite aspect of the city is his neighborhood. "We hang out with the neighbors out in the cul-de-sac and play games and have fun. And the kids will walk over to the disc golf course or to the park."
Easy commutes to Wichita can also be a draw to the southern city. "South Hutchinson is positioned, in my opinion, a little bit better if you're going to travel or commute for work," says Jessica Schmidt, a broker with Reign Real Estate, who has over 10 years of experience in the area. In the next few years, the city's economy is expected to grow with the construction of a major natural gas power plant.
Mid-1900s homes at similar price points to Hutchinson
Most South Hutchinson properties are one-story ranch-style homes and bungalows on grassy lawns. The average lot size is over a quarter-acre, and streets in most neighborhoods have no curbs or sidewalks. Although a good portion of the housing stock is from the mid-1900s, a few infill properties have been added more recently.
Prices range from $70,000 to $200,000 for older homes. From $200,000 to $400,000, buyers can find larger properties with more recent renovations. According to Schmidt, pricing and demand aren't significantly different on the south side of the river. "It's very in line with Hutchinson's market," she says.
Dual credit offered at Nickerson High School
Students attend South Hutchinson Elementary School before moving to Reno Valley Middle School. Both schools receive a C-plus grade from Niche. Older kids travel more than 10 miles to Nickerson to attend the B-rated Nickerson High School. The high school offers dual credit courses in partnership with Hutchinson Community College.
A growing trail system will connect to larger city parks
South Hutchinson has a few green spaces, including Voss Park, a central gathering point with a summertime splash pad. Schenk says the city has plans to expand the trail system in the coming years. "We just had a large grant to connect our several-mile-long nature trail to our Main Street and Poplar Street trails, which are going to connect to the city of Hutchinson's trails," he says. For now, residents must drive over the Arkansas River to reach Hutchinson's Carey Park, a hub of outdoor activity with a swimming pool, zoo and public 18-hole golf course.
Shopping and dining options are mainly in Hutchinson
The city doesn't have much retail, but Gambino's is a staple for pizza, and Bogey's Jr. is a go-to for burgers and ice cream. There's a Dollar General for essentials, but residents typically head across the river into Hutchinson for more options. "You're literally across the road from everything else that most people would need," Schmidt says. Downtown Hutchinson is 3 miles away, offering local businesses, breweries and the grocery store Smith's Market. Larger retailers like Aldi and Walmart Supercenter are about 5 miles away on the city's north side. The north side also has the closest hospital, Hutchinson Regional Medical Center.
Family-focused festivals and cultural celebration at Fiesta
During the city's Freedom Fest, the park around South Hutchinson Community Center fills up with lawn chairs and inflatable bounce houses for an afternoon of free food, softball games and fireworks. One favorite tradition is mud volleyball, where the game is played in a water-filled dirt pit. "Near the end of the day, the water's a little bit muddier than it is at the beginning of the day," says Schenk with a laugh. "But it's cool, and especially in that time of the year, being in the water isn't bad."
Another beloved city tradition is the Our Lady of Guadalupe Fiesta. The Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church was initially started in 1927 to serve the area's Hispanic population, and the Fiesta has been celebrating this heritage for over 80 years. The three-day event includes live music, folklorico dance groups and authentic Mexican foods.
Manufacturing jobs, Wichita commutes and a new power plant
In 2024, the prominent electricity provider Evergy announced its plan to build an $800 million natural gas power plant just south of the city, to be completed by 2030. Schenk says the plant is expected to bring economic growth, bringing construction workers to build the plant and driving further development. "Typically, something that size is going to have sister companies — smaller companies that'll do tech work or steel work or whatever to keep the plant running," he says. "So, we expect an influx of those companies, as well as the increased need for housing."
The city's manufacturing sector is anchored by a Tyson Foods plant, and many any residents make the commute to Wichita , 50 miles away. The larger city is accessible by connecting with nearby state Route 96 and is home to the Wichita Dwight D. Eisenhower National Airport.
Written By
Catherine Lashley
